Data generation device, inkjet printer, computer program, and transfer method

Abstract

Provided is a data generation device that generates print data with which a deterioration in image quality is suppressed even when ink is printed in an overlapping manner. A data generation device 90 generates print data P20 so that the total of the amount of color ink CK per unit area U1 acquired by a first ink amount acquisition unit 92 and an amount of white ink WK per unit area U1 determined by a second ink amount determination unit 96 becomes a total ink amount MK. Therefore, when the color ink CK and the white ink WK are discharged according to the print data P20, the total amount of the color ink CK and the white ink WK is constant at the total ink amount MK regardless of the position of an image layer 6a. The print data P20 suitable for suppressing image quality deterioration of the image layer 6a can be generated even when overlapping printing using the color ink CK and the white ink WK is performed.

Description

Data generation device, inkjet printer, computer program, and transfer method

[0001] The present invention relates to a data generation device, an inkjet printer, a computer program, and a transfer method.

[0002] DTF (Direct to Film) printing is known, in which an image is printed on a transfer film, and the printed image is transferred to a fabric or the like using a transfer sheet to which a heat-fusible powder is attached. Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device that increases the application amount of a transferability improving liquid for the purpose of improving transferability at a location where transferability has decreased due to deterioration of the transfer body or the like. According to Patent Document 1, transferability varies depending on the film strength of the ink. The film strength of the ink decreases as the ink application amount decreases. Therefore, such a recording device performs correction to increase the application amount of the transferability improving liquid when the recording duty of the ink to be used is below a predetermined amount.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-122503

[0004] In the case of the above-described recording device, in a region where correction has been made to increase the application amount of the transferability improving liquid, in addition to the ejected ink, a relatively large amount of the transferability improving liquid is applied, so ink color mixing may occur, which may cause deterioration of the image quality of the printed matter.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a data generation device that generates print data in which image quality deterioration is suppressed even when ink is overprinted.

[0006] The data generation device according to the present invention is a data generation device that generates print data for printing on a medium by stacking a first ink layer formed of a first ink and a second ink layer formed of a second ink, and comprises: a first ink amount acquisition unit that acquires the amount of the first ink ejected per unit area of ​​the first ink layer for each unit area; a second ink amount determination unit that determines the amount of the second ink ejected per unit area of ​​the second ink layer for each unit area such that the sum of the amount of the first ink acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit and the amount of the second ink ejected per unit area of ​​the second ink layer is a predetermined value for all unit areas; and a print data generation unit that generates the print data based on the amount of the first ink acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit and the amount of the second ink determined by the second ink amount determination unit.

[0007] According to the data generation apparatus of the present invention, the amount of the second ink ejected per unit area is determined such that the sum of the amount of the first ink acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit and the amount of the second ink determined by the second ink amount determination unit equals the predetermined value. Therefore, when printing is performed using the print data, the total amount of the ejected first and second inks is uniformly equal to the predetermined value in all the unit areas. Consequently, the print produced using the print data has reduced image quality degradation.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a data generation device that generates print data in which image quality degradation is suppressed even when ink is printed in layers.

[0009] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer system according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a transfer sheet. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the transfer of the transfer layer using the transfer sheet. Figure 4 is a front view of a printer according to one embodiment. Figure 5 is a block diagram of a printer system according to one embodiment. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the bottom surfaces of the color ink head and white ink head according to one embodiment. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the generation of print data from an image. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an input screen for inputting transfer material information and printing conditions. Figure 9 is a diagram showing a screen for setting ejection parameters. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing processing by the first ink amount acquisition unit. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the first table. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the second table. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for creating a transfer sheet using a printer and performing a transfer using the transfer sheet.

[0010] Hereinafter, an inkjet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "printer") will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are not intended to particularly limit the present invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for components and parts that perform the same function, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a printer system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the printer system 1 comprises a printer 10 and a data generation device 90. The printer 10 prints on a medium based on print data P20 generated by the data generation device 90. In this embodiment, the printer 10 prints on a transfer film 5. The transfer film 5 is an example of a medium in the present invention. In this embodiment, the printer 10 prints an image layer 6a (see Figure 2) on the transfer film 5. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a transfer sheet 200. The transfer sheet 200 comprises a transfer film 5 and a transfer layer 6. The transfer sheet 200 is a sheet used to decorate an object to be transferred. The object to be transferred is, for example, a fabric 300 (see Figure 3). The fabric 300 is an example of an object to be transferred in the present invention. The transfer layer 6 can be transferred to the fabric 300 by placing the transfer sheet 200 on top of the fabric 300 to be decorated, applying pressure and heat, and then peeling off the transfer film 5.

[0012] The transfer film 5 is, for example, a transfer film formed from a resin film. Examples of resin films include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), thermoplastic resins such as polycarbonate (PC) resin and polyamide resin. Although not shown in the figures, the transfer film 5 may also include a smoothing layer that enhances the surface smoothness of the transfer film 5, and a release layer that enhances the ease of peeling the transfer layer 6 from the transfer film 5. The medium for producing the transfer sheet 200 is not limited to the transfer film 5. The transfer sheet 200 may, for example, be a paper transfer paper on which the transfer layer 6 is formed. The transfer film 5 is, for example, a transparent film.

[0013] The transfer layer 6 has the property of softening and becoming adhesive when heated, and hardening when cooled. The transfer layer 6 includes an image layer 6a and an ink receiving layer 6b. The image layer 6a is an ink layer formed by ink ejected from a color ink head 61 (see Figure 6) and a white ink head 65 (see Figure 6), which will be described later. The image layer 6a has a color layer 6aa and a white layer 6ab. The color layer 6aa is a layer formed by the color of the image that the transfer sheet 200 transfers to the object to be decorated. The color layer 6aa is an example of the first ink layer in the present invention. The white layer 6ab is formed on top of the color layer 6aa. The white layer 6ab is a layer formed by the ejection of white ink. The white layer 6ab is an example of the second ink layer in this embodiment. Therefore, the image layer 6a is a layer formed by the so-called overprinting of the color layer 6aa and the white layer 6ab. The image layer 6a may also include layers other than the color layer 6aa and the white layer 6ab.

[0014] The ink receiving layer 6b is formed of a heat-meltable powder PW. The heat-meltable powder PW is attached to the image layer 6a. The heat-meltable powder PW is a powder containing thermoplastic resin particles and a binder. The binder has the function of binding particles together. The binder is a water-soluble or water-insoluble polymer compound. The heat-meltable powder PW may also contain various additives such as surfactants, surface modifiers, viscosity modifiers, dispersants, lubricants, pH adjusters, and antioxidants. The ink receiving layer 6b is a layer for adhering the image layer 6a to the object to be transferred. The ink receiving layer 6b is an example of an adhesive layer in the present invention. Note that the ink receiving layer 6b does not have to be formed of a heat-meltable powder PW; it may be formed of a material that adheres the image layer 6a to the object to be transferred. The material that transfers and adheres the image layer 6a to the object to be transferred may be, for example, a liquid adhesive.

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the transfer of the transfer layer 6 using a transfer sheet 200. In Figure 3, the transfer layer 6 is transferred to the fabric 300 using the transfer sheet 200. The fabric 300 is, for example, a T-shirt. As shown in Figure 3, the transfer sheet 200 is applied to the fabric 300 so that the fabric 300 and the ink receiving layer 6b of the transfer layer 6 are in contact. The fabric 300 and the transfer sheet 200 are placed in a heat transfer press machine 400. The heat transfer press machine 400 has a support surface 410 and a heating surface 420. The support surface 410 is made of, for example, rubber and is not heated. The heating surface 420 is equipped with a heater (not shown) and is heated. As shown in Figure 3, the heating surface 420 is applied to the transfer sheet 200 from the transfer film 5 side, and the transfer sheet 200 and the fabric 300 are heated and pressurized. Subsequently, the transfer sheet 200 and the fabric 300 are removed from the heat transfer press 400, and the transfer film 5 is peeled off, thereby transferring the transfer layer 6 to the fabric 300.

[0016] Figure 4 is a front view showing the printer 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a block diagram of the printer system 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 6 is a schematic bottom view showing the configuration of the bottom surfaces of the color ink head 61 and the white ink head 65 of the printer 10. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D shown in Figures 4 and 6 represent the front, back, left, right, top, and bottom of the printer 10, respectively. The symbol Y in the drawings indicates the main scanning direction. In this embodiment, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The symbol X in the drawings indicates the transport direction. In this embodiment, the transport direction X is the front-back direction and intersects (orthogonal in this case) with the main scanning direction Y in a plan view. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the installation configuration of the printer 10 or the present invention in any way.

[0017] The printer 10 includes a platen 11 that supports the transfer film 5, a transport device 30 that transports the transfer film 5, a carriage moving device 40, an ink supply unit 70, a carriage 60 equipped with a color ink head 61 and a white ink head 65 that eject ink, a heater 80, a control device 110 (see Figure 1), and an operation panel 150. The platen 11 is an example of a support base in the present invention. The transport device 30 and the carriage moving device 40 constitute a moving mechanism 20 that moves the transfer film 5 and the color ink head 61 and white ink head 65 relative to each other.

[0018] The conveying device 30 is configured to move the transfer film 5, supported on the platen 11, in the conveying direction X. The conveying device 30 includes a grid roller 31, a pinch roller 32, and a feed motor 33. The grid roller 31 is provided on the platen 11. The grid roller 31 rotates when driven by the feed motor 33. The pinch roller 32 is positioned above the grid roller 31. The pinch roller 32 is positioned opposite the grid roller 31. The pinch roller 32 is configured to swing up and down so that it can approach and move away from the grid roller 31. When the grid roller 31 rotates with the transfer film 5 sandwiched between the pinch roller 32 and the grid roller 31, the transfer film 5 is conveyed in the conveying direction X. The feed motor 33 is electrically connected to the control device 110 and controlled by the control device 110.

[0019] The carriage movement device 40 includes a guide rail 41, a pulley 42, a pulley 43, a belt 44, and a scan motor 45. The guide rail 41 is provided above the platen 11. The guide rail 41 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The carriage 60 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 41. The pulley 42 is provided to the left of the left end of the guide rail 41. The pulley 43 is provided to the right of the right end of the guide rail 41. The carriage 60 is provided above the platen 11, facing the platen 11. The belt 44 is wrapped around the pulleys 42 and 43. The scan motor 45 is connected to the right pulley 43. However, the scan motor 45 may also be connected to the left pulley 42. When the scan motor 45 is driven, the pulley 43 rotates, causing the belt 44 to travel between the pulleys 42 and 43. The scan motor 45 is electrically connected to the control device 110 and controlled by the control device 110.

[0020] The ink supply unit 70 includes ink tanks 71 and 72 and an ink supply passage 73. The ink contained in each ink tank 71 and 72 is supplied to the color ink head 61 and the white ink head 65 through the ink supply passage 73.

[0021] Ink tank 71 stores color ink CK. Color ink CK is a process color ink. However, the color of the color ink CK stored in ink tank 71 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, color ink CK is a heat-drying ink. Here, color ink CK is a water-based ink. However, the material of color ink CK is not particularly limited, and various materials that have been conventionally used as ink materials for inkjet printers can be used. Ink tank 71 may be, for example, an ink cartridge or a pouch. Ink tank 72 stores white ink WK. Ink tank 72 is the same as ink tank 71 except that it stores white ink WK. However, inks other than color ink CK and white ink WK may be stored in ink tanks 71 and 72. In this embodiment, the ink supply unit 70 includes four ink tanks 71 and one ink tank 72.

[0022] The ink supply passage 73 is a flow path connecting the ink tank 71 to the color ink head 61, or the ink tank 72 to the white ink head 65. The ink supply passage 73 is connected to the ink tank 71 and the color ink head 61, or to the ink tank 72 and the white ink head 65. The configuration of the ink supply passage 73 is not particularly limited, but the ink supply passage 73 is made of, for example, a flexible tube. The ink in the ink tanks 71 and 72 flows through the ink supply passage 73 and is supplied to the color ink head 61 and the white ink head 65.

[0023] The carriage 60 includes a color ink head 61 and a white ink head 65. The color ink head 61 ejects color ink CK toward the transfer film 5. The color ink head 61 is an example of a first ink head in the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, the bottom surface of the color ink head 61 has a plurality of nozzles 62 for ejecting color ink CK (see Figure 4) and a nozzle surface 63 on which the plurality of nozzles 62 are formed. The white ink head 65 ejects white ink WK (see Figure 4) toward the transfer film 5 (see Figure 4). The white ink head 65 is an example of a second ink head in the present invention. The bottom surface of the white ink head 65 has a plurality of nozzles 66 for ejecting white ink WK and a nozzle surface 67 on which the plurality of nozzles 66 are formed. As shown in Figure 4, the color ink head 61 and the white ink head 65 are configured to move along the guide rail 41 in the main scanning direction Y together with the carriage 60. The number of color ink heads 61 and the number of white ink heads 65 are not particularly limited. In this embodiment, there are four color ink heads 61 and one white ink head 65. The multiple color ink heads 61 and the one white ink head 65 are arranged in line in the main scanning direction Y. The color ink heads 61 and the white ink head 65 may be integrally formed. That is, color ink CK and white ink WK may be ejected from a single ink head.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the heater 80 is located below the platen 11. The heater 80 is positioned in front of the grit roller 31. The heater 80 heats the platen 11. When the platen 11 is heated, the transfer film 5 placed on the platen 11 and the ink that has landed on the transfer film 5 are heated, and the drying of the ink is accelerated. The position of the heater 80 is not particularly limited. Although not particularly limited, the heater 80 can be made of, for example, a nichrome wire, a rubber heater, a silicone rubber heater, a carbon heater, or a polyimide heater. The heater 80 is electrically connected to the control device 110 (see Figure 1). The heating temperature of the heater 80 is controlled by the control device 110.

[0025] The control device 110 shown in Figure 1 is a device that controls printing on the transfer film 5. The configuration of the control device 110 is not particularly limited. The control device 110 is, for example, a microcomputer. The hardware configuration of the microcomputer is not particularly limited, but for example, it includes an interface (I / F) for receiving print data etc. from an external device such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions for the control program, a ROM (read-only memory) that stores the program executed by the CPU, a RAM (random access memory) used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as memory that stores the program and various data.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the control device 110 is connected to the feed motor 33, the scan motor 45, the color ink head 61, the white ink head 65, the heater 80, and the operation panel 150, and controls their operation. As shown in Figure 5, the control device 110 includes an ejection control unit 111. The ejection control unit 111 will be described later.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, an operation panel 150 with buttons and a display is located on the front of the right side cover 13R of the printer 10. The operation panel 150 is connected to the control device 110 (see Figure 1).

[0028] The configuration of the printer 10 according to this embodiment has been described above. Now, in order to print on the transfer film 5 using the printer 10 according to this embodiment, print data P20 is generated based on the image P10 to be printed (see Figure 7). Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of when print data P20 is generated from image P10. Image P10 is the image that the user wants to print. Image P10 is, for example, data in PDF (Portable Document Format) format. In this embodiment, image P10 is a monochrome image. That is, the color layer 6aa (see Figure 2) formed by image P10 is formed with a single color of ink. Image P10 may include photographs, as well as graphics, symbols, characters, or combinations of images, graphics, symbols, and characters. Print data P20 is raster data or bitmap data obtained by processing image P10 with RIP (Raster Image Processor). Here, RIP processing includes all processes that convert image P10 into data that can be output by printer 10 (see Figure 4). For example, this includes resolution conversion processing that converts the resolution of image P10 to the print resolution, color conversion processing that converts color data so that the colors expressed in image P10 can be expressed with the ink colors used by printer 10, and halftone processing that binarizes image P10. The data generation device 90 shown in Figure 1 has a dedicated RIP application installed for performing RIP processing. By operating the RIP application, the operator generates print data P20. Note that the data generation device 90 may have functions other than the RIP application. In this embodiment, the data generation device 90 is configured to also send instructions to the printer 10 to execute printing.

[0029] As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the print data P20 includes first print data P21 and second print data P22. The first print data P21 and second print data P22 are generated by RIP processing of the image P10. Here, the first print data P21 is the data for printing the color layer 6aa (see Figure 2). When the printer 10 (see Figure 1) executes printing using the first print data P21, color ink CK is ejected from the color ink head 61 (see Figure 4). The second print data P22 is the data for printing the white layer 6ab (see Figure 2). When the printer 10 executes printing using the second print data P22, white ink WK is ejected from the white ink head 65 (see Figure 4). The first print data P21 and the second print data P22 are data for overlay printing. The print data P20 is data that is printed in the order of the first print data P21 and the second print data P22. Therefore, when printing is performed using the first print data P21 and the second print data P22, an image layer 6a (see Figure 2) is formed on the transfer film 5.

[0030] Next, the data generation device 90 shown in Figure 1 will be described. The data generation device 90 is a device that generates print data P20 to be printed on the transfer film 5. The configuration of the data generation device 90 is not particularly limited. The data generation device 90 is, for example, a laptop computer. The hardware configuration of the laptop computer is not particularly limited, but for example, it includes an interface (I / F) for receiving image data and shape data from external devices such as a host computer, a central processing unit (CPU) for executing instructions of a control program, ROM for storing programs executed by the CPU, RAM used as a working area for expanding the program, and a storage device such as memory for storing the program and various data.

[0031] The data generation device 90 is connected to the control device 110 via wired or wireless means so as to be able to communicate with it. The data generation device 90 includes a display screen 90a and an operating mechanism 90b. The display screen 90a displays, for example, the operation screen of a RIP application. The operating mechanism 90b is a mechanism for operating the screen displayed on the display screen 90a, and is, for example, a mouse or keyboard. However, the forms of the data generation device 90, the display screen 90a, and the operating mechanism 90b are not limited in any way.

[0032] The data generation device 90 may be configured by a computer's CPU executing a computer program. The operation of the data generation device 90 may be written into such a computer program. The computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of recording media include semiconductor recording media (e.g., ROM, non-volatile memory card), optical recording media (e.g., DVD, MO, MD, CD, BD), and magnetic recording media (e.g., magnetic tape, flexible disk). The above computer program can be transmitted to a server computer via the above recording medium or a network such as the Internet. In this case, the server computer is also an embodiment of the invention disclosed herein.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the data generation device 90 includes a condition acquisition unit 91, a first ink amount acquisition unit 92, a storage unit 93, a total ink amount acquisition unit 94, a total ink amount determination unit 95, a second ink amount determination unit 96, a print data generation unit 97, and a transmission unit 98. Note that the operation of each of the above units 91 to 97, excluding the transmission unit 98, is performed, for example, as part of the RIP processing operation.

[0034] The condition acquisition unit 91 acquires conditions for determining the amounts of color ink CK (see Figure 4) and white ink WK (see Figure 4) to be ejected during the generation of the transfer sheet 200 (see Figure 2). In this embodiment, the condition acquisition unit 91 acquires the transfer target information FN and the printing conditions PC. The transfer target information FN is information on the brightness of the color of the fabric 300 (see Figure 3) to be transferred by the transfer sheet 200. The printing conditions PC are conditions that suppress the mixing and bleeding of color ink CK and white ink WK in the printed image layer 6a. The printing conditions PC includes the transfer conditions CC (see Figure 8). The transfer conditions CC are the conditions when transferring using the transfer sheet 200 with a heat transfer press 400 (see Figure 3). The transfer conditions CC are conditions that suppress the mixing and bleeding of color ink CK and white ink WK during transfer. Note that the contents of the transfer target information FN and the printing conditions PC are not limited to these.

[0035] The transfer target information FN and printing conditions PC are input, for example, by the operator operating the operating mechanism 90b of the data generation device 90. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the input screen DP into which the transfer target information FN and printing conditions are input. The input screen DP is displayed on the display screen 90a, for example, when the RIP application is running. In the following description, "selecting" something displayed on the display screen 90a means, for example, clicking on the item by operating the operating mechanism 90b (see Figure 5) of the data generation device 90.

[0036] The input screen DP displays the item "Brightness of the object to be transferred". To the right of the "Brightness of the object to be transferred" display is a pull-down box PB. By selecting from the pull-down box PB to the right of the "Brightness of the object to be transferred" display, the information for "Brightness of the object to be transferred" is entered. Similarly, the input screen DP displays the items "Head speed", "Number of passes", "Transfer volume", "Nozzle usage range", "Heater temperature", "Media type", "Heating temperature", "Pressure strength", and "Transfer time". By selecting from the pull-down box PB displayed to the right of each display and entering the respective values, the information for each item is entered.

[0037] The "Brightness of the Transferred Material" field is where the Transferred Material Information FN is entered. That is, the operator enters information about the brightness of the color of the fabric 300 (see Figure 3). Note that the Transferred Material Information FN is not limited to brightness information. Also, the method of entering the Transferred Material Information FN is not limited to entering a numerical value for brightness. For example, the operator may select a color that is the same as the color of the fabric 300 from among several colors displayed on the input screen DP. In this case, the brightness information of the selected color may be entered automatically. The brightness of the fabric 300 is a value measured by, for example, an optical sensor (not shown).

[0038] The following items are entered using the print conditions PC: "head speed," "number of passes," "transport volume," "nozzle usage range," "heater temperature," "media type," "heating temperature," "pressure strength," and "transfer time." The information entered in the "heating temperature," "pressure strength," and "transfer time" items is the transfer conditions CC.

[0039] "Head speed" refers to the relative speed of the color ink head 61 (see Figure 4) and the white ink head 65 (see Figure 4) with respect to the transfer film 5 (see Figure 4) in the main scanning direction Y when ejecting ink. "Number of passes" refers to the number of times the color ink head 61 and the white ink head 65 move in the main scanning direction Y over a predetermined area of ​​the transfer film 5 while ejecting ink in order to print on that area. "Transport amount" refers to the amount the transfer film 5 moves when the transport device 30 transports the transfer film 5 in the transport direction X after the color ink head 61 and the white ink head 65 have moved (i.e., made passes) in one direction of the main scanning direction Y while ejecting ink. "Nozzle usage range" refers to the range of nozzles 62 and 66 used for ejecting ink among the multiple nozzles 62 (see Figure 6) of the color ink head 61 and the multiple nozzles 66 (see Figure 6) of the white ink head 65. "Nozzle usage range" may be, for example, all nozzles 62, 66 or some of the nozzles 62, 66. Some nozzles 62, 66 refer to, for example, the front half of nozzles 62, 66 or the rear half of nozzles 62, 66 among a group of nozzles 62, 66 arranged in the transport direction X. However, the setting of the "nozzle usage range" is not limited to this. Also, the "nozzle usage range" may be set separately for each color ink head 61 and white ink head 65. "Heater temperature" refers to the heating temperature of the heater 80 (see Figure 4). The printing speed (area that can be printed per unit time) is determined by the "head speed," "number of passes," "transport amount," "nozzle usage range," and "heater temperature."

[0040] "Media type" refers to information about the type of media to be printed on, and in this embodiment, it refers to the transfer film 5. "Media type" includes, for example, ink paper, in addition to the transfer film. "Heating temperature" refers to the heating temperature when transferring using the transfer sheet 200 (see Figure 3). In other words, "heating temperature" refers to information about the set temperature of the heating surface 420 (see Figure 3) of the heat transfer press machine 400 (see Figure 3). "Pressure strength" refers to information about the numerical value of the pressure when transferring using the transfer sheet 200. "Pressure strength" is a numerical value determined by the specifications and settings of the heat transfer press machine 400. "Transfer time" refers to information about the time for heating and pressurizing using the heat transfer press machine 400. The operator selects each pull-down box PB and inputs the information. After that, when the OK button BT21 is selected, the condition acquisition unit 91 (see Figure 5) acquires the information entered in each pull-down box PB. As a result, the condition acquisition unit 91 acquires the transfer target information FN and the printing conditions PC. However, the method by which the condition acquisition unit 91 acquires the transfer target information FN and the printing conditions PC is not limited to this. The condition acquisition unit 91 may be configured to select a mode in which a combination of multiple printing conditions is set.

[0041] The first ink amount acquisition unit 92 shown in Figure 5 acquires the amount of color ink CK (see Figure 4) ejected into a unit area of ​​the color layer 6aa (see Figure 2). Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the processing by the first ink amount acquisition unit 92. In acquiring the amount of color ink CK, the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 divides the area including the image P10 into a plurality of image blocks B1, as shown in Figure 9. The plurality of image blocks B1 are divided by a unit area U1. A unit area is a single area in which the amount of ink ejected is determined, and is, for example, an area consisting of a square with sides of several millimeters. However, the size and shape of the unit area U1 are not particularly limited. The unit area U1 may contain a plurality of pixels or a single pixel. As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 are set for the entire area of ​​the image P10. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 intersect each other and are orthogonal in this case. The first direction D1 corresponds to the main scanning direction Y (see Figure 4) in the printer 10 (see Figure 4), and the printer 10 prints one line along the first direction D1. The second direction D2 corresponds to the transport direction X (see Figure 6) in the printer 10.

[0042] Image block B1 contains a non-eject block B1a, an eject block B1b, and a full eject block B1c. Non-eject block B1a is a block of unit region U1 in which the pixel values ​​of all pixels contained in the unit region U1 are "0", and no color ink CK (see Figure 4) is ejected. Here, the pixel value is a value that represents the shade or brightness of a color, and is shown, for example, in 256 gradations. In non-eject block B1a, the amount of color ink CK ejected is "0". Eject block B1b is a block of unit region U1 that contains pixels with pixel values ​​greater than "0" and pixels with pixel values ​​of "0". The amount of color ink CK ejected into eject block B1b is called ejection amount A1b (see Figure 10). Ejection amount A1b is an amount determined by the pixel values ​​of the image P10 contained in one eject block B1b. Furthermore, the ejection amount A1b may change not only depending on the pixel value but also on the size of the ink droplets of the ejected color ink CK (typically the smallest S dot, the next largest M dot, and the largest L dot). In this case, the ejection amount for each ink droplet size may be stored in advance in the data generation device 90 or the like. Also, the ink droplets ejected to the ejection block B1b may include multiple sizes or may be a single size. The total ejection block B1c is a block of the unit region U1 in which the pixel values ​​of all pixels contained in the unit region U1 are greater than "0". The amount of color ink CK ejected to the total ejection block B1c is defined as the ejection amount A1c (see Figure 10). The first ink amount acquisition unit 92 acquires the ejection amount for each image block B1. However, in this embodiment, the ejection amount for the non-ejection block B1a is not acquired. Therefore, the first ink quantity acquisition unit 92 acquires the amount of color ink CK (see Figure 4) ejected per unit area U1 of the color layer 6aa (see Figure 2) for each unit area U1.

[0043] The memory unit 93 shown in Figure 5 stores the first table TB1 and the second table TB2. Figure 11 shows an example of the configuration of the first table TB1. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the second table TB2. The first table TB1 is a table in which the items "lightness of the material to be transferred" and "total ink amount" are associated. "Associated" means that the items are listed in the same row of the table. In this embodiment, "lightness of the material to be transferred" refers to the information on the lightness of the color of the fabric 300 (see Figure 3). Therefore, "lightness of the material to be transferred" has the same meaning as "lightness of the material to be transferred" shown in Figure 8. "Total ink amount" refers to the total amount of ink ejected per unit area U1 (see Figure 9) (in this embodiment, the sum of the amount of color ink CK ejected and the amount of white ink WK ejected). In the first table TB1, "total ink amount" refers to the amount of ink that, when viewed from the color layer 6aa side as shown in Figure 3, can conceal the color on the opposite side of the white layer 6ab from the color layer 6aa by the color layer 6aa and the white layer 6ab. Here, "the color on the opposite side of the white layer 6ab when viewed from the color layer 6aa side" refers to the color of the fabric 300. Concealable means that, when viewed from the color layer 6aa side, the color of the fabric 300 in the portion overlapping with the color layer 6aa and the white layer 6ab cannot be seen. Therefore, for example, when the brightness of the fabric 300's color falls within the range of "L1 to L2" shown in Figure 11, by dispensing an amount of ink equal to or greater than "X1" associated with "L1 to L2" per unit area U1 to create a transfer sheet 200, the color of the portion of the fabric 300 transferred by the transfer sheet 200 becomes indistinguishable. Note that the first table TB1 may be one that has been obtained in advance through testing or the like. The higher the "brightness of the material to be transferred," the smaller the "total ink amount." In other words, the higher the brightness of the material to be transferred (the brighter the color of the material to be transferred), the easier it is for the color layer 6aa and the white layer 6ab to conceal the color of the material to be transferred.

[0044] The second table TB2 shown in FIG. 12 is a table in which "printing conditions", "range", and "total ink amount" are associated. The "head speed", "number of passes", "transport amount", "usable range of nozzles", "heater temperature", "media type", "heating temperature", "pressure strength", and "transfer time" described in the column of "printing conditions" have the same meaning as the "head speed", "number of passes", "transport amount", "usable range of nozzles", "heater temperature", "media type", "heating temperature", "pressure strength", and "transfer time" shown in FIG. 8. The "total ink amount" refers to the total amount of ink ejected per unit area U1 (see FIG. 9). However, the "total ink amount" in the second table TB2 shown in FIG. 12 is the upper limit value of the total value of the amounts of color ink CK and white ink WK in the unit area U1. Note that the upper limit value is the upper limit value within a range that can suppress the occurrence of color mixing and bleeding between the color ink CK and the white ink WK. For example, when the "head speed" is included in the range of "v1 to v2", by setting the total value of the color ink CK and the white ink WK in the unit area U1 to be "Y11" or less, the occurrence of color mixing and bleeding between the color ink CK and the white ink WK is suppressed. Note that the second table TB2 may be obtained in advance by tests or the like. In the present embodiment, in the second table TB2, "range" and "total ink amount" are associated with each of a plurality of printing conditions, but the "total ink amount" may be associated with a mode that is a combination of a plurality of printing conditions for which "range" is set respectively. For example, for a certain mode, a predetermined "range" of "head speed", "pressure strength", and "transfer time" may be associated in advance, and a predetermined "total ink amount" may be associated with the mode.

[0045] Furthermore, the higher the values ​​for "head speed," "transport amount," and "nozzle usage range," the lower the "total ink amount." In other words, the faster the relative speed of the color ink head 61 (see Figure 4) and white ink head 65 (see Figure 4) relative to the transfer film 5 (see Figure 4) when ejecting ink in the main scanning direction Y, the greater the amount of transfer film 5 transported each time the color ink head 61 and white ink head 65 move in one direction of the main scanning direction Y, and the wider the range of nozzles 62 (see Figure 6) of the color ink head 61 and nozzles 66 (see Figure 6) of the white ink head 65 used for ink ejection, the more likely ink mixing and bleeding will occur. The lower the values ​​for "number of passes" and "heater temperature," the lower the "total ink amount." In other words, the fewer times the color ink head 61 and white ink head 65 move in the main scanning direction Y over a predetermined area of ​​the transfer film 5 while ejecting ink, and the lower the heating temperature of the heater 80 (see Figure 4), the more likely ink mixing and bleeding are to occur. Generally, the higher the values ​​for "head speed," "transport amount," and "nozzle usage range," and the lower the value for "number of passes," the faster the printing speed. The faster the printing speed, the more likely ink mixing and bleeding are to occur, so the lower the value for "total ink amount." The lower the values ​​for "heating temperature," "pressure strength," and "transfer time," the lower the value for "total ink amount." In other words, the lower the set temperature of the heating surface 420 (see Figure 3) of the heat transfer press machine 400 (see Figure 3), the lower the pressure during transfer, or the shorter the heating and pressurizing time, the more likely ink mixing and bleeding are to occur.

[0046] The total ink amount acquisition unit 94 shown in Figure 5 acquires the first total ink amount MK1 from the first table TB1 stored in the storage unit 93, and the second total ink amount MK2 from the second table TB2. The first total ink amount MK1 and the second total ink amount MK2 are the "total ink amount" information contained in the first table TB1 and the second table TB2 that matches the conditions acquired by the condition acquisition unit 91. The total ink amount acquisition unit 94 acquires the first total ink amount MK1 based on the transfer material information FN acquired by the condition acquisition unit 91, that is, the transfer material information FN entered by the operator on the input screen DP in Figure 8, and the first table TB1 (see Figure 11). For example, if the lightness value of the transfer material information FN entered by the operator on the input screen DP in Figure 8 is included in the "L1 to L2" values ​​shown in Figure 11, the total ink amount acquisition unit 94 acquires the "X1" value associated with "L1 to L2" as the first total ink amount MK1. In other words, in this embodiment, the first total ink amount MK1 is determined based on the lightness of the color of the fabric 300 (see Figure 3).

[0047] Similarly, the total ink amount acquisition unit 94 shown in Figure 5 acquires the second total ink amount MK2 based on the printing conditions PC acquired by the condition acquisition unit 91, i.e., the printing conditions PC entered by the operator on the input screen DP in Figure 8, and the second table TB2 (see Figure 12). Here, the printing conditions PC includes multiple items. Therefore, the total ink amount acquisition unit 94 acquires the "total ink amount" associated with each of the items shown in Figure 12: "head speed," "number of passes," "transport amount," "nozzle usage range," "heater temperature," "media type," "heating temperature," "heating intensity," and "transfer time." The total ink amount acquisition unit 94 may, for example, acquire the smallest value among the acquired "total ink amounts" as the second total ink amount MK2.

[0048] The total ink amount determination unit 95 shown in FIG. 5 compares the numerical values of the first total ink amount MK1 and the second total ink amount MK2 acquired by the total ink amount acquisition unit 94. The total ink amount determination unit 95 determines the smaller of the first total ink amount MK1 and the second total ink amount MK2 as the total ink amount MK (see FIG. 10). The total ink amount MK is an example of a predetermined value in the present invention. The total ink amount MK is common to all unit areas U1.

[0049] The second ink amount determination unit 96 determines the amount of white ink WK (see FIG. 4) discharged per unit area U1 of the white layer 6ab (see FIG. 2) so that the sum of the amount of color ink CK acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 and the amount of white ink WK discharged per unit area U1 of the white layer 6ab becomes the total ink amount MK in all unit areas U1, for each unit area U1.

[0050] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of color ink CK and the amount of white ink WK in the unit area U1. As shown in FIG. 10, a first pattern PT1 and a second pattern PT2 are illustrated as the relationship between the amount of color ink CK and the amount of white ink WK. In both the first pattern PT1 and the second pattern PT2, the total amount of the amount of color ink CK and the amount of white ink WK is equal to the total ink amount MK.

[0051] The first pattern PT1 is a case where the amount of color ink CK acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 (see FIG. 5) is the discharge amount A1b. That is, it shows the relationship between the amount of color ink CK discharged to the discharge block B1b shown in FIG. 9 and the amount of white ink WK discharged to the discharge block B1b. In order to make the sum of the amount of color ink CK and the amount of white ink WK the total ink amount MK in all unit areas U1, the second ink amount determination unit 96 determines the discharge amount A2b, which is the difference between the total ink amount MK shown in FIG. 10 and the discharge amount A1b, as the discharge amount of the white ink WK.

[0052] The second pattern PT2 is the case where the amount of color ink CK acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 (see Figure 5) is the discharge amount A1c. That is, it shows the relationship between the amount of color ink CK discharged to the entire discharge block B1c shown in Figure 9 and the amount of white ink WK discharged to the same discharge block B1c. In order to make the sum of the amounts of color ink CK and white ink WK the total ink amount MK in all unit areas U1, the second ink amount determination unit 96 determines the discharge amount of white ink WK as the discharge amount A2c, which is the difference between the total ink amount MK shown in Figure 10 and the discharge amount A1c. The discharge amount A2c is less than the discharge amount A2b.

[0053] The second ink amount determination unit 96 determines the amount of white ink WK to be ejected for each unit area U1 using the first pattern PT1 and the second pattern PT2 described above. That is, for the portion of the image block B1 shown in Figure 9 that contains image P10, the ejection amounts of color ink CK (see Figure 4) and white ink WK (see Figure 4) are determined, respectively.

[0054] The print data generation unit 97 shown in Figure 5 generates print data P20 based on the amount of color ink CK acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 and the amount of white ink WK determined by the second ink amount determination unit 96. The print data generation unit 97 generates first print data P21 (see Figure 7) based on the amount of color ink CK acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit 92. That is, for each unit area U1 shown in Figure 9, it generates first print data P21 having information on the ejection amount A1b (see Figure 10) or ejection amount A1c (see Figure 10). Similarly, the print data generation unit 97 shown in Figure 5 generates second print data P22 (see Figure 7) having information on the ejection amount A2b (see Figure 10) or ejection amount A2c (see Figure 10) for each unit area U1. The transmission unit 98 shown in Figure 5 transmits the print data P20 generated by the print data generation unit 97 to the control device 110. As a result, the printer 10 executes printing according to the print data P20.

[0055] The configuration of the data generation device 90 has been described above. Now, the ejection control unit 111 shown in Figure 5 will be described. The ejection control unit 111 ejects color ink CK (see Figure 4) from the color ink head 61 to form a color layer 6aa (see Figure 2) on the transfer film 5 (see Figure 4), and ejects white ink WK (see Figure 4) from the white ink head 65 to form a white layer 6ab (see Figure 2) on top of the color layer 6aa. The ejection control unit 111 controls the color ink head 61 and the white ink head 65 so that the sum of the amount of color ink CK ejected per unit area U1 (see Figure 9) of the color layer 6aa and the amount of white ink WK ejected per unit area U1 of the white layer 6ab equals the total ink amount MK in all unit areas U1. This control is performed based on the print data P20.

[0056] The printer system 1 has been described above. Next, the procedure for creating a transfer sheet 200 using the printer 10 and performing a transfer using the transfer sheet 200 will be described. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure for creating a transfer sheet 200 using the printer 10 and performing a transfer using the transfer sheet 200. The image P10 to be printed on the transfer film 5 is assumed to be stored in the data generation device 90. However, the image P10 may be acquired by the data generation device 90 using a recording medium such as a USB memory, or it may be transmitted to the data generation device 90 via a network or the like.

[0057] In step S101, the operator inputs the material to be transferred FN and the printing conditions PC into the data generation device 90. The operator inputs the material to be transferred FN and the printing conditions PC on the input screen DP shown in Figure 8. The operator may select a mode in which a combination of multiple printing conditions is set. The condition acquisition unit 91 acquires the input material to be transferred FN and the printing conditions PC. As described above, in this embodiment, the material to be transferred FN is information on the brightness of the color of the fabric 300.

[0058] In step S102, the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 acquires the amount of color ink CK ejected for each image block B1 shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment, as described above, the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 acquires either the ejection amount A1b or the ejection amount A1c. Step S102 is an example of the first ink amount acquisition step in the present invention.

[0059] In step S103, the total ink amount acquisition unit 94 acquires the first total ink amount MK1 from the first table TB1. The total ink amount acquisition unit 94 acquires the first total ink amount MK1 based on the transfer material information FN acquired by the condition acquisition unit 91. For example, if the brightness value of the transfer material information FN is included in "L1 to L2" shown in Figure 11, "X1" associated with "L1 to L2" is acquired as the first total ink amount MK1.

[0060] The total ink amount acquisition unit 94 acquires the second total ink amount MK2 based on the printing conditions PC acquired by the condition acquisition unit 91. When the printing conditions PC includes multiple items, as in this embodiment, for example, the smallest of the "total ink amount" information for each item shown in Figure 12 is acquired as the second total ink amount MK2. For example, if the "total ink amount" shown in Figure 12 is "Y11", "Y21", "Y32", "Y42", "Y51", "Y61", "Y72", "Y81", "Y82", and "Y91" for the values ​​of "head speed", "number of passes", "transfer amount", "nozzle usage range", "heater temperature", "media type", "heating temperature", "heating intensity", and "transfer time" entered in the input screen DP shown in Figure 8, the smallest of these nine values ​​is acquired as the second total ink amount MK2. The total ink amount acquisition unit 94 may also acquire the second total ink amount MK2 corresponding to the mode selected by the condition acquisition unit 91 from among the modes in which multiple combinations of printing conditions are set. Step S103 is an example of the second ink amount determination step in the present invention.

[0061] In step S104, the total ink amount determination unit 95 compares the values ​​of the first total ink amount MK1 and the second total ink amount MK2 obtained by the total ink amount acquisition unit 94. The total ink amount determination unit 95 determines the smaller of the two values, the first total ink amount MK1 and the second total ink amount MK2, as the total ink amount MK.

[0062] In step S105, the second ink amount determination unit 96 determines the amount of white ink WK discharged per unit area U1 based on the amount of color ink CK acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 and the total ink amount MK. The amount of white ink WK discharged per unit area U1 is determined to be either discharge amount A2b or A2c, as shown in Figure 10.

[0063] In step S106 shown in Figure 13, the print data generation unit 97 generates print data P20 based on the amount of color ink CK acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 and the amount of white ink WK determined by the second ink amount determination unit 96. Step S106 is an example of the print data generation process in the present invention.

[0064] In step S107, the transmission unit 98 transmits the print data P20 to the control device 110. The ejection control unit 111 of the printer 10 ejects color ink CK and white ink WK onto the transfer film 5 based on the print data P20. The ejection control unit 111 ejects the ink in the order of first print data P21 and second print data P22. When the ejection control unit 111 prints the first print data P21, a color layer 6aa is formed on the transfer film 5. When the ejection control unit 111 prints the second print data P22, a white layer 6ab is formed on the color layer 6aa. Therefore, by the ejection control unit 111 executing the first print data P21 and the second print data P22, an image layer 6a is formed on the transfer film 5. Step S107 is an example of the printing process in the present invention.

[0065] In step S108, the operator applies heat-meltable powder PW (see Figure 2) onto the image layer 6a of the transfer film 5. The heat-meltable powder PW may be applied by the operator's manual labor, or it may be applied by a device that supplies the heat-meltable powder PW. This forms an ink-receiving layer 6b on the image layer 6a. Thus, a transfer sheet 200 is produced. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 3, with the ink-receiving layer 6b of the transfer sheet 200 in contact with the fabric 300 to be transferred, the operator places the fabric 300 and the transfer sheet 200 into the heat transfer press machine 400. At this time, the fabric 300 is placed on the support surface 410. The transfer sheet 200 is heated and pressurized by pressing it against the heated heating surface 420. The heated heating surface 420 is pressed for a predetermined time. Furthermore, the temperature of the heating surface 420, the strength of the pressure, and the time for which the heating surface 420 is pressed should be the same as the transfer conditions CC. That is, the temperature of the heating surface 420 (see Figure 3), the strength of the pressure, and the time for which the heating surface 420 is pressed should be set in the same way as the transfer conditions CC entered in the "heating temperature," "heating strength," and "transfer time" items on the input screen DP shown in Figure 8. Once the heating and pressing of the transfer sheet 200 is complete, the image layer 6a and the ink receiving layer 6b are transferred to the fabric 300. Step S108 is an example of the transfer process in the present invention.

[0066] As described above, according to the data generation device 90 of this embodiment, print data P20 is generated such that the sum of the amount of color ink CK per unit area U1 acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 and the amount of white ink WK per unit area U1 determined by the second ink amount determination unit 96 equals the total ink amount MK. Therefore, when color ink CK and white ink WK are ejected based on the print data P20, the sum of the color ink CK and white ink WK is constant at the total ink amount MK, regardless of the position of the image layer 6a. As a result, the image layer 6a is formed uniformly. Thus, even when color ink CK and white ink WK are printed in layers, print data P20 can be generated that suppresses deterioration of the image quality of the image layer 6a. By transferring the image to the fabric 300 using the transfer sheet 200 generated with the print data P20, deterioration of the image quality of the image transferred to the fabric 300 can be suppressed.

[0067] According to the data generation device 90 of this embodiment, the first total ink amount MK1 is a value that, when viewed from the color layer 6aa side of the image layer 6a, allows the color of the fabric 300 to be obscured by the color layer 6aa and the white layer 6ab. The first total ink amount MK1 is determined based on the brightness of the color of the fabric 300. Therefore, by setting the first total ink amount MK1 to the total amount of color ink CK and white ink WK discharged per unit area U1, the color of the fabric 300 is obscured in the portion of the fabric 300 to which the color layer 6aa and the white layer 6ab have been transferred after transfer. Thus, the amounts of color ink CK and white ink WK can be set so that the transferred image is not affected by the fabric 300.

[0068] According to the data generation device 90 of this embodiment, the second total ink amount MK2 is the upper limit of the total amount of color ink CK and white ink WK ejected in a unit area U1, determined based on the printing conditions PC. This upper limit is set as the upper limit of the range in which mixing and bleeding of color ink CK and white ink WK can be suppressed. Therefore, by setting the upper limit of the total amount of ejected color ink CK and white ink WK to the second total ink amount MK2, the total amount of color ink CK and white ink WK can be set so that mixing and bleeding do not occur in the color layer 6aa and the white layer 6ab.

[0069] According to the data generation device 90 of this embodiment, the printing conditions PC includes the transfer conditions CC. The transfer conditions CC are the conditions when performing transfer using the transfer sheet 200. The transfer conditions CC include the heating temperature, pressure strength, and transfer time conditions of the heat transfer press 400. The transfer conditions CC are conditions that suppress the mixing and bleeding of color ink CK and white ink WK during transfer. Therefore, the total amount of color ink CK and white ink WK can be set so that mixing and bleeding of color ink CK and white ink WK can be suppressed not only when the color ink CK and white ink WK are ejected, but also when transferring using the heat transfer press 400.

[0070] According to the data generation device 90 of this embodiment, the total ink amount MK is determined to be the smaller of the first total ink amount MK1 and the second total ink amount MK2. By determining the total ink amount MK to be the smaller of the first total ink amount MK1 or the second total ink amount MK2, the total consumption of color ink CK and white ink WK can be suppressed, and at least one of the following can be ensured: concealment of the color of the fabric 300 and the occurrence of ink mixing and bleeding.

[0071] In the data generation device 90 of this embodiment, color ink CK is used as the first ink and white ink WK is used as the second ink. By ejecting the color ink CK and white ink WK onto the transfer film 5, an image layer 6a can be formed on the transfer film 5. Therefore, it is possible to generate print data P20 for printing the image layer 6a that is transferred in a so-called DTF print, which is performed by transfer using a transfer sheet 200.

[0072] In the printer 10 of this embodiment, the ejection control unit 111 ejects color ink CK and white ink WK onto the transfer film 5 based on the print data P20. Specifically, the ejection control unit 111 ejects color ink CK from the color ink head 61 and white ink WK from the white ink head 65. The color ink head 61 and the white ink head 65 are controlled so that the sum of the amount of white ink WK per unit area U1 equals the total ink amount MK. This makes it possible to print on the transfer film 5 while suppressing the degradation of image quality of the image layer 6a.

[0073] A preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative, and the present invention can be implemented in various other forms.

[0074] In the embodiment described above, the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 acquired the amount of color ink CK ejected into a unit area of ​​the color layer 6aa based on the image P10, but is not limited to this. The first ink amount acquisition unit 92 may, for example, acquire the ink values ​​(CMYK values ​​or the amount of ink contained in the data) of the RIP processed image P10.

[0075] In the embodiments described above, image P10 was a monochrome image, but is not limited to this. Image P10 may be an image containing multiple colors. In this case, the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 may acquire the ejection amount for each of the multiple colors. For example, when image P10 is an image printed with magenta ink and cyan ink, the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 may acquire the ejection amount of magenta ink and the ejection amount of cyan ink, respectively. In this case, non-ejection block B1a is a unit area U1 in which the pixel values ​​of magenta ink and cyan ink in all pixels included in the unit area U1 are "0", ejection block B1b is a unit area U1 that includes pixels in which at least one pixel value of magenta ink and cyan ink is greater than "0", and pixels in which the pixel values ​​of magenta ink and cyan ink are "0", and all-ejection block B1c is a unit area U1 in which the pixel values ​​of magenta ink and cyan ink in all pixels included in the unit area U1 are greater than "0". Furthermore, the first ink amount acquisition unit 92 acquires the total amount of magenta ink and cyan ink ejected in a unit area of ​​the color layer 6aa (see Figure 2) as the amount of color ink CK (see Figure 4). The "total ink amount" in the first table TB1 and the second table TB2 is the sum of the magenta ink, cyan ink, and white ink WK.

[0076] In the embodiment described above, the print data P20 was print data for generating the transfer sheet 200, but it is not limited to this. The print data P20 may also be print data used for overprinting using primer ink or gloss ink in the printer 10, for example.

[0077] In the embodiment described above, the data generation device 90 and the control device 110 were separate entities. However, each part of the data generation device 90 may be provided in the control device 110.

[0078] In the embodiments described above, the white layer 6ab (second ink layer) was formed on top of the color layer 6aa (first ink layer), but is not limited to this. The second ink layer may be formed below the first ink layer.

[0079] The technology disclosed herein can be applied to various types of printers. In addition to the roll-to-roll type printer shown in the embodiments described above, it can also be applied to so-called flatbed type printers, for example, in which a recording medium is fixed on a table and the table is transported in the transport direction X to print. Furthermore, it can also be applied to so-called gantry type printers, in which a recording medium is placed on a table and a carriage is moved relative to the table in the main scanning direction Y and the transport direction X to print.

[0080] In the embodiment described above, the color layer 6aa and the white layer 6ab were the same size in a plan view, but the white layer 6ab may be larger than the color layer 6aa in a plan view. That is, the white layer 6ab may be formed around the image P10. In this case, it is preferable that the amount of white ink WK ejected in a unit area of ​​the white layer 6ab formed around the image P10 be set to the total ink amount MK acquired by the total ink amount acquisition unit 94. This ensures that the entire image layer 6a, including the white layer 6ab formed around the image P10, is formed uniformly.

[0081] 5 Transfer film (media) 6aa Color layer (first ink layer) 6ab White layer (second ink layer) 10 Printer 90 Data generation device 92 First ink amount acquisition unit 96 Second ink amount determination unit 97 Print data generation unit CK Color ink (first ink) WK White ink (second ink) P20 Print data U1 Unit area

Claims

1. A data generation device for generating print data for printing on a medium by stacking a first ink layer formed with a first ink and a second ink layer formed with a second ink, comprising: a first ink amount acquisition unit that acquires the amount of the first ink ejected per unit area of ​​the first ink layer for each unit area; a second ink amount determination unit that determines the amount of the second ink ejected per unit area of ​​the second ink layer for each unit area such that the sum of the amount of the first ink acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit and the amount of the second ink ejected per unit area of ​​the second ink layer is a predetermined value for all unit areas; and a print data generation unit that generates the print data based on the amount of the first ink acquired by the first ink amount acquisition unit and the amount of the second ink determined by the second ink amount determination unit.

2. The data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is a value that, when viewed from the first ink layer side, allows the color on the opposite side of the second ink layer to be obscured by the first ink layer and the second ink layer.

3. The data generation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined value is determined based on the brightness of the color of the object to which the first ink layer and the second ink layer printed based on the print data are transferred.

4. The data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is the upper limit of the sum of the amounts of the first ink and the second ink in the unit area, determined based on predetermined printing conditions.

5. The data generation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing conditions include transfer conditions for transferring the first ink layer and the second ink layer printed based on the printing data to a transfer object.

6. The data generation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the transfer conditions include at least one of the heating temperature, pressure intensity, and transfer time when transferring the first ink layer and the second ink layer to the object to be transferred.

7. The data generation device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is set to the smaller of the following two values: a value that, when viewed from the first ink layer side, allows the color on the opposite side of the first ink layer to be obscured by the first and second ink layers, and the upper limit of the sum of the amounts of the first ink and the second ink in the unit area.

8. The data generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first ink is a color ink and the second ink is a white ink.

9. A computer program configured to operate a computer as a data generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An inkjet printer comprising: a support base for supporting media; a first ink head for ejecting first ink; a second ink head for ejecting second ink; a movement mechanism for moving the first ink head, the second ink head and the media relative to each other; and a control device, wherein the control device includes an ejection control unit that ejects the first ink from the first ink head to form a first ink layer on the media, and ejects the second ink from the second ink head to form a second ink layer above or below the first ink layer, and the ejection control unit controls the first ink head and the second ink head so that the sum of the amount of first ink ejected per unit area of ​​the first ink layer and the amount of second ink ejected per unit area of ​​the second ink layer is a predetermined value in all unit areas.

11. A transfer method for transferring the first and second ink layers to a transfer object by adhering the adhesive layer of a media having a first ink layer formed of a first ink, a second ink layer formed of a second ink, and an adhesive layer stacked on top of each other, comprising: a first ink amount acquisition step for acquiring the amount of the first ink discharged in a unit area of ​​the first ink layer; a second ink amount determination step for determining the amount of the second ink discharged in a unit area of ​​the second ink layer such that the sum of the amount of the first ink acquired in the first ink amount acquisition step and the amount of the second ink discharged in a unit area of ​​the second ink layer is a predetermined value; a print data generation step for generating print data based on the amount of the first ink acquired in the first ink amount acquisition step and the amount of the second ink determined in the second ink amount determination step; and a printing step for forming the first and second ink layers on the media using the print data. A transfer method comprising a transfer step of overlapping the adhesive layer on the first ink layer and the second ink layer, then adhering the adhesive layer to the object to be transferred, thereby transferring the first ink layer and the second ink layer to the object to be transferred.

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