EP0841185A1 - Back-print recording medium for ink-jet printing - Google Patents
Back-print recording medium for ink-jet printing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0841185A1 EP0841185A1 EP97119541A EP97119541A EP0841185A1 EP 0841185 A1 EP0841185 A1 EP 0841185A1 EP 97119541 A EP97119541 A EP 97119541A EP 97119541 A EP97119541 A EP 97119541A EP 0841185 A1 EP0841185 A1 EP 0841185A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ink
- recording medium
- transparent substrate
- light diffusing
- ink composition
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- 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
- B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
- B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
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- 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
- B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
- B41M5/502—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording characterised by structural details, e.g. multilayer materials
- B41M5/508—Supports
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- 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
- B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
- B41M5/502—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording characterised by structural details, e.g. multilayer materials
- B41M5/506—Intermediate layers
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- 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
- B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
- B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
- B41M5/5218—Macromolecular coatings characterised by inorganic additives, e.g. pigments, clays
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- 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
- B41M5/50—Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
- B41M5/52—Macromolecular coatings
- B41M5/5254—Macromolecular coatings characterised by the use of polymers obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. vinyl polymers
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- 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
- B41M7/0027—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock using protective coatings or layers by lamination or by fusion of the coatings or layers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the so-called "back print recording medium” wherein an ink composition is applied to one side of the medium and the image formed by the ink composition is viewed through the other side of the medium.
- a recording medium called "back print recording medium” wherein an ink composition is applied to one side of the medium and the image formed by the ink composition is viewed through the other side of the medium is known in the art.
- Such a recording medium basically comprises a transparent substrate bearing an ink receptive layer for absorbing and fixing an ink composition and a light diffusing, ink permeable layer composed mainly of silica. Printing is performed from the ink permeable layer side, for example, by ink jet recording. The ink is passed through the ink permeable layer and reaches the ink receptive layer. The formed ink image is viewed through the transparent layer with the aid of reflected light or transmitted light through the transparent substrate side. By virtue of gloss and smoothness of the transparent substrate, the viewed printed image has a good texture. Therefore, the back print recording medium has been utilized in printing of an image which is desired to give an impression of high quality.
- recording media comprising an ink receptive layer formed of a polyvinyl acetal resin are described, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 219042/1994 and 72390/1996 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 23597/1993.
- the polyvinyl acetal resin has not been applied to the ink receptive layer of the back print recording medium.
- the present inventors have now found that, in the so-called "back print recording medium," a good image can be yielded by rendering the dot diameter of a printed image viewed through the transparent substrate smaller than the dot diameter of the printed image viewed through the light diffusing, ink permeable layer.
- the present invention has been made based on such finding.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a back print recording medium which can realize a good image.
- a recording medium comprising: a transparent substrate; an ink receptive layer and a light diffusing, ink permeable layer provided in that order on the transparent substrate, said recording medium permitting printing to be performed from the light diffusing, ink permeable layer side and, in addition, the print to be viewed through the transparent substrate, the diameter of the printed dot viewed through the transparent substrate being smaller than that of the printed dot viewed through the light diffusing, ink permeable layer.
- the recording medium according to the present invention comprises: a transparent substrate; and an ink receptive layer and a light diffusing, ink permeable layer provided in that order on the transparent substrate.
- printing is performed through the light diffusing, ink permeable layer, while the printed image is viewed through the transparent substrate.
- a recording medium 1 comprises a transparent substrate 2 and an ink receptive layer 3 and a light diffusing, ink permeable layer 4 provided in that order on the transparent substrate 2.
- recording is performed through the layer 4 by means of an ink droplet 5.
- the recording is performed by ink jet recording.
- a dot 7, as an element of an image, formed by the ink droplet 5 takes a form, in the ink receptive layer 3, as shown in Fig. 1.
- the diameter of the dot viewed through the transparent substrate is smaller than that of the dot viewed through the light diffusing, ink permeable layer.
- the diameters of the dots may be compared in terms of the equivalent circular diameter.
- the dot takes such a form, an image having better quality can be realized.
- high-definition, high-resolution recording is possible.
- creation of a particulate spot often observed in an image printed by ink jet recording can be effectively inhibited, making it possible to realize a printed image having quality comparable to a photograph.
- the printed image has a further advantage that a good image can be observed through both reflected light and transmitted light. Further, the water resistance and the storage stability are also good, and stickiness after the printing can be reduced. Furthermore, advantages inherent in the back print, such as good gloss and excellent scratch resistance of the printed image, are of course offered.
- Fig. 2 (a) is a diagram showing the state of an ink droplet 5 being printed by ink jet recording from a light diffusing, ink permeable layer 4 side of a recording medium 1 comprising a transparent substrate 2 and an ink receptive layer 3 and a light diffusing, ink permeable layer 4 provided in that order on the transparent substrate 2.
- the ink droplet 5 Upon deposition onto the layer 4, as shown in Fig. 2 (b), the ink droplet 5 penetrates the layer 4 toward the ink receptive layer 3.
- the ink composition 6 may penetrate while increasing or reducing the dot diameter.
- the ink composition 6 reaches the ink receptive layer 3.
- the ink composition 6 penetrates while reducing the dot diameter.
- a major part of the ink composition 6 reaches the ink receptive layer 3 to form one dot as an element of an image.
- the form of the dot is such that the diameter of the dot viewed through the transparent substrate is smaller than that of the dot viewed through the light diffusing, ink permeable layer.
- the ink composition does not penetrate to reach the boundary between the ink receptive layer 3 and the transparent substrate 2, and the penetration of the ink composition is stopped within the ink receptive layer 3.
- This embodiment also falls within the scope of the present invention so far as the diameter of the dot viewed through the transparent substrate is smaller than that of the dot viewed through the light diffusing, ink permeable layer.
- the above dot form can be realized in an ink receptive layer comprising a polyvinyl acetal resin. Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a recording medium comprising an ink receptive layer containing a polyvinyl acetal resin.
- the degree of acetylization is preferably about 2 to 20% by mole, more preferably about 5 to 15% by mole.
- the degree of acetylization of the polyvinyl acetal falls within the above range, it is possible to provide an ink receptive layer which enables a dot having high transparency and circularity to be formed. Further, the adhesion of the ink receptive layer to the substrate is advantageously excellent.
- An additional advantage of the ink receptive layer is such that excellent waterproofness, ink fixation, and storage stability of the image (particularly causing neither feathering nor bleeding in an high-humidity environment) can be offered while enjoying high ink absorption rate and large ink absorption.
- the above ink receptive layer can effectively prevent color-to-color intermixing problem called "bleeding" in the color printing.
- use of the polyvinyl acetal as the ink receptive layer can advantageously effectively prevent cracking which is likely to be created in the formation of the light diffusing, ink permeable layer on the ink receptive layer, especially during drying.
- the polyvinyl acetal resin used in the present invention can be prepared by reacting polyvinyl alcohol with an aldehyde to conduct acetylization. It may be prepared also by using polyvinyl acetate as the starting compound to conduct saponification and acetalization.
- the acetalization may be performed by any conventional method, such as a dissolution method, a precipitation method, or a method using a homogeneous system.
- the above polyvinyl alcohol is not particularly limited.
- the degree of polymerization is preferably about 300 to 4500, more preferably 500 to 4500.
- Use of a polyvinyl acetal resin prepared from polyvinyl alcohol having a high degree of polymerization is likely to provide an ink receptive layer having good ink fixation and waterproofness.
- the degree of saponification of the polyvinyl alcohol is also not particularly limited, it is preferably about 80.0 to 99.5% by mole.
- aldehydes usable for condensation with the polyvinyl alcohol include aliphatic aldehydes, such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, butyl aldehyde, hexyl aldehyde, octyl aldehyde, and decyl aldehyde; benzaldehyde, 2-methylbenzaldehyde, 3-methylbenzaldehyde, 4-methylbenzaldehyde, and other alkyl-substituted benzaldehydes and chlorobenzaldehyde and other halogen-substituted benzaldehydes; aromatic aldehydes, such as phenyl acetaldehyde, ⁇ -phenyl propionaldehyde, and other phenyl-substituted alkyl aldehydes; and aromatic aldehydes with substituents, such as hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, and cyano groups, in the
- a polyvinyl acetal resin prepared from an aromatic aldehyde can provide an ink receptive layer having excellent ink fixation, waterproofness, and transparency.
- the degree of acetylization in the polyvinyl acetal resin used in the present invention is preferably in the range of from about 2 to 20% by mole, more preferably about 5 to 15% by mole, most preferably about 7 to 10% by mole.
- Use of the resin having a degree of acetylization in the above range can provide an ink receptive layer having excellent ink fixation and waterproofness.
- polyvinyl acetal resins may also be used, and specific examples thereof include S-lec KX-1 (degree of acetalization: 8 % by mole) and KW-1 (degree of acetalization: 9 % by mole) (both products being manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.).
- the ink receptive layer in the recording medium according to the present invention may be formed as a coating of the above polyvinyl acetal resin on the transparent substrate. More specifically, it may be formed by providing a solution of the above polyvinyl alcohol resin in a suitable solvent (for example, a mixed solvent composed of water and isopropyl alcohol), coating the solution onto a substrate, and drying the coating.
- a suitable solvent for example, a mixed solvent composed of water and isopropyl alcohol
- the ink receptive layer in the recording medium according to the present invention may comprise, in addition to the polyvinyl acetal resin, other water-soluble resin(s), a water-proofing agent, a surfactant, a preservative, an ultraviolet absorber and the like.
- the thickness of the ink receptive layer may be suitably determined by taking into consideration properties required of the recording medium. However, it is preferably about 3 to 15 ⁇ m, more preferably about 5 to 10 ⁇ m.
- Materials usable for the transparent substrate in the recording medium according to the present invention include polyester resin, polyolefin resin, polystyrene resin, and polyvinyl chloride resin.
- the thickness of the transparent substrate is preferably about 50 to 300 ⁇ m from the viewpoint of the carriability of the recording medium through a printer and the like.
- the transparent substrate in its surface which comes into contact with the ink receptive layer has been subjected to adhesion-imparting treatment. This treatment can improve the adhesion between the transparent substrate and the ink receptive layer.
- This adhesion-imparting treatment may be performed by a conventional method.
- the surface of the transparent substrate on which the ink receptive layer is not provided has been subjected to antistatic treatment.
- This treatment can effectively prevent sticking of recording media against each other caused by static electricity.
- the antistatic treatment may be performed by any conventional method. In particular, it may be performed, for example, by adding a surfactant having an antistatic property to a resin solution or a resin emulsion and coating the mixture onto the substrate.
- a desired pattern for example, a network pattern, may be provided on the surface of the substrate, and the surface of the substrate may be subjected to gloss-imparting treatment.
- the light diffusing, ink permeable layer in the recording medium according to the present invention may be generally constructed so as to be utilized as a light diffusing, ink permeable layer in a back print recording medium.
- it may comprise a binder resin, a whitening agent, a porous material and the like.
- the light diffusing, ink permeable layer may comprise at least a carboxyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol, colloidal silica, a whitening agent, and a synthetic silica. Utilization of the carboxyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol is preferred from the viewpoint of markedly improving the storage stability of the printed image.
- the carboxyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol may also be a commercially available one, and examples thereof include those available as Gosenal T series from Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., such as Gosenal T-215, 230, 330, 350, and 330H.
- the colloidal silica referred to herein is usually an anionic colloidal dispersion prepared by stably dispersing ultrafine particles of silicic acid anhydride (silica) and may be prepared, for example, by the following method. At the outset, an aqueous sodium silicate solution is passed into a cation exchange resin to prepare a sol having an SiO 2 /Na 2 O ratio of 60 to 130.
- colloidal silica can be prepared as a sol which has been grown into particles having an average particle diameter of 3 to 200 nm and stabilized.
- commercially available colloidal silica may be used, and examples thereof include Ludox manufactured by Du Pont, Syton manufactured by Monsanto, Nalcoag manufactured by Nalco, and Snowtex manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industry Ltd.
- Whitening agents usable in the present invention include, for example, titanium oxide, white fluorescent pigments, and fluorescent dyes.
- the brightness of the recording medium according to the present invention may be suitably determined by taking into consideration the ink permeability, ink absorption and the like.
- Commercially available whitening agents may also be used, and examples thereof include Whitex (manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), a fluorescent dye.
- the light diffusing, ink receptive layer comprises a synthetic silica.
- the particle diameter, pore volume, and average pore diameter of the synthetic silica may be suitably determined by taking into consideration the ink absorption and the ink permeability.
- the synthetic silica may also be commercially available one, and examples thereof include Mizukasil and Mizukasoap (manufactured by Mizusawa Industrial Chemicals Ltd.), FINESIL, Tokusil, Reolosil, and Excelica (manufactured by TOKUYAMA Corp.), Sylysia (Fuji Sylysia Chemical Ltd.), and Aerosil (manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd.).
- the thickness of the light diffusing, ink permeable layer is preferably about 15 to 40 ⁇ m, more preferably about 20 to 35 ⁇ m.
- This light diffusing, ink permeable layer may be formed by dissolving or dispersing the above ingredients in a suitable solvent to prepare a coating liquid, coating the coating liquid onto the ink receptive layer formed on the transparent substrate, and drying the coating.
- the coating may be performed by conventional means, for example, by using a roll coater, an air knife coater, a blade coater, a rod coater, a bar coater, or a Karla coater.
- Combination of the light diffusing, ink permeable layer having the above composition with the ink receptive layer comprising the polyvinyl acetal resin can provide a recording medium, having a good balance between ink absorption and ink permeability, which can realize high-definition, high resolution recording.
- the total light transmittance of the recording medium according to the present invention is preferably about 20 to 80%, more preferably about 30 to 70%.
- the total light transmittance referred to herein means one determined by method B specified in JIS K 7105.
- the total light transmittance may be expressed in terms of the percentage of the quantity of transmitted light (T2) in the quantity of exposed light (T1), that is, (T2/T1) x 100 .
- the brightness of the recording medium viewed through the transparent substrate in the recording medium according to the present invention is preferably 50 to 90° , more preferably not less than 70° .
- the brightness referred to herein means brightness by Hunter specified in JIS P 8123 or ISO brightness specified in JIS P 8148.
- the recording medium of the present invention is used for recording methods using an ink composition.
- Recording methods using an ink composition include, for example, ink jet recording, recording using writing implements, such as pens, and other various printing methods.
- the ink composition is not limited to a liquid ink and embraces a wide variety of ink compositions such as solid colorants and colorants which, in use, are melted.
- the recording medium of the present invention is preferably used for ink jet recording.
- the recording medium of the present invention is used in a recording method involving the steps of ejecting droplets of the ink composition and depositing the ink droplets onto the recording medium.
- the ink composition used comprises at least a colorant, an organic solvent, water, and a surfactant.
- a surfactant include acethylene glycols and anionic surfactants having a polyoxyethylene group.
- acetylene glycols include compounds represented by the following formula (I): wherein 0 ⁇ m + n ⁇ 50 and R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 each independently represent an alkyl group.
- Examples of compounds represented by the formula (I) include Olfine Y, Surfynol 82, Surfynol 440, Surfynol 465, and Surfynol 485 (available from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.). They may be added alone or as a mixture of two or more.
- a anionic surfactants having a polyoxyethylene group include polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates, and polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether phosphates. Among them, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates and polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether sulfates are preferred.
- preferred counter ions for forming salts include inorganic ions, such as potassium, sodium, and ammonium ions, and amines, such as monoethanolamine and diethanolamine with ammonium ion being especially preferred.
- the ink composition referred to herein means a black ink composition in the case of monochrome printing and a color ink composition in the case of color printing, specifically a yellow ink composition, a magenta ink composition, and a cyan ink composition and optionally a black ink composition.
- the recording medium according to the present invention may also be used for recording using six ink compositions in total, that is, a yellow ink composition, two magenta ink compositions different from each other in color density, two cyan ink compositions different from each other in color density, and a black ink composition. Combination of the above ink compositions of six colors with the recording medium according to the present invention can realize a printed image with excellent gradation, free from any particulate spot and having a quality comparable to a photograph.
- the colorant contained in the ink composition may be either a dye or a pigment.
- Dyes usable herein include various dyes commonly used for ink jet recording, such as direct dyes, acid dyes, foodstuff dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes, disperse dyes, vat dyes, soluble vat dyes, and reactive disperse dyes.
- inorganic and organic pigments are usable without any particular limitation.
- the inorganic pigment include, in addition to titanium oxide and iron oxide, carbon blacks produced by known processes, such as contact, furnace, and thermal processes.
- the organic pigment include azo pigments (including azo lake, insoluble azo pigment, condensed azo pigment, and chelate azo pigment), polycyclic pigments (for example, phthalocyanine, perylene, perinone, anthraquinone, quinacridone, dioxazine, thioindigo, isoindolinone, and quinophthalone pigments), dye chelates (for example, basic dye chelates and acid dye chelates), nitro pigments, nitroso pigments, and aniline black.
- azo pigments including azo lake, insoluble azo pigment, condensed azo pigment, and chelate azo pigment
- polycyclic pigments for example, phthalocyanine, perylene, perinone, anthraquinone, quinac
- the above pigment is preferably added, to the ink, in the form of a pigment dispersion prepared by dispersing the pigment in an aqueous medium with the aid of a dispersant or a surfactant.
- Preferred dispersants include those which is commonly used or will be commonly used in the preparation of a dispersion of a pigment, for example, polymeric dispersant.
- the dispersant and the surfactant contained in the pigment dispersion function also respectively as the dispersant and the surfactant of the ink composition would be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art.
- the amount of the pigment added to the ink is preferably about 0.5 to 25% by weight, more preferably about 2 to 15% by weight.
- the ink composition used in the present invention may further contain a wetting agent comprising a high-boiling organic solvent.
- a wetting agent comprising a high-boiling organic solvent.
- high-boiling organic solvents include polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, thiodiglycol, hexyleneglycol, glycerin, trimethylolethane, and trimethylolpropane; alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether, and triethylene glycol monobut
- the amount of the wetting agent added is preferably in the range of from 0.5 to 40% by weight, more preferably in the range of from 2 to 20% by weight, based on the ink.
- Dispersants, surfactants, ultraviolet absorbers, and other additives such as pH adjustors, preservatives, and antimolds, may be added to the ink composition used for recording onto the recording medium according to the present invention.
- recording may be performed using the ink composition in the same manner as used in the conventional back print recording medium.
- provision of a protective layer on the light diffusing, ink permeable layer after recording of an image is preferred from the viewpoint of improving the storage stability.
- This protective layer can function to protect the recording medium against moisture, water, light, ozone and the like.
- the recording medium may be covered with a film or a synthetic paper, having low moisture permeability, with an ultraviolet absorber, an antioxidant, or a quenching agent incorporated therein.
- this film or synthetic paper may be applied to the recording medium with the aid of a pressure sensitive adhesive, or the film may be laminated onto the recording medium.
- provision of a pressure sensitive adhesive on the protective layer permits the recording medium per se to be applied onto the protective layer.
- An ink receptive layer was formed on a substrate as follows.
- the coating liquid was coated by means of an applicator on the substrate on its side subjected to the adhesion-imparting treatment, the coating was dried in a drier kept at a constant temperature of 100°C for 2 min, thereby forming a 7 ⁇ m-thick ink receptive layer.
- a light diffusing, ink permeable layer was then formed on the ink receptive layer as follows.
- the following ingredients were mixed together to prepare a homogeneously dispersed coating liquid.
- Carboxyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol resin anionic, degree of saponification 99% by mole or more, degree of polymerization 2200, T-330H, manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
- 4.5 wt% Silica Sylysia 446, average particle diameter 4.5 ⁇ m, manufactured by Fuji Sylysia Ltd.
- 12 wt% Titanium oxide average particle diameter 0.26 ⁇ m
- Fluorescent pigment manufactured by Sinloihi Co., ltd.
- the coating liquid was coated by means of an applicator onto the ink receptive layer, and the coating was then dried in a drier kept at a constant temperature of 110°C for 3 min to form a 25 ⁇ m-thick light diffusing, ink permeable layer, thereby preparing a back print recording medium.
- a back print recording medium was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of the coating liquid was regulated to a light diffusing, ink permeable layer thickness of 15 ⁇ m.
- a back print recording medium was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the amount of the coating liquid was regulated to a light diffusing, ink permeable layer thickness of 35 ⁇ m.
- a back print recording medium was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that polyvinyl alcohol (PVA-117, manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.) was used instead of the polyvinyl acetal resin to form the ink receptive layer.
- PVA-117 manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd.
- All the above inks had a surface tension of about 30 mN/m, a viscosity of 4 mPa.s, and a pH value of about 9.
- Yellow ink C.I. Pigment Yellow 17 3 wt% Styrene/acrylic resin emulsion (solid content 30%) 3 wt% Maltitol 10 wt% Glycerin 10 wt% Triethanolamine 1 wt% 2-Pyrrolidone 2 wt% Ammonium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate 0.8 wt% Ion-exchanged water 70.2 wt% Magenta ink C.I.
- Pigment Blue 15 3 3 wt% Styrene/acrylic resin emulsion (solid content 30%) 3 wt% Maltitol 10 wt% Glycerin 10 wt% Triethanolamine 1 wt% 2-Pyrrolidone 2 wt% Ammonium polyoxyethylene phenyl ether sulfate 0.8 wt% Ion-exchanged water 70.2 wt% Black ink C.I.
- Pigment Black 7 3 wt% Styrene/acrylic resin emulsion (solid content 30%) 3 wt% Maltitol 10 wt% Glycerin 10 wt% Triethanolamine 1 wt% 2-Pyrrolidone 2 wt% Ammonium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate 0.8 wt% Ion-exchanged water 70.2 wt%
- All the above inks had a surface tension of about 35 mN/m, a viscosity of 3 mPa.s, and a pH value of about 9.5.
- a cyan ink and a magenta ink each of which the colorant concentration was one-fourth that of the cyan ink and the magenta ink in the ink set 1 were provided respectively as a light-colored cyan ink and a light-colored magenta ink.
- six ink sets in total were prepared.
- Ink sets prepared above were used to print images on the back print recording media of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1, and the printed images were evaluated as follows.
- printing was performed using a color ink jet printer MJ910C (manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation), while for the ink set 3, printing was performed using a recording apparatus loaded with an experimental ink jet recording head which could cope with six colors.
- the equivalent circular diameter per dot was measured on 100 samples for the transparent substrate side and the print side (light diffusing, ink-absorptive layer side).
- the reflection density and transmission density on the transparent substrate side were measured with TR-927 (manufactured by Macbeth).
- Inks having different colors were used to visually inspect boundaries between colors for bleeding, and the results were evaluated according to the following criteria.
- a blue color (total amount ejected: 30 mg/in. 2 ) prepared from magenta and cyan in an ink amount of 15 mg/in. 2 ) per color was printed as 100% duty. Further, the print density was varied to 90% duty, 70% duty, 60% duty, 50% duty, 40% duty, 30% duty, 20% duty, and 10% duty, and the ink absorption was evaluated in terms of the minimum % duty which caused bleeding or flow of the ink in the print.
- Image data specified in Japanese Standards Association were printed to visually inspect the images for sharpness. Further, light was applied using a light board through the backside of the record to visually inspect the images for sharpness. The results were evaluated according to the following criteria.
- Printing was performed in an ink amount of 15 mg/in. 2 per color to measure the time taken for the ink to be completely absorbed.
- a print formed by printing an image of a person was allowed to stand in a room in its place not exposed to direct sunlight for three months and then visually inspected for fading. The results were evaluated according to the following criteria.
- a print formed by printing an image of a person was allowed to stand under an environment of 40°C and 85% RH for one week and then visually inspected for fading. The results were evaluated according to the following criteria.
- the light transmittance of the recording medium with no printed image was measured according to the procedure set forth in JIS K 7105.
- the ISO brightness of the recording medium with no printed image was measured according to the procedure set forth in JIS P 8148.
Abstract
Description
the diameter of the printed dot viewed through the transparent substrate being smaller than that of the printed dot viewed through the light diffusing, ink permeable layer.
Carboxyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol resin (anionic, degree of saponification 99% by mole or more, degree of polymerization 2200, T-330H, manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) | 4.5 wt% |
Silica (Sylysia 446, average particle diameter 4.5 µm, manufactured by Fuji Sylysia Ltd.) | 12 wt% |
Titanium oxide (average particle diameter 0.26 µm) | 2 wt% |
Fluorescent pigment (manufactured by Sinloihi Co., ltd.) | 2 wt% |
Colloidal silica (Snowtex C, anionic, SiO2 content 20%) | 10 wt% |
Isopropyl alcohol/water = 40/60 mixed solution | Balance |
Yellow ink | |
C.I. Direct Yellow 86 | 1.5 wt% |
C.I. Direct Yellow 23 | 1.5 wt% |
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether | 10 wt% |
Surfynol TG | 0.8 wt% |
Diethylene glycol | 20 wt% |
Triethanolamine | 0.2 wt% |
Ion-exchanged water | 66 wt% |
Cyan ink | |
C.I. Direct Blue 199 | 3 wt% |
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether | 10 wt% |
Surfynol TG | 0.8 wt% |
Diethylene glycol | 20 wt% |
Triethanolamine | 0.2 wt% |
Ion-exchanged water | 66 wt% |
Magenta ink | |
C.I. Reactive Red 147 | 3 wt% |
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether | 10 wt% |
Surfynol TG | 0.8 wt% |
Diethylene glycol | 20 wt% |
Triethanolamine | 0.2 wt% |
Ion-exchanged water | 66 wt% |
Black ink | |
C.I. Direct Black 168 | 3 wt% |
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether | 10 wt% |
Surfynol TG | 0.8 wt% |
Diethylene glycol | 20 wt% |
Triethanolamine | 0.2 wt% |
Ion-exchanged water | 66 wt% |
Yellow ink | |
C.I. Pigment Yellow 17 | 3 wt% |
Styrene/acrylic resin emulsion (solid content 30%) | 3 wt% |
Maltitol | 10 wt% |
Glycerin | 10 |
Triethanolamine | |
1 wt% | |
2- |
2 wt% |
Ammonium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate | 0.8 wt% |
Ion-exchanged water | 70.2 wt% |
Magenta ink | |
C.I. Pigment Red 122 | 3 wt% |
Styrene/acrylic resin emulsion (solid content 30%) | 3 wt% |
Maltitol | 10 wt% |
Glycerin | 10 |
Triethanolamine | |
1 wt% | |
2- |
2 wt% |
Ammonium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate | 0.8 wt% |
Ion-exchanged water | 70.2 wt% |
Cyan ink | |
C.I. Pigment Blue 15 : 3 | 3 wt% |
Styrene/acrylic resin emulsion (solid content 30%) | 3 wt% |
Maltitol | 10 wt% |
Glycerin | 10 |
Triethanolamine | |
1 wt% | |
2- |
2 wt% |
Ammonium polyoxyethylene phenyl ether sulfate | 0.8 wt% |
Ion-exchanged water | 70.2 wt% |
Black ink | |
C.I. |
3 wt% |
Styrene/acrylic resin emulsion (solid content 30%) | 3 wt% |
Maltitol | 10 wt% |
Glycerin | 10 |
Triethanolamine | |
1 wt% | |
2- |
2 wt% |
Ammonium polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate | 0.8 wt% |
Ion-exchanged water | 70.2 wt% |
1. Dot diameter, | 2. | 3. | 4. Ink absorption, % | 5. Ink permeation | ||
Transparent substrate side/print side | Transmission density | Reflection density | ||||
Example 1 | 80/90 | 3.3-3.8 | 1.8-2.3 | A | 90 | A |
Example 2 | 85/90 | 3.4-3.8 | 1.9-2.4 | A | 80 | A |
Example 3 | 75/90 | 3.1-3.8 | 1.6-2.2 | A | 100 | A |
Comparative Example 1 | 90/90 | 2.5-2.8 | 1.2-1.5 | NG | 70 | |
6. | 7. Storage stability | 8. Fixation | 9. Transmittance, % | 10. Brightness | |
Example 1 | Not more than 1 sec | A | A | 40 | 70 |
Example 2 | Not more than 1 sec | A | A | 50 | 68 |
Example 3 | Not more than 1 sec | A | A | 30 | 72 |
Comparative Example 1 | 2 sec | NG | NG | 35 | 70 |
Claims (16)
- A recording medium comprising: a transparent substrate; an ink receptive layer and a light diffusing, ink permeable layer provided in that order on the transparent substrate, said recording medium permitting printing to be performed from the light diffusing, ink permeable layer side and, in addition, the print to be viewed through the transparent substrate,
the diameter of the printed dot viewed through the transparent substrate being smaller than that of the printed dot viewed through the light diffusing, ink permeable layer. - The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the ink receptive layer comprises a polyvinyl acetal resin.
- The recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the polyvinyl acetal resin has a degree of acetalization of 2 to 20% by mole.
- The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light diffusing, ink permeable layer comprises a carboxyl-modified polyvinyl alcohol, a colloidal silica, a whitening agent, and a synthetic silica.
- The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light diffusing, ink permeable layer has a thickness of 15 to 40 µm and the ink receptive layer has a thickness of 3 to 15 µm.
- The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which has a total light transmission of 20 to 80%.
- The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which has a brightness of 50 to 90 as observed from the transparent substrate side.
- The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transparent substrate on its surface in contact with the ink receptive layer has been subjected to adhesion-imparting treatment.
- The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transparent substrate on its surface not in contact with the ink receptive layer has been subjected to antistatic treatment.
- An ink jet recording method comprising the steps of: ejecting droplets of an ink composition; and depositing the ink droplets onto the recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
- The ink jet recording method according to claim 10, wherein the ink composition comprises a colorant, an organic solvent, water, and a surfactant.
- The ink jet recording method according to claim 11, wherein the colorant is a pigment and the surfactant is an anionic surfactant having a polyoxyethylene group.
- The ink jet recording method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a yellow ink composition, a magenta ink composition, and a cyan ink composition, and optionally a black ink composition are used as the ink composition.
- The ink jet recording method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein six ink compositions in total of a yellow ink composition, two magenta ink compositions different from each other in color density, two cyan ink compositions different from each other in color density, and a black ink composition are used as the ink composition.
- A recorded medium comprising an image recorded by the ink jet recording method according to any one claims 10 to 14.
- The recorded meidum according to claim 15, which further comprises a protective layer provided on the light diffusing, ink permeable layer after recording the image.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP296703/96 | 1996-11-08 | ||
JP29670396 | 1996-11-08 | ||
JP29670396 | 1996-11-08 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0841185A1 true EP0841185A1 (en) | 1998-05-13 |
EP0841185B1 EP0841185B1 (en) | 2000-03-01 |
Family
ID=17837000
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19970119541 Expired - Lifetime EP0841185B1 (en) | 1996-11-08 | 1997-11-07 | Back-print recording medium for ink-jet printing |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0841185B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69701347T2 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1008779A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1048478A2 (en) * | 1999-04-28 | 2000-11-02 | Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording material |
EP1108559A1 (en) * | 1999-12-13 | 2001-06-20 | Sony Chemicals Corporation | Backprinting recording medium for ink-jet printing |
EP1132441A1 (en) * | 2000-03-06 | 2001-09-12 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Color ink set and recording method |
EP1270249A3 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2004-02-04 | Tomoegawa Paper Co. Ltd. | Recording sheet for ink jet printer |
CN101844439A (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2010-09-29 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Printing equipment |
US20130127941A1 (en) * | 2011-11-21 | 2013-05-23 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Print apparatus, print method, and print sheet |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6613418B2 (en) * | 2000-06-06 | 2003-09-02 | Mitsubishi Paper Mills Limited | Ink-jet recording material and use of the same |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3523269A1 (en) * | 1984-06-29 | 1986-01-02 | Canon K.K., Tokio/Tokyo | RECORDING MATERIAL AND RECORDING METHOD |
EP0286427A2 (en) * | 1987-04-10 | 1988-10-12 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording medium |
US4877678A (en) * | 1987-06-05 | 1989-10-31 | Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. | Sheet material for ink-jet printing |
EP0685344A2 (en) * | 1994-05-19 | 1995-12-06 | Mitsubishi Paper Mills, Ltd. | Ink jet recording sheet and process for its production |
EP0696516A1 (en) * | 1994-08-08 | 1996-02-14 | Arkwright Inc. | A full range ink jet recording medium |
EP0704316A1 (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1996-04-03 | Eastman Kodak Company | Ink-jet recording medium containing a vanadyl salt |
-
1997
- 1997-11-07 EP EP19970119541 patent/EP0841185B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-11-07 DE DE1997601347 patent/DE69701347T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1998
- 1998-07-29 HK HK98109535A patent/HK1008779A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3523269A1 (en) * | 1984-06-29 | 1986-01-02 | Canon K.K., Tokio/Tokyo | RECORDING MATERIAL AND RECORDING METHOD |
EP0286427A2 (en) * | 1987-04-10 | 1988-10-12 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording medium |
US4877678A (en) * | 1987-06-05 | 1989-10-31 | Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. | Sheet material for ink-jet printing |
EP0685344A2 (en) * | 1994-05-19 | 1995-12-06 | Mitsubishi Paper Mills, Ltd. | Ink jet recording sheet and process for its production |
EP0696516A1 (en) * | 1994-08-08 | 1996-02-14 | Arkwright Inc. | A full range ink jet recording medium |
EP0704316A1 (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1996-04-03 | Eastman Kodak Company | Ink-jet recording medium containing a vanadyl salt |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1048478A2 (en) * | 1999-04-28 | 2000-11-02 | Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording material |
EP1048478A3 (en) * | 1999-04-28 | 2002-01-09 | Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording material |
US6605337B1 (en) | 1999-04-28 | 2003-08-12 | Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha | Recording material |
EP1108559A1 (en) * | 1999-12-13 | 2001-06-20 | Sony Chemicals Corporation | Backprinting recording medium for ink-jet printing |
US6818266B2 (en) | 1999-12-13 | 2004-11-16 | Sony Chemicals Corp. | Backprinting recording medium |
EP1132441A1 (en) * | 2000-03-06 | 2001-09-12 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Color ink set and recording method |
US6698875B2 (en) | 2000-03-06 | 2004-03-02 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Ink set and ink cartridge and recording method, recording material and recording apparatus |
EP1270249A3 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2004-02-04 | Tomoegawa Paper Co. Ltd. | Recording sheet for ink jet printer |
CN101844439A (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2010-09-29 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Printing equipment |
CN101844439B (en) * | 2009-03-24 | 2013-11-13 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | Printing apparatus |
US20130127941A1 (en) * | 2011-11-21 | 2013-05-23 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Print apparatus, print method, and print sheet |
US9180681B2 (en) * | 2011-11-21 | 2015-11-10 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Print apparatus, print method, and print sheet |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69701347D1 (en) | 2000-04-06 |
DE69701347T2 (en) | 2000-07-06 |
EP0841185B1 (en) | 2000-03-01 |
HK1008779A1 (en) | 1999-05-21 |
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