HK1069565B - Three-dimensionally printed image creating method and three-dimensionally printed article - Google Patents

Description

Method for producing three-dimensional printed image and three-dimensional printed matter

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional printed image, whereby a three-dimensional printed image having surface depressions and projections, such as those in paintings and the like, can be produced from a photographed image and the like, and to a three-dimensional printed matter obtained by such a method.

Background

In JP-a 2000-190467, the applicant proposed a large ink jet printer capable of printing on large thick wooden panels and the like using an ink jet head. It is possible to easily produce marks and the like having desired contents using such an ink jet printer. The applicant has also proposed a primer for forming an ink receiving surface (JP-a 2000-190462), the use of which enables printing with an ink jet printer even on glass, plastic or other water repellent surfaces, or on fabrics or other highly water absorbent surfaces. Further, the present applicant has proposed a surface treatment agent for protecting a printed image (JP-A2000-301707 and JP-A2001-30615). The use of such a surface treatment agent makes it possible to easily produce outdoor markings and other printed products requiring durability and water resistance.

The image formed by the ink droplets ejected from the ink jet head is flat and smooth and cannot be printed with a three-dimensional image having depressions and projections on the surface, such as a canvas and the like.

Ink jet printers which print using both swelling inks and conventional inks, as described in JP-A2001-225459, are a so-called method for forming three-dimensional images.

JP-a 2000-31814 describes a method for forming a color image with three-dimensional feeling on a sheet of paper by covering and printing a plurality of different images.

Further, JP-A2001-96906 describes an invention in which a printed image having a sense of unevenness is formed by improving an ink jet recording paper for printing the image.

Further, a method of forming a relief-printed image using a photosensitive resin is also proposed.

However, with the conventional method, it is difficult to produce a three-dimensional image in which depressions and projections are formed as intended by the author. For example, when a picture of an oil painting is read by a scanner and printed on an oil painting canvas, in the method using such an intumescent ink, a portion printed with the intumescent ink swells to form a convex portion, but the degree of swelling thereof cannot be adjusted. Further, in the case of the overlay printing, image processing is required whereby the read photographed image is decomposed into a plurality of images, thereby enabling the formation of depressions and projections, which processing is complicated. Further, the degree of depressions and projections formed by the overprinting is limited, and thus an image having an enhanced three-dimensional feeling cannot be printed. In contrast, when one side of the recording paper has depressions and projections, these depressions and projections do not correspond to the image, and therefore the resulting image is far from a three-dimensional image having depressions and projections formed appropriately.

Thus, with the prior art methods for printing and making three-dimensional images, it is difficult or impossible to form three-dimensional images having desired depressions and projections in conformity with the contents of the images.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a three-dimensional printed image, which makes it possible to produce a stereoscopic image having appropriate depressions and projections in accordance with the contents of the image to be produced.

In order to solve the above problems, a method for producing a three-dimensional printed image of a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a first image printing step of printing an image on a surface of a substrate using an ink-jet printer; a concave-convex surface forming step of forming a surface having recesses and projections by adhering a primer material on the surface of the printed image; and a second image printing step of repeatedly printing the same image as the above-mentioned image at the same position on the already formed uneven surface using an ink jet printer, a receiving surface forming step of forming a surface for receiving an aqueous ink on the uneven surface formed in the uneven surface forming step, wherein an image is printed on the receiving surface using the aqueous ink in the second image printing step, and a paint coating step of coating a paint on the uneven surface formed during the uneven surface forming step before the receiving surface is formed.

A method of a second aspect of the invention for making a three-dimensional printed image comprises: a first image printing step of printing an image on a surface of a substrate using an ink-jet printer; a concave-convex surface forming step of forming a surface having recesses and projections by adhering a primer material on the surface of the printed image; and a second image printing step of repeatedly printing the same image as the above-mentioned image at the same position on the already formed uneven surface using an ink jet printer, an image reading step of scanning and reading the photographed image or the like with a scanner before the first image printing step, or an image reading step of reading the photographed image or the like using a digital camera.

A method for making a three-dimensional printed image according to a third aspect of the invention comprises: a first image printing step of printing an image on a surface of a substrate using an ink-jet printer; a concave-convex surface forming step of forming a surface having recesses and projections by adhering a primer material on the surface of the printed image; and a second image printing step of repeatedly printing the same image as the above-mentioned image at the same position on the already formed uneven surface using an ink jet printer, the uneven surface being formed on the surface of the base material by performing the uneven surface forming step before the first image printing step.

The aqueous ink is one of inks generally used in an ink jet printer, but an oil-based ink (solvent ink) may be used. When an aqueous ink is used, it is necessary to form an ink receiving surface for fixing the aqueous ink. In particular, it is desirable to form an ink-receiving surface on the surface of the substrate prior to the first image printing step. It is also necessary to form a surface for receiving an aqueous ink on the already formed uneven surface.

Generally, there is an image reading step for scanning and reading a photographed image and the like with a scanner before the first image printing step. Alternatively, a scheme may be adopted in which a photographed image or the like is read using a digital camera.

It is also necessary to include a white paint application step for applying a white paint after the concave-convex surface forming step when it is necessary to eliminate stains on the concave-convex surface that has been formed. The coating need not be white and may be applied in multiple layers.

It is also possible to adopt a scheme in which a surface treatment step for coating the surface of the printed image with a surface treatment agent is included after the second image printing step. The surface treatment agent in the surface treatment step may be an ultraviolet ray blocking or absorbing agent and/or a water repellent agent. This surface treatment is carried out so that the three-dimensional printed image produced can be placed outdoors even when the image is printed with an aqueous ink.

Next, in the concave-convex surface forming step, the concave-convex surface may be formed by one of the following steps or a combination thereof: coating white or colored paint, coating pasty primer material and sticking a paper wall; pasting picture splicing sheets, granular materials or rod-shaped materials; or sticking the fine objects. Of course, other various materials may be used alone or in combination.

Possible examples of granular materials include sand, beads, sawdust and the like, and examples of rod-like materials include matchsticks and the like. Of course, other solid materials may be used.

As the substrate, paper, wood, metal, ceramics, fabric, synthetic resin, rubber, leather and the like can be used. Of course, other materials may be used, as well as synthetic materials. In addition, the substrate may be a nail, a cellular phone, a sign, and other products.

It is desirable that the scanner is continuously driven in a controlled manner by a control device configured based on a personal computer for reading image information in an image reading step or image information by a digital camera, and the information thus read is printed by the printer under the control of the control device in the first and second image printing steps.

Instead of reading photographic information or the like, a scheme may be adopted in which an image or the like is produced by a control device configured based on a personal computer, and then the image is printed by an ink-jet printer.

Next, according to the present invention as described above, it is possible to form an uneven surface on the surface of the substrate and print an image thereon by performing the uneven surface forming step before the first image printing step.

The invention further relates to a three-dimensional printed object, wherein the image is printed in three dimensions, characterized in that the printed object is produced by the method described above. Examples of the three-dimensional printed matter include three-dimensionally printed images such as paintings or the like formed using photographed images, and various types of three-dimensionally printed marks.

According to the method for producing a three-dimensional printed image of the present invention, after the image is printed on the substrate by the first image printing step, depressions and projections are formed on the surface of the printed image. Thus, depressions and projections can be formed in accordance with the printed image. For example, the specific projections may be formed using a brush or the like in which a primer material is applied to a trace on an image portion of a tree or the like in a printed image, or by spraying a paint with a spray gun or the like. Further, since the same image is repeatedly printed on the same portion by means of the second image printing step after the formation of the uneven surface, a three-dimensional image can be formed as if it were drawn with a canvas material.

When the relief surface is formed prior to the first image printing step, a very different three-dimensional image can be produced because the relief surface is formed independently of the printed image.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a sequence of making a three-dimensional printed image using the present invention; and

fig. 2 illustrates the steps in the production sequence of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

The method of making a three-dimensional printed image using the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a flow chart showing a procedure for producing a three-dimensional printed image by the present invention, and fig. 2 illustrates the production steps involved. In the production method of this example, first, a picture 1 of an oil painting is prepared, and then the picture 1 is printed on an oil painting cloth 4 using an ink jet printing system 2 (step ST1 of FIG. 1: image reading step; ST 2: first image printing step, FIG. 2 (a)). The inkjet printing system 2 includes a personal computer 5; a scanner 6 for reading an image; a keyboard or other input device 7; a CRT, liquid crystal display or other display device 8; and an ink jet printer 9. Although an aqueous ink is generally used, an oil-based ink (solvent ink) may be used.

It is desirable to use an ink jet printer (product No.: MMP9001R) produced and sold by the present applicant as the ink jet printer 9. Such an ink jet printer can print on the surface of a medium having a thickness of 80 mm, a width of 1118 mm and a length of 2000 mm.

Next, a desired projection is applied to the surface of the printed image 11 printed on the canvas 4, thereby forming a concave-convex image surface 12. For example, a specific portion of the printed image 11 is formed into a convex portion using a white primer material (product name Gesso) (step ST3 of FIG. 1: concave-convex surface forming step, FIG. 2 (b)). Then, the white paint 13 is applied to the entire surface of the canvas 4 on which the concave-convex image surface 12 is formed (FIG. 1 step ST 4: coating step, FIG. 2 (c)). This coating step may also be performed first.

Then, a primer agent capable of absorbing and retaining the aqueous ink is coated thereon, and the receiving surface 14 of the aqueous ink is formed (step ST5 of FIG. 1: receiving surface forming step, FIG. 2 (d)). When an oil-based ink is used, this step is not required. The printed image stored in the memory of the personal computer 5 is then repeatedly printed on the ink receiving surface 14 of the canvas 4 using the ink jet printer 9 (step ST6 of fig. 1: second image printing step, fig. 2 (e)). Finally, a surface treatment agent is applied on the entire surface of the canvas 4 on which the printed image 15 has been printed by means of a spray gun or the like, and an ultraviolet ray intercepting or absorbing protective film 16 is formed (step ST 7: surface treatment step, FIG. 2 (f)). It is desirable to form the protective film 16 to be weather resistant, water resistant, and durable. This step may also be performed first when using oil-based inks or when producing three-dimensional printed images or the like to be placed in a room.

In addition to the canvas, cardboard, wood, general metal, ceramic, fabric, leather, synthetic resin, rubber, and the like may be used as the substrate. The substrate may also be a substrate having a textured surface, a substrate having a perforated metal or other porous surface or the like.

The image to be processed may be in the form of a permanent electronic message, and a photograph may be used, such as a positive or negative photograph taken with a simulated camera, a photograph in a magazine sample, or the like. Of course, the image may also be generated using a personal computer.

The convex shape can be formed in the surface of the printed image by various methods in the concave-convex surface forming step later. For example, a paper type may be pasted, or a convex portion may be formed by pasting chips. Stones, sand, beads, sawdust and other particulate matter may be adhered by means of an adhesive. Also, thin objects, match sticks or the like may be glued.

In the concave-convex surface forming step, the primer material coating step, the receiving surface forming step, and the surface treatment step, the primer material or the like may be sprayed with a spray gun, or a roll coater or the like may be used. Painting with a paintbrush is also possible.

It is desirable to use the materials proposed by the present applicant (disclosed in JP-A2000-190462, 2000-301707, 2001-30615) as a primer agent and a surface treatment agent.

As described above, in the method for producing a three-dimensional printed image of the present invention, an image is printed on the surface of a canvas or other substrate using an ink jet printer, a convex is applied thereon so that a concave-convex surface is formed, and then the same image is repeatedly printed at the same position using an ink jet printer.

Thus, according to the method of the present invention, it is possible to form a convex having a desired height on a desired portion of a printed image, so that a three-dimensional printed matter on which a three-dimensional printed image having a desired relief is formed can be obtained, unlike the case where only a concavo-convex printed surface is formed in the prior art. For example, a three-dimensional printed image exhibiting the same state of unevenness as that of the original oil painting can be easily obtained.

Further, in the present invention, a concave-convex surface is formed, and then the surface is made into an ink receiving surface when an aqueous ink is used. Therefore, the uneven surface can be formed using a material including a water repellent surface, on which the aqueous ink does not adhere. The resulting advantage is that there are no imposed limitations on the material used to form the uneven surface.

Further, in the present invention, a white primer material is applied after the formation of the uneven surface, and an image is printed on the white uneven surface during the second image printing step. Thus, a color image corresponding to the original image can be printed.

An additional advantage is that when the surface treatment is carried out, a three-dimensional printed image-formed printed matter that is durable and waterproof even when placed outdoors can be obtained.

Claims (5)

1. A method for making a three-dimensional printed image, comprising:

a first image printing step of printing an image on a surface of a substrate using an ink-jet printer;

a concave-convex surface forming step of forming a surface having recesses and projections by adhering a primer material on the surface of the printed image; and

a second image printing step of repeatedly printing the same image as the above-mentioned image at the same position on the already formed uneven surface using an ink-jet printer,

a receiving surface forming step of forming a surface for receiving the aqueous ink on the uneven surface formed in the uneven surface forming step, wherein

Printing an image on said receiving surface using an aqueous ink in said second image printing step,

a coating material application step of applying a coating material on the concave-convex surface formed during the concave-convex surface forming step before the formation of the receiving surface.

2. A method for making a three-dimensional printed image, comprising:

a first image printing step of printing an image on a surface of a substrate using an ink-jet printer;

a concave-convex surface forming step of forming a surface having recesses and projections by adhering a primer material on the surface of the printed image; and

a second image printing step of repeatedly printing the same image as the above-mentioned image at the same position on the already formed uneven surface using an ink-jet printer,

an image reading step of scanning and reading the photographed image or the like with a scanner or an image reading step of reading the photographed image or the like with a digital camera before the first image printing step.

3. A method for producing a three-dimensional printed image as defined in claim 2, wherein:

in the image reading step, controlling and driving a scanner to read image information by means of a control device configured based on a personal computer, or reading image information from a digital camera; and

in the first and/or second image printing step, the read information is printed by an ink-jet printer under the control of the control device.

4. A method for making a three-dimensional printed image, comprising:

a first image printing step of printing an image on a surface of a substrate using an ink-jet printer;

a concave-convex surface forming step of forming a surface having recesses and projections by adhering a primer material on the surface of the printed image; and

a second image printing step of repeatedly printing the same image as the above-mentioned image at the same position on the already formed uneven surface using an ink-jet printer,

the uneven surface is formed on the surface of the base material by performing an uneven surface forming step before the first image printing step.

5. A three-dimensional printed matter characterized in that a three-dimensional printed image thereof is formed by the production method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.