Uncoated Printing Paper Thermal Treatment for Digital Ink Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing decorative printing paper for flat components, such as floor, wall, and furniture applications, result in unsatisfactory print quality due to the 'blotter effect' and are costly due to the need for partial resin coating and ink-receiving layers, which are impractical for mass production.
Innovation Solution
Using non-resinized printing paper without an ink-receiving layer and heating the paper before, during, or after printing, or heating the ink immediately after application, to achieve rapid drying and prevent the blotter effect, thereby eliminating the need for additional coatings and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uncoated printing paper is used for digital printing, then production cost is reduced, but ink running and blotting effect occur resulting in poor print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The printing paper is pre-heated before the printing process to raise its temperature, which reduces moisture absorption and prevents the blotting effect during ink application, thereby maintaining print quality on uncoated paper
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature of the printing paper is changed by heating it before and/or during printing, which alters the paper's physical properties to prevent ink running and blotting, enabling high-quality printing on cost-effective uncoated paper
2Productivity
If printing paper is heated before, during, or after printing, then ink drying speed is increased preventing blotter effect, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Heating is applied continuously before, during, and/or after printing to maintain rapid ink drying throughout the process, ensuring consistent prevention of the blotter effect while optimizing energy utilization
Solution Approach 2:
Heat energy is used to accelerate the phase transition of ink from liquid to vapor state, enabling rapid drying and preventing blotting, with the heating process optimized to balance drying speed and energy consumption
3Manufacturing precision
If pigment coating or resin coating is applied to printing paper, then print quality is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing paper is pre-heated before printing to prevent moisture absorption and ink running, eliminating the need for expensive pigment or resin coatings while maintaining high print quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive permanent coatings (pigment or resin layers) with a temporary thermal treatment that achieves the same functional effect of preventing ink blotting, resulting in cost-effective uncoated paper usage
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 method ensures high-quality printing results similar to those with ink-receiving layers while being cost-effective, as it prevents ink running and paper curling, and allows for efficient production of decorative paper for flat components.
Implementation Method 1
the printing paper is heated before, during, and/or after printing, and/or that the printing ink is heated immediately after application to the printing paper
Implementation Method 2
This heating results in very rapid drying of the ink on the printing paper
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to the use of a printing paper which is printed by a digital printing device (1) by means of a digital printing method, is heated before, during and/or after printing, is not resin-coated and is free from an ink-receiving layer and is printed with a pattern, as a decorative paper for sheetlike components, in particular for use on floors, walls, ceilings or furniture.