Ink Set for Transparent Substrates via Solubility Parameter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printing on transparent substrates often results in image cissing and blurs due to shadowing and excessive wetting spreading when printing multiple layers, especially when using water-based inks on non-porous media like PET, PVC, and tarpaulin.
Innovation Solution
The use of an ink set with two inks having different Solubility Parameter (SP) values for the organic solvent and water mix, where the upper layer ink has a smaller SP value than the lower layer ink, reducing excessive wetting and spreading, and incorporating silicone surfactants and urethane resins to enhance image quality and glossiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple layer printing is used on transparent substrates, then image coverage is improved, but image cissing occurs due to shadowing and excessive wetting spreading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the surfactant concentration in each ink layer to achieve different surface tensions. The first ink contains surfactant at 1-5 mass% and the second ink contains surfactant at 0.1-3 mass%, creating a surface tension difference that prevents excessive wetting spreading of the second ink over the first ink, thereby eliminating image cissing while maintaining good image coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving each ink layer different surfactant concentrations tailored to its specific function. The first ink layer (closer to the substrate) has higher surfactant content for better substrate wetting, while the second ink layer (upper layer) has lower surfactant content to prevent excessive spreading over the first layer, thus addressing the local requirements of each layer to prevent image cissing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If water based inks are used on non-porous substrates, then environmental impact is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to blurs and beading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the surfactant concentration parameters in water-based inks to achieve appropriate surface tension values. By controlling surfactant content at specific ranges (1-5 mass% for first ink, 0.1-3 mass% for second ink), the ink achieves balanced wetting properties that prevent both excessive spreading (blurs) and insufficient wetting (beading), thereby maintaining high image quality while using environmentally friendly water-based formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by formulating water-based inks with specific combinations of surfactants, organic solvents, and resins. The first ink contains surfactant (1-5 mass%), organic solvent (20-70 mass%), and water (20-75 mass%), while the second ink contains surfactant (0.1-3 mass%), organic solvent (30-80 mass%), and water (15-65 mass%). These composite formulations achieve the desired surface tension and wetting properties to prevent blurs and beading on non-porous substrates
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 results in high-quality images with high glossiness and no blurs or beading on both the substrate and lower ink layer, even on difficult substrates, by controlling the surface tension and affinity between the ink layers.
Implementation Method 1
an ink set which includes a first ink and a second ink, wherein each of the first ink and the second ink independently includes a coloring agent, a surfactant, an organic solvent, a resin, and water... The mix SP value of a mixture of the organic solvent and the water of the first ink is larger than the mix SP value of a mixture of the organic solvent and the water of the second ink
Implementation Method 2
each of the first ink and the second ink independently includes a coloring agent, a surfactant, an organic solvent, a resin, and water... incorporating silicone surfactants and urethane resins to enhance image quality and glossiness
Data Source
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AI summary
An ink set and an ink-jet recording method using the ink set are disclosed. The ink set includes a first ink and a second ink each containing coloring agent, surfactant, organic solvent, resin, and water. The mix SP value of the organic solvent and the water of the first ink is larger than the mix SP value of the organic solvent and the water of the second ink.