JP2012173331A - Printed matter with gradation expression, method and program for processing plate-making data for printed matter with gradation expression, and method for creating printed matter with gradation - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printed matter on which especially a highlighted part is expressed with high accuracy in gradation expression in which a hairline and/or a geometric pattern gradually fades away, and a method for preparing such printed matter, especially in intaglio printing and stencil printing.SOLUTION: A printed matter has a printed material and a pattern formed with ink on the printed material. Instead of using the halftone dots corresponding to the change in density, the pattern is segmented into lattice-like unit grids, when the pattern extends entirely on one unit grid, the density is recognized as 100%. The density of the dots is expressed by a line width of a line segment extending from one side to the other side of the unit grid opposed to each other. Each line segment has a gradation constituted by the dots formed by cells or holes with a maximum size.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printed material having a gradation expression in which a hairline or a geometric pattern gradually disappears, and particularly to plate making and printing technology for printing a printed material having a gradation expression in intaglio printing or stencil printing.

  When reproducing gradation or gradation expression in which the density of a pattern such as a hairline or geometric pattern changes stepwise, the size of the fine halftone dots that make up the pattern can be changed continuously or stepwise. Plate making technology that reproduces gradation or gradation expression is used. There are four types of printing methods using plates: letterpress, planographic, intaglio, and stencil. The method of reproducing gradation or gradation expression by changing the size of halftone dots is not limited to the printing method. It's being used.

  A portion where the size of the halftone dots constituting the pattern is small corresponds to a side (0% side) where the color density is low, which is called a highlight portion. On the contrary, a portion with a large halftone dot corresponds to a dark side (100% side) called a shadow portion. In the case of an intaglio, the size of the halftone dot depends on the opening ratio of the depression called a cell, and in the case of the stencil, it depends on the size of the hole on the screen.

  To reproduce this gradation design with a pattern, mask the pattern part that you want to make a gradation tone at the time of plate making, or mask it so that the part other than the gradation is hidden, and the gradation expression pattern prepared in advance from there. Is generally known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  In the above method, image data for two plates is prepared by making a gradation-tone pattern preparation step and a mask creation step during plate making. In addition, in order to reproduce the gradation pattern at the intended position, after adjusting the size of the gradation pattern prepared in advance and adjusting the position where the mask is applied, one image for plate making is finally formed. . By making a printing plate based on the plate-making data thus created and printing using this plate, gradation can be reproduced.

  However, the halftone dot becomes smaller when the gradation is highlighted. In particular, in the case of intaglio and stencil, transfer of ink (ink) from a small cell or hole to a substrate is difficult, and it is difficult to express a highlight portion. As a result, there has been a problem during printing that it is difficult to reproduce a pattern with a smooth gradation in gradation expression. Specifically, when ink is clogged in a cell (intaglio plate) forming a halftone dot or a hole (stencil plate) on a screen, ink transfer failure occurs in that portion. This is one factor that makes it difficult for the ink to transfer when the halftone dot becomes small as in the highlight portion.

  Further, it has been studied to improve the gradation expression of gradation of gradation by adjusting the area of the cell shape so as to be approximately proportional to the density at the time of plate making (for example, see Patent Document 3). However, this method does not change the fact that the halftone dot in the highlight portion becomes relatively small with respect to the halftone dot in the shadow portion, so there is still a risk of ink transfer failure in the small halftone portion in the highlight portion. ing.

JP-A-4-174845 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-110474 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-43835

  As described above, when gradation expression is performed by a conventional plate making method, even if the plate making itself is possible, a state in which ink does not transfer at a small halftone dot portion particularly in a highlight portion occurs when printing is performed. For this reason, since the width of the design which can be reproduced becomes narrow, a method for improving the reproducibility of the highlight portion of the gradation is demanded particularly in intaglio and stencil.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printed matter and a printing method in which, particularly in intaglio printing and stencil printing, the reproducibility of highlight portions is particularly good among gradation expressions in which hairlines and geometric patterns gradually disappear. .

The printed material having the gradation expression of the first aspect according to the present invention includes:
A pattern formed of ink on the substrate;
Have
The pattern is subdivided into a grid-like unit cell instead of forming halftone dots according to the density, and the case where it covers the entire unit cell is regarded as 100% density, and the density change of the pattern is opposed to the unit cell. It has a gradation expression represented by a change in the line width of a line segment extending from one side to the other side, and each line segment is constituted by a halftone dot formed by cells or holes of the maximum size.

The printed material having the gradation expression of the second aspect according to the present invention includes:
A pattern formed of ink on the substrate;
Have
The pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas along the direction of density change of the pattern instead of forming halftone dots according to the density, and the case where the entire area is covered with one rectangular area is regarded as a density of 100%. Is represented by a line width extending along the direction of density change of the pattern, and each line segment is constituted by a halftone dot formed by cells or holes of the maximum size.

A method for processing data for plate making of a printed material printed with a pattern having a gradation expression according to the third aspect of the present invention is a method for processing data for plate making of a printed material printed with a pattern having a gradation expression,
Subdividing image data of a pattern having gradation into a plurality of lattice unit grids;
Setting the density of each unit cell based on the image data contained in each unit cell;
Converting the density of each unit cell to a line width extending from one side to the other side of the unit cell;
Recording plate making data having the position of each unit cell on the plate and the line width of the line segment;
including.

A method for processing data for plate making of a printed material printed with a pattern having a gradation expression according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a method for processing data for plate making of a printed material printed with a pattern having a gradation expression,
Dividing image data of a pattern having gradation into a plurality of rectangular regions along the direction of density change of the pattern;
Setting the density of each rectangular area based on the image data included in each divided rectangular area;
Converting the density of each rectangular area into a line width extending from one side of the rectangular area to the other side; and
Recording plate-making data having the position of each rectangular area on the plate and the line width of the line segment;
including.

A printing method for printing a pattern having a gradation expression according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is a printing method for printing a pattern having a gradation expression,
Preparing a substrate;
Instead of forming halftone dots according to density, the pattern is subdivided into a grid-like unit cell with the same shape of cells (or holes) to be formed, and the case where it covers the entire unit cell is regarded as 100% density. The density of each unit cell is represented by the line width of a line segment extending from one side to the other side of the unit cell, and each line segment has a gradation composed of cells or holes of the maximum size. The steps to prepare,
Printing with the plate on the substrate;
including.

A printing method for printing a pattern having a gradation expression according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a printing method for printing a pattern having a gradation expression,
Preparing a substrate;
Instead of forming halftone dots according to the density, the pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas along the direction of density change of the pattern, and the case of covering one rectangular area is regarded as a density of 100%. The density of the image is represented by line widths of line segments extending in the direction of density change of the pattern, each line segment providing a plate having a gradation composed of cells or holes of the largest dimension;
Printing with the plate on the substrate;
including.

A printing method for printing a pattern having gradation expression according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is a printing method for printing a pattern having gradation expression,
Preparing a substrate;
The pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas along the direction of density change of the pattern instead of forming halftone dots according to the density, and the case over one rectangular area is regarded as a density of 100%. The density is represented by the line width of a line segment extending in the direction of density change of the pattern, and each rectangular area is divided into a plurality of unit areas along a direction perpendicular to the direction of density change of the pattern. The line width set to be distributed to the plurality of unit areas and represented as a line segment having a line width distributed in at least one unit area, each line segment being a cell or hole of the largest dimension Preparing a plate having a gradation constituted by:
Printing with the plate on the substrate;
including.

  In the printed material according to the present invention, the size of each cell (or hole) formed in each line segment in each unit cell divided into a lattice shape is macroscopically small. It does not depend on density change, can use the cell of the maximum size, and can avoid the formation of a small cell inferior in ink transferability. As a result, it is considered that the highlight portion can be expressed more clearly.

3 is an enlarged plan view illustrating an example of gradation expression of a pattern of a printed material according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for processing data for plate making of a printed material according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart of a printed material printing method according to the first embodiment. It is the schematic showing that the line segment is comprised by the halftone dot formed by the cell or hole of the largest dimension. (A) is an example showing the relationship between line width and density, (b) is another example showing the relationship between line width and density, and (c) is the line width. It is another different example which shows the relationship between density | concentration and density | concentration. (A) is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the plate-making data processing device, and (b) is a block diagram showing a physical configuration of the plate-making data processing device of (a). 10 is an enlarged plan view showing an example of a gradation expression of a pattern of a printed material according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a top view which shows an example of the gradation expression about the some hairline 30a. 6 is a flowchart of a method for processing plate making data according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of a printing method for printing a pattern having gradation expression according to the second embodiment. 10 is an enlarged plan view illustrating an example of a gradation expression of a pattern of a printed matter 60 according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for processing data for plate making of a printed matter on which a picture having gradation expression according to a third embodiment is printed. 14 is a flowchart of a modification of the plate-making data processing method according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of a printing method for printing a pattern having gradation expression according to the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a printed material having gradation expression and a printing method for printing the printed material according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, substantially the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
<Printed matter>
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a printed material 1 including a pattern having a gradation expression according to the first embodiment. The printed material 1 includes a printing material (which is a base of a pattern, not shown) and a pattern formed with ink on the printing material. Furthermore, instead of forming halftone dots according to the density, the case where each unit cell 2 subdivided into a lattice shape covers the entire unit cell is regarded as a density of 100%. Further, the change in pattern density is represented as a change in the line width of the line segment 3 extending from one side to the other side of the unit cell. In this printed matter 1, instead of halftone dots, the pattern itself is divided into a plurality of unit grids, and gradation expression is performed by expressing the shading with the thickness or thinness of the line width in each unit grid. It is characterized by. The unit cell is not limited to a rectangle, but may be a rhombus in which each line constituting the unit cell forms an acute angle. The unit cell is not limited to a quadrangle, and may be a polygon such as a triangle.

Further, the printed matter 1 is characterized in that the pattern itself is divided into a lattice unit grid, and the density change of the pattern is represented by the width of a rectangular line segment in the unit grid. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, each line segment 3 is constituted by a halftone dot 4 formed by a cell or hole of the maximum size. That is, the size of the cell or hole for forming the pattern is kept at the maximum dimension. A density of 100% can be realized by the halftone dots 4 formed by cells or holes of the maximum size.
In order to form a highlight portion as in the prior art, the size of the cell or the hole of the plate is small, so that the transferability of the ink is lowered and the highlight portion cannot be expressed well.
In the present invention, as described above, instead of forming halftone dots according to the density of the printed matter, the density change of the pattern is changed with respect to the line width of the line segment 3 for each unit cell 2 subdivided into a lattice shape. It represents as. Further, since each line segment 3 can be formed by a cell or a hole having the maximum size, the highlight portion can be expressed more clearly without impairing the ink transferability.

  Note that the line width of the line segment 3 of the unit cell 2 may be changed in a direction perpendicular to the change direction of the pattern density. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the line segment 3 of the unit cell 2 may be set by a predetermined relational expression between the expressed density and the line width.

  The example of the to-be-printed material and ink which comprise the printed material which concerns on this invention below is shown. In addition, the following examples of the printing material and ink are examples, and are not limited to these.

<Substrate>
The material of the printed material such as paper or film for printing the pattern is not particularly limited as long as it is compatible with the ink to be used. Note that, even in a highlight portion of gradation expression, even a printing material made of a material that is difficult to transfer ink may be used because the above-described effects of the present invention are obtained. Further, in order to improve the transferability of the ink, surface treatment such as modification by corona treatment or provision of a receiving layer or an easy adhesion layer may be performed on the surface of the printing material.

<Ink>
In printing, it is desirable to use an ink suitable for the printing method. By using an ink suitable for each printing method, printability is exhibited, so that preferable results are obtained in terms of print quality. For example, intaglio printing preferably uses intaglio ink, and stencil printing preferably uses stencil ink.

  Moreover, it does not specifically limit about the composition of the ink to be used. The color material constituting the ink may be a pigment or a dye. A mixed system of the two may also be used. The resin type includes acrylic type, urethane type, vinyl type, etc., but the component is not limited as long as it is an ink that can be used in the printing method to be used. Solvent systems include aromatics such as toluene and xylene, ketones such as methyl isobutyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone, esters such as ethyl acetate and n-butyl acetate, alcohols such as ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol, and the like. However, in the present invention, the components are not limited as long as the ink can maintain a printable state.

<Processing data for plate making data>
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for processing plate-making data of a printed matter on which a pattern having a gradation expression according to the first embodiment is printed.
(A) The image data of a pattern having gradation is subdivided into a lattice unit lattice (S01).
(B) For each subdivided unit cell, the density of each unit cell is set based on the image data included in each unit cell (S02).
(C) The density of each unit cell is converted into a line width extending from one side to the other side of the unit cell (S03).
(D) Plate making data having the position of each unit cell on the plate and the line width of the line segment is recorded (S04).
The plate making data can be created through the above steps.

  It should be noted that the format of the plate-making data is generally more desirable in the case of performing affine transformation on the image data of the pattern, with the vector format in which data deterioration is small even if deformation such as enlargement / reduction is performed. However, since the sharpness of the final printed matter depends on the resolution, it may be a vector format or a raster format.

In addition, the number that changes the density stepwise is easily a multiple of 2 in terms of data processing. Generally, the density change becomes smoother as the number of density changes is increased. However, depending on the designer's taste, there may be a case where it is felt that the smaller the number of density changes, the more the number itself is not limited.
It should be noted that the number for changing the density stepwise is counted as follows for convenience of work. For example, in the case of changing at equal intervals, when the density is changed to 100%, 50%, and 0%, it is counted as changing in two steps. In addition, when changing to 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0%, it is counted as changing to 4 stages. When the interval is not equal, for example, when changing to 100%, 60%, 30%, and 15%, it is counted as three stages.

  Further, in the affine transformation to be performed for each divided unit cell, the line width in the vertical direction may be changed in a stepwise manner with respect to the changing direction of the pattern gradation density. In the affine transformation, the reduction ratio in the line width direction is changed so as to coincide with the density percentage. For example, when the line width of a portion with a density of 100% corresponds to 1 mm, the line width is 0.5 mm in a region with a density of 50%.

Furthermore, the relationship between the width of the line segment and the density may be a linear relationship. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the line segment of each unit cell represents density 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 0% from the left, the line segment representing density 20%. The width of the line segment representing the density 100% with respect to the width x may be 5x. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the line segment of each unit cell represents density 100%, 60%, 20%, and 0% from the left, the width x of the line segment representing the density 20% Thus, the width of the line segment representing the density of 100% may be set to 5x.
As shown in FIG. 5C, when the line segment of each unit cell represents density 100%, 60%, 40%, and 0% from the left, the width x of the line segment representing the density 40% The width of a line segment representing 100% density is 2.5x. In this case, the density difference between the density of the minimum line segment and 0% becomes large.

  As for the minimum line width, it is preferable that the product of the number that is changed stepwise to express gradation of gradation and the minimum line width is equal to or less than the maximum line width. In addition, by making the product of the number of steps changed and the minimum line width equal to or less than the maximum line width, not only the reproducibility in the highlight portion close to 0% of the gradation density is improved, The effect of smoothly reproducing the stepwise density change is obtained.

  Further, the minimum line width is not particularly limited because it is limited by the design, but it is preferably less than 1 mm. Desirably, the thickness is less than 0.5 mm. In consideration of the transferability of the ink and the design of the design, the range of 0.2 mm to 0.02 mm is more desirable if possible. The minimum line width is equal to or greater than the width of the halftone dot formed by the maximum dimension cell or hole as described above. Thereby, even a highlight portion can be reproduced clearly without impairing the transferability of the ink.

<Processing device for plate making data>
6A is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the plate-making data processing apparatus, and FIG. 6B is a physical configuration of the plate-making data processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. The plate making data processing apparatus 10 includes a unit cell subdividing means 12, a unit cell density setting means 14, a density-line width converting means 16, and a plate making data storage means 18 in terms of functional configuration. . The unit grid subdividing means 12 subdivides the image data of the pattern having gradation into a grid unit grid. The unit cell density setting means 14 sets the density of each unit cell based on the image data included in each unit cell. The density-line width conversion means 16 converts the density of each unit cell into a line width extending from one side to the other side of the unit cell. The plate making data storage means 18 records plate making data having the position of each unit cell on the plate and the line width of the line segment.
The plate-making data processing apparatus 10 is similar to an ordinary computer in terms of physical configuration, for example, a CPU 21, a memory 22, an HDD 23, a recording medium reading unit 24 for reading an external recording medium 27, An input / output unit 26 for inputting / outputting the display unit 25, image data 28, and plate making data 29 is provided.

<Plate making method>
The above plate can be created by a normal plate making method. As for intaglio plate making, the method of forming cells on the surface of a cylinder to be a plate is roughly divided into a photolithography method and an engraving method.
First, the photolithography method is a chemical processing method in which a pattern is printed on the surface of a cylinder coated with a photosensitive agent, and cells are formed by corrosion by chemical treatment. There are two types of photolithographic methods, photoengraving, where images are baked through film from the remnants of camera work, and laser stream methods, which are directly baked with a laser beam developed by the Japanese sink laboratory in 1990. The latter is widely used because of its good handling.
On the other hand, the engraving method is a physical processing method in which cells are formed by directly engraving cells on the surface of a cylinder with a diamond needle. This plate making method is sometimes called a helio after the 1963 Heliochrysograph developed by German company HELL.
In addition, the said plate-making system is an illustration, Comprising: Of course, in implementation of this invention, there is no limitation by a plate-making system. In some cases, the effects of the present invention can be used even without a plate if data processing according to the present specification is involved.

<Printing method>
Next, a method for printing a printed material according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a printing method for printing a pattern having a gradation expression according to the first embodiment.
(A) A substrate is prepared (S11).
(B) Instead of forming halftone dots according to the density, the pattern is subdivided into a grid-like unit cell in which the shapes of the cells (or holes) to be formed are the same, and the density is 100 %, The density of the unit cell is represented by the line width of the line segment extending from one side of the unit cell to the other side, and each line segment is a plate having a gradation composed of cells or holes of the largest dimension. Prepare (S12).
(C) Printing on the substrate by the plate (S13).
Through the above steps, a printed matter having a pattern expressed in gradation with ink can be obtained.

(Modification)
If it is difficult to divide this area because the data size is large and it takes time to process the image, it is approximated by applying a Taber shape instead of the stepwise change of the line width in the intermediate area division. You may do it.

(Embodiment 2)
<Printed matter>
FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view illustrating an example of the gradation expression of the pattern of the printed matter 30 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of gradation expression for a plurality of hairlines 30a. Compared with the printed matter according to the first embodiment, the printed matter 30 according to the second embodiment is divided into a plurality of rectangular regions 31 to 41 along the change direction of the pattern density. Is expressed as the line width of line segments 42 to 51 extending along the direction of change in the pattern density. As shown in the enlarged plan view of FIG. 7, the printed material 30 includes a printed material and a pattern formed with ink on the printed material. In this printed matter 30, the pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular regions 31 to 41 along the direction of density change of the pattern, instead of forming halftone dots according to the density. Further, the case of covering one rectangular area is regarded as 100% density, and the density of each rectangular area is represented by the line width of line segments 42 to 51 extending in the direction of density change of the pattern to express gradation. Note that the line width of the rectangular area may be set by a predetermined relational expression between the density to be expressed and the line width. As in the first embodiment, the size of the cell or hole for forming the pattern is the maximum size. That is, each line segment is constituted by a halftone dot formed by cells or holes of the maximum size.
In this printed matter 30, since the density is represented by the line widths of the line segments 42 to 51 extending in the pattern density change direction, for example, when the pattern is a hairline, as shown in FIG. A continuous linear pattern can be reproduced.

<Processing data for plate making>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the plate-making data processing method according to the second embodiment.
(A) The image data of the pattern having gradation is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas 31 to 41 along the direction of the density change of the pattern (S21). Note that the number of divisions is equal to or greater than the number that changes the density stepwise. Further, the interval between the divisions may not be equal along the density change. However, in order to reproduce a smooth density change, it is desirable that the interval be close to the regular interval. Further, the position where the density is 0% may be adjusted to the portion where the gradation ends.
(B) Based on the image data included in each of the rectangular areas 31 to 41, the density of the rectangular areas 31 to 41 is set (S22).
(C) The density of each rectangular area 31 to 41 is converted to the line width of line segments 42 to 51 extending from one side to the other side of each rectangular area (S23).
(D) Plate making data having the positions of the rectangular areas 31 to 41 on the plate and the line widths of the line segments 42 to 51 is recorded (S24).
The plate making data can be created through the above steps.

<Printing method>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a printing method for printing a pattern having a gradation expression according to the second embodiment.
(A) A substrate is prepared (S31).
(B) Instead of halftone dot formation according to density, the pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas along the direction of density change of the pattern. Is represented by the line width of the line segment extending in the direction of the density change of the pattern, and each line segment prepares a plate having gradation composed of cells or holes of the maximum size (S32).
(C) Printing on the substrate by the plate (S33).
Through the above steps, a printed matter having a pattern expressed in gradation with ink can be obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
<Printed matter>
FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view illustrating an example of the gradation expression of the pattern of the printed matter 60 according to the third embodiment. When the printed matter 60 according to the third embodiment is compared with the printed matter according to the second embodiment, the rectangular regions 61 to 71 are further divided into a plurality of unit regions 72 to 76 along a direction perpendicular to the density changing direction. The difference is that the line width set for the rectangular area is distributed to multiple unit areas and expressed as a line segment with the line width allocated to at least one unit area to express gradation. Yes. Specifically, the printed material 60 includes a material to be printed and a pattern formed with ink on the material to be printed. Moreover, in this printed matter 60, the pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas 61 to 71 along the direction of density change of the pattern, instead of forming halftone dots according to the density. Furthermore, the case of covering one whole rectangular area is regarded as 100% density, and the density of each rectangular area 61 to 71 is represented by the line width of the line segment extending in the direction of density change of the pattern. As in the first embodiment, the size of the cell or hole for forming the pattern is the maximum size. That is, each line segment is constituted by a halftone dot formed by cells or holes of the maximum size. Further, each of the rectangular areas 61 to 71 is divided into a plurality of unit areas 72 to 76 along a direction perpendicular to the pattern density changing direction. Further, the line width set in each rectangular area 61 to 71 is distributed to a plurality of unit areas 72 to 76, and the line segment has a line width distributed in at least one unit area 72 to 76. Expresses gradations.

In addition, in each side where two unit regions 72 to 76 adjacent to each other in the pattern density change direction are in contact with each other, each unit region 72 is set so that the length of the portion in contact with the end of each line segment is minimized. Line segments may be rearranged within ~ 76. The rearrangement procedure is performed as follows.
(I) First, each rectangular area 61 to 71 is divided into a plurality of unit areas 72 to 76 along the direction perpendicular to the gradation density changing direction.
(Ii) Next, the line width set in each of the rectangular areas 61 to 71 is distributed to the plurality of unit areas 72 to 76. Specifically, the line width set in one rectangular area is allocated to the number of unit areas 72 to 76, for example. In this case, the distribution to the unit areas 72 to 76 may be the same line width or different. In addition, it is not necessary to distribute to all the unit areas 72 to 76, and it may be allocated to at least one unit area. The total of the allocated line widths is the same as the line width set in the rectangular area. Furthermore, the line width allocated to one unit area is not less than the maximum width of a plate cell or hole. This makes it possible to maintain good ink transferability.
(Iii) Next, the position of the end of the line segment is moved within one unit region. The direction in which the position of the end of the line segment is moved is the direction perpendicular to the gradation density change direction. Further, when moving the end of the line segment, it is preferable to minimize the length of the portion of the unit region that is adjacent to each other along the direction of density change. Further, when rearranging the line segments, it is preferable that the intervals of the line segments in the direction perpendicular to the density change direction be equal intervals, but the present invention is not limited to this.

<Processing data for plate making>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a processing method for plate-making data of a printed material on which a pattern having a gradation expression according to the third embodiment is printed.
(A) Image data of a pattern having gradation is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas 61 to 71 along the direction of density change of the pattern (S41).
(B) Based on the image data included in each rectangular area 61-71, the density of each rectangular area 61-71 is set (S42).
(C) The density of each of the rectangular areas 61 to 71 is converted into a line width extending from one side to the other side of the rectangular area (S43).
(D) Each rectangular area 61-71 is divided into a plurality of unit areas 72-76 along a direction perpendicular to the pattern density changing direction (S44).
(E) The line widths set in the rectangular areas 61 to 71 are distributed to the plurality of unit areas 72 to 76 and expressed as line segments each having a line width allocated in at least one unit area. (S45).
(F) Recording plate making data having the position of each unit area on the plate and the line width allocated to each unit area (S46),
The plate making data can be created through the above steps.
Thereby, the line segment of one rectangular area can be distributed to the line segments of a plurality of unit areas. For this reason, since the line segment does not shift to one place in the rectangular area, it is possible to make it appear that the pattern has a width when the entire pattern is viewed.

(Modification)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a modification of the plate-making data processing method according to the third embodiment. In the flowchart of this modification, as compared with the flowchart of FIG. 12, a step (S45) representing as line segments each having a line width allocated in at least one unit area, and a step of recording plate-making data (S46) Is different in that it includes the following steps.
(G) A line within each unit region is set so that the length of the portion where the end of each line segment is in contact with each other in the adjacent sides of the two unit regions adjacent to each other in the pattern density change direction is minimized. Minutes are rearranged (S47).
As a result, the line segments can be dispersed and rearranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the density change of the pattern so that the line segments are not biased to a part of each unit cell obtained by dividing the pattern on the printed matter. When you look at the entire pattern, you can make it look like the pattern has a width.

<Printing method>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a printing method for printing a pattern having a gradation expression according to the third embodiment.
(A) A substrate is prepared (S51).
(B) Instead of halftone dot formation according to density, the pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas along the direction of density change of the pattern. Is represented by the line width of the line segment extending in the direction of the density change of the pattern, and each rectangular area is divided into a plurality of unit areas along a direction perpendicular to the direction of change in the density of the pattern, and is set as a rectangular area. The line width is distributed to a plurality of unit areas and expressed as a line segment having a line width distributed in at least one unit area, and each line segment has a gradation composed of cells or holes of the maximum size. A plate having the same is prepared (S52).
(C) Printing on the substrate by the above plate (S53).
Through the above steps, a printed matter having a pattern expressed in gradation with ink can be obtained.

  Since the printed matter, the method for processing data for plate making, and the printing method according to the present invention can clearly express a highlight portion in the gradation expression, the printed matter and the printing method having gradation expression particularly in intaglio printing and stencil printing. Useful as.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 30, 30a, 60 Printed matter 2 Unit lattice 3 Line segment 4 Halftone dot 10 Data processing apparatus 12 for plate making Unit lattice subdivision means 14 Unit lattice density setting means 16 Density-line width conversion means 18 Plate making data storage means 21 CPU
22 Memory 23 HDD
24 recording medium reading unit 25 display unit 26 input / output unit 27 recording medium 28 image data 29 plate making data 31 to 41 rectangular area 42 to 51 line segment 61 to 71 rectangular area 72 to 76 unit area

Claims (18)

The substrate,
A pattern formed of ink on the substrate;
Have
The pattern is subdivided into a grid-like unit cell instead of halftone dot formation according to the density, and the case of covering one unit cell as a whole is regarded as a density of 100%, and the density of the image is opposed to the unit cell. Represented by the line width of a line segment extending from one side to the other side, each line segment has a gradation expression composed of halftone dots formed by cells or holes of the maximum size.   The printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the line width of the line segment of the unit cell is changed in a direction perpendicular to a change direction of the density of the pattern.   The line segment of the unit cell is set by a relational expression in which a product of a number that is changed stepwise to express gradation of gradation and a minimum line width is equal to or less than the maximum line width. Or the printed matter of 2. The substrate,
A pattern formed of ink on the substrate;
Have
The pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas along the direction of density change of the pattern instead of forming halftone dots according to the density, and the case where the entire area is covered with one rectangular area is regarded as a density of 100%. A printed matter having a gradation expression constituted by halftone dots formed by cells or holes of the maximum size, each line segment being represented by a line width extending along the direction of density change of the pattern.   The line width of the rectangular area is set by a relational expression in which a product of a number that is changed stepwise to express gradation of gradation and a minimum line width is equal to or less than the maximum line width. Printed matter described in 1.   The rectangular area is divided into a plurality of unit areas along a direction perpendicular to the direction of change in the density of the pattern, and a line width set for the rectangular area is allocated to the plurality of unit areas, and at least The printed matter according to claim 5, wherein the printed matter is represented as a line segment having a line width distributed in one unit region.   In each of the unit regions, the length of the portion where the end of each line segment is in contact is minimized in each side of two unit regions adjacent to each other in the direction of change in the pattern density. The printed matter according to claim 6, wherein the minutes are rearranged.   The printed matter according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the line segment set in each unit area is distributed from the rectangular area to each unit area so as to have a line width of 0.02 mm or more. A method for processing data for plate making of printed matter on which a pattern having gradation expression is printed,
Subdividing image data of a pattern having gradation into a plurality of lattice unit grids;
Setting the density of each unit cell based on the image data contained in each unit cell;
Converting the density of each unit cell to a line width extending from one side to the other side of the unit cell;
Recording plate making data having the position of each unit cell on the plate and the line width of the line segment;
A method for processing data for plate making, including A method for processing data for plate making of printed matter on which a pattern having gradation expression is printed,
Dividing image data of a pattern having gradation into a plurality of rectangular regions along the direction of density change of the pattern;
Setting the density of each rectangular area based on the image data included in each divided rectangular area;
Converting the density of each rectangular area into a line width extending from one side of the rectangular area to the other side; and
Recording plate-making data having the position of each rectangular area on the plate and the line width of the line segment;
A method for processing data for plate making, including Dividing each rectangular area into a plurality of unit areas along a direction perpendicular to the direction of change in the density of the pattern;
Allocating line widths set for each rectangular area to the plurality of unit areas, and representing the line segments having line widths allocated in at least one unit area;
Further including
The step of recording plate-making data having the position of each rectangular area on the plate and the line width of the line segment includes the position of each unit area on the plate and the line segment allocated to each unit area. The method for processing plate-making data according to claim 10, which is read as a step of recording plate-making data having a line width of.   In each of the unit regions, the length of the portion where the end of each line segment is in contact is minimized in each side of two unit regions adjacent to each other in the direction of change in the pattern density. The method for processing data for plate making according to claim 11, further comprising a step of arranging minutes.   The plate-making data according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein a product of a number that is changed stepwise to express gradation of gradation and a minimum line width is equal to or less than a maximum line width. Processing method.   A computer program for causing a computer to execute each step of the plate-making data processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.   A computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program according to claim 14. A printing method for printing a pattern having gradation expression,
Preparing a substrate;
Instead of forming halftone dots according to density, the pattern is subdivided into a grid-like unit cell with the same shape of cells (or holes) to be formed, and the case where it covers the entire unit cell is regarded as 100% density. The density of each unit cell is represented by the line width of a line segment extending from one side to the other side of the unit cell, and each line segment has a gradation composed of cells or holes of the maximum size. The steps to prepare,
Printing with the plate on the substrate;
Including a printing method. A printing method for printing a pattern having gradation expression,
Preparing a substrate;
Instead of forming halftone dots according to the density, the pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas along the direction of density change of the pattern. The density of the image is represented by line widths of line segments extending in the direction of density change of the pattern, each line segment providing a plate having a gradation composed of cells or holes of the largest dimension;
Printing with the plate on the substrate;
Including a printing method. A printing method for printing a pattern having gradation expression,
Preparing a substrate;
Instead of forming halftone dots according to the density, the pattern is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas along the direction of density change of the pattern, and the case of covering one rectangular area is regarded as a density of 100%. Is represented by a line width extending in the direction of density change of the pattern, and each rectangular area is divided into a plurality of unit areas along a direction perpendicular to the direction of density change of the pattern. A line width set in a region is distributed to the plurality of unit regions and expressed as a line segment having a line width distributed in at least one unit region, and each line segment is a cell having a maximum dimension or Preparing a plate having a gradation constituted by holes,
Printing with the plate on the substrate;
Including a printing method.

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