Inkjet Ink Set with Pre-treatment Fixing Fluid for Offset Media
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet printing technologies face challenges in achieving high-speed printing on coated offset media due to issues with ink absorption, bleed control, and image quality, particularly with aqueous inks, which result in reduced optical density and gloss, and can lead to pen reliability problems.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet ink set comprising a pre-treatment fixing fluid with calcium-containing crashing agents, surfactants, and a polyurethane binder, combined with specific liquid inks, is used for wet-on-wet printing, dynamically lowering surface tension and improving interaction with the media to enhance print quality and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aqueous inks are used for high-speed printing on coated offset media, then printing speed is improved, but image quality (optical density and gloss) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A pre-treatment fixing fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance applied to the coated offset media before the aqueous ink. This fluid modifies the media surface properties to enhance ink absorption and interaction, thereby maintaining high-speed printing capability while improving image quality attributes including optical density and gloss.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-treatment fixing fluid dynamically lowers the surface tension of the media surface, changing the physical-chemical parameters to optimize aqueous ink wetting and absorption. This parameter modification enables the ink to interact more effectively with the media at high printing speeds without compromising image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-treatment fixing fluid with high crashing agent content is used, then ink absorption and bleed control are improved, but pen reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-treatment fixing fluid formulation dynamically adjusts surface tension through the interaction of crashing agents (calcium propionate and calcium nitrate) with the media and ink. This dynamic parameter change allows effective ink control while maintaining pen reliability by preventing excessive precipitation that would cause nozzle issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-treatment fixing fluid is formulated as a composite system containing specific crashing agents (calcium propionate and calcium nitrate), surfactants, and water in optimized proportions. This composite formulation achieves both effective ink absorption control and pen reliability by balancing the properties of individual components.
3Device complexity
If conventional ink formulations are used, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but print durability and mechability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The ink formulation is enhanced as a composite system incorporating a polyurethane binder alongside traditional ink components. This composite formulation improves print durability and mechability through the binding properties of polyurethane while maintaining relative formulation simplicity by integrating the binder into the existing ink structure rather than creating a completely separate system.
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
The inkjet ink set provides improved print quality, reliability, and durability at high speeds, with enhanced optical density, gloss, and mechability, while maintaining nozzle health and decap performance, allowing for high-speed printing on coated offset media without compromising quality.
Implementation Method 1
dynamically lowering surface tension and improving interaction with the media
Implementation Method 2
calcium-containing crashing agents consisting of calcium propionate and calcium nitrate
Implementation Method 3
a polyurethane binder
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An inkjet ink set comprising a pre-treatment fixing fluid including calcium-containing crashing agents; at least a co-solvent; one or more surfactants and a balance of water; and, at least, a liquid ink. The liquid ink includes a pigment dispersion, a surfactant, a polyurethane binder, a co-solvent and a balance of water. Also disclosed are and inkjet printing system containing such ink set and the method for printing in such inkjet printing system.