Selective Varnish Deposition on Non-Printed Substrate Pixels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods of applying a uniform clear protective varnish on printed articles are inefficient, especially when using robust ultra-violet curable inks, as they often result in excessive varnish usage and may not fully utilize the inherent scratch and water resistance properties of these inks.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where varnish is selectively printed only on specific substrate pixel locations where no ink is deposited, reducing overall varnish usage while maintaining protection by ensuring all or most pixel locations have either ink or varnish, with the option to further reduce varnish application based on substrate and ink characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a uniform clear protective varnish is applied on the entire printed substrate, then the protective coverage is comprehensive, but the varnish consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies varnish selectively only to specific pixel locations where no ink is deposited, rather than uniformly across the entire substrate. This local quality approach ensures protective coverage is provided precisely where needed (on non-printed areas) while avoiding unnecessary varnish application on ink-printed areas, thereby reducing overall varnish consumption while maintaining adequate protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the varnish application from being a universal process and instead applies it only to specific locations where it is truly needed. By identifying and isolating the non-printed pixel locations, the system applies varnish only to those extracted areas, eliminating redundant varnish application on printed portions and reducing material waste.
2Loss of substance
If varnish is applied only on selective pixel locations, then varnish consumption is reduced, but the protective coverage may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the image data analysis to determine precisely which pixel locations require varnish protection. By analyzing the printed article image data, the system identifies non-printed locations and provides feedback for targeted varnish application, ensuring that protective coverage is maintained on all areas that actually need it while avoiding unnecessary application on printed areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the image data before varnish application to identify all pixel locations that require protection. This preliminary action of mapping ink deposition locations allows the system to pre-determine the exact varnish application pattern, ensuring comprehensive protective coverage on non-printed areas before the actual varnish deposition occurs.
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 reduces varnish consumption while maintaining the protective benefits of ultra-violet curable inks, ensuring that all unprotected pixel locations are covered with varnish, thereby enhancing the durability and water resistance of printed articles without compromising protection.
Implementation Method 1
some modern printing inks, such as ultra-violet curable inks, are particularly robust
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one example, there is provided a method of processing an image. The method comprises obtaining image data representing an image to be printed, determining, from the image data, pixel locations on a substrate where ink is intended to be deposited and pixel locations where no ink is intended to be deposited, and modifying the image data to define varnish to be deposited at at least some of those substrate pixel locations determined as where no ink is intended to be deposited.