JP2013159087A - Printing method, printing system, printing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

High color reproducibility is maintained for a specific color.
A printing method for printing each of n virtual divided images 65 obtained by dividing a print image 61 by n (n ≧ 2) in the sub-scanning direction by one or more main scans. A determination step for determining whether or not a specific color is arranged for each of the divided images 65, and at least m (1 ≦ m <n) virtual divided images for which it is determined that a corporate color is arranged. About 65, the printing step which prints the printing area | region corresponding to the said m virtual division | segmentation image with the fixed order printing system which applies the ink according to color in a fixed order is performed.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing method, a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a program for printing a print image by a plurality of main scans.

Conventionally, as this type of printing apparatus, four color-specific recording heads, a carriage that supports the four recording heads and moves them in the main scanning direction, and a recording paper in the sub-scanning direction There is known an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a paper feed roller (sub-scanning movement mechanism) to be moved and a controller for controlling them (see Patent Document 1). The controller has a rendering processing unit that performs rendering processing (conversion processing) in units of bands, a rendering time estimation unit that calculates an estimated time for rendering processing for each band, and a phenomenon in which normal printing cannot be performed because the rendering processing is not in time. And an overrun avoidance control unit for avoiding (print overrun).
The inkjet recording apparatus can perform bidirectional recording (bidirectional printing) and unidirectional recording (unidirectional printing), and the overrun avoidance control unit calculates the estimated time for each band to a predetermined time. If it is determined whether or not the estimated time exceeds a predetermined time, one-way recording is performed on the band. That is, in the case of complex image data with a heavy rendering processing load, switching to one-way recording is performed. This reduces the processing load and avoids print overruns.
In addition, when the color-specific nozzle rows are arranged in parallel in the main scanning direction, in bi-directional printing, the ink landing order changes in a reciprocating manner, and the printing image quality is greatly deteriorated. On the other hand, in the case of complex image data with a heavy rendering processing load as described above, the recording speed is not lowered more than necessary by switching to one-way printing in which the ink landing order is constant. Degradation of image quality is suppressed.

JP 2006-159701 A

By the way, from the viewpoint of recording image quality, there are cases where a specific color such as a corporate color is required to have higher color reproducibility than other colors. That is, there may be a specific color that should be emphasized compared to other colors.
However, in the above configuration, since bidirectional printing and unidirectional printing are switched based on the rendering processing time, bidirectional printing is performed even in a print area where a specific color is arranged. As a result, there is a problem in that the ink is not landed in a predetermined order and high color reproducibility cannot be maintained for the specific color.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing method, a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a program that can maintain high color reproducibility for a specific color.

  The printing method of the present invention is a printing method for printing each of n virtual divided images obtained by dividing a print image by n (n ≧ 2) in the sub-scanning direction by one or more main scans. A determination step for determining whether or not a specific color is arranged for each of the virtual divided images, and at least m (1 ≦ m <n) virtual divisions for which the specific color is determined to be arranged A printing step of printing a print area corresponding to the m virtual divided images on the image by a fixed order printing method in which inks of different colors are applied in a fixed order is performed.

  The printing system of the present invention is a printing system that prints each of n virtual divided images obtained by dividing a print image by n (n ≧ 2) in the sub-scanning direction by one or more main scans. A printing unit that prints the image, a determination unit that determines whether or not a specific color is arranged for each of the n virtual divided images, and a control unit that controls the printing unit, and at least the specific color is arranged For the determined m (1 ≦ m <n) virtual divided images, a print region corresponding to the m virtual divided images is printed by a fixed order printing method in which inks of different colors are applied in a fixed order. And a printing control unit.

  The printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints each of n virtual divided images obtained by dividing a print image by n (n ≧ 2) in the sub-scanning direction by one or more main scans. A printing unit that prints the image, a determination unit that determines whether or not a specific color is arranged for each of the n virtual divided images, and a control unit that controls the printing unit, and at least the specific color is arranged For the determined m (1 ≦ m <n) virtual divided images, a print region corresponding to the m virtual divided images is printed by a fixed order printing method in which inks of different colors are applied in a fixed order. And a printing control unit.

  According to these configurations, the specific color is printed because the print area of the virtual divided image in which the specific color is arranged is printed by a printing method (fixed order printing method) in which inks of different colors are applied in a fixed order. When doing so, the order of applying ink is always constant. Therefore, high color reproducibility can be maintained for a specific color (improvement of color reproducibility stability).

  In the above printing method, the fixed order printing method is preferably a unidirectional printing method.

  According to this configuration, since the existing unidirectional printing method is used for the printing method in which the inks for different colors are applied in a predetermined order, the printing step can be performed with simple control.

  In this case, in the printing step, with respect to (nm) virtual divided images for which it is determined that a specific color is not arranged, a print area corresponding to the (nm) virtual divided images is bidirectionally set. It is preferable to print by a printing method.

  According to this configuration, the print area of the virtual divided image in which the specific color is arranged is printed by the unidirectional printing method with high color reproducibility, while the print area of the virtual divided image in which the specific color is not arranged With regard to, by printing with a bidirectional printing method with a high printing speed, it is possible to maintain high color reproducibility for a specific color while maintaining a high printing speed.

  In this case, an image input step of adding the extracted data obtained by extracting the image of the specific color from the print image and inputting the print image is further executed. In the determination step, n is determined based on the extracted data added to the print image. It is preferable to determine whether or not a specific color is arranged for each of the virtual divided images.

  According to this configuration, input of a print image and designation of a specific color are performed by inputting the print image in a state where extraction data obtained by extracting a specific color image from the print image is added to the print image in advance. This can be performed integrally, and controllability can be improved.

  In this case, in the printing step, printing is performed by an inkjet method, and it is preferable to use an active energy ray curable ink as the ink.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to maintain high color reproducibility for a specific color in ink-jet printing or printing using active energy ray-curable ink, in which the order in which ink is applied (landing) easily affects color difference. it can.

  In this case, the specific color is preferably a corporate color.

  According to this configuration, high color reproducibility can be maintained for the corporate color, and the reliability of color printing can be improved. The corporate color is an organization-specific color that symbolizes an organization such as a company or a group.

  A program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute each step in the above printing method.

  According to this configuration, the above-described printing method can be executed by the computer simply by mounting the program on the computer.

1 is a plan view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a back view of an inkjet head. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printing apparatus related to a printing operation. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of print data. 5 is a flowchart showing a printing operation by the printing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which showed the printing process. It is the control block diagram which showed the control structure in the printing system of 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a printing method, a printing system, a printing apparatus, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a printing apparatus to which the printing method of the present invention is applied is exemplified. This printing apparatus prints a desired image (decorative printing) on a print medium by discharging ultraviolet curable ink (active energy ray curable ink) by an ink jet method. In this printing apparatus, non-absorbable print media such as PC (PolyCarbonate) and PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) films are to be printed. In this printing apparatus, it is possible to create a printed matter with high corporate color (specific color) color reproducibility by predetermined printing control.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes a printing unit 11 that performs a printing process on the printing medium A while moving the printing medium A, a material supply unit 12 a, and a material removal unit 12 b. In contrast, a discharger unit 12 that discharges the print medium A and a control unit 13 (see FIG. 3) that performs overall control of the printing apparatus 1 are provided. The sheet printing medium A fed from the feeding unit 12a to the printing unit 11 is subjected to a printing process by the printing unit 11, and then the printed printing medium A is removed to the material removing unit 12b. Is done.

  The printing unit 11 includes a work stage 21 that sucks and sets the supplied print medium A, and an X-axis table 22 that moves the print medium A in the X-axis direction (line feed: sub-scan) via the work stage 21. A carriage unit 23 equipped with an inkjet head 32 that discharges ultraviolet curable ink, a Y-axis table 24 that reciprocates (main scans) the inkjet head 32 in the Y-axis direction via the carriage unit 23, and the inkjet head 32. And a maintenance device 25 for function maintenance and recovery. The Y-axis table 24 is bridged in the Y-axis direction so as to straddle the X-axis table 22, and the carriage unit 23 supported by the Y-axis table 24 is placed on the print medium A set on the work stage 21 from above. It comes to face.

  After the print unit 11 sucks and sets the print medium A on the work stage 21, the print medium A is lined up in the X-axis direction via the work stage 21 by the X-axis table 22 based on the print data 60 (see FIG. 4). The print image 61 is printed by ejecting ink from the inkjet head 32 while feeding (sub-scanning) and reciprocating (main scanning) the carriage unit 23 by the Y-axis table 24 with respect to the print medium A.

  The carriage unit 23 includes a carriage 31 suspended and supported by the Y-axis table 24, an inkjet head 32 mounted on the carriage 31, and a pair of ultraviolet irradiation devices 33 mounted on both ends of the carriage 31 in the Y-axis direction. Have. The ink used in the present embodiment is an ultraviolet curable ink, and is printed in advance by turning on each pair of ultraviolet irradiation devices 33 mounted on the carriage 31 in synchronization with the main scanning (although it can be always turned on). The ultraviolet curable ink discharged and landed on the medium A is cured and fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet head 32 is driven to be ejected by a piezoelectric element (piezo element), and has a plurality of color-specific nozzle rows 41 extending in the X-axis direction. The plurality of color-specific nozzle rows 41 are arranged in parallel in the Y-axis direction, and in the example of FIG. 2, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), orange from the left Nozzle rows 41 of (Or), green (Gr), light magenta (LM), light cyan (LC), white (W), and clear (CL) are arranged.

  Here, the control configuration of the printing apparatus 1 related to the printing operation will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes an inkjet head 32, an X-axis table 22, a Y-axis table 24, an input interface 51, and a control unit 13 as main components.

  The input interface 51 functions as the image input unit 81. The image input unit 81 inputs the print data 60. The input print data 60 includes an image layer 62 having a print image 61 and a special layer 64 (so-called alpha channel) having designation data (extraction data) 63 used for print control (see FIG. 4). . That is, the image input unit 81 inputs the print image 61 with the designation data 63 added. The print image 61 and the designation data 63 are bitmap data that forms an image by arranging a plurality of pixels in a matrix. The print image 61 is an image that is printed by a printing method (halftone method) that expresses shades of color in halftone, and in this example, a corporate logo L colored in a corporate color is arranged. On the other hand, the designation data 63 is data obtained by extracting a corporate color image (corporate logo L in this example) from the print image 61 and data indicating the position of the corporate color on the print image 61. The designation data 63 is also data for the user to designate a corporate color.

  The control unit 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 72, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73. The CPU 71 is a central processing unit and performs various arithmetic processes. The ROM 72 stores a control program for the CPU 71 to perform various arithmetic processes, and the RAM 73 is used as a work area when the CPU 71 performs various arithmetic processes. The CPU 71 functions as an area determination unit (determination unit) 82 and a print control unit 83 by executing a control program stored in the ROM 72.

  The area determination unit 82 determines an area on the print image 61 in which the corporate color is arranged based on the designation data 63 of the special layer 64. Specifically, the area determination unit 82 divides the print image 61 into n (n ≧ 2) in the sub-scanning direction (X-axis direction) based on the designation data 63, and n virtual divided images 65 (see FIG. 4). ), Whether or not a corporate color is arranged in each virtual divided image is determined. Each virtual divided image 65 corresponds to each main scanning at the time of printing, and the number n thereof is the same as the number of main scanning in the printing process.

  The print control unit 83 controls the inkjet head 32, the X-axis table 22, and the Y-axis table 24 based on the input print image 61, and performs a printing process. The print control unit 83 can perform printing in a unidirectional printing method in which printing is performed only in the forward (or backward) main scanning and a bidirectional printing method in which printing is performed in the reciprocating main scanning. is there. Then, based on the determination result of the area determination unit 82, the print control unit 83 performs a unidirectional printing mode (Uni-D) for printing in the unidirectional printing method and a bidirectional printing mode (Bi) for printing in the unidirectional printing method. -D) is switched and the printing process is performed. In this embodiment, the unidirectional printing method is a fixed order printing method in which inks of different colors are applied in a predetermined order, and the bidirectional printing method is an indeterminate order of applying inks in different colors in an indefinite order. It is a printing method.

  Here, a printing operation by the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. This print operation is executed due to the input of the print data 60 and its print command.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the printing apparatus 1, when the print data 60 and its print command are input via the input interface 51 (image input unit 81) (S1: Yes, image input step), the region determination unit 82 Thus, the designated data 63 is extracted from the special layer 64 of the print data 60 (S2). Then, based on the extracted designation data 63, it is determined whether or not a corporate color is arranged in each of the n virtual divided images 65 (S3: determination step). Accordingly, m (1 ≦ m ≦ n) virtual divided images 65 determined to have corporate colors arranged, and (nm) virtual divided images determined to have no corporate colors arranged. An image 65 is identified. Thereafter, the print control unit 83 performs a print process based on the print image 61 and the determination result of the region determination unit 82 (S4: printing step).

  In the printing process, n main scans in which the inkjet head 32 is moved in the Y-axis direction by the Y-axis table 24, and the print medium A is moved in the X-axis direction at a nozzle row 41 pitch by the X-axis table 22 (n-1). ) Printing is carried out by performing sub-scanning for the number of times and ejecting and driving the inkjet head 32 in synchronization with the main scanning for each time. Then, in the n main scans, n virtual divided images 65 are printed in the print mode based on the determination result of the area determination unit 82. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the printing area A1 corresponding to the identified m virtual divided images 65 is printed in the unidirectional printing mode (unidirectional printing method). On the other hand, the printing area A2 corresponding to the specified (nm) virtual divided images 65 is printed in the bidirectional printing mode (bidirectional printing method). That is, in the printing area A1 of the m virtual divided images 65, the forward main scanning is repeatedly performed for printing, and in the printing area A2 of the (nm) virtual divided images 65, the main movement of the reciprocating movement is performed. Print with alternating scans. In the unidirectional printing mode, when the carriage unit 23 is positioned on the end side of the forward movement before the main scan is performed, the carriage unit 23 is moved once to the start end side of the forward movement by a scanning command based on empty data and a non-line feed command. Performs forward main scanning.

  According to the above configuration, the printing area A1 of the virtual divided image 65 in which the corporate color is arranged is printed by a printing method (fixed order printing method) in which inks of different colors are applied in a fixed order. When printing corporate colors, the order of applying ink is always constant. Therefore, high color reproducibility can be maintained for corporate colors.

  Further, by using an existing unidirectional printing method as a printing method in which inks of different colors are applied in a predetermined order, the printing step can be performed with simple control.

  Further, the printing area A1 of the virtual divided image 65 in which the corporate color is arranged is printed by the unidirectional printing method with high color reproducibility, while the printing area A2 of the virtual divided image 65 in which the corporate color is not arranged. With regard to, by printing with a bidirectional printing method with a high printing speed, it is possible to maintain high color reproducibility for corporate colors while maintaining a high printing speed.

  Further, by inputting the print image 61 in a state where the extracted data obtained by extracting the corporate color image from the print image 61 is added to the print image 61 in advance, the input of the print image 61 and the designation of the corporate color are performed. As a result, the controllability can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the corporate color is designated, and the print area A1 of the virtual divided image 65 in which the corporate color is arranged is printed by the unidirectional printing method (fixed order printing method). The specific color to be specified is not limited to the corporate color as long as it is desired to maintain high color reproducibility. Moreover, the structure which designates two or more specific colors may be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, each of the n virtual divided images 65 is printed by one main scanning, but each of the n virtual divided images 65 is printed twice or more each time. It may be configured to print by main scanning.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the print area A1 of the m virtual divided images is printed by the unidirectional printing method, and the other printing area A2 is printed by the bidirectional printing method. The present invention is not limited to this as long as the printing area A1 of the m virtual divided images is printed by the unidirectional printing method. For example, a configuration in which a part of the other printing area A2 is printed by the unidirectional printing method may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 includes the image input unit 81, the area determination unit 82, and the print control unit 83, and the print control is performed inside the printing apparatus 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, in the printing system 101 connected to the printing apparatus 1 and the host computer 102, the host computer 102 includes an image input unit 81, an area determination unit 82, and a print control unit 83, and the host computer The configuration may be such that print control is performed on 102. In such a case, the input / output interface 103 mounted on the host computer 102 functions as the image input unit 81 and outputs various control commands to the printing apparatus 1.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Printing apparatus 11: Printing part 61: Print image 63: Designated data 65: Virtual divided image 81: Print control part 82: Area determination part 101: Printing system

Claims (9)

A printing method of printing each of n virtual divided images obtained by dividing a print image by n (n ≧ 2) in the sub-scanning direction by one or more main scans,
A determination step of determining whether or not a specific color is arranged for each of the n virtual divided images;
At least m (1 ≦ m <n) of the virtual divided images for which the specific color is determined to be arranged, the printing area corresponding to the m virtual divided images is set to have a different color ink. And a printing step of performing printing in a predetermined order printing method for applying in order.   The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the fixed order printing method is a unidirectional printing method.   In the printing step, for the (nm) virtual divided images for which it is determined that the specific color is not arranged, a print area corresponding to the (nm) virtual divided images is bidirectionally set. The printing method according to claim 2, wherein printing is performed by a printing method. Further executing an image input step of adding the extracted data obtained by extracting the image of the specific color from the print image and inputting the print image;
The determination step includes determining whether the specific color is arranged for each of the n virtual divided images based on the extracted data added to the print image. Item 4. The printing method according to any one of Items 1 to 3. In the printing step, printing is performed by an inkjet method,
The printing method according to claim 1, wherein an active energy ray curable ink is used as the ink.   The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the specific color is a corporate color. A printing system that prints each of n virtual divided images obtained by dividing a print image by n (n ≧ 2) in the sub-scanning direction by one or more main scans,
A printing unit for printing the print image;
A determination unit that determines whether or not a specific color is arranged for each of the n virtual divided images;
For the m (1 ≦ m <n) virtual divided images that are determined to control the printing unit and at least the specific color is arranged, print areas corresponding to the m virtual divided images are determined. And a printing control unit that prints the ink according to the color in a fixed order printing method. A printing apparatus that prints each of n virtual divided images obtained by dividing a print image by n (n ≧ 2) in the sub-scanning direction by one or more main scans,
A printing unit for printing the print image;
A determination unit that determines whether or not a specific color is arranged for each of the n virtual divided images;
For the m (1 ≦ m <n) virtual divided images that are determined to control the printing unit and at least the specific color is arranged, print areas corresponding to the m virtual divided images are determined. And a printing control unit that prints the ink according to colors in a fixed order printing method.   The program for making a computer perform each step in the printing method in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 6.

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