GB2419486A

GB2419486A - Colour print processing

Info

Publication number: GB2419486A
Application number: GB0423266A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Hughes
Original assignee: DIGITAL GLASS Ltd; LIFEWORKS LIFE Ltd
Current assignee: DIGITAL GLASS LIMITED
Priority date: 2004-10-20
Filing date: 2004-10-20
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-20
Also published as: GB2419486B; GB0423266D0

Abstract

A method of printing an image to a transparent or translucent substrate includes separating the image into a cyan channel, a magenta channel, a yellow channel and a black channel; selecting at least one channel produced in the form of a grey scale image, which is then inverted (reversed) so as to form an additional channel which is substantially the same as the channel selected; merging the additional channel with a positive aperture file and tint layer to form an additional positive channel; reassembling the cyan, magenta, yellow and black channel with the additional positive channel; creating apertures in the reassembled channels by removing a corresponding negative aperture file out of the reassembled channels; and printing the reassembled channels onto the substrate to form the printed pierced image. The method aids registration of separate layers printed on transparent substrate.

Description

e e 241 9486 Printing Method The present invention is concerned

with a method of printing an image onto a transparent or translucent substrate Methods for creating surfaces and images with "see- through", or vision control, properties when applied to a clear or translucent substrate have been used for a number of years. Previously, a separate and independently created grid or mesh-like layer of colour typically white, but not exclusively, is printed onto the substrate and the image, also as a grid or mesh like layer, is separately printed onto the white layer in substantially complete registration. However, this is disadvantageous as it is difficult and time consuming to ensure that the printed colour image is in complete recognition with the separately created white or coloured layer which is printed first.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to alleviate at least some of the production disadvantages identified above.

Ittis a further aim of the present invention to provide a simplified method of printing an image onto a transparent or translucent substrate to create a degree of transparency within the image, where the image can sometimes be perceived from both sides of the transparent or translucent layer.

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... . . . . . Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of printing an image to a transparent or translucent substrate, which method includes: s a) separating the image into a cyan channel, a magenta channel, a yellow channel and a black channel; b) selecting at least one channel produced in a) in the form of a grey scale image, which is then inverted (reversed) so as to form an additional channel which is substantially the same as the channel selected; c) merging the additional channel with a positive aperture file and tint layer to form an additional positive channel) d) reassembling the cyan, magenta, yellow and black channel with the additional positive channel; e) creating apertures in the reassembled channels by removing a corresponding negative aperture file out of the reassembled channels i and printing the reassembled channels onto the substrate to form the printed pierced image.

Typically, the additional positive channel is a white channel. However, it is also envisaged that additional positive channels may be black.

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It is particularly preferred that the aperture file, in negative, is superimposed over the printed image.

Advantageously, the resultant printed image including the aperture file creates clear areas within the printed image channels, enabling a degree of vision through the image.

The image may be further treated by selective application of the aperture file, to create clear aperture treated areas within the image and solid image areas.

The aperture file is preferably an arrangement of shapes which are regular or irregular in orientation.

It is also envisaged that two or more channels are selected in step b) so as to produce two or more additional channels.

The present invention further extends to a metalicised solar control semi transparent or translucent substrate having printed thereon an image which has been printed by the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

The method of printing these images, may be alternately, offset lithography, screen printing or digital, typically utilising piezo ink jet technology.

The clear or transparent receiving substrates may be glass, polyester, vinyl, plastic, acetate, or any surface . . that enables a printed image to be applied that has transparent or translucent properties. c

Claims

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Claims 1. A method of printing an image to a transparent or translucent substrate, which method includes separating the image into a cyan channel, a magenta channel, a yellow channel and a black channel; selecting at least one channel produced in a) in the form of a grey scale image, which is then inverted (reversed) so as to form an additional channel which is substantially the same as the channel selected; merging the additional channel with a positive aperture file and tint layer to form an additional positive channel; reassembling the cyan, magenta, yellow and black channel with the additional positive channel; creating apertures in the reassembled channels by removing a corresponding negative aperture file out of the reassembled channels; and printing the reassembled channels onto the substrate to form the printed pierced image.

Amendments to the claims have been made as follows c aims 1. A method of printing an image to a transparent or translucent substrate, which method includes separating the image into a cyan channel a magenta channel; a yellow channel and a black channel; selecting at least one channel produced in a) in the form of a grey scale image, which its then inverted (reversed) so as to form an additional channel which is substantially the same as the channel selected; merging the additional channel with a positive aperture file and tint layer to form an , additional positive channel; reassembling the cyan, ( ( magenta, yellow and black channel with the additional ('I' positive channel; creating apertures in the reassembled ]5 channels by removing a corresponding negative aperture file out of the reassembled channels; and printing the reassembled channels onto the substrate to form the . (at printed pierced image. Therefore, according to a first ': aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of printing an image to a transparent or translucent substrate, which method includes: a) separating the image into a cyan channel, a magenta channel, a yellow channel and a black channel; b) selecting at least one channel produced in a) in the form of a grey scale image, which is then inverted (reversed) so as to form an additional channel which is substantially the same as the channel selected; c) merging the additional channel with a positive aperture f i le and tint:1 ayer to form an additional positive channel; d) reassembling the cyan, magenta, yellow and black channel with the additional posit) ve channel; e) creating apertures in the reassembled channels by removing a corresponding negative aperture file out of the reassembled channels; and f) print) ng the reassembled channels onto the substrate to form the printed pierced image.
2. A method of printing an image according to claim 1, ( ( , wherein the additional positive channel (s) is either a white channel or a black channel. (t 15 r
3. A method of printing according to claim 1 wherein the aperture file, in negative, is superimposed over the 1 ' , . printed image. . 4,
4. A method of printing according to claim 3, wherein the resultant printed image including the aperture file creates clear areas within the printed image channels, thereby enabling a degree of vision through the image.
5. A method of printing according to any preceding claim, wherein the image may be further treated by selective application of the aperture file, to create clear aperture treated areas within the image and solid image areas.
6. A method of printing according to any preceding claim wherein the aperture file is an arrangement of shapes which are regular or irregular in orientation.
7. A method of printing according to claim 1, wherein two or more channels are selected in step b) so as to produce two or more additional channels.
8. A method of printing according to any preceding claim wherein printing is by one or more of the following: offset lithography, screen printing or : digital, typically utilising piezo ink jet technology. , (

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9. A method of printing according to any preceding claim, when dependent on claim 1, wherein the clear or . transparent receiving substrates is selected from glass, polyester, vinyl, plastic, acetate or surface having Id',.' transparent or translucent properties that enables a I' ' printed image to be applied that has
10. A metalicised solar control semi transparent or translucent substrate having printed thereon an image which has been printed by the method according to any of claims 1 to 7
11. A method of printing substantially described herein.
12. A metalicised solar central semi transparent or translucent substrate as substantially described herein.