WO2026008902A1 - Procédé et système d'impression numérique avec réglage de la matité - Google Patents

Procédé et système d'impression numérique avec réglage de la matité

Info

Publication number
WO2026008902A1
WO2026008902A1 PCT/ES2025/070385 ES2025070385W WO2026008902A1 WO 2026008902 A1 WO2026008902 A1 WO 2026008902A1 ES 2025070385 W ES2025070385 W ES 2025070385W WO 2026008902 A1 WO2026008902 A1 WO 2026008902A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
microfolding
radiation
ink
curing radiation
curing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/ES2025/070385
Other languages
English (en)
Spanish (es)
Inventor
Jesus Francisco Barberan Latorre
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Barberan SA
Original Assignee
Barberan SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Barberan SA filed Critical Barberan SA
Publication of WO2026008902A1 publication Critical patent/WO2026008902A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
    • B41J11/0021—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation
    • B41J11/00214—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation using UV radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/0015—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form for treating before, during or after printing or for uniform coating or laminating the copy material before or after printing
    • B41J11/002—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating
    • B41J11/0021—Curing or drying the ink on the copy materials, e.g. by heating or irradiating using irradiation
    • B41J11/00212—Controlling the irradiation means, e.g. image-based controlling of the irradiation zone or control of the duration or intensity of the irradiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/21—Ink jet for multi-colour printing
    • B41J2/2107—Ink jet for multi-colour printing characterised by the ink properties
    • B41J2/2114—Ejecting specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or processing liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/21—Ink jet for multi-colour printing
    • B41J2/2107—Ink jet for multi-colour printing characterised by the ink properties
    • B41J2/2114—Ejecting specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or processing liquids
    • B41J2/2117—Ejecting white liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M7/00—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock
    • B41M7/0081—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock using electromagnetic radiation or waves, e.g. ultraviolet radiation, electron beams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/0011—Pre-treatment or treatment during printing of the recording material, e.g. heating, irradiating
    • B41M5/0017—Application of ink-fixing material, e.g. mordant, precipitating agent, on the substrate prior to printing, e.g. by ink-jet printing, coating or spraying

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and system for obtaining decorative prints with a controlled degree of matte or gloss, by means of inkjet printing.
  • the invention is applicable, for example, to the production of cardboard packaging, for which there is a market demand to easily provide matte designs.
  • a first group of known solutions is based on the application of a curable varnish that is spread over the inkjet-printed decoration.
  • the varnish undergoes a microfolding process, which creates micro-folds on its surface. These micro-folds, through the optical effect of light scattering across the varnish's microstructure, produce the required matte appearance.
  • the partially cured varnish is subjected to a special curing radiation called excimer radiation.
  • excimer radiation a special curing radiation
  • a higher degree of matte finish is achieved by partially curing the varnish to a lesser extent before applying the excimer radiation.
  • patent document DE 102006042063 A1 describes such a solution.
  • the varnish used is also known to incorporate agents of curing promotion or photoinitiators located primarily in a surface area of the varnish.
  • agents of curing promotion or photoinitiators located primarily in a surface area of the varnish.
  • a second group of known solutions involves adjusting the size of the ink droplets deposited in the inkjet-printed decoration by adjusting the curing intensity of the print. By modifying the curing intensity level, greater or lesser contraction or expansion of the droplets can be achieved.
  • the matte finish is achieved in this case by the optical effect of the varying reflection of light as it strikes the print, depending on the size or spread of the deposited droplets. Greater droplet spread or greater coverage of the printed surface produces more gloss, due to the coalescence of the droplets and the elimination of gaps between them.
  • patent document WO 2013078297 A1 describes a solution of this type.
  • Inkjet inks typically have a glossy appearance once cured, making it necessary to apply a matte control procedure to increase or decrease the degree of matte finish. This is the case, for example, with cardboard packaging.
  • the present invention aims to provide a digital printing procedure and system with matte control as an alternative to existing procedures and systems in the state of the art.
  • the present invention seeks to overcome the limitations of known solutions, providing a digital printing procedure and system with matte control that makes it possible to obtain matte prints in an automated and easy way.
  • the invention provides a digital printing process with matte control, comprising the following steps: a) inkjet printing a digitized image, depositing curable dye ink onto a substrate; b) partially solidifying the deposited dye ink; c) microfolding the surface of the deposited dye ink; and d) completely solidifying the deposited dye ink after microfolding its surface.
  • Stages b), c) and d), i.e., partial solidification, surface microfolding and complete solidification, are performed by curing radiation.
  • the curing radiation for partial solidification and/or the curing radiation for microfolding are applied with a different radiation intensity level for each print or print area of the digitized image.
  • the curing radiation for microfolding can be applied with a different radiation intensity level for each print or area.
  • the digitized image can be printed as an alternative or complement to the different levels of curing radiation intensity for partial solidification. This allows the same effect of varying matte finishes to be achieved in a controlled manner across different printing areas or prints.
  • the level of curing radiation intensity can be understood, in particular, as the curing radiation energy irradiated per unit area to solidify, partially or completely, or microfold.
  • the different level of radiation intensity can be applied to different printing areas of the same printed digitized image, or to different prints corresponding to different digitized images.
  • the invention makes it possible to obtain prints with different degrees of matte or gloss in an automated and easy way, since each of the stages of the procedure can be carried out in an automated and easy way, and can be controlled individually or in a coordinated manner.
  • this invention allows for decorative prints with controlled matte or gloss finishes without requiring a varnish layer to cover the printed decoration and without altering the display of colors and tones. This is possible because the curing radiation for microfolding is applied directly to the print, microfolding its surface.
  • the invention achieves prints with improved wear resistance, due to the increased local bending inertia of the microfolding of the print coating itself.
  • microfolding of the surface of a coating is understood to be the phenomenon in which a liquid surface layer of the coating hardens relative to the core of the coating, such that said surface layer deforms by contracting, resulting in a structuring or folding of the same on the order of micro- or even tenths of a millimeter (peak-to-valley distance).
  • this microfolding phenomenon is itself generally known in the prior art.
  • the invention it has been surprisingly found that it is possible to generate a microfold using the dye ink deposited during inkjet printing.
  • the deposited dye ink which forms the print corresponding to the digitized image as visually perceived on the substrate, can be directly microfolded, allowing for direct control of the print's matte or glossy finish.
  • the dye ink can spread across a coating with a thickness on the order of tens of micrometers or even micrometers.
  • the invention contemplates that the described digital printing process with matte control may further comprise the following steps:
  • step d completely solidify the supplied binding liquid after microfolding its surface, along with the deposited coloring ink, in step d).
  • the curing radiation for partial solidification and/or the curing radiation for microfolding are applied - to the print and the binding liquid at each corresponding stage - with a different radiation intensity level for each print or print area of the digitized image.
  • a binding liquid is supplied, by binding (the deposited colorant ink) is understood, in particular, to join (the colorant ink) by connecting the drops of deposited colorant ink, through the contact that occurs between the binding liquid and the liquid of the drops of colorant ink.
  • a binding liquid capable of binding a specific colorant ink and possessing other properties that may be provided for the invention is itself known to those skilled in the art.
  • a binding liquid with a chemical composition equal to or similar to that of the colorant ink facilitates the binding or coalescence between the binding liquid and the colorant ink.
  • specific chemical agents makes it possible, in particular, to provide the required viscosity and surface tension properties.
  • the curing radiation to solidify, partially or completely, or the curing radiation to microfold can be applied to both the deposited colorant ink and the supplied binder liquid.
  • the curing radiation used to partially solidify the dye ink and binder, and/or the curing radiation used to microfold the surface of the dye ink and binder is applied at a different radiation intensity level for each print or print area of the digitized image.
  • Each print or print area may comprise, at least locally, dye ink and/or binder.
  • curing refers to the chemical crosslinking process that causes the hardening of polymeric materials through crosslinking of their polymeric molecules, which takes place by applying a curing radiation.
  • curing radiation is any electromagnetic or subatomic particle radiation that initiates or accelerates a curing process.
  • Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is normally used as curing radiation, although other types can also be used.
  • EB radiation electron beam
  • Curable materials are mixtures of polymers that include chemical agents, such as photoinitiators or surfactants.
  • the coloring ink and the binding liquid must be curable by curing radiation, to solidify, partially or completely, and to microfold, in particular, the same curing radiation being able to be used both to solidify, partially or completely, as well as to microfold.
  • Acrylates or acrylate polymers are widely used in inkjet printing and, in particular, can be used as a curable material for the dye ink and binder according to the invention.
  • the selection of a curable material with properties specific to each application, for example, in relation to its hardening and solidification, through the choice of a suitable polymer type and chemical agents, is well known to those skilled in the art.
  • solidification may be understood, in particular, as hardening that takes place throughout substantially the entire thickness of the deposited material. Partial solidification implies hardening throughout substantially the entire thickness of the deposited material—albeit incomplete.
  • complete or final solidification refers to the final stage of solidification by radiation curing, complementary to partial solidification, according to the invention.
  • Complete solidification achieves, in particular, an effective and permanent degree of solidification for normal use of the resulting print.
  • the exposure time and intensity of the curing radiation required for solidification can be especially critical. Insufficient curing can result in the material not reaching its effective properties, while overexposure can cause the material to degrade.
  • UV radiation in the UV-A, UV-B and/or UV-C wavelength range.
  • this radiation may be excimer radiation.
  • Excimer radiation is essentially monochromatic, short-wavelength, and high-energy radiation. This radiation does not penetrate deeply into the deposited liquid layer, concentrating the radiated energy in a surface area of the layer. Because the liquid is partially solidified, this generates microfolding.
  • substantially concentrated excimer radiation particularly in the UV-C wavelength range, for example at 172 nm, can be used. Because 172 nm photons are highly absorbed by atmospheric oxygen, the irradiation is carried out in an inert atmosphere, preferably in an inerted chamber with a nitrogen supply.
  • the intensity level of the curing radiation for partial solidification, applied to the colorant ink and/or the binding liquid, particularly prior to the application of excimer radiation should preferably be within a range between a minimum and a maximum. Generally, this range depends on the thickness of the material receiving the radiation. excimer radiation and the desired final matte finish.
  • the minimum intensity level is due to the fact that, if the layer of deposited material that receives the excimer radiation is very fluid, the hardening of the surface layer does not produce adequate microfolding, but rather introduces cracks as a result of the hardening gradients that occur on the surface.
  • the maximum intensity level is due to the fact that, if the deposited material layer is very solidified, adequate microfolding cannot occur because the surface is unable to deform further to produce the microfolds.
  • microfolding can also be performed by means other than the application of excimer radiation.
  • the colorant ink and/or the binding liquid on whose surfaces the microfolding is performed can be configured to promote surface curing by applying a specific curing radiation, particularly one other than excimer radiation.
  • the invention also contemplates the use of the same curing radiation for both partial solidification and microfolding, especially in the case of microfolding by surface curing promotion. Furthermore, it contemplates that the application of curing radiation for partial solidification can be carried out before and/or simultaneously with the application of curing radiation for microfolding, particularly using the same irradiation means. Moreover, partial solidification can occur before and/or during microfolding.
  • the application of curing radiation for partial solidification begins, in particular is carried out, prior to the application of radiation for microfolding, especially in the case of excimer radiation application, regardless of whether it can be performed with the same or different irradiation methods. This allows for greater control by decoupling the solidification process from the microfolding process.
  • the binding agent may be in the form of a liquid layer spread over the substrate, particularly in contact with it.
  • the printing of the colorant ink is carried out directly onto the layer of binding agent, with the colorant ink being deposited directly onto said layer.
  • the supplied binding agent binds the deposited ink droplets together, forming a bed on which the ink droplets rest during printing.
  • the binder layer can be transparent or pigmented with any color.
  • White binder layers have the advantage of serving as a printing background to enhance the visibility of decorative prints, especially when the substrate being printed on is not white.
  • the binder layer itself can serve as a primer layer to facilitate the adhesion of the print to the substrate.
  • Configuring the binder layer with this adhesion function can be achieved by selecting a suitable composition of chemical agents, such as surfactants.
  • the liquid binder layer can be applied to the substrate, for example, by rolling or spraying. Spraying, in particular, can be done using nozzles.
  • the liquid layer can also be applied by inkjet printing or any other known method.
  • the binding liquid can be supplied by interposing it between deposited drops of colorant ink, corresponding to the printing of the digitized image.
  • the binding liquid can be applied, for example, by spraying through nozzles or, preferably by inkjet printing, using liquid binder ink.
  • the binding agent spreads between drops of colored ink, it should preferably be transparent. This helps preserve the colors and tones of the printed image formed by the drops of colored ink.
  • the binding liquid ensures a uniform matte finish across the irradiated area, regardless of the amount of dye applied per unit area, which primarily depends on the color and tone of the printed digital image. This process neutralizes the matte effect caused by the expansion and contraction of the dye droplets themselves.
  • coloring ink applies to the binding liquid, in that it must be curable by curing radiation, to produce partial and complete solidification, as well as curable by curing radiation for microfolding, in particular, by excimer radiation and/or by radiation for the promotion of surface curing.
  • the partial solidification of the transparent binding liquid and/or the complete solidification of the binding liquid and/or the digitized image print will be carried out using mercury UV lamps.
  • the partial solidification of the opaque binding liquid and/or the digitized image print will be carried out using gallium UV lamps. This approach achieves efficient curing by taking advantage of the ability of gallium UV lamps to penetrate the thickness of the deposited print and/or binding liquid.
  • matte finishes can be obtained in a wide range, in particular, in the range of 10 to 100 GU (gloss units), measured at 85 e according to ISO 2813:2014 (or its equivalent standard UNE-EN ISO 2813:2015).
  • the colorant ink and/or binder liquid are configured to that, if they solidify completely separately, applying only the curing radiation and without microfolding the surface (without applying curing radiation for microfolding), they have a degree of brightness, measured at 85 e according to ISO 2813:2014, greater than or equal to 60 GU, preferably 75 GU, more preferably 90 GU.
  • the colorant ink and binder are configured so that, if fully solidified separately, applying only curing radiation and without microfolding the surface, they exhibit a difference in gloss level, measured at 85° C according to ISO 2813:2014, of less than or equal to 10 GU, preferably 5 GU, and more preferably 1 GU. This minimizes gloss differences that may exist between different printing areas for the various selectable colorant ink and/or binder formulations.
  • the invention can be applied, in particular, with drop sizes corresponding to usual printing resolutions, such as 360 dpi.
  • the primer layers for printing can be adjusted depending on the type of substrate being printed. For example, for cardboard it might be approximately 5-10 micrometers, and for wood or plastic, approximately 10-40 micrometers.
  • the invention also relates to a matte-controlled digital printing system for performing a digital printing process as described above.
  • the matte-controlled printing system comprises:
  • a dye-in-ink printer for printing a digitized image, in particular a single-pass inkjet printer;
  • - a curing radiation station to microfold the surface of the deposited colorant ink;
  • a curing radiation station to partially solidify the deposited colorant ink and/or the curing radiation station to microfold the surface, also configured to partially solidify;
  • controller configured to process and send control signals to the curing radiation station for partial solidification and/or to the curing radiation station for microfolding, to apply different levels of radiation intensity to each print or print area and thus obtain prints or print areas with different degrees of matte.
  • the printing system may include substrate transport means for conveying the substrate through the printer and radiation stations to carry out the procedure of the invention.
  • the transport means may also be controlled by the controller.
  • UV curing radiation application standard lamps that emit in the UV-A, UV-B, and/or UV-C spectrum can be used.
  • arc discharge lamps or light-emitting diode (LED) lamps can be used.
  • mercury vapor lamps usually called “mercury” lamps, which emit UV radiation substantially distributed around the wavelengths of 254 nm and 365 nm, with a higher concentration of energy at the shorter wavelengths.
  • Gallium iodide-doped lamps commonly called “gallium” lamps, allow the emission spectrum of mercury lamps to be altered, emitting UV radiation substantially distributed around wavelengths of 400 to 450 nm.
  • gallium lamps are suitable for curing the coloring ink or the non-transparent binding liquid because, due to the The pigmentation of these materials blocks, to some extent, shorter-wavelength UV radiation. With gallium lamps, because the wavelengths are longer, the radiation penetrates deeper into the material, resulting in a more progressive curing process that occurs at greater depths than on the surface, and therefore more efficient solidification, from the bottom of the layer to the surface.
  • LED lamps can also be used for UV curing radiation emission, in particular for producing partial or complete solidification and/or microfolding.
  • LED lamps configured to emit UV radiation at 260 nm, 360 nm, 385 nm, and/or 395 nm may be suitable for the invention.
  • the curing radiation to partially solidify the print can be applied with different levels of radiation intensity for the different areas of the print by means of an arrangement of LED lamps, of the same or different wavelength.
  • the digital printing system with matte control according to the invention further comprises a binder supply station, and the system may be equipped with a curing radiation station for microfolding, a curing radiation station for partial solidification, and/or a curing radiation station for complete solidification of the binder.
  • the same curing radiation station for microfolding, partial solidification, and/or complete solidification
  • liquid binder supply station can be of different types, depending on the matte control printing procedure variant of the invention for which the system can be configured.
  • the binder liquid can be supplied using, for example, roller coating systems, spray nozzles, or a binder liquid inkjet printer.
  • a liquid binder inkjet printer can be used, for example.
  • the dye-based inkjet printer corresponding to the digital image can be the same inkjet printer as the binder-based ink, for which different printheads or rows of nozzle printheads can be used for the different inks.
  • a single curing radiation station can be used to perform different stages of the invention's process, in particular, for microfolding, partial solidification, and/or complete solidification.
  • the curing radiation station for microfolding can also be configured for partial and/or complete solidification.
  • a curing radiation station can be used to carry out a single step of the invention's procedure.
  • the invention provides for the arrangement of a curing radiation station to partially solidify the binding liquid prior to printing the digitized image, especially when the binding liquid is spread as a layer on the substrate.
  • the system controller is additionally configured to process and send control signals to the curing radiation station to partially solidify and/or to the curing radiation station to microfold the binder liquid (along with the colorant ink), to apply different levels of radiation intensity to each print or print area and thus obtain prints or print areas with different degrees of matte.
  • controller is additionally configured to process and send control signals to other stations or units of the system for their proper operation.
  • the controller is additionally configured to process and send control signals to other stations or units of the system for their proper operation.
  • the controller is additionally configured to process and send control signals to other stations or units of the system for their proper operation.
  • the controller is additionally configured to process and send control signals to other stations or units of the system for their proper operation.
  • the dye-based inkjet printer the binder-based inkjet printer, or the radiation station. curing to fully solidify and/or the substrate transport media, etc.
  • the present invention also relates to a digitally printed substrate with matte control, obtainable by a procedure or with a digital printing system as described above.
  • the substrate can be made of a sheet material, especially for packaging.
  • the substrate can be cardboard, in particular comprising cardboard or being cardboard itself.
  • the invention can be advantageously applied to food packaging because, as a result of the improved curing process, migration of the print and/or binding liquid into the packaging is prevented.
  • Figure 1 schematically represents a system for carrying out a digital matte control printing procedure according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 schematically represents a system for carrying out a digital matte control printing procedure according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 3A and 3B show two photographs of two substrates printed with the same digitized image, but with different degrees of brightness, obtained following an example of a matte control digital printing procedure according to the first embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows a table that compiles the measured brightness values, according to ISO 2813:2014, for two printed substrates whose photographs were shown in figures 3A and 3B.
  • the digital printing system with matte control (1) shown corresponds to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the system (1) comprises a dye-injected inkjet printer (10), a curing radiation station (20) for partial solidification of the print, an excimer radiation station (30) for microfolding the print surface, and a curing radiation station (40) for complete solidification of the print.
  • the inkjet printer (10) is a single-pass printer, with the substrate (2) being printed as it moves under the printheads (11, 12, 13, 14) of the printer (10).
  • Each printhead (11, 12, 13, 14) consists of rows of nozzles through which the dye ink is injected.
  • the substrate (2) can be, for example, a sheet material for packaging, in particular a sheet material comprising cardboard or a carton.
  • the printer (10) incorporates fixing lamps (usually called “pinning") (15, 16, 17, 18), which are arranged behind each print head (11, 12, 13, 14), serving to fix the ink drops to some extent when the substrate (2) is being printed.
  • fixing lamps usually called “pinning”
  • the system (1) includes a station for applying a transparent binder liquid layer (50) by means of a roller, and a partial curing radiation station (60), prior to inkjet printing, with the print being deposited directly onto the generated binder liquid layer, as a bed.
  • the excimer radiation station (30) is configured to emit substantially monochromatic radiation at 172 nm and comprises an excimer radiation lamp (31) arranged in a nitrogen-inertized chamber (32).
  • the post-printing curing radiation stations (20, 40) are made up of gallium UV lamps and the pre-printing curing radiation station (60) is made up of mercury UV lamps, since the generated binder liquid layer is transparent.
  • the system (1) incorporates a means of transport (80) of the substrates (2) with a transport belt (81) to transport the substrates (2) through the system (1), from when they are fed (on the left of the figure) until they are collected (on the right of the figure), as the various corresponding stages of the procedure of the invention are carried out.
  • the printer (10), the curing radiation stations (20, 40, 60), the excimer radiation station (30), the binder liquid layer application station (50) and the transport means (80) are controlled by a controller (90).
  • the controller (90) processes and sends control signals to the various subsystems to apply different levels of radiation intensity to each print or print area and thus obtain prints or print areas with different degrees of matte.
  • the digital printing system with matte control (1) shown corresponds to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the system (1) comprises a dye-injection inkjet printer (10), a curing radiation station (20) for partial solidification of the print, an excimer radiation station (30) for microfolding the print surface, and a curing radiation station (40) for complete solidification of the print.
  • the system (1) of this second embodiment differs from the system (1) of the first embodiment in that, instead of including a binder layer application station (50) and a corresponding partial curing radiation station (60), the system (1) includes an inkjet application station (70) for the binder.
  • the partial curing radiation station (60) is located before of the inkjet printer (10).
  • the inkjet application station (70) of the binding liquid is located behind the inkjet printer (10).
  • the general operation of the system (1) is as in the first embodiment.
  • the printer (10), the curing radiation stations (20, 40), the excimer radiation station (30), the binder layer application station (70), and the transport means (80) are controlled by means of the controller (90).
  • the controller (90) processes and sends control signals to the various subsystems to apply different levels of radiation intensity to each print or print area and thus obtain prints or print areas with different degrees of matte.
  • the supply of the binding liquid is carried out by inkjet printing (70) with transparent ink, which is interposed between deposited droplets of the digitized image print.
  • the injection of the binding liquid ink is carried out through nozzles arranged in the printheads (71, 72) and, as in the printer (10), the station (70) is equipped with fixation lamps (73, 74) to fix the injected ink.
  • the printheads (71, 72) of the transparent liquid application station (70) can generally be arranged as in the printer (10) of the digitized image, i.e., in one or two rows (offset from each other) or aligned if redundancy is desired. This allows the binder ink droplets to be adjusted to the printing resolution of the digitized images.
  • the partial curing radiation station (20) is envisaged as consisting of an array of LED lamps, allowing for different curing intensity levels to be applied to different printing areas. A higher level of partial curing allows for greater inhibition of the microfolding effect, so varying the intensity of the LED lamps in different areas can achieve different matting effects.
  • the LED lamp array can consist of a row or a matrix of LED lamps.
  • Another general advantage considered regarding the described applications is the application of an additional coating layer over the resulting print.
  • These layers can be, for example, functional layers, structuring or relief layers, protective layers, etc.
  • a layer of varnish is being applied over the print.
  • the micro-folding itself provides greater wear resistance than simply coating the print without micro-folding.
  • additional layers can be applied to the microfolded printing layer before, during, or after complete solidification.
  • a certain degree of partial curing of the printing layer, with or without a binding agent, can promote the adhesion of a surface layer to its surface.
  • the inherent characteristics of the microfolded printing layer, such as its thinness and the surface distribution of the ink or binding agent, can also facilitate adhesion.
  • Figures 3A and 3B show the two photographs corresponding to the respective printed substrates.
  • the printed substrate in Figure 3A (referenced in the table in Figure 4 as “S.Fig.3A”) was obtained with a low degree of matte finish. (high gloss).
  • the printed substrate of figure 3B (referenced in the table of figure 4 as “S.Fig.3B”), has been obtained with a high degree of matte (low gloss).
  • a mixture of acrylates curable with UV radiation was used, using mercury lamps and gallium lamps, and curable with excimer radiation at 172 nm in an inert chamber under nitrogen supply.
  • Digital inkjet printing was performed in the usual way, with a single-pass printer (10) with a resolution of 360 dpi and printheads (11, 12, 13, 14) with colorant inks C (“cyan”), M (“magenta”), Y (“yello ’), K (“blac ’ .
  • the substrates (2) were transported through the system (1 ) at a transport speed of 20 m/min.
  • Partial solidification was performed with different levels of radiation intensity for each of the substrates (2).
  • a radiation energy of approximately 50 mJ/ cm2 was irradiated.
  • a radiation energy of approximately 10 mJ/ cm2 was irradiated.
  • microfolding was carried out by applying excimer radiation (30) using a 172 nm excimer radiation lamp (31) located in a nitrogen-inertized chamber (32).
  • the radiation energy supplied by the excimer radiation to each substrate (2) was approximately 130 mJ/cm 2 .
  • the substrates (2) were subjected to curing radiation for complete solidification of the impression and the binding liquid, using gallium lamps (40) of 80 W/cm.
  • the radiation energy supplied by this curing radiation to each substrate was approximately 1060 mJ/cm 2 .
  • the table in Figure 4 shows the gloss measurements, taken according to ISO 2813:2014, for each of the printed substrates obtained. Specifically, the gloss measurements were taken in a black area of the print.
  • GU brightness values measured at 85 e were 44.3 GU for the printed substrate in Figure 3A (“S.Fig.3A”) and 9.2 GU for that in Figure 3B (“S.Fig.3A”).
  • the GU brightness values measured at 60 e were similar for both printed substrates (2), ranging from 3.1 to 3.4 GU.
  • the invention provides a digital printing procedure and system with matte control that makes it possible to obtain printed substrates with matte finishes in an automated and easy way, overcoming the limitations of the state of the art and providing additional technical advantages.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un système d'impression numérique avec réglage de la matité. Le procédé consiste : à imprimer par jet d'encre une image numérisée, déposant sur un substrat (2) une encre colorante durcissable; et, au moyen d'un rayonnement de durcissement, à solidifier partiellement l'encre colorante déposée; à micro-plisser la surface de l'encre colorante déposée; et à solidifier complètement l'encre colorante déposée après micro-plissage de sa surface. Pour obtenir des impressions ou des zones d'impression présentant différents degrés de matité, le rayonnement de durcissement pour solidification partielle et/ou le rayonnement de durcissement pour micro-plissage sont appliqués avec un niveau d'intensité de rayonnement distinct pour chaque impression ou zone d'impression de l'image numérisée.
PCT/ES2025/070385 2024-07-01 2025-06-26 Procédé et système d'impression numérique avec réglage de la matité Pending WO2026008902A1 (fr)

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EP24382710.2A EP4674630A1 (fr) 2024-07-01 2024-07-01 Procédé et système d'impression numérique avec contrôle de mat mat
EP24382710.2 2024-07-01

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Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030067527A1 (en) * 1998-11-20 2003-04-10 Stephen Temple Methods of inkjet printing
DE102006042063A1 (de) 2006-09-05 2008-03-06 Institut für Oberflächenmodifizierung e.V. Verfahren zur Einstellung des Glanzgrades und der Haptik von Oberflächen strahlenhärtbarer Farben und Lacke durch photochemische Mikrofaltung mittels kurzwelliger monochromatischer UV-Strahlung
JP2012056088A (ja) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-22 Seiko Epson Corp 画像記録装置、及び、画像記録方法
US20120223982A1 (en) * 2011-03-02 2012-09-06 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing device and printing method
WO2013078297A1 (fr) 2011-11-22 2013-05-30 Electronics For Imaging, Inc. Système d'impression pour application d'une couche claire modelée pour réduire les bandes de brillant
DE102016120878A1 (de) 2015-11-02 2017-05-04 Schmid Rhyner Ag Verfahren zum Erzeugen von Oberflächeneffekten, insbesondere in UV-härtbaren Schichten, Vorrichtung zur Herstellung derselben sowie erfindungsgemäß erhaltener Artikel
WO2019202009A1 (fr) * 2018-04-18 2019-10-24 MGI Digital Technology Dispositif et procede d'impression sans contact de vernis-uv
EP3822085A1 (fr) * 2019-11-12 2021-05-19 Canon Production Printing Holding B.V. Procédé de controle de la brillance en impression jet d'encre
US20210260904A1 (en) * 2018-09-28 2021-08-26 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Liquid discharge apparatus and liquid discharge method
WO2021255022A1 (fr) * 2020-06-16 2021-12-23 Ist Metz Gmbh Procédé et dispositif pour le matage de surface différent de couches de polymère durci par rayonnement dans des régions
DE102022112010A1 (de) * 2022-05-13 2023-11-16 REHAU Industries SE & Co. KG Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Profilkörpers

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030067527A1 (en) * 1998-11-20 2003-04-10 Stephen Temple Methods of inkjet printing
DE102006042063A1 (de) 2006-09-05 2008-03-06 Institut für Oberflächenmodifizierung e.V. Verfahren zur Einstellung des Glanzgrades und der Haptik von Oberflächen strahlenhärtbarer Farben und Lacke durch photochemische Mikrofaltung mittels kurzwelliger monochromatischer UV-Strahlung
JP2012056088A (ja) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-22 Seiko Epson Corp 画像記録装置、及び、画像記録方法
US20120223982A1 (en) * 2011-03-02 2012-09-06 Seiko Epson Corporation Printing device and printing method
WO2013078297A1 (fr) 2011-11-22 2013-05-30 Electronics For Imaging, Inc. Système d'impression pour application d'une couche claire modelée pour réduire les bandes de brillant
DE102016120878A1 (de) 2015-11-02 2017-05-04 Schmid Rhyner Ag Verfahren zum Erzeugen von Oberflächeneffekten, insbesondere in UV-härtbaren Schichten, Vorrichtung zur Herstellung derselben sowie erfindungsgemäß erhaltener Artikel
WO2019202009A1 (fr) * 2018-04-18 2019-10-24 MGI Digital Technology Dispositif et procede d'impression sans contact de vernis-uv
US20210260904A1 (en) * 2018-09-28 2021-08-26 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Liquid discharge apparatus and liquid discharge method
EP3822085A1 (fr) * 2019-11-12 2021-05-19 Canon Production Printing Holding B.V. Procédé de controle de la brillance en impression jet d'encre
WO2021255022A1 (fr) * 2020-06-16 2021-12-23 Ist Metz Gmbh Procédé et dispositif pour le matage de surface différent de couches de polymère durci par rayonnement dans des régions
DE102022112010A1 (de) * 2022-05-13 2023-11-16 REHAU Industries SE & Co. KG Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Profilkörpers

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