Digital Coating Control for Variable Varnish Gloss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional varnishing plants cannot individually control the gloss level of varnish layers on recording media, resulting in uniform gloss across all printed pages, limiting the ability to create varying gloss regions and requiring multiple varnishing processes for different gloss levels, and are not adaptable for dynamic control of gloss properties during digital printing.
Innovation Solution
A method and printing device that apply a coating substance before color separation using digital printing, allowing for variable quantities per area unit to influence the optical properties of the varnish layer, enabling the generation of different gloss levels and surface energies, which can be applied uniformly as a varnish layer using conventional analog processes, and can be controlled digitally to create arbitrary patterns and images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional analog varnishing plants are used to apply varnish layers, then uniform gloss levels can be achieved across the entire surface, but individual control of gloss levels in different regions is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the varnishing process by applying coating substance in different quantities to different regions of the recording medium before varnish application. This creates region-specific surface properties that enable different gloss levels in different areas, while the varnish itself remains uniform. The segmentation occurs in the coating substance application stage, allowing subsequent uniform varnish application to produce differentiated optical results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the quantity of coating substance applied to different regions of the recording medium. Regions with higher coating substance quantities develop different surface energies and roughness characteristics, which in turn produce different gloss levels when covered with uniform varnish. This local variation in coating substance quantity enables region-specific optical properties without requiring region-specific varnish formulations or application methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple varnishing processes are used to create different gloss levels, then varying gloss regions can be achieved, but process complexity and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the coating substance to the recording medium before the varnish application step, creating pre-prepared regions with different surface properties. This preliminary action of varying coating substance quantity allows a single subsequent varnish application to produce multiple gloss levels, eliminating the need for multiple separate varnishing processes. The differentiation is prepared in advance through controlled coating substance application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the gloss differentiation function into the coating substance application step, combining what would traditionally require separate varnishing processes into a single integrated workflow. By applying coating substance in variable quantities across different regions before a uniform varnish application, the system combines region-specific property creation with uniform layer application, achieving multiple gloss levels in one process cycle.
3Quantity of substance
If analog varnishing plants are used, then full-area varnish layers can be applied, but digital control and adaptability during printing is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the coating substance application system universal by enabling it to serve dual functions: (1) providing uniform coverage across the entire recording medium surface, and (2) simultaneously creating region-specific variations in quantity. This allows a single digital printing system to perform both full-area coating and localized differentiation, bridging the gap between analog uniformity and digital controllability in one integrated process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the creation of varnish layers with varying gloss levels and surface properties, enhancing the visual appearance and adhesion of printed products, and enables the storage of gloss information for application at a later time, even after printing, using standard varnishes and existing printing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
A print image of the coating substance is applied onto a recording medium... depending on the quantity of coating substance applied per area unit, surface regions with different surface energies are generated
Implementation Method 2
Due to their roughness, matte surfaces especially are also suitable for gluing with adhesive... With the aid of the different quantity of the coating substance per area unit, individually different gloss properties of the varnish layer which is applied subsequently can be generated
Data Source
AI summary
In a method and a printing device for influencing an optical property of a varnish layer to be applied onto a printed recording medium, a coating substance is applied onto the recording medium by digital printing before the printing of at least one color separation of the print image on said recording medium. The quantity of the coating substance applied per area unit may be adjusted depending on the desired optical property of the varnish layer to be applied later.