Color Printing With Intermixed Ink Layers on Nonwhite Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color printing techniques require printing multiple layers of white ink on nonwhite substrates to achieve color accuracy, which increases printing time, ink usage, and costs, and results in high contrast when the printed color is scratched or damaged, exposing underlying white layers.
Innovation Solution
A method of printing multiple layers of intermixed white and color inks with varying ratios of white to color ink, allowing for color accuracy on nonwhite substrates without the need for a white substrate, reducing the number of printed layers and ink usage, and enhancing color durability by distributing color throughout the layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers of white ink are printed on nonwhite substrates to achieve color accuracy, then color accuracy is improved, but printing time and ink usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of ink composition by using translucent color inks instead of opaque white ink layers. This allows the color inks to interact with the substrate's existing color to produce accurate printed colors, eliminating the need for multiple white ink layers and reducing printing time while maintaining color accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different ink properties to different layers: translucent color inks are used in varying concentrations across multiple layers, with each layer having a specific color intensity. This local variation in ink concentration and transparency allows color accuracy to be achieved without requiring opaque white underlayers, thereby reducing total printing time
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers of white ink are printed on nonwhite substrates to achieve color accuracy, then color accuracy is improved, but ink consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ink property from opaque to translucent and varies the concentration of color inks across layers. This allows the inks to optically mix and interact with the substrate color, achieving accurate printed colors with less total ink consumption compared to printing multiple opaque white layers followed by color layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple layers of color ink with varying concentrations, where each layer contributes partially to the final color. This partial action approach allows the system to achieve color accuracy through cumulative optical effects rather than requiring complete coverage with opaque white layers, reducing overall ink usage
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers of white ink are printed on nonwhite substrates to achieve color accuracy, then color accuracy is improved, but the printed material shows high contrast when scratched or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ink transparency parameter to translucent, allowing light to pass through multiple layers and interact with both the ink and substrate. When damaged, this creates a gradual transition in color intensity rather than abrupt high-contrast edges, as the translucent layers blend optically and mask damage more effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where multiple translucent color ink layers are combined with the substrate material. This composite approach distributes the color across layers that optically interact, creating a more uniform appearance that masks scratches and damage better than opaque white layers, while still maintaining color accuracy
4Reliability
If multiple layers of intermixed white and color inks are printed with varying ratios, then color durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in ink concentration and transparency across layers to achieve color durability. By varying the ratio of color to white ink components in each layer, the system creates depth and uniformity that resists fading and damage, while the printing device maintains standard multi-layer capability without requiring complex new mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for color printing onto nonwhite substrates and articles. For example, an article of apparel is provided that includes multiple layers of ink with a combination of a white ink and at least one color ink, and each layer having a ratio of white ink to color ink, wherein the ratio is the same.