Recording device and recording method

Abstract

A recording device (1) comprises: a conveyance unit that conveys a recording medium (W) in the conveyance direction; a carriage (3) that reciprocates in a main scanning direction; and a plurality of liquid discharge parts that are arranged side-by-side in the main scanning direction in the carriage (3). The plurality of liquid discharge parts include: a plurality of ink discharge parts which are arranged side-by-side in the main scanning direction to discharge ink; and a pair of post-processing liquid discharge parts which are arranged on both outer sides of the plurality of ink discharge parts in the main scanning direction, the pair of post-processing liquid discharge parts each including a post-processing liquid nozzle region configured to discharge a post-processing liquid and a specific nozzle region configured to discharge a specific liquid different from the post-processing liquid.

Description

Recording device and recording method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a recording device and a recording method.

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, inkjet printers and other recording devices are known that include a printing unit that prints on a recording medium. The printing unit has an ink head (ink ejection unit) that ejects ink for forming an image toward the recording medium. When the recording medium is wide, the ink head is mounted on a carriage that moves back and forth in the main scanning direction. During printing, the recording medium is intermittently fed in a predetermined direction (sub-scanning direction), and while the recording medium is stationary, ink is ejected from the ink head while the carriage moves back and forth in the main scanning direction.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-20536

[0004] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a recording device and a recording method that can mount an ejection unit that ejects post-treatment liquid and multiple ink ejection units that eject ink on a carriage, while suppressing an increase in the number of ejection units and making it possible to keep the landing order of ink and post-treatment liquid the same regardless of the main scanning direction.

[0005] a pair of post-processing liquid ejection units arranged on both sides of the ink ejection units in the main scanning direction, the pair of post-processing liquid ejection units each including a post-processing liquid nozzle region capable of ejecting a post-processing liquid, and a specific nozzle region arranged next to the post-processing liquid nozzle region in the main scanning direction and capable of ejecting a specific liquid different from the post-processing liquid;

[0006] a pair of post-treatment liquid nozzle regions disposed on both sides of the ink nozzle regions in the main scanning direction and ejecting a post-treatment liquid; and a pair of post-treatment liquid nozzle regions disposed upstream of the ink nozzle regions and the pair of post-treatment liquid nozzle regions in the transport direction and ejecting a pre-treatment liquid.

[0007] Furthermore, a recording method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a recording method in which a carriage is moved back and forth in a main scanning direction that intersects with the transport direction to eject a liquid onto a recording medium transported in the transport direction, the recording method including the step of preparing, on the carriage, a plurality of liquid ejection units arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, including a plurality of ink ejection units arranged side by side in the main scanning direction and ejecting ink, and a pair of post-processing liquid ejection units arranged on both sides of the plurality of ink ejection units in the main scanning direction, wherein each of the pair of post-processing liquid ejection units includes a post-processing liquid nozzle region capable of ejecting a post-processing liquid, and a specific nozzle region that is aligned with the post-processing liquid nozzle region in the main scanning direction and is capable of ejecting a specific liquid different from the post-processing liquid.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a carriage shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a serial printing method employed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the general arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining nozzle regions within an ink head according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid head liquid on a carriage according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid head liquid on a carriage according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid head liquid on a carriage according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 14 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid head liquid on a carriage according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 15 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid head liquid on a carriage according to a tenth embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 16 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid head liquid on a carriage according to an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 17 is a schematic plan view showing the nozzle region of an ink head on a carriage according to an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 18A is a schematic plan view showing the nozzle region of an ink head on a carriage according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 18B is a schematic plan view showing the nozzle area of ​​an ink head on a carriage according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view showing a nozzle area of ​​an ink head on a carriage according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] A printing unit according to each embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In these embodiments, an inkjet printer (recording device) equipped with an ink head that ejects ink for forming an image onto a wide, long recording medium is exemplified as a specific example of an apparatus equipped with a printing unit. Inkjet printers are suitable for digital textile printing, which uses an inkjet method to print images such as letters and patterns onto a recording medium made of fabric such as woven or knitted fabric. Of course, the printing unit according to the present disclosure can also be used to print various images on recording media such as paper sheets and resin sheets.

[0010] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an inkjet printer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. The inkjet printer 1 is a printer that prints images on a wide and long workpiece W (recording medium) using an inkjet method, and includes a device frame 10, and a workpiece transport unit 20 (transport unit) and carriage 3 that are incorporated into this device frame 10. Note that in this embodiment, the left-to-right direction is the main scanning direction S (Fig. 3) when printing on the workpiece W, and the direction from rear to front is the sub-scanning direction (the transport direction F of the workpiece W, which intersects with the main scanning direction S).

[0011] The device frame 10 forms a framework for mounting various components of the inkjet printer 1. The work transport unit 20 is a mechanism that intermittently feeds (transports) the work W so that the work W progresses in a transport direction F from rear to front in a printing area where inkjet printing processing is performed. The carriage 3 is equipped with an ink head 4 as well as a pre-treatment liquid head, a post-treatment liquid head, and a sub-tank 7, which will be described later, and moves back and forth in a main scanning direction S (left and right direction) that intersects with the transport direction F of the work W during the inkjet printing processing.

[0012] The device frame 10 includes a central frame 111, a right frame 112, and a left frame 113. The central frame 111 forms a framework for mounting various components of the inkjet printer 1, and has a left-to-right width corresponding to the work transport section 20. The right frame 112 and left frame 113 are erected to the right and left of the central frame 111, respectively. Between the right frame 112 and the left frame 113 is the printing area 12 where printing processing is performed on the work W.

[0013] The right frame 112 forms the maintenance area 13. The maintenance area 13 is an area where the carriage 3 is retracted when the printing process is not being performed. In the maintenance area 13, cleaning processes, purging processes, etc. of the nozzles (ejection holes) of the ink head 4 and the like are performed, and caps are fitted. The left frame 113 forms the turn-around area 14 for the carriage 3. The turn-around area 14 is an area where the carriage 3 temporarily enters when it performs a main scan in the opposite direction after performing a main scan in the opposite direction across the printing area 12 from right to left during the printing process.

[0014] A carriage guide 15 for moving the carriage 3 back and forth in the left-right direction is attached to the upper side of the device frame 10. The carriage guide 15 is a flat plate-shaped member that is long in the left-right direction, and is disposed above the work transport unit 20. A timing belt 16 is attached to the carriage guide 15 so as to be able to move in a circular motion in the left-right direction (main scanning direction). The timing belt 16 is an endless belt that is driven to move in a circular motion in the left or right direction.

[0015] The carriage guide 15 is equipped with a pair of upper and lower guide rails 17 that extend parallel to the left and right and that hold the carriage 3 in a state that allows it to move back and forth in the main scanning direction S. The carriage 3 is engaged with the guide rails 17. The carriage 3 is also fixed to a timing belt 16. As the timing belt 16 moves orbitally leftward or rightward, the carriage 3 moves leftward or rightward along the carriage guide 15 while being guided by the guide rails 17.

[0016] Referring primarily to Figure 2, the work transport section 20 includes a feed roller 21 that pays out the work W before printing, and a take-up roller 22 that takes up the work W after printing. The feed roller 21 is located at the rear lower part of the device frame 10, and is a take-up shaft for a feed roll WA that is a roll of the work W before printing. The take-up roller 22 is located at the front lower part of the device frame 10, and is a take-up shaft for a take-up roll WB that is a roll of the work W after the printing process. A first motor M1 is attached to the take-up roller 22, which drives the take-up roller 22 to rotate about its axis and perform the operation of winding up the work W.

[0017] The path between the delivery roller 21 and the take-up roller 22 and passing through the printing area 12 is the transport path for the workpiece W. Arranged on this transport path, in order from upstream, are a first tension roller 23, a work guide 24, a transport roller 25 and a pinch roller 26, a turn-back roller 27, and a second tension roller 28. The first tension roller 23 applies a predetermined tension to the workpiece W on the upstream side of the transport roller 25. The work guide 24 changes the transport direction of the workpiece W from upward to forward, allowing the workpiece W to enter the printing area 12.

[0018] The transport roller 25 is a roller that generates a transport force that intermittently feeds the workpiece W in the printing area 12. The transport roller 25 is driven to rotate around its axis by the second motor M2, and intermittently transports the workpiece W forward (in a predetermined transport direction F) so that the workpiece W passes through the printing area 12 (image forming position) facing the carriage 3. The pinch roller 26 is disposed opposite the transport roller 25 from above, and forms a transport nip portion with the transport roller 25.

[0019] The turn-back roller 27 changes the transport direction of the workpiece W that has passed through the printing area 12 from forward to downward, and guides the workpiece W after printing processing to the take-up roller 22. The second tension roller 28 applies a predetermined tension to the workpiece W downstream of the transport roller 25. A platen 29 is disposed below the transport path of the workpiece W in the printing area 12.

[0020] The carriage 3 is supported at one end by the guide rail 17 and moves back and forth in a main scanning direction S (left and right in this embodiment) that intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) with the transport direction F. The carriage 3 includes a carriage frame 30, and a head such as an ink head 4 and a sub-tank 7 mounted on the carriage frame 30. The carriage frame 30 includes a head support frame 31 and a back frame 32.

[0021] The head support frame 31 is a horizontal plate that holds the heads 4 to 6. The back frame 32 is a vertical plate that extends upward from the rear edge of the head support frame 31. The rear end of the head support frame 31 is supported in a cantilevered manner by the back frame 32. As described above, the timing belt 16 is fixed to the back frame 32. The guide rail 17 is engaged with the back frame 32.

[0022] Note that the cantilevered state refers to a state in which the guide rail 17 that holds the carriage 3 is present only on one side of the carriage 3, either upstream or downstream from the center of the carriage 3 in the conveying direction F, and the side opposite the side where the guide rail 17 is present is not held.

[0023] [Details of Carriage] The carriage 3 will now be further described. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the carriage 3 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the transport direction F (sub-scanning direction) of the workpiece W and the main scanning direction S, which is the direction of movement of the carriage 3. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the carriage 3 is equipped with a plurality of ink heads 4 that eject ink for image formation onto the workpiece W and a plurality of sub-tanks 7 that supply the ink to these heads 4. As will be described later, the carriage 3 is also equipped with a treatment liquid head that ejects a non-coloring treatment liquid. The carriage 3 and the plurality of heads (liquid ejection units) mounted thereon constitute a liquid ejection unit of the present disclosure. The liquid ejection unit moves back and forth in the main scanning direction S to eject liquid onto the workpiece W.

[0024] Each ink head 4 has a number of nozzles (ink ejection holes) that eject ink droplets using an ejection method such as a piezoelectric method using a piezoelectric element or a thermal method using a heating element, and ink passages that guide the ink to the nozzles. For example, a water-based pigment ink containing a water-based solvent, pigment, and binder resin can be used as the ink. The multiple ink heads 4 in this embodiment are each capable of ejecting different inks. Each head is mounted on a head support frame 31 of the carriage 3. The detailed arrangement of each head will be described later.

[0025] A series of heads arranged along the main scanning direction S, which are made up of ink heads 4 and treatment liquid heads (described later), is referred to as a row of heads, or simply as a row. Also, a series of heads arranged along the transport direction F, which are made up of ink heads 4 and treatment liquid heads, is referred to as a row of heads, or simply as a row.

[0026] The ink ejected from the ink head 4 is not particularly limited, and can be one containing a pigment or a dye. For example, an ink containing a pigment and an aqueous medium can be used. The ink may further contain at least one selected from the group consisting of surfactants, polyols, and binder resin particles, as needed. Examples of pigments include yellow pigments, orange pigments, red pigments, blue pigments, purple pigments, and black pigments. The ink may also contain an anionic pigment. In such cases, the cationic polymer and anionic pigment contained in the post-treatment liquid electrically react and aggregate on the surface of the recording medium, thereby preventing the binder resin contained in the ink from penetrating into the recording medium. This prevents the binder resin from penetrating into the gaps between fibers and bonding the fibers together when the recording medium is fabric. This can improve the texture (feel, etc.) of the fabric to be printed.

[0027] Specifically, anionic pigments having anionic groups such as a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphate group, a phosphonic acid group, a phenylsulfonic acid group, or a phenylcarboxyl group are more preferred as anionic pigments. The aqueous medium contained in the ink is a medium containing water as its main component. The aqueous medium may function as a solvent or a dispersion medium. Specific examples of aqueous media include water and mixtures of water and polar solvents. Examples of polar solvents contained in aqueous media include methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, and methyl ethyl ketone. Furthermore, the ink contains a surfactant, which improves the wettability of the ink to the recording medium.

[0028] The binder resin particles contained in the ink exist in a dispersed state in an aqueous medium. The binder resin particles function as a binder that bonds the subject to be printed with the pigment. Therefore, by including binder resin particles in the ink, it is possible to obtain a printed item with excellent pigment fixation. Examples of resins contained in the binder resin particles include urethane resin, (meth)acrylic resin, styrene-(meth)acrylic resin, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, vinylnaphthalene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, and vinylnaphthalene-maleic acid copolymer. Urethane resin is preferred as the resin contained in the binder resin particles.

[0029] The binder resin content may be 1% by weight or more and 20% by weight or less, or 2% by weight or more and 10% by weight or less, based on the total weight of the ink. When the binder resin particle content is 1% by weight or more, a recording medium with excellent pigment fixation can be obtained. On the other hand, when the binder resin particle content is 20% by weight or less, the ink can be stably ejected onto the recording medium.

[0030] The treatment liquid head ejects a pretreatment liquid for performing a predetermined pretreatment on the workpiece W. The pretreatment liquid is ejected from the ink head 4 onto a position on the workpiece W where ink has not yet been ejected from the ink head 4.

[0031] The processing liquid head also ejects a post-processing liquid for performing a predetermined post-processing on the ink-adhered workpiece W. The post-processing liquid is ejected from the processing liquid head onto the position on the workpiece W after the ink has been ejected from the ink head 4.

[0032] Any pretreatment liquid can be used. For example, a pretreatment liquid that aggregates the pigment of the ink to improve color development and fixation, as described below, can be used. The pretreatment liquid may also be used to suppress the penetration of the ink into the recording medium, or conversely, to promote the penetration, to print thickly to create a three-dimensional shape, or to impart gloss.

[0033] The pretreatment liquid may contain, for example, a water-soluble cationic polymer, an organic acid salt, and an aqueous medium. Such a pretreatment liquid reacts with and aggregates the pigment contained in the ink to be subsequently printed, improving color development. It can also improve washing fastness and the texture of the fabric. The content of the water-soluble cationic polymer may be 0.1 wt % or more and less than 10 wt % of the total pretreatment liquid. By making the content of the water-soluble cationic polymer less than 10 wt %, sufficient wet rub fastness can be obtained. The aqueous medium contained in the pretreatment liquid can be the same as that of the ink.

[0034] Any post-treatment liquid can be used. For example, a post-treatment liquid that improves texture can be used, as described below. The post-treatment liquid may also be used to provide a coating for protecting the printed ink, to thickly print a three-dimensional shape, or to impart gloss. It may also be used to perform a treatment not directly related to ink printing, such as imparting water repellency to the recording medium.

[0035] The post-treatment liquid may contain, for example, emulsified particles containing silicone oil, a surfactant, and an aqueous medium. That is, the post-treatment liquid is an emulsion in which emulsified particles are dispersed in an aqueous medium, more specifically, an oil-in-water (O / W) emulsion. The silicone oil may contain unmodified silicone oil. Examples of unmodified silicone oil include dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylsilicone oil, and methylhydrogensilicone oil. Such a post-treatment liquid can improve the texture.

[0036] The surfactant may include a first surfactant containing an alkyl group having 12 to 14 carbon atoms and a second surfactant containing an alkyl group having 16 to 18 carbon atoms. Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether may be used for both surfactants.

[0037] The aqueous medium contained in the post-treatment liquid can be the same as that of the ink. The post-treatment liquid is basically a non-color-forming treatment liquid that does not develop color even when attached to the workpiece W. The post-treatment liquid and the pre-treatment liquid are basically different treatment liquids. Specifically, the components contained in the post-treatment liquid and the pre-treatment liquid are different.

[0038] The processing liquid is basically a non-coloring processing liquid that does not develop color even when adhered to the workpiece W. Here, a non-coloring processing liquid refers to a processing liquid that, when printed alone on a recording medium, is not perceived as having developed color by the naked eye. Color here includes colors with a saturation of zero, such as black, white, and gray. A non-coloring processing liquid is basically a transparent liquid, but when viewed in its liquid state, for example, 1 liter of processing liquid may not be completely transparent and may appear slightly white. Such colors are very light, so when printed alone on a recording medium, they cannot be perceived as having developed color by the naked eye. Note that, depending on the type of processing liquid, when printed alone on a recording medium, changes such as gloss may occur on the recording medium, but such a state is not considered to be coloring.

[0039] In this embodiment, the pre-treatment liquid and the post-treatment liquid may be ejected onto almost the entire surface of the workpiece W, or the pre-treatment liquid and the post-treatment liquid may be ejected selectively in accordance with the image to be printed, similar to ink.

[0040] Here, a case where the pretreatment liquid and the posttreatment liquid are selectively ejected will be described. As described above, the pretreatment liquid, ink, and posttreatment liquid are ejected in this order onto the portion of the workpiece W where a color is to be printed in accordance with the image. In this case, the ink may be of one color or multiple colors. In portions where no color is to be printed, i.e., portions where no ink is ejected, the pretreatment liquid and the posttreatment liquid are basically not ejected either. Note that, in order to adjust the image quality of the printed image and the texture of the workpiece W, the selection of the ejection of the pretreatment liquid and the posttreatment liquid may be made to differ from the ejection of the ink. For example, the pretreatment liquid and the posttreatment liquid may be printed in an area slightly larger (for example, the area of ​​a few pixels) than the area printed with ink.

[0041] 3, openings 31H are provided at the locations where the heads are arranged in the head support frame 31. The ink heads 4 and treatment liquid heads are attached to the head support frame 31 so as to fit into the respective openings 31H. Nozzles arranged on the bottom end surface of each head are exposed from each opening 31H.

[0042] The subtanks 7 are supported by the carriage 3 above each head via a holding frame (not shown). A subtank 7 is provided corresponding to each head. Each subtank 7 is supplied with ink or treatment liquid (sometimes collectively referred to as liquid) from a cartridge (not shown) or main tank containing ink and treatment liquid, and supplies these to each head. Each subtank 7 and each head are connected by a conduit (not shown in FIG. 3).

[0043] Each subtank 7 may have a supply subtank and a recovery subtank. The supply subtank supplies liquid to the corresponding head. The recovery subtank recovers liquid that was not ejected from the corresponding head. The supply and recovery of liquid are achieved, for example, by applying pressure to the liquid via gas (air) present above the liquid contained in the supply subtank and the recovery subtank. The supply and recovery of liquid are achieved by the pressure difference between the pressure applied to the supply subtank and the pressure applied to the recovery subtank. The pressures applied to each subtank are controlled so that the pressure at the nozzle of each head is approximately 0 (zero, the same as atmospheric pressure) or slightly negative or positive. This allows the nozzle to maintain a meniscus and remain capable of ejecting liquid.

[0044] Liquid may be transferred between the supply subtank, recovery subtank, and main tank as follows: When the liquid in the supply subtank falls below a predetermined level, the liquid in the recovery subtank is transferred to the supply subtank by a pump or the like. This allows the liquid to circulate within the supply subtank, head, and recovery subtank. When the liquid in the recovery subtank falls below a predetermined level, the liquid from the main tank is supplied to the recovery subtank by a pump or the like.

[0045] Supplying liquid adjusted to a constant temperature to the head can stabilize the temperature of the head. The liquid supplied to the head reaches the individual flow paths in which the nozzles are provided via a common flow path (manifold) within the head. When recovering liquid from the head, it is not necessary to recover the liquid supplied to the individual flow paths, and it is also possible to recover only the liquid that has passed through the common flow path. Liquid may be supplied to and recovered from the individual flow paths in which the nozzles are provided, so that the liquid is less likely to stagnate in and around the nozzles. In this case, the liquid recovered from the individual flow paths is recovered, for example, via the common flow path.

[0046] As described above, the inkjet printer 1 according to this embodiment is an all-in-one printer in which heads (liquid ejection units), such as the ink head 4 and the treatment liquid head, are mounted on a single carriage 3. With this inkjet printer 1, for example, in the printing process of inkjet printing onto fabric in digital textile printing, the process of ejecting the pre-treatment liquid and the process of ejecting the post-treatment liquid can be carried out in an integrated manner. This makes it possible to simplify the textile printing process and make the textile printing device more compact.

[0047] [Printing Method] Next, the printing method executed by the inkjet printer 1 according to this embodiment will be described. The inkjet printer 1 performs printing processing on the workpiece W using a serial printing method. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the serial printing method. In Figure 4, the carriage 3 is depicted in a simplified manner, with the treatment liquid head omitted.

[0048] If the workpiece W is wide, it is not possible to print while continuously feeding the workpiece W. The serial printing method is a printing method in which a carriage 3 carrying ink heads 4 of each color moves back and forth in the main scanning direction S, and intermittently feeds the workpiece W in the transport direction F. Here, the ink heads 4 are assumed to have a predetermined printing width Pw in the transport direction F. The printing width Pw is approximately equal to the length in the transport direction F of the arrangement area of ​​the ink ejection nozzles of the ink heads 4. Note that in Figure 4, the length in the transport direction F of each head is drawn as approximately equal to the printing width Pw, but in reality, the length in the transport direction F of each head is greater than the printing width Pw and the length in the transport direction F of the arrangement area of ​​the ejection nozzles.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows the state in which the carriage 3 moves in the forward direction SA in the main scanning direction S and has completed printing of a band-shaped image G1 with a printing width Pw. During this main scanning in the forward direction SA, feeding of the workpiece W is stopped. After printing the band-shaped image G1, the workpiece W is sent out in the transport direction F by a pitch corresponding to the printing width Pw. At this time, the carriage 3 waits in the turn-back area 14 on the left end side. After sending out the workpiece W, the carriage 3 turns back in the return direction SB as the timing belt 16 moves in the reverse direction. The workpiece W is in a stopped state. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the carriage 3 moves in the return direction SB and prints a band-shaped image G2 with a printing width Pw upstream of the band-shaped image G1. Similar operations are repeated thereafter.

[0050] The workpiece W after printing with the inkjet printer 1 may be heated and dried by a heater (not shown) or the like provided in the inkjet printer 1. Alternatively, the printed portion of the workpiece W may be transported to a dryer separate from the inkjet printer 1 and dried therein, rather than being wound around the take-up roller 22. The heating temperature is, for example, 120°C or higher and 180°C or lower. The heating time is, for example, 1 minute or higher and 10 minutes or lower. Heating dries the volatile components contained in the ink and treatment liquid, promoting fixation of the ink and treatment liquid to the printing target P. In other words, the pretreatment liquid, ink, and posttreatment liquid are not dried during printing, but are dried all at once after printing is completed. Furthermore, the pretreatment liquid, ink, and posttreatment liquid are printed on workpiece W that has not been subjected to other processing, such as applying and drying other pretreatment liquids, before printing.

[0051] [Detailed Arrangement of Heads] Fig. 5 is a plan view schematically illustrating the arrangement of ink heads (ink ejection units) and treatment liquid heads (treatment liquid ejection units) on the carriage 3 according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining nozzle regions within the ink heads according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, a plurality of heads are arranged in a row along the main scanning direction S on the carriage 3, in the order of the posttreatment liquid head 61, the first ink head 41, the second ink head 42, and the posttreatment liquid head 62 from left to right. The posttreatment liquid heads 61 and 62 are an example of a treatment liquid head and constitute a posttreatment liquid ejection unit according to the present disclosure. Each head includes two nozzle regions (a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region) aligned in the main scanning direction S.

[0052] 5, the post-treatment liquid head 61 includes a first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2 and a black ink nozzle region KI. The first ink head 41 includes an orange ink nozzle region OI and a green ink nozzle region GI. The second ink head 42 includes a yellow ink nozzle region YI and a magenta ink nozzle region MI. The post-treatment liquid head 62 includes a cyan ink nozzle region CI and a first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2. Hereinafter, each nozzle region may be referred to by its reference symbol only.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6 , two ink nozzle regions will be described using the second ink head 42 in FIG. 5 as an example. Note that in FIG. 6 , the length in the transport direction F is shown at a reduced size. Each head has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, with a rectangular head outline H appearing on its underside. Two ink nozzle regions YI and MI are arranged inside this head outline H. The yellow ink nozzle region YI is an area where multiple nozzles capable of ejecting yellow ink are arranged, and the magenta ink nozzle region MI is an area where multiple nozzles capable of ejecting magenta ink are arranged. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 , each nozzle region has two rows of nozzles arranged in a zigzag pattern along the transport direction F. In this case, the dimension of each nozzle group in the transport direction F corresponds to 300 npi (nozzles per inch). As shown by the reference line RL in FIG. 6 , the nozzles in the yellow ink nozzle region YI and the corresponding nozzles in the magenta ink nozzle region MI are arranged at the same position in the transport direction F, i.e., overlapping in the main scanning direction S. When using the third ink head 43 with this nozzle arrangement to print at 600 dpi with the inkjet printer 1, for example, a 300 dpi image can be printed in one main scanning pass, and then a 300 dpi image can be printed in another main scanning pass, with the pixel position shifted by one 600 dpi pixel in the transport direction F from the previously printed 300 dpi image. Alternatively, the fourth ink head 44 may be arranged to be shifted by one 600 dpi pixel in the transport direction F relative to the third ink head 43, and a 600 dpi image can be printed using two heads. Note that the nozzles of the two colors may be arranged offset in the transport direction F, as described below. This has the advantage of eliminating the need for a different nozzle arrangement than a head capable of printing at 600 dpi with a single head. With such an arrangement, if ink of the same color is ejected from two nozzle areas, a 600 dpi image can be printed with one head.

[0054] 6 is formed with an ink flow path (also simply referred to as a flow path) (not shown) that receives the yellow ink ejected from the yellow ink nozzle region YI from outside the second ink head 42 and discharges it via the nozzles to outside the second ink head 42. Similarly, the second ink head 42 is formed with an ink flow path (not shown) that receives the magenta ink ejected from the magenta ink nozzle region MI from outside the second ink head 42 and discharges it via the nozzles to outside the second ink head 42. These two ink flow paths are configured independently of each other.

[0055] 6, the two nozzle regions provided in one head (liquid ejection unit) form one nozzle surface on the underside of the carriage 3, and the relationship between them can be expressed as follows: The first nozzle region and the second nozzle region are arranged side by side and in close proximity at least in the main scanning direction S. In this case, being arranged side by side or in close proximity as described above means that they are in a relative positional relationship such that, if liquid remains on the nozzle surface due to a nozzle ejection failure or the like, there is a possibility that one liquid will come into contact with the other liquid.

[0056] Furthermore, being arranged side by side or adjacent to each other as described above can be said to be a relative positional relationship such that when the nozzle regions are wiped with a wiper (not shown) or when liquid is pushed out of the nozzles by purging, one liquid may come into contact with the other liquid on the nozzle surface. In this case, the liquid spreads widely across the nozzle surface, so as long as the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region are on the same surface, regardless of the distance between the nozzles, this positional relationship is included. Even if the two nozzle regions are separated by a groove or the like, if it is expected that the liquid will be able to overcome the groove (for example, a width or depth of approximately 1 mm), this positional relationship is included.

[0057] The other heads in Fig. 5 also have the same nozzle arrangement as in Fig. 6. That is, in this embodiment, the multiple heads have the same shape and structure, and by arranging such common heads side by side on the carriage 3, it is possible to form multiple heads (regions) that eject different liquids.

[0058] 5 and other figures, the spacing between adjacent heads in the main scanning direction S (the spacing between the closest parts of each head, or the spacing between the centers of each head) is the same. Similarly, in the case of a head arrangement with multiple rows described below, the spacing between adjacent heads in the transport direction F (the spacing between the centers of each head) is the same.

[0059] Thus, in this embodiment, a plurality of heads (liquid ejection units) are arranged in a row in the main scanning direction S on the carriage 3, and the plurality of heads include a plurality of ink heads 41, 42 (ink heads 4) arranged in a row in the main scanning direction S and ejecting ink, and a pair of post-treatment liquid heads 61, 62 arranged on both sides of the plurality of ink heads 41, 42 in the main scanning direction S.

[0060] In particular, each of the post-processing liquid heads 61 and 62 includes a first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 capable of ejecting a first post-processing liquid, and a nozzle region (specific nozzle region) that is arranged alongside the first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 in the main scanning direction S and is capable of ejecting a specific liquid different from the first post-processing liquid. The first post-processing liquid is an example of a post-processing liquid.

[0061] In a conventional configuration in which multiple ink ejection units are mounted on a carriage, adding an ejection unit that ejects posttreatment liquid results in an increased number of ejection units and in problems such as the landing order of ink and posttreatment liquid varying depending on the carriage scanning direction. In contrast, in this embodiment, of the multiple heads aligned in the main scanning direction S, posttreatment liquid heads 61 and 62 are arranged on both outer sides, each having two nozzle regions. A first posttreatment liquid can be ejected from one of these nozzle regions. Therefore, while mounting a head that ejects the first posttreatment liquid and multiple ink heads that eject ink on the carriage 3, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of heads. In other words, if a head dedicated to ejecting the first posttreatment liquid were provided, the number of heads would increase solely for the first posttreatment liquid. In this embodiment, the posttreatment liquid heads 61 and 62 each have nozzle regions capable of ejecting liquids other than the first posttreatment liquid, and therefore these nozzle regions can be used to eject liquids such as ink.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the posttreatment liquid head 61 and the posttreatment liquid head 62 are arranged on both outer sides of the first ink head 41 and the second ink head 42 in the main scanning direction S, so that the landing order of the ink and the first posttreatment liquid on the workpiece W can be the same regardless of the main scanning direction S. Specifically, when the carriage 3 moves to the right (first direction) in the main scanning direction S, ink is ejected from the cyan ink nozzle region CI of the posttreatment liquid head 62, both ink nozzle regions of the second ink head 42, both ink nozzle regions of the first ink head 41, and the black ink nozzle region KI of the posttreatment liquid head 61, and then the first posttreatment liquid can be ejected from the first posttreatment liquid nozzle region P2 of the posttreatment liquid head 61. Conversely, when the carriage 3 moves leftward (second direction) in the main scanning direction S, ink is ejected from the black ink nozzle region KI of the posttreatment liquid head 61, both ink nozzle regions of the first ink head 41, both ink nozzle regions of the second ink head 42, and the cyan ink nozzle region CI of the posttreatment liquid head 62, and then the first posttreatment liquid can be ejected from the first posttreatment liquid nozzle region P2 of the posttreatment liquid head 62.

[0063] In addition, if it is acceptable for the first postprocessing liquid to land on the workpiece W before the ink, the first postprocessing liquid may be ejected first from the first postprocessing liquid nozzle region P2 of the postprocessing liquid head 62 during the above-mentioned rightward movement. Similarly, the first postprocessing liquid may be ejected first from the first postprocessing liquid nozzle region P2 of the postprocessing liquid head 61 during the above-mentioned leftward movement.

[0064] In particular, in this embodiment, the specific liquid is ink. Specifically, black ink is ejected from the black ink nozzle region KI of the posttreatment liquid head 61, and cyan ink is ejected from the cyan ink nozzle region CI of the posttreatment liquid head 62. Therefore, the nozzle regions of the posttreatment liquid heads 61 and 62 can be used to increase the colors and amounts of ink that can be ejected.

[0065] In the post-processing liquid heads 61, 62, the first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 is disposed further outward than the black ink nozzle region KI and the cyan ink nozzle region CI in the main scanning direction S. Therefore, since each ink ejection region is disposed between a pair of first post-processing liquid nozzle regions P2, the first post-processing liquid can be deposited on the workpiece W after all the ink has been deposited thereon while the carriage 3 is moving in one direction.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the post-treatment liquid heads 61, 62, the first ink head 41, and the second ink head 42 are arranged at the same position in the transport direction F. This makes it possible to make the size of the carriage 3 in the transport direction F compact, and the size of the inkjet printer 1 can also be reduced.

[0067] In addition, each of the multiple ink heads 41, 42 includes a first nozzle region capable of ejecting a predetermined ink, and a second nozzle region arranged alongside the first nozzle region in the main scanning direction S and capable of ejecting an ink different from that of the first nozzle region.

[0068] As a result, it becomes possible to standardize the liquid supply flow paths, recovery flow paths, and their maintenance mechanisms connected to each head, which facilitates the design and control of the inkjet printer 1. Furthermore, problems caused by differences in ejection characteristics due to differences in head type and shape are less likely to occur.

[0069] Furthermore, since each head has two nozzle regions as described above, it is possible to reduce the number of heads required to eject multiple colors of ink and treatment liquid. As a result, it is possible to make the carriage 3 and, in turn, the inkjet printer 1 smaller. Furthermore, by reducing the carriage (the area in which the heads are arranged), the installation precision of each head increases, which also makes it possible to improve printing precision.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the carriage 3 has only one row of multiple ink heads 4 arranged along the main scanning direction S, which makes it possible to make the size of the carriage 3 compact in the transport direction F, and also reduces the size of the inkjet printer 1.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple ink heads 4 (ink ejection units) are arranged at the same position in the transport direction F, which makes it possible to make the size of the carriage 3 in the transport direction F even more compact, and also makes it possible to make the size of the inkjet printer 1 smaller.

[0072] 7 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage 3 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that in the following embodiments, differences from the previous embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of commonalities will be omitted.

[0073] In the previous embodiment, the first ink head 41 and the second ink head 42 are disposed between the posttreatment liquid head 61 and the posttreatment liquid head 62. However, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, an orange ink head 40A, a green ink head 40B, a yellow ink head 40C, and a magenta ink head 40D are disposed as the multiple ink heads 4. Each ink head has an ink nozzle area capable of ejecting ink of one color.

[0074] 7, in this embodiment, a pair of post-treatment liquid heads 61, 62 are arranged on both outer sides of the ink heads 40A to 40D in the main scanning direction S. Each of the treatment liquid heads 61, 62 is capable of ejecting the first post-treatment liquid from a first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2 on the outer side in the main scanning direction S, and is capable of ejecting ink of each color from an ink nozzle region on the inner side in the main scanning direction S. Even in this case, the landing order of the ink and the first post-treatment liquid can be aligned, as in the first embodiment.

[0075] When heads with approximately the same number of nozzles are used as each head, the printing resolution of the pretreatment liquid and the posttreatment liquid is half the printing resolution of the ink. For example, the printing resolution of the ink is 600 dpi, and the printing resolution of the pretreatment liquid and the posttreatment liquid is 300 dpi. When the first posttreatment liquid is not applied in a pattern during printing, or when it is acceptable to print with a pattern at a lower resolution than the ink, a configuration in which each ink head is capable of ejecting ink of one color may be used, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0076] Third Embodiment Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage 3 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8, in addition to the head array in the first embodiment, a plurality of heads have pretreatment liquid heads 51 (pretreatment liquid ejection units). Note that in Fig. 8, nozzle areas formed on the undersides of the heads are shown with patterns, while white areas on the upstream and downstream sides of each head in the transport direction F indicate areas where no nozzles are arranged. This also applies to other figures described later.

[0077] The pretreatment liquid head 51 is a head that ejects the pretreatment liquid described above. As shown in Fig. 8 , the pretreatment liquid head 51 is arranged upstream of the multiple ink heads 41, 42 and the pair of posttreatment liquid heads 61, 62 in the transport direction F. The nozzle regions of the pretreatment liquid head 51 and the other heads are arranged so as to be continuous with each other in the transport direction F, and when viewed along the main scanning direction S, the nozzle regions on the upstream side and the downstream side do not overlap.

[0078] The pretreatment liquid head 51 is disposed outside the area including the ink heads 41 and 42 and the pair of posttreatment liquid heads 61 and 62 in the main scanning direction S.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pretreatment liquid head 51 also has two nozzle regions. Specifically, the pretreatment liquid head 51 includes a first nozzle region capable of ejecting a predetermined liquid, and a second nozzle region arranged alongside the first nozzle region in the main scanning direction S and capable of ejecting a liquid different from that ejected by the first nozzle region. Note that in this embodiment, the pretreatment liquid head 51 ejects the pretreatment liquid from both the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region.

[0080] 8 , while the carriage 3 moves in a first direction (e.g., rightward) in the main scanning direction S, the pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid head 51 onto the workpiece W, and then the workpiece W is transported by one transport pitch in the transport direction F. Thereafter, while the carriage 3 moves in a second direction (e.g., leftward) in the main scanning direction S, each liquid can be ejected onto the workpiece W from the posttreatment liquid head 61, the first ink head 41, the second ink head 42, and the posttreatment liquid head 62. The same applies when the pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid head 51 while the carriage 3 moves in the second direction, and when the carriage 3 moves in the first direction, each liquid is ejected onto the workpiece W from the posttreatment liquid head 61, the first ink head 41, the second ink head 42, and the posttreatment liquid head 62. Therefore, regardless of the direction in which the carriage 3 moves in the main scanning direction S, the landing order of the pretreatment liquid and the ink on the workpiece W can be kept the same.

[0081] 8, the time required for approximately one scan elapses between the time when the pretreatment liquid lands on the workpiece W and the time when the ink lands, so the ratio of the time interval between the time when the pretreatment liquid lands and the time when the last ink lands to the time interval between the time when the pretreatment liquid lands and the time when the first ink lands can be made smaller. In this case, the range of variation in each time interval remains approximately the same, but the ratio becomes smaller.

[0082] It should be noted that the pretreatment liquid and the ink are likely to solidify if they are mixed on the nozzle surface of one head, so it is preferable not to place the pretreatment liquid and the ink in two nozzle regions of one head.

[0083] In order to solve this problem, in this embodiment, the pretreatment liquid head 51 and each ink head are positioned at different positions in the transport direction F as described above, thereby preventing the ink and pretreatment liquid from adhering to each other in the nozzle area of ​​one head.

[0084] Furthermore, by adopting such a configuration, the physical distance between the head that ejects the ink and the head that ejects the pretreatment liquid is increased, which further increases the time interval between the impact of the two liquids. Furthermore, when the carriage 3 moves in one scan, the head position is shifted in the transport direction F, so the ink head 4 does not enter into the mist of pretreatment liquid that may be generated in the space around the nozzles after the pretreatment liquid is ejected. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the ink and the pretreatment liquid from mixing and solidifying in the head.

[0085] Furthermore, when the nozzle surface of each head is wiped along the transport direction F (the longitudinal direction of the head), the ink and the pretreatment liquid are also less likely to stick together because the ink head 4 is not on the path of movement of the wiper of the pretreatment liquid head 51. Furthermore, the waste liquid that falls off during wiping can be easily separated and collected in the main scanning direction S.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pretreatment liquid head 51 is disposed outside the area including the multiple ink heads in the main scanning direction S. This further reduces the possibility that the pretreatment liquid and the ink will mix together around the head.

[0087] In addition, in the post-treatment liquid head 61, the first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2 is closest to the pre-treatment liquid head 51, so the physical distance between the pre-treatment liquid head 51 and the ink head 41 is increased, further reducing the possibility that the pre-treatment liquid will affect the ink head 41.

[0088] In the above description, the pretreatment liquid is mainly exemplified as one that causes ink to aggregate on the workpiece W, but the pretreatment liquid may also contain a resin component in a larger amount than the ink and have the property of binding the fabric and the pigment. In this case, too, the pretreatment liquid is more likely to clog the ink nozzles or adhere to the nozzle surface, so the arrangement of the head and nozzle region as described above is desirable.

[0089] 9 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage 3 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment differs from the previous third embodiment in the head row that is arranged downstream of the pretreatment liquid head 51 in the transport direction F. Specifically, in this head row, a posttreatment liquid head 63, a third ink head 43, a fourth ink head 44, a fifth ink head 45, a first ink head 41, a second ink head 42, and a posttreatment liquid head 62 are arranged, in this order from left to right.

[0090] From left to right, the post-treatment liquid head 63 has a first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2 and a cyan ink nozzle region CI, the third ink head 43 has a magenta ink nozzle region MI and a yellow ink nozzle region YI, the fourth ink head 44 has a green ink nozzle region GI and an orange ink nozzle region OI, and the fifth ink head 45 has two black ink nozzle regions KI. The first ink head 41, the second ink head 42, and the post-treatment liquid head 62 have the same configuration as described above.

[0091] In this embodiment as well, the posttreatment liquid heads 63, 62 are arranged on both sides of the multiple ink heads in the main scanning direction S, so it is possible to achieve the same effects as in the previous first embodiment, etc. Furthermore, by arranging the pretreatment liquid head 51 on the upstream side of the head row including these heads in the transport direction F, it is possible to achieve the same effects as in the third embodiment.

[0092] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the multiple ink heads 41 to 45, the pair of post-treatment liquid heads 62 and 63, and the nozzle regions included therein are arranged so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to the center of the region in which the multiple heads are arranged in the main scanning direction S.

[0093] In other words, the arrangement of the heads and nozzle regions in FIG. 9 is provided with a pair of second ink heads 42 and third ink heads 43 (same-color ink nozzle regions) that are arranged side by side on the inside of the post-treatment liquid nozzle regions of the pair of post-treatment liquid heads 62 and 63 in the main scanning direction S and eject ink of the same color.

[0094] 9, a pair of a first ink head 41 and a fourth ink head 44 (same-color ink nozzle region, same-color ink head) that eject ink of the same color are arranged at one end side and the other end side of the center in the main scanning direction S, even in regions that are not arranged next to the posttreatment liquid heads 62, 63. At least one pair of these may be arranged.

[0095] 9, for example, the orange and green ink nozzle areas are arranged in the order of green ink first, then orange ink, from left to right on the left side of the main scanning direction S, and green ink first, then orange ink, from right to left on the right side of the main scanning direction S. This makes it possible to keep the printing order (landing order) constant for these two colors regardless of the main scanning direction S. In other words, whether the carriage 3 is moving left or right during main scanning, the areas are arranged in the order of green ink nozzle area GI, orange ink nozzle area OI, orange ink nozzle area OI, green ink nozzle area GI.

[0096] Furthermore, in the pair of same-color ink nozzle regions, the distance between one same-color ink nozzle region and the posttreatment liquid head 62 (63) is the same at one end and the other end in the main scanning direction S. Specifically, in Fig. 9, the distance between the fourth ink head 44 and the posttreatment liquid head 63 in the main scanning direction S is equal to the distance between the first ink head 41 and the posttreatment liquid head 62 in the main scanning direction S. The nozzle regions included in each head also have a similar positional relationship.

[0097] The distance between heads, the distance between nozzle regions, and the distance between heads and nozzle regions are, for example, the distance along the main scanning direction S, and refers to the distance between the closest points between the heads. Alternatively, the distance along the main scanning direction S between the centers of gravity of the areas occupied by each head when viewed in a plane may also be considered.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in all of the same-color ink nozzle regions included in the multiple ink heads (at least a pair of same-color nozzle regions), the distance between one same-color ink nozzle region and the posttreatment liquid head 62 (63) is the same on both ends of the main scanning direction S. In other words, as described above, the multiple ink heads are arranged in line symmetry.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there are two or more pairs of same-color ink nozzle regions, and for each pair of colors in the two or more pairs of same-color ink nozzle regions, the relationship in magnitude of the distance from the post-treatment liquid head 63 to the ink nozzle region of each pair of colors at one end is the same as the relationship in magnitude of the distance from the post-treatment liquid head 62 to the ink nozzle region of each pair of colors at the other end.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance between the pretreatment liquid head 51 and the posttreatment liquid head 63 in the main scanning direction S is greater than the distance between the posttreatment liquid head 63 and the third ink head 43 or the distance between the other ink heads. With this configuration, by separating the pretreatment liquid head 51 (the pretreatment liquid nozzle region P1) from the ink head (the ink nozzle region), it is possible to further prevent the ink and the pretreatment liquid from mixing and solidifying.

[0101] 10 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage 3 according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a post-treatment liquid head 64 and a post-treatment liquid head 65 are arranged as a head row downstream of the pre-treatment liquid head 51 in the transport direction F.

[0102] The post-treatment liquid head 64 has, from left to right, a first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2, a green ink nozzle region GI, a yellow ink nozzle region YI, and a magenta ink nozzle region MI. Similarly, the post-treatment liquid head 65 has a black ink nozzle region KI, a blue ink nozzle region BI, an orange ink nozzle region OI, and a first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2. In other words, the post-treatment liquid head 64 and the post-treatment liquid head 65 have four nozzle regions arranged side by side in the main scanning direction S.

[0103] In other words, in this embodiment, the multiple heads 64, 65 on the carriage 3 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction S and have multiple ink nozzle regions that eject ink, a pair of first post-processing liquid nozzle regions P2 (post-processing liquid nozzle regions) that are arranged on both sides of the multiple ink nozzle regions in the main scanning direction S and eject a first post-processing liquid, and a pre-processing liquid nozzle region P1 that is arranged upstream in the transport direction F from the multiple ink nozzle regions and the pair of first post-processing liquid nozzle regions P2.

[0104] Even in this configuration, the same effects as in the previous embodiment can be achieved because the pair of first posttreatment liquid nozzle regions P2 are arranged on both outer sides of the multiple ink nozzle regions in the main scanning direction S, and the pretreatment liquid head 51 is arranged upstream of the other nozzle regions in the transport direction F. The pretreatment liquid head 51 is also positioned outward of the posttreatment liquid heads 64, 65 in the main scanning direction S.

[0105] Sixth Embodiment Figure 11 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage 3 according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the multiple ink heads are arranged, from one end side (left side) in the main scanning direction S, including a first ink head 41, a second ink head 42, and a sixth ink head 46. In addition, a post-treatment liquid head 66 and a post-treatment liquid head 67 are arranged on both sides of these multiple ink heads in the main scanning direction S. The first ink head 41 and the second ink head 42 are the same as those in Figure 8. The sixth ink head 46 has, from left to right, a cyan ink nozzle region CI and a black ink nozzle region KI.

[0106] On the other hand, in the post-processing liquid heads 66 and 67, of the first and second nozzle regions, the nozzle region located on the outside in the main scanning direction S is the first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2, and the nozzle region located on the inside is the base color ink nozzle region UI that ejects base color ink (base ink).

[0107] With this configuration, whether the carriage 3 moves forward or backward in the main scanning direction S, the ink of the base color can be made to land on the workpiece W before the inks of other colors. In particular, by making the ink of the base color land after the pretreatment liquid and before the inks of colors other than the base color, it is possible to stably fix the ink image on the workpiece W, and to make the inks other than the base color develop well regardless of the color of the workpiece W made of cloth or the like. The base color is, for example, white, flesh color, etc., and white in this case includes multiple white-based colors such as ivory.

[0108] 12 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage 3 according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment differs from the previous sixth embodiment in that the arrangement of the first posttreatment liquid nozzle region P2 and the base color ink nozzle region UI in the posttreatment liquid heads 66, 67 is reversed.

[0109] Even with this configuration, whether the carriage 3 moves forward or backward in the main scanning direction S, the base color ink can be made to land on the workpiece W before the ink of other colors.

[0110] 13 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of the ink heads and the treatment liquid head liquid on the carriage 3 according to an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment is characterized by the arrangement of the treatment liquid head 51.

[0111] Specifically, the pretreatment liquid head 51 is disposed upstream of the plurality of ink nozzle regions in the transport direction F by A times (0<A<1) the length L of one ink nozzle region in the transport direction F. In particular, when n is an integer equal to or greater than 2, the relationship A=1 / n is satisfied. The arrangement in FIG. 13 corresponds to the case where n=2.

[0112] In this case, the pretreatment liquid head 51 may use two pretreatment liquid nozzle areas P1 to eject the pretreatment liquid from both of them, or may eject the pretreatment liquid from one pretreatment liquid nozzle area P1.

[0113] 13 indicates the area of ​​each nozzle area from which liquid is actually ejected. As an example, this area can be switched by the control unit of the inkjet printer 1 controlling the ejection of liquid from the nozzles.

[0114] In this configuration, while the carriage 3 moves in the first direction (rightward) of the main scanning direction S, the pretreatment liquid is ejected onto the workpiece W from the region of the pretreatment liquid head 51 surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 13 . The workpiece W is then transported in the transport direction F in half-head increments. In other words, the workpiece W is transported by half the length of the ink nozzle region of the ink head in the transport direction F. Then, while the carriage 3 moves in the second direction (leftward) of the main scanning direction S, each liquid is ejected from the nozzle region on the upstream side in the transport direction F of each of the posttreatment liquid head 61, the first ink head 41, the second ink head 42, and the posttreatment liquid head 62. Then, the workpiece W is transported again in half-head increments in the transport direction F. Furthermore, while the carriage 3 moves in the first direction (rightward) of the main scanning direction S, each liquid is ejected from the nozzle region on the downstream side in the transport direction F of the posttreatment liquid head 62, the second ink head 42, the first ink head 41, and the posttreatment liquid head 61.

[0115] In this case, assuming that one droplet of pretreatment liquid is required for one droplet of ink on the workpiece W, ink (and posttreatment liquid) for 300 dpi × 2 scans will land on the workpiece W. Because the pretreatment liquid head 51 ejects pretreatment liquid within the dashed-line frame, 600 dpi × 1 scan of ink will land on the workpiece W. That is, the amounts of ink and pretreatment liquid will be equal. Thus, in this embodiment, pretreatment liquid is not ejected from the region of the pretreatment liquid head 51 that overlaps with the ink nozzle region in the main scanning direction S. That is, the inkjet printer 1 is configured in this manner. Specifically, the control unit of the inkjet printer 1 does not control the pretreatment liquid head 51 to eject pretreatment liquid from the above-mentioned region. This control is performed at least during normal printing. When printing is stopped to perform maintenance, for example, when the carriage 3 is stopped and each head is wiped, ink may be ejected as needed.

[0116] In this embodiment, by displacing the pretreatment liquid head 51 on the upstream side in the transport direction F toward the ink head (ink nozzle region), the depth of the carriage 3 can be shortened without preparing a head that is half the length in the transport direction F. Also, in this embodiment, the supply and recovery systems and maintenance mechanisms for each liquid can be standardized, facilitating design, control, and the like. It also becomes possible to essentially separate the pretreatment liquid from the ink. Furthermore, because the pretreatment liquid is not ejected from the pretreatment liquid nozzle region P1 that overlaps with the ink nozzle region in the main scanning direction S, it is possible to prevent the ink head from entering the mist after the pretreatment liquid is ejected.

[0117] 14 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of the ink heads and the treatment liquid head liquid on the carriage 3 according to a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment differs from the previous eighth embodiment in the region in the first posttreatment liquid nozzle region P2 from which the first posttreatment liquid is actually ejected.

[0118] When it is desired to eject the first post-processing liquid only during the third scan without ejecting the first post-processing liquid during the second scan of the carriage 3, the first post-processing liquid can be ejected only from the area of ​​the first post-processing liquid nozzle area P2 downstream in the transport direction F, as shown in FIG. 14 .

[0119] 15 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid head liquid on a carriage 3 according to a tenth embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, treatment liquid heads 71 ​​(posttreatment liquid ejection units) are arranged in place of the posttreatment liquid heads 66, 67 in the seventh embodiment of Fig. 12. The treatment liquid heads 71 ​​are arranged on both sides of the first ink head 41, the second ink head 42, and the sixth ink head 46 in the main scanning direction S.

[0120] Each processing liquid head 71 has a first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 on the outer side in the main scanning direction S, and a second post-processing liquid nozzle region P3 (specific nozzle region) on the inner side.

[0121] The second post-treatment liquid nozzle region P3 ejects the second post-treatment liquid. This second post-treatment liquid corresponds to an example of a specific liquid in the present disclosure. The second post-treatment liquid is a treatment liquid different from the first post-treatment liquid. The second post-treatment liquid basically has the function of softening the workpiece W (cloth). In addition, the second post-treatment liquid may have the effect of deepening the color on the workpiece W. In light of these functions, it is basically desirable for the second post-treatment liquid to land on the workpiece W after the ink fixing action by the pre-treatment liquid has finished.

[0122] On the other hand, as described above, the first post-treatment liquid ejected from the first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2 has the function of imparting durability to the ink and the workpiece W (cloth). Therefore, the first post-treatment liquid may be used not only to make it difficult for the ink to peel off from the workpiece W, but also to increase the amount of the first post-treatment liquid that lands, raise the printing surface, and create a three-dimensional shape.

[0123] Furthermore, the durability and flexibility of the finished product may be adjusted by changing the ratio between the first and second post-treatment liquids while keeping the total amounts of the first and second post-treatment liquids that land substantially the same.

[0124] In the configuration of FIG. 15 , after the pretreatment liquid is ejected from the pretreatment liquid head 51 onto the workpiece W in the first scan, in the second scan, for example, ink is ejected from the sixth ink head 46, the second ink head 42, and the first ink head 41, the second posttreatment liquid is ejected from the second posttreatment liquid nozzle region P3 of the treatment liquid head 71, and the first posttreatment liquid is ejected from the first posttreatment liquid nozzle region P2.

[0125] 15 , when the amount or types of required processing liquids increase, another processing liquid head may be disposed outside or inside the pair of processing liquid heads 71. When this processing liquid head has two nozzle regions, both nozzle regions may eject only the pre-processing liquid, or may eject at least the post-processing liquid (another post-processing liquid ejecting unit). Furthermore, the nozzle region may be the same as that of the processing liquid head 71, or the first post-processing liquid nozzle region P2 and the second post-processing liquid nozzle region P3 of the processing liquid head 71 may be interchanged. The same applies to the processing liquid head 71 in FIG. 15 .

[0126] 16 is a schematic plan view showing the arrangement of ink heads and treatment liquid heads on a carriage 3 according to an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 17 is a schematic plan view showing the nozzle areas of the ink heads on the carriage 3 according to this embodiment.

[0127] In this embodiment, the heads are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction S: a treatment liquid head 72, a seventh ink head 47, and a post-treatment liquid head 73. The treatment liquid head 72 has four nozzle regions, from left to right: a first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2, a second post-treatment liquid nozzle region P3, a yellow ink nozzle region YI, and a magenta ink nozzle region MI. The ink head 47 has four nozzle regions: a green ink nozzle region GI, an orange ink nozzle region OI, a blue ink nozzle region BI, and a red ink nozzle region RI. The treatment liquid head 73 has four nozzle regions: a cyan ink nozzle region CI, a black ink nozzle region KI, a second post-treatment liquid nozzle region P3, and a first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2.

[0128] As described above, in this embodiment, the treatment liquid heads 72 and 73 are arranged on both outer sides of the seventh ink head 47 in the main scanning direction S, and each head has a first post-treatment liquid nozzle region P2 and a second post-treatment liquid nozzle region P3. As a result, the landing order of the ink and each treatment liquid can be the same in both the forward and backward passes in the main scanning direction S. Furthermore, since the pre-treatment liquid head 51 is located upstream in the transport direction F to accommodate different main scans, it is possible to prevent the pre-treatment liquid and the ink from mixing around the head. Note that in this embodiment, the width of the nozzle region of each ink in the main scanning direction S is smaller than the width of the nozzle region of the pre-treatment liquid in the main scanning direction S, and therefore the width of the carriage 3 in the main scanning direction S can be reduced while ejecting ink of many colors.

[0129] 17 , for example, in the seventh ink head 47, nozzles equivalent to 150 dpn are arranged in each of the four nozzle regions, namely the green ink nozzle region GI, the orange ink nozzle region OI, the blue ink nozzle region BI, and the red ink nozzle region RI, in the transport direction F. Also, as an example, the individual nozzles of different colors are arranged with a shift in the transport direction F.

[0130] 18A and 18B are schematic plan views showing the nozzle region of an ink head on a carriage 3 according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. In the first embodiment described above, as shown by the reference line RL in Fig. 6, the nozzles in the yellow ink nozzle region YI and the corresponding nozzles in the magenta ink nozzle region MI are arranged at the same position in the transport direction F, that is, so as to overlap when viewed along the main scanning direction S. The present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 18A , the nozzles in the nozzle region between two colors may be arranged offset in the transport direction F. This has the advantage that the nozzle arrangement does not need to be different from that in the case of 600 npi. Furthermore, if nozzles ejecting different liquids are located nearby, there is a possibility that mist generated during ejection may drift in the air or adhere to the nozzle surface and spread or flow, thereby mixing with the liquid in the nozzle ejecting the different liquid. The above-described arrangement reduces the possibility of this happening.

[0132] 18B , within the head, one color (yellow ink nozzle region YI) may be arranged at one end in the main scanning direction S, and the other color (magenta ink nozzle region MI) may be arranged at the other end in the main scanning direction S, with the two nozzle regions overlapping in the main scanning direction S. In the example of Figure 18B , two rows of nozzles for each color are arranged alternately in the main scanning direction S.

[0133] In an ink head such as that shown in FIG. 18B , the contrast between the ink ejected from the first nozzle region and the ink ejected from the second nozzle region may be greater than in other ink heads. For example, the contrast between black ink and yellow ink is greater than in other ink combinations. By arranging the nozzle regions for these two inks as shown in FIG. 18B , it is possible to prevent density differences from occurring during both forward and reverse printing in the main scanning direction S. Note that, for the four nozzle arrays extending in the transport direction F in FIG. 18B , black ink nozzles may be arranged in the two outer arrays on both sides of the main scanning direction S, and yellow ink nozzles may be arranged in the two inner arrays on the main scanning direction S.

[0134] FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view showing nozzle regions of ink heads on a carriage 3 according to another modified embodiment of the present disclosure. In the first embodiment, each head is generally rectangular and has two ink nozzle regions aligned in the main scanning direction S within the head outline H in FIG. 6 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 19 , for example, in one head, the magenta ink nozzle region MI and the black ink nozzle region KI may be offset from each other in both the transport direction F and the main scanning direction S. Alternatively, in each of the magenta ink nozzle region MI and the black ink nozzle region KI in FIG. 19 , other nozzle arrangements may be used, in which the magenta ink nozzles and the black ink nozzles are aligned in two rows.

[0135] The combination of ink colors ejected from each head is arbitrary, but a specific combination may be selected taking the following into consideration: The difference in time it takes for different colored inks ejected from one head to land on the workpiece W is smaller than the difference in time it takes for different colored inks ejected from different heads to land on the workpiece W. This is because the distance between the nozzle region ejecting a first ink and the nozzle region ejecting a second ink different from the first ink within one head (more specifically, the distance along the main scanning direction S between the centers of the respective regions) is shorter than the distance between the nozzle region ejecting the first ink and the nozzle region ejecting a third ink different from the first ink between different heads (more specifically, the distance along the main scanning direction S between the centers of the respective regions).

[0136] If the time difference between landings is small, ink color mixing is likely to occur because the later ink lands before the earlier ink has penetrated much into the workpiece W. Therefore, for inks ejected from one head that are relatively prone to color mixing, it is possible to use a combination of inks that make color mixing less noticeable, or a combination of inks that make color mixing less likely to occur.

[0137] When the inks used are arranged on a color wheel, if the inks ejected from one head are a pair of adjacent colors, color mixing can be made less noticeable. When counting the types of heads with different color combinations, if more than half of the color combinations are adjacent on the color wheel, color mixing can be made less noticeable. If the color combinations in all heads are adjacent on the color wheel, color mixing can be made even less noticeable.

[0138] Note that, because black, white, gray, and the like are not colors on the color wheel, heads that combine these colors together or with colors on the color wheel are excluded from the count of head types with different color combinations. Also, in the case of heads that eject three or more colors of ink, if the combination of colors ejected by one head is adjacent on the color wheel, color mixture can be made less noticeable. Furthermore, within one head, the order of colors in the main scanning direction S may be the same as the order of colors on the color wheel.

[0139] In addition to this, due to human characteristics, yellow is a color that is perceived as brighter even with the same amount of ink, so it is more noticeable when mixed with black, which is perceived as dark, so yellow and black can be placed on different heads.

[0140] Also, because black appears dark, when it is mixed with other colors, the color mixture is relatively noticeable. By locating the black nozzle area at the end of the ink nozzle areas aligned in the main scanning direction S, it is possible to eliminate the nozzle areas of other colors on one side. In this way, the black color mixture can be made less noticeable.

[0141] Furthermore, like yellow, white is a color that humans perceive as bright, so if the ink contains white, white and yellow may be placed on one head. This makes it possible to make the mixture of white and other colors less noticeable. In addition to being used as a color on the image to be printed, white is also often used as the background color (base) of the image. Placing white and yellow on one head is more necessary when white is used as a color on the image to be printed than when it is printed as a base.

[0142] Furthermore, even with the same amount of ink, cyan appears relatively dark. Placing cyan in the same head as black can make the mixed colors less noticeable. However, doing so can make cyan less noticeable compared to black, and it can be difficult to recognize it as cyan on an image. Placing cyan and black on different heads, or arranging the nozzle areas at a greater distance, can make cyan more easily recognized on an image.

[0143] Specifically, as described above, the black nozzle area may be located at one end of the ink nozzle areas aligned in the main scanning direction S, and the cyan nozzle area may be located at the opposite end to the black nozzle area.

[0144] The arrangement of inks may be determined taking into consideration the surface tension of the ink. When different inks that have landed come into contact, the greater the difference in surface tension, the more likely color mixing will occur, and the smaller the difference in surface tension, the less likely color mixing will occur. If a pair of inks with the largest difference in surface tension among the inks are arranged in different heads, the possibility of color mixing can be reduced. Furthermore, a pair of inks with the second largest difference in surface tension among the inks may be arranged in a different head. Furthermore, a pair of inks with the third largest difference in surface tension among the inks may be arranged in a different head. Furthermore, inks arranged in the same head may be adjacent inks when the inks are arranged in order of the magnitude of their surface tension.

[0145] Furthermore, the surface tension of the post-treatment liquid may also be taken into consideration. Although the post-treatment liquid and the ink do not mix, it is believed that mixing will proceed more easily if the difference in surface tension is large, and that mixing will proceed more slowly if the difference in surface tension is small. Ideally, the post-treatment liquid would have the same effect on each ink, but there is a possibility that the effect on ink that lands temporally close to the post-treatment liquid will be stronger than the effect on other inks.

[0146] When the post-treatment liquid and ink are disposed in the same head, if the ink disposed has a small difference in surface tension from the post-treatment liquid, the effect of the post-treatment liquid on ink that lands temporally close to the post-treatment liquid will be weakened, and the effect of the post-treatment liquid can be made to resemble that of other inks. As such an ink, when the inks are arranged in order of the difference in surface tension from the post-treatment liquid, an ink that falls in the half with the smallest difference may be used. Furthermore, an ink with a surface tension closest to that of the post-treatment liquid may be used.

[0147] The recording method of the inkjet printer 1 in each of the above embodiments is a recording method in which a carriage 3 is moved back and forth in a main scanning direction S that intersects with the transport direction F to eject liquid onto a workpiece W that is transported in the transport direction F. This recording method includes the step of preparing, on the carriage 3, a plurality of liquid ejection units arranged side by side in the main scanning direction S, including a plurality of ink ejection units arranged side by side in the main scanning direction S and ejecting ink, and a pair of post-treatment liquid ejection units arranged on both sides of the plurality of ink ejection units in the main scanning direction S, wherein each of the pair of post-treatment liquid ejection units includes a post-treatment liquid nozzle region capable of ejecting a post-treatment liquid, and a specific nozzle region that is aligned with the post-treatment liquid nozzle region in the main scanning direction S and is capable of ejecting a specific liquid different from the post-treatment liquid.

[0148] Furthermore, the recording method further includes the steps of: ejecting ink from at least one ink ejection unit among the plurality of ink ejection units toward a predetermined target position on the workpiece W while moving the carriage 3 in a first direction of the main scanning direction S; ejecting post-processing liquid from the post-processing liquid nozzle region of the post-processing liquid ejection unit that is located on the rear end side of the pair of post-processing liquid ejection units in the first direction toward the target position; ejecting ink from at least one ink ejection unit among the plurality of ink ejection units toward the predetermined target position on the workpiece W while moving the carriage 3 in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the main scanning direction S; and ejecting post-processing liquid from the post-processing liquid nozzle region of the post-processing liquid ejection unit that is located on the rear end side of the pair of post-processing liquid ejection units in the second direction toward the target position.

[0149] The configuration of the ink jet printer 1 in each of the embodiments described above can also constitute part of the disclosure of the above method.

[0150] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may take the following forms.

[0151] (1) The ink heads 4 are not limited to being arranged in one or two rows on the carriage 3. The ink heads 4 may be arranged in three or more rows.

[0152] (2) In the above embodiment, the multiple heads each including multiple nozzle regions have the same structure and the same shape. However, such heads (liquid ejection units) having substantially the same shape may have the following relationships. That is, the longitudinal lengths of the nozzle arrangement ranges of each liquid ejection unit may be approximately the same. The lateral lengths of the nozzle arrangement ranges of each liquid ejection unit may be approximately the same. The shapes of the nozzle arrangement ranges of each liquid ejection unit may be approximately the same. Furthermore, the planar external shapes of each liquid ejection unit and head may be approximately the same. The nozzle arrangements of each liquid ejection unit may be approximately the same.

[0153] (3) In the above embodiments, multiple heads are mounted on the carriage 3, and multiple nozzle regions are formed. However, a single head may be mounted on the carriage 3, and multiple nozzle regions may be formed on the underside of the head. In this case, one nozzle region including a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region may be arranged next to other nozzle regions including other first nozzle regions and other second nozzle regions. In other words, the liquid ejection unit, ink ejection unit, etc. in the present disclosure do not necessarily have to be on a head-by-head basis.

[0154] (4) In each of the above embodiments, the relationship between the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region capable of ejecting a different liquid from the first nozzle region can be expressed as follows: The second nozzle region is capable of independently ejecting a different liquid from the liquid ejected by the first nozzle region. Here, independently ejecting different liquids means that different liquids (inks) can be ejected from the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region during the printing process, for example, during one scan of the carriage 3.

[0155] Furthermore, the second nozzle region ejects liquid held in a second liquid holding portion that exists independently of the first liquid holding portion that holds the liquid to be ejected from the first nozzle region. The first and second liquid holding portions correspond to flow paths formed within the head. That is, the head structure has the same number of common flow paths as the number of nozzle regions, and inlet and outlet holes connected to these common flow paths, making it possible to eject the same number of different liquids as the number of nozzle regions. Note that the first liquid holding portion and the second liquid holding portion may include the aforementioned sub-tank or may be limited to flow paths within the head. For example, if one head includes a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region and ejects the same liquid from these two nozzle regions during printing, liquid may be supplied to two common flow paths from a single sub-tank 7. Therefore, the sub-tanks 7 corresponding to the two nozzle regions may be independent or may be a common one. Note that, as mentioned above, the above description is not limited to two nozzle regions provided in one head; multiple nozzle region sets including a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region may be arranged in one head.

[0156] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Inkjet printer (recording device) 3 Carriage 4 Ink head 10 Device frame 12 Printing area 13 Maintenance area 14 Turning area 20 Work transport section H Head placement area W Work

Claims

1. A recording device comprising: a transport unit that transports a recording medium in a transport direction; a carriage that moves back and forth in a main scanning direction that intersects with the transport direction; and a plurality of liquid ejection units that are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction on the carriage, wherein the plurality of liquid ejection units are: a plurality of ink ejection units that are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction and eject ink; and a pair of post-processing liquid ejection units that are arranged on both outsides of the plurality of ink ejection units in the main scanning direction, the pair of post-processing liquid ejection units each including a post-processing liquid nozzle region that is capable of ejecting a post-processing liquid, and a specific nozzle region that is arranged side by side with the post-processing liquid nozzle region in the main scanning direction and is capable of ejecting a specific liquid different from the post-processing liquid.

2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific liquid is ink, and the post-treatment liquid nozzle region is disposed outside the specific nozzle region in the main scanning direction.

3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of ink ejection units and the pair of post-treatment liquid ejection units are arranged at the same position in the transport direction.

4. A recording device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of ink ejection units includes a first nozzle region capable of ejecting a predetermined ink, and a second nozzle region arranged alongside the first nozzle region in the main scanning direction and capable of ejecting an ink different from that of the first nozzle region.

5. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of liquid ejection units are arranged upstream of the plurality of ink ejection units and the pair of post-treatment liquid ejection units in the transport direction, and further includes a pre-treatment liquid ejection unit that ejects pre-treatment liquid.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the pretreatment liquid ejection unit is arranged outside an area including the plurality of ink ejection units and the pair of posttreatment liquid ejection units in the main scanning direction.

7. The recording device according to claim 5, wherein the pretreatment liquid ejection unit includes a first nozzle region capable of ejecting a predetermined liquid, and a second nozzle region arranged alongside the first nozzle region in the main scanning direction and capable of ejecting a liquid different from that ejected by the first nozzle region, and wherein the pretreatment liquid is ejected from both the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region.

8. The recording device according to claim 5, wherein the distance between the pre-treatment liquid ejection unit and the post-treatment liquid ejection unit in the main scanning direction is greater than the distance between the post-treatment liquid ejection unit and the ink ejection unit, or the distance between the ink ejection units.

9. A recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the carriage has only one row of the ink ejection sections aligned along the main scanning direction.

10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of ink ejection units is arranged at the same position in the transport direction.

11. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specific liquid is a base ink.

12. The recording device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pair of same-color ink nozzle areas that are arranged side by side on the inside in the main scanning direction relative to the post-treatment liquid nozzle areas of the pair of post-treatment liquid ejection units, and that eject ink of the same color.

13. A recording device according to claim 1 or 2, having at least one pair of same-color ink nozzle areas that eject ink of the same color, each of which is arranged on one end side and the other end side of the center in the main scanning direction of the plurality of ink ejection sections.

14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, in the at least one pair of same-color ink nozzle regions, the distance between the same-color ink nozzle regions and the post-treatment liquid ejection section is the same on the one end side and the other end side.

15. A recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein in all of the same-color ink nozzle regions included in the at least one pair of same-color ink nozzle regions, the distance between the same-color ink nozzle region and the post-treatment liquid ejection section is the same on both the one end side and the other end side.

16. A recording device according to claim 13, wherein there are two or more pairs of the at least one pair of same-color ink nozzle areas, and for each pair of colors of the two or more pairs of same-color ink nozzle areas, the relationship in magnitude of the distance from the post-treatment liquid ejection unit to the same-color ink nozzle areas of each pair of colors at the one end is the same as the relationship in magnitude of the distance from the post-treatment liquid ejection unit to the same-color ink nozzle areas of each pair of colors at the other end.

17. A recording device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of ink ejection units includes a first nozzle region capable of ejecting ink, and a second nozzle region arranged alongside the first nozzle region in the main scanning direction and capable of ejecting a different ink from that of the first nozzle region, and wherein the first nozzle region and the second nozzle region are arranged to overlap in the main scanning direction.

18. A recording apparatus according to claim 17, wherein in said at least one ink ejection section, the difference in brightness between the ink ejected from said first nozzle region and the ink ejected from said second nozzle region is greater than in other ink ejection sections.

19. A recording device according to claim 5, wherein the pretreatment liquid ejection unit is arranged to be shifted upstream in the transport direction relative to the plurality of ink ejection units by A times (0<A<1) the length L in the transport direction of one of the ink ejection units.

20. The recording device according to claim 19, wherein the relationship A=1 / n is satisfied, where n is an integer of 2 or more.

21. The recording device according to claim 20, wherein n=2.

22. The recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the pretreatment liquid is not ejected from an area of the pretreatment liquid ejection section that overlaps with the ink ejection section in the main scanning direction.

23. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specific liquid is a post-treatment liquid different from the post-treatment liquid.

24. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of liquid ejection units further comprise another post-treatment liquid ejection unit that ejects another post-treatment liquid different from the post-treatment liquid.

25. A recording device comprising: a transport unit that transports a recording medium in a transport direction; a carriage that moves back and forth in a main scanning direction that intersects with the transport direction; and a plurality of liquid ejection units that are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction on the carriage, wherein the plurality of liquid ejection units have: a plurality of ink nozzle areas that are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction and eject ink; and a pair of post-treatment liquid nozzle areas that are arranged on both outsides of the plurality of ink nozzle areas in the main scanning direction and eject post-treatment liquid.

26. The recording apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising a pretreatment liquid nozzle area that is arranged upstream of the plurality of ink nozzle areas and the pair of posttreatment liquid nozzle areas in the transport direction and that ejects a pretreatment liquid.

27. A recording method for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium transported in a transport direction by moving a carriage back and forth in a main scanning direction that intersects the transport direction, the recording method comprising: a step of preparing, on the carriage, a plurality of liquid ejection units arranged side by side in the main scanning direction, the plurality of ink ejection units arranged side by side in the main scanning direction and ejecting ink, and a pair of post-processing liquid ejection units arranged on both sides of the plurality of ink ejection units in the main scanning direction, wherein each of the pair of post-processing liquid ejection units includes a post-processing liquid nozzle region capable of ejecting post-processing liquid, and a specific nozzle region aligned with the post-processing liquid nozzle region in the main scanning direction and capable of ejecting a specific liquid different from the post-processing liquid.

28. The recording method according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of: ejecting ink from at least one ink ejection unit of the plurality of ink ejection units toward a predetermined target position on the recording medium while moving the carriage in a first direction of the main scanning direction; and ejecting post-processing liquid from the post-processing liquid nozzle region of one of the pair of post-processing liquid ejection units that is located on the rear end side in the first direction toward the target position; and ejecting ink from at least one ink ejection unit of the plurality of ink ejection units toward the predetermined target position on the recording medium while moving the carriage in a second direction opposite to the first direction in the main scanning direction; and ejecting post-processing liquid from the post-processing liquid nozzle region of one of the pair of post-processing liquid ejection units that is located on the rear end side in the second direction toward the target position.

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