EP2319703B1 - Method for applying fluids in a grid pattern onto substrates - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves applying a substrate image (5') of a fluid (5) on a substrate (1) in a section (3). A non incremental image of another fluid is applied on the substrate in the section. The formation of the latter fluid on the substrate in the section is determined by the grid of the former image in the section.

Description

The present invention relates to a method having the features of claim 1.

In the field of the production of printed products, it is already known to further optically refine the products preferably produced in offset printing, e.g. through so-called spot painting. Furthermore, it is also already known to functionally upgrade the products, e.g. by applying Lenticularfolien to produce so-called Wackelbilderern.

From the DE 103 60 050 B3 An offset printing method is known in which a printing material is first printed with oil-based offset printing ink, then coated with a transparent, oil-based and particulate matting agent-containing matt lacquer and finally coated with a transparent, water-based gloss lacquer, for example dispersion lacquer, throughout. The application of the matt lacquer takes place only in a partial area of the printing substrate, while the application of the gloss lacquer is over the entire surface. Both the matt and the gloss paint are applied without any screening and instead as homogeneous, isotropic coatings. Only the offset inks seem to be applied as usual in offset printing with a print grid. The method described in the patent is known as "drip-off" and, according to the disclosure, leads to high-contrast matt-gloss effects.

The DE 10 2006 003 311 A1 describes a method for generating viewing-angle-dependent variable image effects, wherein on a full-area or partial surface basecoat layer first a paint grid (dot screen or line screen) and then a UV coating is applied to the exposed areas of the basecoat film. The UV varnish forms a lenticular functional layer and is finally dried. Below the three layers mentioned, printing ink is located in a color layer applied by offset printing units and forms a multicolored printed matter. In order to ensure the lenticular function of the UV lacquer layer, it is necessary that the Grid of the second varnish or the correspondingly formed UV varnish is tuned to a grid of Drucksujets. In other words, the lenticular grid of the image and the lenses must not be different.

In the EP 1 211 095 A1 A method of printing raised structures is described, in which the image is printed with a paint that drops over the overlying paint so that the paint collects at the edges of the color strips and forms raised lines there. In a similar manner as in the aforementioned DE 102006003311 A1 Here the grid of these structures follows the grid of the structures of the underlying color image.

Another method of producing relief-like structures on offset printed images is to apply to the still-wet offset ink powders, flakes, etc., which adhere to the paint to then completely dry the paint. This procedure is in the US PS 46 84 548 described.

In addition, the market for high-quality printed products constantly requires new, visually appealing and / or functionally upgraded printed products or printed, visually appealing and / or functional features on conventional printed products.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a comparison with the prior art improved method, which makes it possible to produce in a simple manner and with known technical means visually appealing and / or functionally upgraded printed products, especially fast, inexpensive and in large Quantities to achieve effect features on printed products or to mimic known effects of expensive features by corresponding effects of favorable features.

These objects are achieved by a method having the features of claims 1 and 2. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying dependent claims and from the description.

A method according to the invention for the screened application of fluids to substrates is a method, wherein - in case i) of an at least in one section ungraded substrate or at least in the portion ungastrasted coating of the substrate, a rastered first image of a first fluid on the substrate in the section is applied, wherein the first fluid is a transparent lacquer and the first image is applied as a halftone image having an anisotropy, or in case ii) of a substrate screened at least in the section or a coating of the at least in the section Substrate a differently screened first image of a first fluid is applied to the substrate in the section, wherein both rasters have different raster shapes and / or grid sizes and / or grid spacings and / or screen angles, - an unscreened, the first image overlapping second image of a second fluid on d the substrate is applied in the section which, in case i) has a directional gloss due to the anisotropy of the first image, and - the formation of the second fluid on the substrate in the section is substantially determined by the grid of the first image in the section wherein the second fluid is bubbled from the first fluid and collects at those locations of the substrate or coating that are not coated with the first fluid; and the first image for the second fluid is a latent, preferably transparent wetting image.

The term "second image" also includes the homogeneous, isotropic deposition of the second fluid without information content, e.g. sprayed second fluid in the form of a full-surface layer in the section. By the formation of the second fluid corresponding to the raster (pattern) of the first fluid, the final structure can still carry information, e.g. a corresponding (preferably negative) pattern. However, the job may also be carried out over part of the area, e.g. in so-called spots or else structured, e.g. in the form of a pattern.

According to the invention, a first fluid screened in contrast to the prior art of the drip-off effect is applied. In addition, the grid of this first fluid is not tuned to an underlying grid (of the substrate or a substrate coating) as in the prior art of the lenticular effect, but surprisingly to it chosen differently. Of course, if the substrate or its coating is not screened, it is not necessary to pay attention to the difference.

The second fluid according to the invention forms according to the pattern of the first fluid, i. the second fluid collects at the locations where the first fluid is present or not, depending on the setting of the respective wetting properties. It preferably does not or only poorly wets the first fluid and therefore collects at the better wettable sites where no first fluid is present, so to speak in the grid gaps on the substrate or its coating.

In accordance with the invention, a grid of a second fluid is thus advantageously created using a first fluid. Since this grid of second fluid is not tuned to an underlying grid of the substrate or its coating (with the exception of the first fluid necessary for the formation), no lenticular effect can occur. However, this is according to the invention almost desired, because the grid of second fluid should be out of itself (ie also on unstructured, homogeneous, isotropic, monochrome background) and without a lens interaction (Refraction of light) with the ground cause at least an optical effect. For example, this effect may be a directional gloss or an optically (light / dark) and / or tactile (high / low) perceptible pattern. Alternatively, this effect may be based on a reflection, color, transparency or scattering locally changed by the second fluid according to its screening.

An advantageous and therefore preferred development of the method according to the invention can be distinguished by the fact that the first image for the second fluid represents a latent, preferably transparent wetting image. The advantage here is that the first fluid influences the optically perceptible effects of the generated second fluid grid only by its rastering, but not by its color. A color effect can thus be generated alone and undisturbed by a coloring of the second fluid. Here, as the first fluid, a wetting-changing fluid known from the drip-off effect preparation can be used, e.g. the matt lacquer described in the prior art.

An advantageous and therefore preferred development of the method according to the invention may be distinguished by the fact that the second fluid is a transparent lacquer. It may also be advantageous to also choose the second fluid colorless and thereby achieve substantially undisturbed gloss effects. An additional color effect or metallic effect can in this case be produced by a printed image underneath or the cold foil transfer material forming the background. In this way, surfaces such as e.g. brushed steel or grinding and polishing samples are reproduced inexpensively by printing technology. Alternatively, natural structures (fur, leather) or cracks can be simulated.

An advantageous and therefore preferred development of the method according to the invention can be characterized in that the first image is applied as a halftone image. In this case, it is advantageous that the effects of the grid of the first fluid can be achieved in detail or in ways that have gradients. The first image may thus be constructed like a graphic image and not only have coarse grid structures as sufficient for the production of lenticular images. The above replica is deatilliferous, natural structures can be easily achieved in this way.

An advantageous and therefore preferred development of the method according to the invention can be characterized in that the first image has an anisotropy, preferably due to the use of a line grid, and thereby the second image has a direction-dependent gloss. It is particularly advantageous in this connection that a correspondingly anisotropic structuring of the unstructured or spot-wise applied second fluid can be achieved in a simple manner by the anisotropic pre-structuring by means of the first fluid.

An advantageous and therefore preferred development of the method according to the invention can be characterized in that the second fluid contains interference phenomena generating effect pigments (micro-particles). All previously mentioned effects can be further enhanced or further enhanced by additionally using such effects of the pigments. In the case of the above-mentioned direction-dependent gloss, the superimposing effect of additional effect pigments can lead to a further revaluation of the product and lead to astonishingly appealing, complex effects in spite of a simple printing technique.

An advantageous and therefore preferred development of the method according to the invention may be distinguished by the fact that prior to the first fluid a colored third fluid, preferably offset printing ink, or metallically shiny film transfer material, preferably cold-foil transfer material containing metal particles, is applied to the substrate. As already mentioned above, it may be advantageous to combine the color effect of a shaded image or the metallic luster of underlaid cold foil transfer material with the raster effects according to the invention and thereby to achieve once again enhanced optical effects, in particular metallic appearances.

An advantageous and therefore preferred development of the method according to the invention can be characterized in that the first fluid is applied with a first printing form, wherein as the first printing form preferably an offset printing plate or a high-pressure mold is used. As a high-pressure mold can further preferably a

Flexographic printing form are used.

An advantageous and therefore preferred development of the method according to the invention may be characterized in that the second fluid is applied with a second printing form or with a spraying device.

An advantageous and therefore preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention can be characterized in that a flexographic printing plate, water-repellent offset printing form, intaglio printing plate or a screen printing form is preferably used as the second printing form. Particularly advantageous are those application methods that can achieve sufficient layer thickness for a formation.

The invention as such as well as structurally and / or functionally advantageous developments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to at least one preferred embodiment. In the drawings, corresponding elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1

einen Ablaufplan eines bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens, und

Fig. 2

einen Ablaufplan eines weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

The drawings show:

Fig. 1

a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention, and

Fig. 2

a flowchart of another preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention.

FIG. 1 FIG. 12 shows a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of a method of the invention for raster-depositing fluids onto substrates (according to case i in the claims). On the left side, the method is shown in providing an unscreened substrate 1 and on the right side in providing a substrate 1 with an unscreened coating 2. On both sides of a section 3 is shown by the treatment, ie the fluid application is essentially.

In method step A, the substrate 1 or the substrate 1 is provided with a coating 2 for the subsequent method steps. The substrate 1 may be a printing material such as paper, cardboard or foil. The coating 2 may be a homogeneous paint or varnish layer, e.g. monochrome or colorless, or homogeneously applied cold foil transfer material, e.g. shiny metallic, act. Process step A, as well as the following process steps B to D, can / can be carried out in a printing machine with a feeder, offset printing units, coating units, cold foil module, dryer and delivery (in the process of corresponding successive arrangement).

In method step B, a first fluid 5 is applied to the substrate 1 or to its coating 2 using a first application device 4. The application device 4 may be a printing form, preferably an offset printing form. The first fluid 5 may be a transparent lacquer. The first fluid 5 is applied as a rastered first image 5 ', preferably as a halftone image. The grid can be a dot or line grid. The first fluid 5 may have a property which results in the second fluid 6 applied in the following method step C wetting the first fluid 5 less well than the substrate 1 or its coating 2. The first fluid 5 preferably has a lower surface energy for this purpose as the substrate 1 and its coating 2 on. The first image 5 'can therefore represent a latent, preferably transparent wetting image for the second fluid 6. As the first fluid 5, therefore, a wetting-changing fluid used in the known drip-off effect, such as e.g. Oil-based matt varnish, find use.

In method step C, a second fluid 6 is applied to the substrate 1 or to its coating 2 and also to the first fluid 5 using a second application device 7. The application device 7 may be a printing form, preferably a flexographic printing plate, or a spraying device. The second fluid 6 may also be a transparent or colored paint (containing pigments or micro-particles). The second fluid 6 is applied as an unscreened second image 6 ', which the first image 5' at least in the Section 3 and there at least partially covered. The second fluid 6 forms a layer for a short time, but undergoes a rasterization in the following method step D by formation. Preferably, the second fluid 6 is applied wet-on-wet, ie, even before the first fluid 5 is substantially dried. As the second fluid, it is also possible to use known, water-based gloss varnish.

In method step D, a formation 8 of the second fluid 6 takes place on the substrate 1 or its coating 2 in the section 3. This formation 8 is essentially determined by the grid of the first image 5 'in the section 3. In the example shown, the second fluid 6 rolls off the first fluid 5 and collects at those points of the substrate 1 or its coating 2, which are not coated with the first fluid 5. At these points, the layer thickness of the second fluid 6 increases, so that optically and / or tactually perceptible effects arise (the thickness can be further increased by using swelling lacquer). However, it is not necessary to achieve similar layer thicknesses as in the production of lens grids, since according to the invention no significant lens effect (refraction of light) is to be achieved. For example, the first image 5 'has an anisotropy, preferably due to the use of a line grid, and thereby the second image 6' has a directional gloss. The second fluid 6 may additionally contain effect-pigments producing interference phenomena which enhance the optical effect, especially given direction-dependent gloss. Alternatively, it is also possible to adjust the wetting properties of the materials involved so that the second fluid 6 collects at the locations of the first fluid 5.

In other words, the unscattered applied second fluid 6 experiences a formation controlled by the screened first fluid 5 or specific formation on the substrate 1 or its coating 2. In contrast to the known matt-gloss effect, the beading does not take place uncontrolled. but the second fluid 6 rolls off according to the predetermined, and spatially resolved structure of the first fluid 5 and collects according to a negative structure. This formed structure is preferably so fine that optical effects such as directional gloss can arise and at the same time so coarse that sufficient second fluid 6 locally bubbles and collects locally. Thereby There is also a local accumulation of second fluid 6 and as a result of improved optical or even haptic / tactile effects.

FIG. 2 FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of another preferred embodiment of a method of the invention for raster-depositing fluids onto substrates (according to case ii in the claims). On the left side, the method is shown in providing a screened substrate 1 and on the right side in providing a substrate 1 with a screened coating 2.

In method step A, the provision takes place accordingly FIG. 1 , The rastered substrate 1 may be an embossed substrate. The coating 2 may be a screened paint or lacquer layer or a cold foil transfer material containing screened and preferably metallic shiny / metal particles. The grid can be a dot or line grid.

In method step B, the first fluid application is carried out accordingly FIG. 1 , It is in FIG. 2 clearly recognizes that the grid of the first fluid 5 is different from the underlying grid of the substrate 1 and its coating 2. The difference may be that both rasters have different raster shapes and / or raster sizes and / or grid spacings and / or raster angles. The grid of the first fluid 5 can have dots, ellipses, stars or lines as raster shapes.

Thus, while in the production of lenticular images to ensure compliance of the grid, according to the invention such a match is avoided. For neither should the final structure of second fluid 6 serve as a lenticular grid for an underlying image (for example, a wobbly image), nor should pronounced moiré effects be created by poor match. Rather, the final structure is to be composed of second fluid 6 itself, i. without significant interaction with underlying structures, cause an effect.

In method step C, the second fluid application takes place and in method step D the formation takes place correspondingly FIG. 1 ,

A printed product produced in accordance with the invention may comprise: a substrate 1, offset printing ink 2 and / or cold foil transfer material 2, screened, transparent, wetting-changing fluid 5 and substantially uniformly screened transparent lacquer 6. A feature produced according to the invention on an otherwise conventional printed product may be on the substrate 1 include: offset printing ink 2 and / or cold foil transfer material 2, screened, transparent, wetting-changing fluid 5 and substantially equally screened transparent lacquer 6. Such a feature can also be used as a so-called security feature due to its optically and tactile / tactile appeal on authenticity, find use. When using metallically lustrous cold foil transfer material 2 as a background and from the second fluid 6 admixed effect pigments, such as so-called iriodinates, the feature looks similar to a hologram, although it much simpler, cheaper and "inline" produced by known technical means printing technology can be, ie it can be dispensed with a complex application (eg sticking).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

substratum

2

coating

3

section

4

first application device

5

first fluid

5 '

first picture

6 '

second picture

7

second application device

8th

formation

Claims (7)

1. Method for the halftone application of fluids to substrates,

   - wherein in the case i) of a substrate (1) that has at least one halftone-free section (3) or of a coating (2) of the substrate (1) that is halftone-free at least in the section (3), a first halftone image (5') of a first fluid (5) is applied to the substrate (1) in the section (3), wherein the first fluid (5) is a transparent varnish and the first image (5') is a halftone image with an anisotropy,
   or in the case ii) of a substrate (1) that has a halftone at least in the section (3) or of a coating (2) of the substrate (1) that has a halftone at least in the section (3) a first image (5') of a different halftone of a first fluid (5) is applied to the substrate (1) in the section (3), wherein both halftones have different halftone shapes and/or halftone sizes and/or halftone spacing and/or halftone angles,

   - wherein a halftone-free second image (6') of a second fluid (6) covering the first image (5') is applied to the section (3) on the substrate (1), the second image in the case i) having a direction-dependent gloss due to the anisotropy of the first image (5'),

   - wherein the formation (8) of the second fluid (6) on the substrate (1) in the section (3) is essentially determined by the halftone of the first image (5') in the section (3), the second fluid (6) rolling off the first fluid (5) and collecting in such places on the substrate (1) or the coating (2) thereof that are not coated with the first fluid (5), and

   - wherein the first image (5') represents a latent, preferably transparent wetting image for the second fluid (6).
2. Method according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the second fluid (6) is a transparent varnish.
3. Method according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the second fluid (6) includes accent pigments that create interference phenomena.
4. Method according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that before the first fluid (5), a coloured third fluid (2), preferably offset printing ink, or foil transfer material (2) with a metallic gloss, preferably cold-foil transfer material containing metal particles, is applied to the substrate (1).
5. Method according to Claim 1,
   characterized in
   that the first fluid (5) is applied by a first printing forme (4), the first printing forme (4) preferably being an offset printing forme or a relief printing forme.
6. Method according to Claim 5,
   characterized in
   that the second fluid (6) is applied by a second printing forme (7) or a spraying device (7).
7. Method according to Claim 6,
   characterized in
   that the second printing forme (7) is preferably a flexographic printing forme, an offset printing forme applying water-based varnish, a gravure printing forme, or a screen printing forme.

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