Leveling Composition for Embossed Inkjet Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems face challenges in producing acceptable image quality on embossed surfaces due to ink puddling, where ink pools in the valleys of the textured surface, leading to non-uniform ink coverage and poor image quality.
Innovation Solution
A leveling composition is applied to the image-receiving layer, comprising water, organic solvent, surfactant, cationic ionene polymer, and polymeric binder, which helps to prevent ink puddling by smoothing the ink distribution across the embossed surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If inkjet printing is performed on embossed surfaces, then aesthetic texture is achieved, but ink puddling occurs in valleys leading to non-uniform ink coverage
Solution Approach 1:
A leveling composition is introduced as an intermediary layer between the inkjet system and the embossed substrate. This composition contains surfactants and polymers that reduce surface tension and promote uniform ink distribution across the textured surface, preventing ink from pooling in valleys while maintaining the aesthetic embossed texture visible in the final print
2Shape
If texture depth is increased for aesthetic purposes, then surface texture is enhanced, but ink puddling worsens and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The leveling composition modifies the surface energy parameters of the embossed substrate through surfactant action. By changing the wettability and surface tension characteristics, the system enables uniform ink coverage even on deeply textured surfaces, allowing high texture depth to be maintained without compromising image quality
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 application of the leveling composition significantly improves print quality on embossed surfaces by ensuring uniform ink coverage and aesthetically pleasing results, even at varying texture depths.
Implementation Method 1
from 0.2 wt % to 6 wt % surfactant
Implementation Method 2
from 1 wt % to 10 wt % cationic ionene polymer having a weight average molecular weight from 100 Mw to 8000 Mw dispersed in the liquid vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is drawn to leveling compositions, embossed print media, and methods of preparing embossed print media. The embossed print media can include a media substrate, an image-receiving layer applied to the media substrate at a coating weight of 3 gsm to 50 gsm, and a leveling composition layer. The image-receiving layer can include a pigment filler having an average particle size ranging from 0.1 μm to 20 μm and a polymeric binder, and in examples herein, is embossed. The leveling composition layer can be applied at a coating weight of 0.2 gsm to 3 gsm to the image-receiving layer, and can include a cationic ionene polymer.