Printed materials and color charts

Abstract

To provide a printed matter suppressed in uneven printing of an image printed by relief printing, and a color chart.SOLUTION: A color chart includes an image 20 printed on a printing medium by relief printing. The image 20 includes a first image area 32 expressed with the image by a first dot pattern 42, and a first bar area 31 expressed with the image by a second dot pattern 41, being adjacent to the first image area 32 in a first direction 110, and extending in a belt-like shape in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction 110. The first dot pattern 42 and the second dot pattern 41 comprise dots of at least one collar. The at least one collar includes a collar where a dot area rate in the second dot pattern 41 is larger than a dot area rate in the first dot pattern 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printed matter and a color chart.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-287640 (Patent Document 1) discloses a spot color sample chart for gravure printing in which a plurality of patches are arranged in a vertical row from the top on one side of a printing substrate in increments of 10% from 0% to 100% in dot area ratio, and the row of these patch groups is printed with process ink yellow (Y) arranged in 10% increments from 0% to 100% in dot area ratio horizontally from right to left.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, color charts used as color samples for various printed matters are known. Since a color chart is produced by the same printing method as that for the printed matter to be compared, a color chart for letterpress printing such as flexographic printing is produced by letterpress printing.

[0005] In the production of color charts using this type of relief printing, ink is applied to the raised areas of a printing plate, and the ink is transferred from the plate to the printing medium, thereby forming an image on the printing medium using a halftone pattern. However, when printing transitions from a non-printing area to an image area where the halftone pattern is printed, a phenomenon can occur where the printing pressure increases at the entrance to the image area. In this case, the area of ​​the halftone dots becomes larger in the areas where the printing pressure locally increases within the image area, resulting in uneven printing due to variations in the halftone dot area ratio. As a result, color unevenness occurs within the same color patch, and the quality of the color chart as a color sample deteriorates.

[0006] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a printed material in which printing irregularities of images printed by letterpress printing are suppressed, and a color chart using such a printed material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] A printed material comprising a printing medium and an image printed on the printing medium by letterpress printing, wherein the image includes a first image region in which the image is represented by a first halftone pattern and a first bar region in which the image is represented by a second halftone pattern, is adjacent to the first image region in a first direction and extends in a band shape in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the first halftone pattern and the second halftone pattern are composed of halftone dots of at least one color, and the at least one color includes a color in which the halftone area ratio in the second halftone pattern is greater than the halftone area ratio in the first halftone pattern.

[0008] With a printed material constructed in this manner, assuming that letterpress printing proceeds in the order of the first bar region and the first image region in the first direction, the increase in printing pressure at the entrance of the first image region can be suppressed by printing a second halftone pattern in the first bar region with a color in which the halftone area ratio of the second halftone pattern is greater than that of the first halftone pattern. This suppresses variations in the halftone area ratio of the first halftone pattern of that color, and suppresses the occurrence of printing unevenness in the first image region.

[0009] [2] The first image region has a rectangular shape enclosed by a pair of sides extending in the first direction and a pair of sides extending in the second direction, the length of the first image region in the first direction is greater than the length of the first bar region in the first direction, and the length of the first image region in the second direction is equal to the length of the first bar region in the second direction, as described in [1].

[0010] In a printed material constructed in this manner, the first bar region, which is positioned adjacent to the rectangular first image region, extends along the edge of the first image region and has a smaller area than the first image region. This makes the image in the first bar region, which is not inherently related to the image in the first image region, less conspicuous.

[0011] [3] The printed material described in [1] or [2], wherein the dot area ratio in the first halftone pattern of the above color is in the range of 0% to less than 60%, and the dot area ratio in the second halftone pattern of the above color is in the range of 60% or more and 100% or less.

[0012] With printed materials constructed in this manner, when the dot area ratio in the first dot pattern is in the range of 0% to less than 60%, printing irregularities are particularly easily recognized, thus making the effect of suppressing the occurrence of printing irregularities in the first image area more effective. Furthermore, when the dot area ratio in the second dot pattern is in the range of 60% to 100%, the increase in printing pressure at the entrance of the first image area can be suppressed more effectively.

[0013] [4] The printed material according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the length of the first bar region in the first direction is in the range of 0.01 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less.

[0014] With a printed material constructed in this manner, if the length of the first bar region in the first direction is 0.01 mm or more, the increase in printing pressure at the entrance of the first image region can be suppressed more effectively. If the length of the first bar region in the first direction is 0.1 mm or less, the image in the first bar region, which is not inherently related to the image in the first image region, can be made less noticeable.

[0015] [5] The above letterpress printing is water-based flexographic printing, and the printed material is as described in any of [1] to [4].

[0016] With printed materials constructed in this manner, the occurrence of printing inconsistencies can be suppressed in images printed on a printing medium using water-based flexographic printing.

[0017] A color chart using a printed material as described in any of [6] [1] to [5], comprising a plurality of color patches arranged in a matrix in the first and second directions, wherein the image further includes a second image region in which an image is represented by a third halftone pattern, and a second bar region in which an image is represented by a fourth halftone pattern, is adjacent to the second image region in the first direction, is located between the first and second image regions, and extends in a band shape in the second direction, wherein the third and fourth halftone patterns are composed of halftone dots of at least one color, and the at least one color includes a color in which the halftone area ratio in the fourth halftone pattern is greater than the halftone area ratio in the third halftone pattern, and the plurality of color patches are arranged in the first direction and include a first color patch and a second color patch corresponding to the first and second image regions, respectively.

[0018] According to the printed matter configured as described above, assuming that the printing of the color chart by letterpress printing proceeds in the first direction in the order of the first bar region, the first image region (first color patch), the second bar region, and the second image region (second color patch), printing the second halftone dot pattern in the first bar region with a color in which the halftone dot area ratio of the second halftone dot pattern is larger than that of the first halftone dot pattern can suppress an increase in printing pressure at the entrance of the first color patch; and printing the fourth halftone dot pattern in the second bar region with a color in which the halftone dot area ratio of the fourth halftone dot pattern is larger than that of the third halftone dot pattern can suppress an increase in printing pressure at the entrance of the second color patch. This can suppress variation in the halftone dot area ratio of the first halftone dot pattern of the color, suppress variation in the halftone dot area ratio of the third halftone dot pattern of the color, and suppress the occurrence of color unevenness in each of the first color patch and the second color patch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printed matter that suppresses printing unevenness in an image printed by letterpress printing, and a color chart using such a printed matter. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a plan view showing the color chart in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of the color chart in Fig. 1. [Figure 3] It is an enlarged plan view showing the color chart in a range surrounded by the two-dot chain line III in Fig. 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a printing step in a range surrounded by the two-dot chain line IV in Fig. 2. [Figure 5] It is a graph showing a change in printing pressure in a comparative example. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a color chart according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the basic configuration of the color chart 100 and a method for manufacturing the same will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The color chart 100 includes a printing medium 51.

[0023] The printing medium 51 is formed of a sheet. The printing medium 51 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, paper, synthetic paper (white film), an opaque film, or a transparent film. In a plan view thereof, the printing medium 51 has a rectangular shape surrounded by a pair of sides extending in a first direction indicated by an arrow 110 (hereinafter referred to as "first direction 110") and a pair of sides extending in a second direction indicated by an arrow 120 perpendicular to the first direction 110 (hereinafter referred to as "second direction 120").

[0024] The color chart 100 further includes an image 20. The image 20 is printed on the printing medium 51 by letterpress printing. The image 20 is represented by a halftone dot pattern formed by letterpress printing.

[0025] In the present embodiment, water-based flexographic printing, which is a type of letterpress printing, is used for printing the image 20. The image 20 may be printed on the front side or the back side of the printing medium 51. When the image 20 is back-printed, for example, the image 20 is printed on the back surface of the printing medium 51 made of a transparent film, and the image 20 is visually recognized through the transparent film.

[0026] On the printing medium 51, a plurality of color patches 21 and a plurality of ruled lines 26 are printed as the image 20.

[0027] Each color patch 21 has a rectangular shape, enclosed by a pair of sides extending in a first direction 110 and a pair of sides extending in a second direction 120 perpendicular to the first direction 110. The shape and size of the color patches 21 are the same among multiple color patches 21. Preferably, the size of each color patch 21 is greater than or equal to the area measurable by a colorimeter (for example, an area of ​​5 mm square or larger).

[0028] A color patch 21 is composed of halftone dots of at least one color selected from multiple colors (typically 2 to 4 colors). Figure 1 shows, as an example, a color patch 21 composed of halftone dots of a combination of two colors (magenta M and yellow Y). Multiple color patches 21 are created such that the combination of the halftone dot area ratio of magenta M and the halftone dot area ratio of yellow Y differs among the multiple color patches 21.

[0029] For printing color patch 21, process colors or spot colors may be used. The types of process colors are not particularly limited; for example, there may be four colors such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), or six colors such as these plus orange (O) and green (G), or seven colors such as violet (V).

[0030] Multiple color patches 21 are arranged in a matrix in two directions: a first direction 110 and a second direction 120. Multiple color patches 21 are arranged in the first direction 110 such that the dot area ratio of magenta M changes in 10% increments from 0% to 100%. Multiple color patches 21 are arranged in the second direction 120 such that the dot area ratio of yellow Y changes in 10% increments from 0% to 100%.

[0031] The ruled lines 26 have a constant width in the first direction 110 and extend linearly in the second direction 120. The shape and size of the ruled lines 26 are the same among multiple ruled lines 26. The ruled lines 26 extend along the edges of the color patches 21 that extend in the second direction 120. The ruled lines 26 are positioned between adjacent color patches 21 in the first direction 110. The ruled lines 26 and color patches 21 are arranged alternately in the first direction 110.

[0032] The grid line 26 is a bar-shaped image composed of halftone dots with the same color combination (magenta M and yellow Y) as the color patch 21.

[0033] Figure 2 shows the manufacturing process of the color chart shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a long sheet material 151 is used to manufacture the color chart 100. The sheet material 151, wound into a roll, is transported along its longitudinal direction, and a printing process using letterpress printing (water-based flexographic printing) is performed on the transported sheet material 151.

[0034] In the printing process using water-based flexographic printing, a resin printing plate 56 is used. The printing plate 56 has a cylindrical shape, and multiple protrusions 57 are provided on its outer surface. The sheet material 151 is transported directly beneath the rotating printing plate 56. During this time, by applying printing pressure from the printing plate 56 to the sheet material 151, the ink 200 (see Figure 4 below) attached to the tops of the protrusions 57 is transferred to the surface of the sheet material 151.

[0035] The printing plate 56 includes a printing plate 56M and a printing plate 56Y. The printing plates 56M and 56Y are arranged side by side in the direction of transport of the sheet material 151. The printing plate 56M transfers magenta M ink 200 to the sheet material 151. The printing plate 56Y transfers yellow Y ink 200 to the sheet material 151.

[0036] In the printing process, the sheet material 151 on which the image 20 is printed is cut along the shorter side of the sheet material 151 by the cutting device 58. This results in multiple color charts 100 being obtained in sequence.

[0037] In the color chart 100 produced through this manufacturing process, the first direction 110 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the sheet material 151 (the conveying direction of the sheet material 151), and the second direction 120 corresponds to the short direction of the sheet material 151.

[0038] That is, while the sheet material 151 is transported directly beneath the printing plate 56 (56M, 56Y), the color patches 21 and grid lines 26 arranged in the first direction 110 are printed alternately in their order. More specifically, the grid lines 26 extending along the upper edge of the color patch 21 with a magenta M dot area ratio of 0% are printed first, followed by the color patch 21 with a magenta M dot area ratio of 0%. Subsequently, the grid lines 26 and color patches 21 are printed alternately, with the color patch 21 with a magenta M dot area ratio of 100% being printed last. Multiple color patches 21 arranged in the second direction 120 are printed simultaneously, and multiple grid lines 26 arranged in the second direction 120 are printed simultaneously.

[0039] Next, we will describe the more specific configuration of the image 20 printed on the color chart 100. Figure 3 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of the color chart within the area enclosed by the dashed line III in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the printing process within the area enclosed by the dashed line IV in Figure 2. Figure 4 schematically shows the state of the sheet material 151 and printing plate 56 (56M) during printing of the image within the area shown in Figure 3.

[0040] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, Image 20 has a first image region 32, a first bar region 31, a second image region 34, and a second bar region 33.

[0041] Each region of the first image area 32 and the second image area 34 corresponds to a color patch 21. In the first image area 32, the image is represented by the first halftone pattern 42. In the second image area 34, the image is represented by the third halftone pattern 44. Each halftone pattern of the first halftone pattern 42 and the third halftone pattern 44 consists of magenta M and yellow Y halftone dots.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a typical example where the first image region 32 corresponds to the first color patch 21A, where the halftone area ratios of magenta M and yellow Y are (20%, 20%), and the second image region 34 corresponds to the second color patch 21B, where the halftone area ratios of magenta M and yellow Y are (30%, 20%).

[0043] Each bar area of ​​the first bar area 31 and the second bar area 33 corresponds to the grid lines 26. In the first bar area 31, the image is represented by the second halftone pattern 41. In the second bar area 33, the image is represented by the fourth halftone pattern 43. The second halftone pattern 41 is composed of halftone dots with the same color combination as the first halftone pattern 42. The fourth halftone pattern 43 is composed of halftone dots with the same color combination as the third halftone pattern 44. Each halftone pattern of the second halftone pattern 41 and the fourth halftone pattern 43 is composed of magenta M and yellow Y halftone dots.

[0044] The first bar region 31 is adjacent to the first image region 32 in the first direction 110. The first bar region 31 extends in a band shape in the second direction 120.

[0045] The length of the first bar region 31 in the second direction 120 is the same as the length of the first image region 32 in the second direction 120. The length (width) of the first bar region 31 in the first direction 110 is smaller than the length of the first bar region 31 in the second direction 120. The length (width) of the first bar region 31 in the first direction 110 is smaller than the length of the first image region 32 in the first direction 110.

[0046] The second bar region 33 is adjacent to the second image region 34 in the first direction 110. The second bar region 33 extends in a band shape in the second direction 120.

[0047] The second bar region 33 is positioned between the first image region 32 and the second image region 34 in the first direction 110. The first bar region 31, the first image region 32, the second bar region 33, and the second image region 34 are arranged in the first direction 110 in the order listed above.

[0048] The length of the second bar region 33 in the second direction 120 is the same as the length of the second image region 34 in the second direction 120. The length (width) of the second bar region 33 in the first direction 110 is smaller than the length of the second bar region 33 in the second direction 120. The length (width) of the second bar region 33 in the first direction 110 is smaller than the length of the second image region 34 in the first direction 110.

[0049] On the surface of the sheet material 151 in Figure 4, magenta M halftone dots are shown, which constitute the first bar area 31, the first image area 32, the second bar area 33, and the second image area 34. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when printing the image 20, as the sheet material 151 is transported directly beneath the rotating printing plate 56M, magenta M ink 200 is transferred to the sheet material 151, and the first bar area 31, the first image area 32, the second bar area 33, and the second image area 34 are printed in that order. Similarly, as shown in Figure 3, as the sheet material 151 is transported directly beneath the rotating printing plate 56Y, yellow Y ink 200 is transferred to the sheet material 151, and the first bar area 31, the first image area 32, the second bar area 33, and the second image area 34 are printed in that order.

[0050] The dot area ratio in the second halftone pattern 41 of magenta M is greater than that in the first halftone pattern 42 of magenta M, and the dot area ratio in the second halftone pattern 41 of yellow Y is greater than that in the first halftone pattern 42 of yellow Y.

[0051] As shown in Figure 3, when the dot area ratio of magenta M and yellow Y constituting the second halftone pattern 41 in the first bar region 31 is (ma,ya), and the dot area ratio of magenta M and yellow Y constituting the first halftone pattern 42 in the first image region 32 is (Ma,Ya), then (ma,ya) is set to satisfy the relationships ma>Ma and ya>Ya. For example, when (Ma,Ya)=(20%,20%), (ma,ya)=(80%,80%) or (ma,ya)=(80%,70%).

[0052] The dot area ratio in the fourth halftone pattern 43 of magenta M is greater than that in the third halftone pattern 44 of magenta M, and the dot area ratio in the fourth halftone pattern 43 of yellow Y is greater than that in the third halftone pattern 44 of yellow Y.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, when the dot area ratio of magenta M and yellow Y constituting the fourth dot pattern 43 in the second bar region 33 is (mb, yb), and the dot area ratio of magenta M and yellow Y constituting the third dot pattern 44 in the second image region 34 is (Mb, Yb), then (mb, yb) is set to satisfy the relationships mb > Mb and yb > Yb. For example, when (Mb, Yb) = (30%, 20%), (mb, yb) = (80%, 80%) or (mb, yb) = (80%, 70%).

[0054] It should be noted that the color chart 100 does not need to have bar areas that satisfy the above relationship for all color patches 21 arranged in a matrix in the first direction 110 and the second direction 120. For example, assuming that the halftone area ratios of magenta M and yellow Y in the grid lines 26 are uniformly (80%, 80%), then the color patches 21 and grid lines 26 in the range where the halftone area ratio of magenta M in the first direction 110 is 70% or less, and the halftone area ratio of yellow Y in the second direction 120 is 70% or less, correspond to the "first image area," "second image area," "first bar area," or "second bar area" in the present invention.

[0055] Furthermore, consider the case where, for example, the color patch 21 is composed of a combination of three colors (magenta M, yellow Y, and cyan C). If the dot area ratio of magenta M, yellow Y, and cyan C constituting the first halftone pattern 42 in the first image region 32 is (Ma, Ya, Ca), and if the dot area ratio of magenta M, yellow Y, and cyan C constituting the second halftone pattern 41 in the first bar region 31 is (ma, ya, ca), then (ma, ya, ca) is set to satisfy the relationships ma > Ma, ya > Ya, and ca > Ca. For example, if (Ma, Ya, Ca) = (30%, 20%, 40%), then (ma, ya, ca) = (80%, 80%, 80%) or (ma, ya, ca) = (70%, 80%, 90%).

[0056] Figure 5 is a graph showing the change in printing pressure in the comparative example. Referring to Figure 5, in this comparative example, in the area of ​​image 20 shown in Figure 3, the first bar area 31 and the second bar area 33 are replaced by a first non-printing area 131 and a second non-printing area 133, respectively, where the halftone pattern image is not printed.

[0057] In this case, when printing by letterpress printing (water-based flexographic printing) transitions from the first non-printing area 131 to the first image area 32, and from the second non-printing area 133 to the second image area 34, a phenomenon occurs where the printing pressure increases at the entrance of each image area, the first image area 32 and the second image area 34. As a result, the area of ​​the halftone dots increases locally in the areas where the printing pressure increases in each image area, causing color unevenness due to variations in the halftone dot area ratio of the halftone dot pattern.

[0058] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the increase in printing pressure at the entrance of the first image area 32 can be suppressed by printing a second halftone pattern 41 using magenta M and yellow Y, such that the halftone area ratio of the second halftone pattern 41 is greater than that of the first halftone pattern 42, in the first bar area 31 in front of the first image area 32. Furthermore, the increase in printing pressure at the entrance of the second image area 34 can be suppressed by printing a fourth halftone pattern 43 using magenta M and yellow Y, such that the halftone area ratio of the fourth halftone pattern 43 is greater than that of the third halftone pattern 44, in the second bar area 33 in front of the second image area 34. Therefore, a properly colored color patch 21 without color unevenness can be produced in the first image area 32 and the second image area 34.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first bar region 31 extends along the edge of the first image region 32 and has a bar shape smaller in area than the first image region 32, and the second bar region 33 extends along the edge of the second image region 34 and has a bar shape smaller in area than the second image region 34, thereby making the first bar region 31 and the second bar region 33, which are not originally related to the color patch 21, less conspicuous.

[0060] Preferably, the dot area ratio in the first halftone pattern 42 for each magenta M and yellow Y color is in the range of greater than 0% and less than 60%, and the dot area ratio in the second halftone pattern 41 for each magenta M and yellow Y color is in the range of 60% or more and 100% or less. Preferably, the dot area ratio in the third halftone pattern 44 for each magenta M and yellow Y color is in the range of greater than 0% and less than 60%, and the dot area ratio in the fourth halftone pattern 43 for each magenta M and yellow Y color is in the range of 60% or more and 100% or less.

[0061] When the dot area ratio of the first halftone pattern 42 (third halftone pattern 44) for each color, magenta M and yellow Y, is in the range of over 0% and less than 60%, color unevenness is particularly easily recognized due to the lightness of the color, so the effect of suppressing the occurrence of color unevenness in the first image area 32 (second image area 34) is more effective. Also, when the dot area ratio of the second halftone pattern 41 (fourth halftone pattern 43) for each color, magenta M and yellow Y, is in the range of 60% to 100%, the increase in printing pressure at the entrance of the first image area 32 (second image area 34) can be suppressed more effectively.

[0062] The lengths of the first bar region 31 and the second bar region 33 in the first direction 110 are preferably in the range of 0.01 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less. The dot area ratios of the colors (magenta M and yellow Y) used to print the bar regions are preferably the same among the multiple grid lines 26.

[0063] If the length of the first bar region 31 (second bar region 33) in the first direction 110 is 0.01 mm or more, the increase in printing pressure at the entrance of the first image region 32 (second image region 34) can be suppressed more effectively. If the length of the first bar region 31 (second bar region 33) in the first direction 110 is 0.1 mm or less, the image in the first bar region 31 (second bar region 33), which is not originally related to the color patch 21, can be made less noticeable.

[0064] Color Chart 100 is used, for example, when selecting the colors for a design requested by a customer.

[0065] Specifically, a color chart 100 is created using a printing press. Next, the color of each color patch 21 on the color chart 100 is read using a colorimeter, and the data is entered into a computer. Then, within the computer, the color data of each color patch 21 on the color chart 100 is compared with the color data of the customer design, and the color data of the color patch 21 that matches or approximates the color data of the customer design is selected. From the color data of the selected color patch 21, the type of process color to reproduce the colors of the customer design using a printing press and the halftone area ratio of each process color are identified.

[0066] Furthermore, the color chart 100 is not limited to the above, and may also be used to select a color patch 21 that corresponds to the customer's design by visually comparing each color patch 21 of the color chart 100 with the customer's design.

[0067] In this embodiment, since there is no color unevenness in each color patch 21 and the colors of the color patches 21 are properly represented, it becomes easier to select a color patch 21 that corresponds to the colors of the customer's design.

[0068] In this invention, it is sufficient that at least one of the colors constituting the dots in the first and second halftone patterns exists such that the dot area ratio in the second halftone pattern is greater than the dot area ratio in the first halftone pattern, and the dot area ratio in the fourth halftone pattern is greater than the dot area ratio in the third halftone pattern.

[0069] In light of this embodiment, it is sufficient that at least one of magenta M and yellow Y satisfies the condition that the dot area ratio in the second dot pattern 41 is greater than the dot area ratio in the first dot pattern 42, and the dot area ratio in the fourth dot pattern 43 is greater than the dot area ratio in the third dot pattern 44. For example, if (Ma,Ya) = (20%,80%), then (ma,ya) = (90%,90%), (ma,ya) = (80%,80%), or (ma,ya) = (70%,70%). Also, if (Mb,Yb) = (30%,80%), then (mb,yb) = (90%,90%), (mb,yb) = (80%,80%), or (mb,yb) = (70%,70%).

[0070] In the above case, the first bar area 31 may be provided such that the dot area ratio in the second dot pattern 41 is greater than the dot area ratio in the first dot pattern 42, but only for colors in which the dot area ratio in the first dot pattern 42 is in the range of less than 60%, and the second bar area 33 may be provided such that the dot area ratio in the fourth dot pattern 43 is greater than the dot area ratio in the third dot pattern 44, but only for colors in which the dot area ratio in the third dot pattern 44 is in the range of less than 60%.

[0071] When an image area is printed with at least one color having a halftone area ratio between 0% and less than 60%, it is preferable that a bar area is provided along the image area, which is printed with at least one color having a halftone area ratio between 60% and 100%.

[0072] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes the case in which the printed material of the present invention is used as a color chart, it is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to printed materials such as labels, packages, or pouches.

[0073] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 20 Image, 21, 21A, 21B Color patch, 26 Ruled lines, 31 First bar area, 32 First image area, 33 Second bar area, 34 Second image area, 41 Second halftone pattern, 42 First halftone pattern, 43 Fourth halftone pattern, 44 Third halftone pattern, 51 Printing medium, 56, 56M, 56Y Printing plate, 57 Relief, 58 Cutting device, 100 Color chart, 110 First direction, 120 Second direction, 131 First non-printing area, 133 Second non-printing area, 151 Sheet material, 200 Ink.

Claims

1. Print media and, The system comprises an image printed on the printing medium by letterpress printing, The aforementioned image is, A first image region in which the image is represented by the first halftone pattern, The image is represented by a second halftone pattern, and includes a first bar region adjacent to the first image region in a first direction which is the printing direction, and extending in a band shape in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first bar region and the first image region are printed in this order. The first halftone pattern and the second halftone pattern are composed of at least one color halftone dot. A printed material in which the at least one color includes a color in which the dot area ratio in the second dot pattern is greater than the dot area ratio in the first dot pattern.

2. The first image region has a rectangular shape enclosed by a pair of sides extending in the first direction and a pair of sides extending in the second direction. The length of the first image region in the first direction is greater than the length of the first bar region in the first direction. The printed material according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first image region in the second direction is equal to the length of the first bar region in the second direction.

3. The dot area ratio in the first dot pattern of the aforementioned color is in the range of greater than 0% and less than 60%. The printed material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dot area ratio in the second dot pattern of the color is in the range of 60% or more and 100% or less.

4. A color chart using the printed material described in claim 1 or 2, The system comprises a plurality of color patches arranged in a matrix in the first and second directions, The aforementioned image is, The second image region in which the image is represented by the third halftone pattern, The image is represented by a fourth halftone pattern, and further includes a second bar region adjacent to the second image region in the first direction and positioned between the first image region and the second image region, extending in a band shape in the second direction. The third halftone pattern and the fourth halftone pattern are composed of at least one color halftone dot, The at least one color includes the color in which the dot area ratio in the fourth dot pattern is greater than the dot area ratio in the third dot pattern, A color chart comprising the plurality of color patches arranged in the first direction, and including a first color patch and a second color patch corresponding to the first image region and the second image region, respectively.

Images