Spot Color Printing via Colored Substrates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern color printing systems, such as those using the CMYK color gamut, struggle to accurately reproduce certain colors like pure red and Pantone colors, requiring the use of spot color inks, which can be economically and conveniently challenging, especially in short or low-volume printing runs due to the need for frequent ink changes and substrate adjustments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using colored substrates that match the desired spot color, eliminating the need for spot color inks by generating printer control data to print images on substrates with pre-defined colors, and optionally applying a white undercoat layer to ensure accurate color reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If spot color inks are used to reproduce colors outside the CMYK gamut, then color accuracy is improved, but device complexity and operational convenience deteriorate due to frequent ink changes and substrate adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the color reproduction function from the ink system and transfers it to the substrate system. Instead of using spot color inks to add color, the method uses substrates that inherently possess the desired spot colors (Pantone colors, pure red, etc.). This eliminates the need for specialized spot color ink cartridges and complex ink change procedures while maintaining color accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional approach inverts the problem: instead of adding color through ink to a white substrate, the method starts with a colored substrate and uses ink only for image details. This inversion allows standard CMYK inks to work on colored backgrounds, reproducing spot colors through the interaction of substrate color and printed ink rather than requiring spot color inks themselves.
2Manufacturing precision
If spot color inks are installed to reproduce specific colors, then color reproduction capability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to frequent ink changes and purging requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the substrate serve multiple functions: it provides the base color for spot color reproduction, eliminates the need for spot color inks, and serves as the printing surface for standard CMYK inks. This multi-functionality of the substrate simplifies the overall system operation while maintaining the ability to reproduce specific spot colors accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The method treats substrate color selection as a disposable, per-job parameter rather than a permanent system configuration. Different colored substrates can be selected for different printing jobs requiring different spot colors, eliminating the need for permanent installation of multiple spot color ink systems and their associated purging and changing procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spot color inks are installed to handle different print runs, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic substrate selection based on the specific color requirements of each print run. Rather than having a static configuration of spot color inks, the system dynamically chooses appropriate colored substrates for each job, allowing full adaptability to different spot color requirements without expanding the ink system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
According to one example, there is provided a method of processing an image to be printed. The method comprises obtaining image data for an image to be printed, determining from the image data a defined spot colour, generating, from the image data, an image mask corresponding to areas of the image having the defined spot colour, and generating printer control data to control a printer to a print non-masked areas of the image on a substrate having the defined spot colour.