JP2014069428A - Letterpress for printing, letterpress for printing preparation device, letterpress for printing preparation method, printer, printing method, printing pressure determination device, and printing pressure determination method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply determine that printing pressure is either of appropriate printing pressure or over printing pressure not relating to anilox roller pressure.SOLUTION: Two or more detectors 74a and 74b have different widths from each other and are set to be higher than the lowest projection part 76c in respective projection parts 76a-76c or set to be the same height in a letterpress C for printing that is made by a letterpress for printing preparation device and a letterpress for printing creation method. When a detector image and a solid part image are printed in a body to be printed by a printer and a printing method using the letterpress C for printing, whether printing pressure is appropriate printing pressure or not is determined by comparison between an optical concentration of two or more of the detector images and an optical concentration of the solid part image in a printing pressure determination device and a printing pressure determination method.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing relief plate provided on the surface of a plate material and having protrusions for transferring ink to a printing medium to print halftone dots. The present invention also relates to a printing relief plate producing apparatus and a printing relief plate producing method for producing the printing relief plate. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method for printing halftone dots by transferring ink from the printing relief plate to a printing medium. Furthermore, the present invention provides a printing pressure determination device that determines whether or not the magnitude of the printing pressure applied to the printing relief plate is an appropriate printing pressure when transferring ink from the printing relief plate to the printing medium. And a printing pressure determination method.

  For example, in flexographic printing, a printing relief plate made of a flexible and elastic plate material is attached to the surface of the plate cylinder, and the surface of the printing relief plate (plate surface) is transferred to a substrate by printing ink. Protrusions for printing dots are formed. Here, when ink is supplied from the anilox roller to the printing plate while the printing substrate is held between the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder, the ink is transferred from the printing plate to the printing substrate, and a halftone dot is formed on the printing substrate. Can be printed. As a result, a desired image can be transferred (printed) to the printing medium.

  In this case, the printing condition of the printing medium is determined by adjusting the pressure between the anilox roller and the printing plate (ani pressure) and the pressure between the printing plate and the printing medium (printing pressure). The printing pressure is preferably as low as possible (minimum pressure required to transfer the entire image satisfactorily) in order to transfer the entire image (picture) onto the printing medium.

  In Patent Document 1, when a detection part lower than the image line part as the protrusion part is formed on the printing plate, and the ink of the detection part is transferred to the printing medium, excessive printing pressure (hereinafter also referred to as overprinting pressure). )) Is disclosed as a technique for determining whether it is on the printing plate.

  Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose that the printing pressure is adjusted based on the line width or density of the linear portion printed on the printing medium.

  Further, Patent Document 4 inspects the quality of the printing relief plate by transferring the ink from the quality confirmation convex portion formed on the printing plate to the printing material and confirming the image transferred to the printing material. It is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 4682855 JP-A-2-9635 JP 2009-881 A JP 2002-137558 A

  The technique of Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that ink is supplied to the detection unit. On the other hand, the ink is transferred from the anilox roller to the printing plate with an ani pressure such that the ink is supplied to the lowest portion of the image area (the lowest protrusion when a plurality of protrusions are formed). It must be a necessary condition. Therefore, the ink is not necessarily supplied to the detection unit that is lower than the image line unit.

  Therefore, in the technique of Patent Document 1, in a state where ink is not supplied to the detection unit, when the printing body is sandwiched between the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder and the ink attached to the plate surface is transferred to the printing body, Since the ink does not transfer from the detection unit to the printing medium, printing is performed at an optimum printing pressure (hereinafter also referred to as appropriate printing pressure) even if the printing pressure is excessive. There is a problem of misjudging it. Further, Patent Documents 2 to 4 do not disclose a technique for solving the above problem.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and it is possible to easily determine whether the printing pressure is the appropriate printing pressure or the overprinting pressure regardless of the condition of the ani pressure. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing relief plate. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing relief plate producing apparatus and a printing relief plate producing method capable of producing such a relief printing plate. Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide the printing apparatus and printing method which can print a to-be-printed body using the said relief printing plate. Furthermore, the present invention provides a printing method that can easily determine whether the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure or an overprinting pressure based on an image printed on a printing medium using the printing relief plate. An object is to provide a pressure determination device and a printing pressure determination method.

  The present invention relates to a printing relief plate provided on the surface of a plate material and having protrusions for transferring halftone dots by transferring ink to a printing medium.

  And the relief printing plate concerning this invention has the following structure in order to achieve said objective.

  That is, on the surface of the plate material, a solid portion, an image line forming region in which a plurality of the protrusions are formed, and the printing relief plate when ink is transferred from the printing relief plate to the printing medium. A plurality of detection units for determining the magnitude of the printing pressure are provided. In this case, each protrusion and each detector are lower than the solid part. Each of the detection units has a width different from each other, and is higher than the lowest highlight projection among the projections, or the same height as the highlight projection.

  Then, the density of a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the detection units to the printing medium and the transfer of the ink from the solid part to the printing medium. It is possible to determine whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure by comparing with the density of the solid portion image printed on the printing body.

  Thus, in the relief printing plate according to the present invention, each of the detection units is set to be higher than or the same as the lowest projection (the highlight projection). Therefore, for example, even if the ani pressure is set to the lowest pressure that matches the printing conditions of the substrate, ink can be supplied to the highlight protrusion and each detection unit, and each detection Each detection part image can be printed by reliably transferring the ink adhering to the part to the printing medium.

  Further, if the widths of the respective detection units are different from each other, even if the same printing pressure is applied to the respective detection units, the way of applying ink transferred from the respective detection units to the printing medium is different from each other. The widths of the respective detection unit images corresponding to the detection units are also different from each other. That is, the wider the width of the detection portion, the easier the ink is transferred to the printing medium, and the density of the detection portion image corresponding to the detection portion approaches the density of the solid portion image.

  Therefore, in the present invention, by comparing the density of each of the detection portion images having different widths with the density of the solid portion image, the printing pressure is set to an appropriate printing pressure or an excess pressure regardless of the magnitude of the ani pressure. It is possible to easily determine which is the printing pressure.

  In order to produce such a relief printing plate according to the present invention, the relief printing plate production apparatus and the relief printing plate production method may be configured as follows.

  That is, the printing relief plate producing apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for producing the printing relief plate, and a binary image data generation unit that produces binary image data based on multivalued image data representing a print image; A plate shape determining unit that generates shape data indicating each shape of the solid portion, the image forming region including the protrusions, and the detection units based on the binary image data; A printing relief printing plate creating section for creating the printing relief printing plate based on shape data.

  The printing relief printing method according to the present invention is a method for producing the printing relief printing plate, the step of generating binary image data based on multi-value image data representing a printing image, and the binary image Generating the shape data indicating the shapes of the solid portion, the image forming area including the protrusions, and the shapes of the detection portions based on the data; and for printing based on the shape data Creating a letterpress.

  On the other hand, a printing apparatus and a printing method for performing printing on the printing medium using the printing relief plate according to the present invention may be configured as follows.

  That is, the printing device according to the present invention is a device that prints the halftone dots on the printing medium using the printing relief plate, the anilox roller, and the printing relief plate is attached to the anilox roller from the anilox roller. Ink is transferred from the protrusions to the printing body by sandwiching the printing body in cooperation with a printing cylinder to which ink is transferred to the printing relief plate and the printing cylinder to which the printing relief plate is attached. And an impression cylinder for transferring the halftone dots on the substrate.

  The printing method according to the present invention is a method of printing the halftone dots on the substrate using the printing relief plate, and transferring ink from the anilox roller to the printing relief plate attached to the plate cylinder. And transferring the ink from the protrusions to the printing body in a state where the printing body is sandwiched between the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder to which the printing relief plate is attached, to the printing body. Printing the halftone dots.

  Then, based on the detection part image and the solid part image printed on the substrate using the relief printing plate according to the present invention, whether the printing pressure is the appropriate printing pressure or the overprinting pressure Therefore, the printing pressure determination device and the printing pressure determination method may be configured as follows.

  That is, the printing pressure determination device according to the present invention is a device that determines the magnitude of the printing pressure applied to the printing relief plate when printing halftone dots on the printing material, from the detection units described above. An imaging unit that captures at least a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by ink transfer to the printing medium, the density of each detection unit image captured by the imaging unit, and the solid part And a determination unit that determines whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure based on a comparison with the density of the solid image printed on the printing medium by the transfer of ink to the printing body.

  Further, the printing pressure determination method according to the present invention is a method for determining the magnitude of printing pressure applied to the printing relief plate when printing halftone dots on the printing material, from the detection units described above. Imaging at least a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by transfer of ink to the printing medium, density of each of the detected detection unit images, and ink from the solid part to the printing medium Determining whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure based on a comparison with the density of the solid image printed on the printing medium by the transfer of the printing.

  Since the above-described printing relief creating apparatus, printing relief creating method, printing apparatus, printing method, printing pressure determination apparatus, and printing pressure determination method are all apparatuses or methods related to the printing relief plate according to the present invention. The effects of the relief printing plate can be obtained.

  And it is preferable that this invention further has the structure of following [1]-[5].

  [1] If the density of each detection part image is lower than the density of the solid part image, even if ink is transferred from each detection part to the printing medium, the printing pressure is the appropriate printing pressure. On the other hand, it is preferable that the printing pressure is determined to be an overprinting pressure if there is at least one detection unit image substantially equal to the density of the solid image among the detection unit images.

  The solid portion is a portion which is substantially flat and has a certain area or more in the printing relief plate, and is formed at a position higher than other portions constituting the printing relief plate.

  Therefore, when the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure, the printing surface of the printing relief plate is in a kiss-touch state with respect to the printing material, and the ink is firmly transferred from the solid portion to the printing material. The ink is transferred from each of the detection units to the substrate to be printed with a light touch. In this case, the density of the solid image is approximately 100% (the density of the filled image without a halftone dot), and the density of each detection unit image is different even if the width of each detection unit is different from each other. The density is lower than that of the solid image.

  On the other hand, the wider the detection portion, the easier the ink is transferred to the printing medium. Therefore, when the printing pressure is excessive printing pressure, the ink is firmly attached to the printing material from at least one detection portion. The density of the detection part image corresponding to the detection part becomes substantially equal to the density of the solid part image.

  Therefore, in the present invention, as described above, by comparing the density of each detection unit image and the density of the solid image, whether or not the printing pressure is an overprinting pressure can be easily and reliably determined. Can be determined.

  [2] As described above, the wider the detection unit, the more easily ink is transferred to the printing medium. Therefore, the detection unit image corresponding to the detection unit having a relatively wide width among the detection unit images. Is approximately equal to the density of the solid image, it can be easily determined that the printing pressure is an overprinting pressure.

  [3] Further, as described above, because of the difference in the width of each of the detection units, the way in which ink is transferred from each of the detection units to the print medium is also different. It may be determined whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure based on a density difference between two detection unit images corresponding to at least two detection units having different widths. For example, based on the relative density difference between the density of the detection unit image corresponding to the detection unit having a relatively wide width and the density of the detection unit image corresponding to the detection unit having a relatively narrow width, the printing pressure is appropriately printed. What is necessary is just to determine whether it is a pressure or an overprinting pressure.

  [4] Each detection part is a recess formed in the solid part, and the height position of the bottom surface of each recess is higher than the height position of the top of the highlight protrusion, or It is preferable that it is the same height position as this top part. As a result, the ink supplied from the anilox roller can be stored in each of the recesses, and the stored ink can be reliably transferred to the printing medium.

  [5] When at least two detection units having different widths are used as one detection unit, it is preferable to provide a plurality of detection unit units on the surface of the plate material. In this case, if the ink is transferred from each detection unit of each detection unit to the printing medium, a plurality of the detection unit images can be printed on the printing medium. Therefore, the density of each detection unit image is compared with the density of the solid image, and by the majority of the number of detection unit images according to the appropriate printing pressure and the number of detection unit images according to the overprinting pressure. What is necessary is just to determine whether the said printing pressure is the said appropriate printing pressure or the said excessive printing pressure.

  The relief printing plate as a whole may have some degree of height variation (height distribution). Accordingly, a plurality of the detection unit units are provided, and the printing pressure is determined to be the appropriate printing pressure by majority decision based on a comparison result between the density of each detection unit image and the density of the solid image corresponding to each detection unit. Alternatively, if it is determined whether the overprinting pressure is present, the influence of the height variation of each detection unit on the determination result of the printing pressure is suppressed, and the determination of the appropriate printing pressure or the overprinting pressure is accurate. Can be done well.

  According to the present invention, in the relief printing plate, the plurality of detection portions are set higher than or the same as the lowest protrusion (highlight protrusion). Therefore, for example, even if the ani pressure is set to the lowest pressure that matches the printing condition of the printing medium, ink can be supplied to the highlight protrusion and each detection unit. Each detection part image can be printed by reliably transferring the ink adhering to the printing material to the printing medium.

  Further, if the widths of the respective detection units are different from each other, even if the same printing pressure is applied to the respective detection units, the way of applying ink transferred from the respective detection units to the printing medium is different from each other. The widths of the respective detection unit images corresponding to the detection units are also different from each other. That is, the wider the width of the detection portion, the easier the ink is transferred to the printing medium, and the density of the detection portion image corresponding to the detection portion approaches the density of the solid portion image.

  Therefore, in the present invention, by comparing the density of each of the detection unit images having different widths with the density of the solid image, the printing pressure can be set to an appropriate printing pressure or overprinting pressure regardless of the magnitude of the ani pressure. It is possible to easily determine which one is.

It is a schematic block diagram of the relief printing plate production apparatus for producing the relief printing plate concerning this embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration of a flexographic printing machine that performs printing on a printing medium using a printing relief plate created by the printing relief printing plate creation apparatus of FIG. 1 and a printing pressure determination device that determines the magnitude of the printing pressure of the printing relief plate. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the laser engraving machine which comprises the engraving type CTP drawing machine of FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a printing relief plate produced by the printing relief printing plate production apparatus of FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing along the VV line of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the VI-VI line of FIG. It is the typical top view which illustrated two detection parts from which width differs. It is sectional drawing along the VIII-VIII line of FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the amount of biting according to printing pressure, and optical density. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement (printing pressure determination method) of the printing pressure determination apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the table which shows the relationship between the printing pressure memorize | stored in the memory of FIG. 2, and optical density.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be given and described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Description of Printing Plate Making Device and Printing Plate Making Method According to this Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing relief plate creating apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment basically includes a RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing unit 12, a screening processing unit 14, a plate shape determination unit 16, and a printing. And a letterpress creating part 18 for printing.

  The RIP processing unit 12 generates page description language (PDF) data such as PDF (Portable Document Format) data and PS (PostScript (registered trademark)) data representing a vector image of a printed document edited using a computer or the like. The raster image data Ir is developed.

  The screening processing unit 14 screens the raster image data Ir under conditions such as a predetermined network (AM halftone dot, FM halftone dot, halftone dot shape), angle, screen line number, and the like to obtain binary image data. Conversion to Ib (step of generating binary image data).

  The plate shape determining unit 16 processes the surface of a flexographic plate material (elastic material made of synthetic resin or rubber) into a desired shape according to a vector image, and forms a printing relief plate C according to this embodiment to be described later. In order to create, binary image data Ib is converted into height level data Lh and width level data Lw corresponding to the desired shape (step of generating shape data). The height level data Lh is shape data indicating the height positions of protrusions and recesses formed on the surface (plate surface) of the printing relief plate C, and the width level data Lw is shape data indicating the width of the recesses and the like. It is.

  As will be described later, the engraving type CTP drawing machine 18b creates a printing relief plate C by performing laser engraving on the flexographic printing plate material in the depth direction. Therefore, the plate shape determination unit 16 can generate the height level data Lh so that the width of the concave portion is taken into account, and can omit the generation of the width level data Lw.

  The printing relief creating unit 18 includes a data conversion unit 18a and an engraving CTP (Computer To Plate) drawing machine 18b. The data conversion unit 18a converts the height level data Lh into depth data D indicating the distance in the depth direction of the flexographic printing plate. The engraving-type CTP drawing machine 18b performs a laser engraving process on the flexographic printing plate based on the depth data D (and the width level data Lw), thereby producing a printing relief plate C on which a plurality of protrusions and recesses are formed. Create (step to create a letterpress for printing).

[Description of Printing Apparatus and Printing Method According to this Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 2, a flexographic printing machine 20 as a printing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a printing relief plate C as a flexographic printing plate prepared as described above, and the printing relief plate C is a double-sided tape or the like. A plate cylinder 24 attached via a cushion tape 22, an anilox roller 28 to which ink is supplied by a doctor chamber 26, and an impression cylinder 30.

  When ink is transferred from the anilox roller 28 to the projections formed on the surface (plate surface) of the printing relief plate C (step of transferring ink to the printing relief plate), the ink attached to the projections is used for printing. It is transferred (transferred) to a printing body 32 such as corrugated board which is sandwiched and conveyed between the plate cylinder 24 to which the relief plate C is attached and the impression cylinder 30. Various images including halftone dots are formed (printed) on the printing medium 32 by transferring ink from the protrusions or the like to the printing medium 32, and a desired printed matter P is created (step of printing halftone dots). .

  Note that the basic configurations of the relief printing plate making apparatus 10 and the flexographic printing machine 20 are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-224878 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-227304. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Description of Printing Pressure Determination Device According to the Present Embodiment]
A printing pressure determination apparatus according to the present embodiment, which includes an imaging unit 34, a determination processing unit 36, and a memory 38 on the downstream side (downward in FIG. 2) of the printed material P (the printed material 32 after printing). 39 is arranged.

  The imaging unit 34 is a camera that captures an image printed on the printed matter P, and outputs an imaging signal indicating the captured image to the determination processing unit 36.

  The determination processing unit 36 detects the optical density of a predetermined portion in the image indicated by the imaging signal. In this case, the memory 38 stores a table indicating the relationship between the optical density of a predetermined portion and the printing pressure applied to the plate surface of the printing relief plate C during printing. The determination processing unit 36 refers to the table stored in the memory 38 and specifies (estimates) the printing pressure according to the detected optical density. Then, if the specified printing pressure is less than a predetermined printing pressure threshold, the determination processing unit 36 determines that the printed matter P has been printed with the optimum printing pressure (appropriate printing pressure), while the specified printing pressure is If it is equal to or higher than the printing pressure threshold, it is determined that the printed matter P has been printed with an excessive printing pressure (overprinting pressure). The determination result in the determination processing unit 36 is notified to the outside.

  The detailed operation (printing pressure determination method) of the printing pressure determination device 39 will be described later.

[Description of the relief printing plate according to the present embodiment]
Prior to the description of the printing relief plate C, the laser engraving machine 40 constituting the engraving type CTP drawing machine 18b for producing the printing relief plate C will be described with reference to FIG.

  The laser engraving machine 40 includes an exposure head 42, a focus position changing mechanism 44, and an intermittent feeding mechanism 46 in the sub-scanning direction AS.

  The focus position changing mechanism 44 includes a motor 50 and a ball screw 52 that move the exposure head 42 back and forth with respect to the drum 48 to which the flexographic plate material (plate material) F is attached. The focus position is changed under the control of the motor 50. be able to.

  The intermittent feed mechanism 46 moves the stage 54 on which the exposure head 42 is mounted in the sub-scanning direction AS, and includes a ball screw 56 and a sub-scan motor 58 that rotates the ball screw 56. By controlling the sub-scanning motor 58, the exposure head 42 is intermittently fed in the direction of the axis 60 of the drum 48.

  The flexographic printing material F is chucked by the chuck member 62 on the drum 48. The position of the chuck member 62 is set in a region where exposure by the exposure head 42 is not performed. In this case, the surface of the flexographic printing plate F is projected by irradiating the flexographic printing plate F on the rotating drum 48 with the laser beam L from the exposure head 42 while rotating the drum 48 about the axis 60. Laser engraving is performed to form a portion or the like. Then, when the chuck member 62 passes in front of the exposure head 42 by the rotation of the drum 48, laser engraving for the next line is performed by performing intermittent feeding in the sub-scanning direction AS.

  In this way, the exposure operation position is controlled by repeating the feeding of the flexographic printing plate F in the main scanning direction MS by the rotation of the drum 48 and the intermittent feeding of the exposure head 42 in the sub-scanning direction AS. The intensity and on / off of the laser beam L are controlled by depth data D (and width level data Lw) for each exposure operation position. As a result, a protrusion or the like, which is a relief having a desired shape, is laser engraved on the main surface (plate surface) of the flexographic plate material F.

  The flexographic printing material F on which the protrusions and the like are formed in this manner is used as a printing relief plate C, and is mounted on the flexographic printing machine 20 described above.

  Next, the letterpress C for printing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the printing relief plate C, the ink is transferred from the anilox roller 28 (see FIG. 2), and the transferred ink is transferred (transferred) to the printing body 32. A line forming region 70, a solid portion 72, and a plurality of detection unit 73 are formed.

  In this case, a frame-like solid portion 72 is formed along four sides of the plate surface of the substantially rectangular printing relief plate C, and the inside of the solid portion 72 is formed as the image line forming region 70. In addition, a plurality of detection unit units 73 are provided at predetermined intervals on two opposing sides of the frame-like solid portion 72. Each detection unit 73 has two detection units 74a and 74b that are rectangular and have different widths.

  In FIG. 4, the detection units 74 a of the detection unit units 73 have the same shape, the detection units 74 b have the same shape, and the width in the left-right direction of each detection unit 74 a is the detection unit 74 b. The case where it is narrower than the width | variety of the left-right direction is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the image line forming region 70 is formed as a concave portion in which the central portion of the printing plate of the printing relief plate C is recessed downward (plate cylinder 24 side), and a plurality of protrusions are formed in the concave portion. 76a to 76c are formed.

  Each of the projecting portions 76 a to 76 c is formed in a trapezoidal cross section, and the top portions 78 a to 78 c are all set to be lower than the height of the solid portion 72. Moreover, although each top part 78a-78c is made into flat shape, it may become a round shape according to the processing precision of the laser engraving machine 40 in fact. In the present embodiment, it is desirable that at least the top portion 78c is flat.

  Of the plurality of protrusions 76a to 76c, the top part 78c of the protrusion part (highlight protrusion part) 76c is set lower than the top parts 78a and 78b of the other protrusion parts 76a and 76b. Here, Lhc is the height from the bottom surface 80 to the top 78c of the concave portion, which is the image forming area 70, and Dhc is the depth from the height of the solid portion 72 to the top 78c.

  Note that the height Lhc is a part of the height level data Lh supplied from the plate shape determination unit 16 (see FIG. 1) to the printing relief plate creating unit 18, and the depth Dhc is engraved from the data conversion unit 18a. This is a part of the depth data D supplied to the mold CTP drawing machine 18b. That is, the height level data Lh includes the heights of the protrusions 76a to 76c including the height Lhc, the height of the solid part 72, and the heights of the detection parts 74a and 74b. D includes the depths of the protrusions 76a to 76c including the depth Dhc, the depth of the solid portion 72, and the depths of the detection portions 74a and 74b. That is, the above-described plate shape determining unit 16 (see FIG. 1) sets the shapes of the solid portion 72, the detecting portions 74a and 74b, and the protruding portions 76a to 76c formed on the plate surface of the printing relief plate C to a height level. The data is output as data Lh to the relief printing plate creating unit 18.

  On the other hand, the two types of detection units 74a and 74b constituting the plurality of detection unit units 73 are formed as recesses that are recessed downward (on the plate cylinder 24 side) in the solid portion 72, and the recesses are formed as protrusions 76a to 76a. The protrusions 76a to 76c are formed wider than the protrusions 76c so as to be distinguished from the protrusions 76c.

  Here, for each detection unit 74a as a recess, the depth of the bottom surface 82a is Dda, and the width in the left-right direction in FIGS. 4 and 5 is Lwa. In addition, for each detection unit 74b as a recess, the depth of the bottom surface 82b is Ddb, and the width in the left-right direction is Lwb. In FIG. 5, Lwa <Lwb and Dda = Ddb <Dhc, and the height positions of the bottom surfaces 82a and 82b of the detection parts 74a and 74b are higher than the height position of the top part 78c of the lowest protrusion 76c. Is set.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the height position of the top portion 78c of the lowest protrusion 76c and the height position of the bottom surfaces 82a and 82b of the detection portions 74a and 74b are the same height. May be.

  That is, in this embodiment, (1) each top part 78a-78c and bottom face 82a, 82b is lower than the solid part 72, and (2) bottom face 82a, 82b is set higher than the lowest top part 78c, or It is preferable that the lowest top portion 78c and the bottom surfaces 82a and 82b are set at the same height. In the present embodiment, in each detection unit 73, the widths of at least two detection units 74a and 74b are preferably different from each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is also possible to configure one detection unit 73 with three or more detection units having different widths.

  When the printing relief plate C configured as described above is attached to the plate cylinder 24 via the cushion tape 22, ink is supplied from the anilox roller 28 to the printing plate surface of the printing relief plate C, and the printing plate surface is subjected to an appropriate printing pressure. Then, the plate surface comes into a kiss touch state with respect to the printing body 32 when the printing body 32 comes into contact.

  As a result, the ink adhering to the solid portion 72 is firmly transferred to the printing medium 32, and an image having an optical density of about 100% corresponding to the shape of the solid portion 72 (a frame-shaped solid image without halftone dots ( A solid image)) is printed on the printing material 32.

  The ink supplied from the anilox roller 28 is also stored in the concave portion of the image line forming region 70. In this case, the ink adhering to the top portions 78a to 78c of the protrusions 76a to 76c is transferred to the printing medium 32 with a light touch. As a result, a halftone dot image (protruding portion image) corresponding to the shape of the top portions 78a to 78c is printed on the printing medium 32 with a sufficiently low optical density as compared with the solid portion image.

  In this case, the protruding portion image, which is a halftone dot image, is an image corresponding to the printed document. The lowest protrusion 76c functions as a highlight protrusion for printing a highlight halftone dot on the printing medium 32, and the ani pressure applied to the plate surface of the printing relief plate C from the anilox roller 28 The pressure is set to a low pressure (minimum pressure) at which ink is supplied to the portion 76c. Further, the appropriate printing pressure is such that the ink adhering to the top portion 78c of the projecting portion 76c as the highlight projecting portion is reliably transferred to the printing material 32 and the dot for highlighting is printed. And a sufficiently low optimum pressure (pressure lower than a predetermined printing pressure threshold).

  Further, the ink supplied from the anilox roller 28 is accommodated in the recesses of the detection units 74a and 74b. Here, the transfer of the ink accommodated in the concave portions of the detection portions 74a and 74b to the printing medium 32 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, for convenience of explanation, a case will be described in which only one detection unit 73 composed of two detection units 74a and 74b is provided, as schematically shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the ink 84a is accommodated in the recess of the detection unit 74a, and the ink 84b is accommodated in the recess of the detection unit 74b. Here, the maximum height from the bottom surface 82a of the ink 84a accommodated in the detection unit 74a is set to Dia, and the maximum height from the bottom surface 82b of the ink 84b stored in the detection unit 74b is set to Dib.

  When the printing body 32 is nipped and conveyed by the plate cylinder 24 and the impression cylinder 30 and the ink is transferred from the printing relief plate C to the printing body 32, printing pressure is applied to the printing surface of the printing relief plate C. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the plate surface (upper surface) of the printing relief plate C, which is a contact surface with the substrate 32, is compressed toward the plate cylinder 24 by the depth Dp. Thereby, the shape of the recessed part of each detection part 74a, 74b deform | transforms.

  As described above, since Lwb> Lwa, the amount of ink 84b stored in the detection unit 74b is larger than the amount of ink 84a stored in the detection unit 74a, and the detection unit 74b Due to the pressure, the deformation is larger than that of the detection unit 74a. Therefore, the transfer amount of the ink 84b from the detection unit 74b to the printing medium 32 is larger than the transfer amount of the ink 84a from the detection unit 74a to the printing medium 32. As a result, the way in which the ink 84a is applied from the detection unit 74a to the printing body 32 and the way in which the ink 84b is applied from the detection unit 74b to the printing body 32 are different from each other.

  That is, an image (detection part image) corresponding to the shape of the detection part 74b formed on the printing medium 32 with the ink 84b is based on a detection part image corresponding to the detection part 74a formed on the printing medium 32 with the ink 84a. However, it is wide and the optical density is high.

  However, since the bottom surfaces 82a and 82b of the detection parts 74a and 74b are lower than the solid part 72, the inks 84a and 84b are the same as the ink adhered to the solid part 72 as long as an appropriate printing pressure is applied to the printing relief plate C. In comparison, the image is transferred to the printing material 32 with a light touch. As a result, each of the detection unit images corresponding to the detection units 74a and 74b formed on the printing medium 32 has a width and optical density different from each other, but an image having a sufficiently low optical density compared to the solid image. Become.

  FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the compression amount (biting amount) of the printing relief plate C due to the printing pressure applied to the printing relief plate C and the optical density of the detection unit image, the width Lw (the width Lwa of the detection unit 74a and the detection unit). It is plotted for each width Lwb) of 74b. That is, the amount of biting of the impression cylinder 30 or the anilox roller 28 with respect to the printing relief plate C varies depending on the magnitude of the printing pressure on the printing relief plate C. In FIG. The relationship with the optical density is illustrated. In FIG. 9, the printing pressure when the biting amount is 0 [μm] is used as an appropriate printing pressure, the biting amount is normalized, and the optical density in a state where no ink is attached to the printing medium 32 is shown. Normalized as 0.

  On the horizontal axis indicating the amount of biting, 0 [μm] indicates that the anilox roller 28 is in contact with the printing relief plate C and the gap between the anilox roller 28 and the printing relief plate C is 0, or the impression cylinder 30 shows a state where the printing plate 32 is in contact with the printing relief plate C via the printing body 32 and the size of the gap between the printing body 32 and the printing relief plate C is zero.

  Further, the positive value on the horizontal axis indicates that the impression cylinder 30 or the anilox roller 28 is pressed against the printing relief plate C and bites into the printing relief plate C, whereby the printing relief plate C is compressed toward the printing cylinder 24 side. It shows the amount of bite.

  Furthermore, the value in the negative direction of the horizontal axis is the value obtained when the printing relief plate C released from the compressed state is radially expanded from the printing drum 24 by separating the impression cylinder 30 or the anilox roller 28 from the printing relief plate C. The amount of expansion is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when compared with the same width Lw, the optical density increases as the amount of biting according to the printing pressure increases. Therefore, the higher the printing pressure, the closer the optical density of the detection part image becomes to the optical density of the solid part image. Further, when compared with the same biting amount, the optical density of the detection portion image increases as the width Lw increases, and approaches the optical density of the solid portion image.

  On the other hand, if the printing pressure applied to the plate surface of the printing relief plate C is excessive printing pressure (overprinting pressure) equal to or higher than the printing pressure threshold, in addition to the ink adhering to the solid portion 72, it is accommodated in each of the detection portions 74a and 74b. Of the inks 84 a and 84 b, at least the ink 84 b accommodated in the detection unit 74 b is firmly transferred to the printing medium 32. As a result, the detection part image corresponding to the detection part 74b has an optical density substantially equal to the optical density of the solid part image, and is printed on the printing medium 32 as a detection part image corresponding to the planar shape of the detection part 74b. Will be.

  Therefore, the optical density of each detection unit image corresponding to the two types of detection units 74a and 74b is compared with the optical density of the solid image, and the optical density of at least one type of detection unit image is the optical density of the solid image. If the density has been reached, it can be easily and reliably determined that the printing pressure applied to the printing surface of the printing relief plate C is an excessive printing pressure.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical density of the detection unit image increases as the width Lw increases, so that in the case of the amount of biting in accordance with the overprinting pressure, each detection unit 74 b having a relatively wide width Lwb There is a possibility that the optical density of the corresponding detection portion image reaches the optical density of the solid portion image before the optical density of the detection portion image corresponding to each detection portion 74a. Therefore, paying attention to the optical density of the detection unit image corresponding to each detection unit 74b, and comparing the optical density with the optical density of the solid part image, the printing pressure applied to the printing plate of the printing relief plate C is appropriately printed. It is possible to easily determine whether the pressure or the overprinting pressure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the difference in optical density change between the two characteristics (hereinafter also referred to as the first characteristics) of Lw of 6 [mm] and 8.5 [mm] is relatively small. . On the other hand, also in two characteristics with Lw of 2 [mm] and 3 [mm] (hereinafter also referred to as second characteristics), the difference in characteristics of the change in optical density with respect to the difference in width Lw is relatively small. That is, when Lw exceeds 6 [mm] or when Lw is 3 [mm] or less, the change in optical density due to the difference in Lw becomes small. In addition, the relative optical density difference is large between the first characteristic and the second characteristic, and the change (gradient) of the optical density with respect to the biting amount is also greatly different.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the ink of the detection unit corresponding to the first characteristic and the ink of the detection unit corresponding to the second characteristic are respectively transferred to the printing medium 32, the first characteristic and Based on the optical density difference relative to the second characteristic (optical density difference at the amount of biting in the positive direction exceeding 0 [μm]), the printing pressure applied to the printing relief plate C is appropriate printing pressure or excessive printing pressure. It is possible to determine which is the printing pressure.

  Specifically, if the optical density of the detection portion image corresponding to the first characteristic reaches the optical density of the solid portion image, the printing pressure applied to the plate surface of the printing relief plate C exceeds the printing pressure threshold and becomes an overprinting pressure. It can be determined that Therefore, the optical density difference between the optical density at the biting amount according to the printing pressure threshold value in the first characteristic and the optical density at the second characteristic at the biting amount is represented by the optical density difference ( If the relative optical density difference between the actually obtained first characteristic and the second characteristic is less than the density difference threshold value, the printing pressure applied to the printing relief plate C is applied. Is determined to be an appropriate printing pressure. On the other hand, if the relative optical density difference exceeds the density difference threshold, it can be determined that the printing pressure is an overprinting pressure.

  A plurality of detection unit units 73 are formed in the solid unit 72, and each detection unit 73 is composed of two detection units 74a and 74b. Therefore, among the detection unit images corresponding to the detection units 74a and 74b, the number of detection unit images (the number of detection unit images determined to be overprinting pressure) showing an optical density substantially equal to the optical density of the solid image. The number of detection unit images (the number of detection unit images determined to be appropriate printing pressure) that shows an optical density lower than the optical density of the solid image is counted, and the majority of the detections (detection determined as overprinting pressure) If the number of partial images)> (the number of detected partial images determined as appropriate printing pressure), it may be determined that the printing pressure applied to the printing surface of the relief printing plate C is an overprinting pressure.

  In this case, for example, the majority decision may be performed only on the detection unit image corresponding to each detection unit 74a or each detection unit 74b, or the majority decision determination may be performed on the detection unit images corresponding to all the detection units 74a and 74b. You may go.

[Description of Printing Pressure Determination Method According to this Embodiment]
The printing relief plate C according to the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, based on the solid part image and the detection part image printed on the printed matter P using the printing relief plate C, it is determined whether the printing pressure applied to the printing relief plate C is an appropriate printing pressure or an overprinting pressure. A method (an operation of the printing pressure determination device 39 according to the present embodiment (printing pressure determination method)) will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In addition, in this description, it demonstrates, also referring FIGS. 1-9 as needed.

  Here, for ease of explanation, first, based on the comparison between the detection unit image and the solid image corresponding to the two detection units 74a and 74b constituting one detection unit 73, the appropriate printing pressure is determined. Alternatively, the case where the overprinting pressure is determined will be described. Next, each detection unit image corresponding to each of the detection units 74a and 74b of the plurality of detection unit units 73 is compared with the solid image, and the appropriate printing pressure or overprinting pressure is determined, and each determination result is determined. A case where the printing pressure of the printing letterpress C is determined to be an appropriate printing pressure or an overprinting pressure by majority decision will be described.

  In step S1 of FIG. 10, the imaging unit 34 (see FIG. 2) captures a solid image and a detection unit image (including each image of the printed product P) printed on the printed product P, and indicates each captured image. The imaging signal is output to the determination processing unit 36.

  In step S <b> 2, the determination processing unit 36 detects the optical densities of the detection unit image and the solid unit image indicated by the input imaging signal.

  In step S3, the determination processing unit 36 refers to a table showing the relationship between the optical density Nc stored in advance in the memory 38 and the printing pressure Pc applied to the printing relief plate C shown in FIG. The printing pressure Pc is specified from Nc.

  Note that the optical density of the solid image is an optical density of about 100% regardless of the difference between the appropriate printing pressure and the overprinting pressure, and the optical density equal to or higher than the density threshold value Nth. Therefore, the determination processing unit 36 specifies the printing pressure Pc from the optical density Nc only for the detection unit image. As shown in FIG. 9, since the graph showing the relationship between the printing pressure and the optical density is obtained for each width Lw, actually, even in the table shown in FIG. 11, for each width Lw (Lwa, Lwb), A curve (graph) showing the relationship between printing pressure and optical density is provided.

  In step S4, the determination processing unit 36 determines whether or not the printing pressure Pc has reached a predetermined printing pressure threshold value Pth (printing pressure corresponding to the density threshold value Nth corresponding to the optical density of the solid image). When Pc ≧ Pth (step S4: YES), the determination processing unit 36 determines that the printing pressure Pc is an overprinting pressure, and notifies the outside of a determination result (warning) indicating the overprinting pressure. (Step S5). On the other hand, if Pc <Pth (step S4: NO), the determination processing unit 36 determines that the printing pressure Pc is an appropriate printing pressure, and notifies the outside of a determination result indicating that the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure ( Step S6).

  That is, if the printing pressure Pc is an appropriate printing pressure less than the printing pressure threshold value Pth, the ink 84a and 84b accommodated in the detection units 74a and 74b is transferred to the printing medium 32 with a light touch, and the transferred ink 84a. , 84b, the optical density of the detection part image is sufficiently lower than the optical density of the solid part image (optical density equal to or higher than the density threshold Nth). On the other hand, if the printing pressure Pc is an overprinting pressure equal to or higher than the printing pressure threshold value Pth, at least one of the inks 84a and 84b accommodated in the detection units 74a and 74b is firmly transferred to the printing medium 32. Then, the optical density Nc of the detection portion image formed by the transferred ink 84b becomes an optical density (optical density equal to or higher than the density threshold value Nth) substantially equal to the optical density of the solid portion image.

  Accordingly, the printing pressure Pc corresponding to the optical density Nc of the detection portion image printed by the firmly transferred ink 84b, and the printing pressure threshold Pth corresponding to the density threshold Nth which is the lowest optical density of the solid portion image, , It is possible to easily and reliably determine whether the printing pressure Pc is the appropriate printing pressure or the overprinting pressure, and notify the determination result to the outside.

  As described above, since the optical density according to the printing pressure threshold value Pth is the density threshold value Nth, the determination processing unit 36 determines the printing pressure based on the comparison between the optical density Nc and the density threshold value Nth in step S4. It may be determined whether Pc is an appropriate printing pressure or an excessive printing pressure.

  The above description is based on the comparison between the detection unit image corresponding to the two detection units 74 a and 74 b of the single detection unit 73 and the solid image corresponding to the solid unit 72. It is explanation about.

  Next, a description will be given of a case where the appropriate printing pressure or overprinting pressure is determined by comparing the detection unit images and the solid image corresponding to the detection units 74a and 74b of the plurality of detection unit units 73, respectively.

  In step S <b> 1, the imaging unit 34 captures a solid part image printed on the printed material P and a plurality of detection unit images (including each image of the printed material P), and determines an imaging signal indicating each captured image. To 36.

  In step S <b> 2, the determination processing unit 36 detects the optical densities of the detection unit images and the solid image indicated by the input imaging signal.

  In step S3, the determination processing unit 36 refers to the table shown in FIG. 9 stored in advance in the memory 38, and specifies the printing pressure Pc from the optical densities Nc of the plurality of detection unit images.

  In step S4, the determination processing unit 36 compares one printing pressure Pc with the printing pressure threshold value Pth among the plurality of specified printing pressures Pc. In this case, even if Pc ≧ Pth (step S4: YES) or Pc <Pth (step S4: NO), the determination processing unit 36 executes the process of the next step S7.

  In the next step S7, the determination processing unit 36 returns to step S4 if the determination processing in step S4 for a plurality of printing pressures Pc corresponding to all the detection unit images has not been completed (step S7: NO). The determination process for the printing pressure Pc that has not been processed is executed.

  On the other hand, when the determination processing for all the printing pressures Pc is completed (step S7: YES), the determination processing unit 36 determines the number of printing pressures Pc determined to be overprinting pressure for all the printing pressures Pc in step S8. Is determined to be a majority.

  If the number of printing pressures Pc determined as overprinting pressure is a majority, the determination processing unit 36 determines that the printing pressure of the printing relief plate C is overprinting pressure (step S8: YES), and the process proceeds to step S5. Execute the process. On the other hand, if the number of printing pressures Pc determined to be excessive printing pressure has not reached the majority (when the number of printing pressures Pc determined to be appropriate printing pressure is a majority), the determination processing unit 36 performs printing. It determines with the printing pressure of the letterpress C being an appropriate printing pressure (step S8: NO), and performs the process of step S6.

  Note that the determination processing unit 36 may detect only the optical density of one detection unit image among the plurality of detection unit images indicated by the input imaging signal in step S2. In this case, if the determination process for all the detection unit images is not completed in step S7, the process returns to step S2, and the processes of steps S2 to S4 are performed again.

  Further, in step S3, the determination processing unit 36 may specify the printing pressure Pc for the optical density Nc of one detection unit image among the optical densities of the plurality of detection unit images. In this case, if the determination process for all the detection unit images is not completed in step S7, the process returns to step S3, and the processes of steps S3 and S4 are performed again.

[Effect of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the printing relief plate C, the plurality of detection portions 74a and 74b are set higher than or the same as the lowest protrusion 76c. Therefore, for example, even if the ani pressure is set to the minimum pressure that matches the printing conditions of the printing medium 32, the ink 84a and 84b can be supplied to the protrusion 76c and the detection units 74a and 74b. The ink 84a and 84b adhering to the detection parts 74a and 74b can be reliably transferred to the printing medium 32, and each detection part image can be printed.

  Further, if the widths Lwa and Lwb of the detection units 74a and 74b are different from each other, even if the same printing pressure is applied to the detection units 74a and 74b, the detection units 74a and 74b are transferred to the printing medium 32. The inks 84a and 84b are applied differently, and the widths of the detection unit images corresponding to the detection units 74a and 74b are also different from each other. That is, the wider the widths Lwa and Lwb of the detection units 74a and 74b, the easier the ink 84a and 84b are transferred to the printing medium 32, and the optical density of the detection unit image corresponding to the detection units 74a and 74b is Approaches optical density.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, by comparing the optical density of each detection unit image having a different width and the density of the solid image, the printing pressure Pc is set to an appropriate printing pressure or overprinting regardless of the magnitude of the ani pressure. It is possible to easily determine which is the pressure.

  Further, the solid portion 72 is a portion that is substantially flat and has a certain area or more on the printing surface of the printing relief plate C, and is formed at a position higher than other portions that constitute the printing relief plate C. Therefore, when the printing pressure Pc is an appropriate printing pressure, the printing surface of the relief printing plate C is in a kiss touch state with respect to the printing body 32, and the ink is firmly transferred from the solid portion 72 to the printing body 32. The inks 84a and 84b are transferred from the detection units 74a and 74b to the printing medium 32 with a light touch. In this case, the optical density of the solid portion image is approximately 100%, and the optical density Nc of the detection portion image is compared with the solid portion image even if the widths Lwa and Lwb of the detection portions 74a and 74b are different from each other. To a low optical density.

  On the other hand, since the inks 84a and 84b are more easily transferred to the printing medium 32 as the width of the detection portions 74a and 74b is wider, at least one detection portion is required when the printing pressure Pc is an excessive printing pressure. The ink 84b is firmly transferred from 74b to the printing medium 32, and the optical density Nc of the detection part image corresponding to the detection part 74b becomes substantially equal to the optical density of the solid part image.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the printing pressure Pc is overprinting pressure by comparing the optical density Nc of each detection unit image with the optical density of the solid image (density threshold value Nth). Whether or not can be easily determined.

  That is, since the inks 84a and 84b are more easily transferred to the printing medium 32 as the detection parts 74a and 74b having the wider widths Lwa and Lwb are detected, the detection parts 74b corresponding to the detection parts 74b having the relatively wide width Lwb are detected. If the optical density Nc of the detected image reaches the density of the solid image (density threshold Nth), it can be easily and reliably determined that the printing pressure Pc is the overprinting pressure (printing threshold Pth). .

  Note that, due to the difference between the widths Lwa and Lwb, the way in which the inks 84a and 84b transferred from the detection units 74a and 74b to the printing medium 32 are also different from each other, and thus the detection units 74a and 74b having different widths Lwa and Lwb. Based on the relative optical density difference of the detection unit image according to (for example, two detection units of a relatively wide detection unit and a relatively narrow detection unit), the printing pressure Pc is the appropriate printing pressure or You may determine which of the overprinting pressures.

  Furthermore, each detection part 74a, 74b is a recess formed in the solid part 72, and the height position of the bottom surface 82a, 82b of the recess is higher than the height position of the top part 78c of the protrusion 76c, or Since the heights are the same, the ink 84a and 84b supplied from the anilox roller 28 can be accommodated in the recess, and the accommodated ink 84a and 84b can be reliably transferred to the printing medium 32.

  Further, if at least the top portion 78c of the protrusion 76c is formed as a flat portion, the image quality of the halftone dots formed by the ink transferred from the protrusion 76c to the printing medium 32 can be improved.

  Furthermore, the printing relief plate C may have a certain degree of height variation (height distribution) as a whole. Therefore, a plurality of detection unit units 73 each including two detection units 74a and 74b are provided, and the optical density Nc of each detection unit image and the optical density of the solid image corresponding to each detection unit 74a and 74b. If it is determined by the majority decision based on the comparison result whether the printing pressure Pc is the appropriate printing pressure or the excessive printing pressure, the determination result of the printing pressure Pc resulting from the height variation of each of the detection units 74a and 74b is obtained. The influence can be suppressed and the appropriate printing pressure or overprinting pressure can be determined accurately.

  The printing letterpress creating apparatus 10, the printing letterpress creating method, the flexographic printing machine 20, the printing method, the printing pressure judgment device 39, and the printing pressure judgment method are all apparatuses or methods related to the printing letterpress C described above. Therefore, it is possible to achieve the above-described effects by the printing letterpress C.

  In the above description, the case has been described in which the printing pressure determination device 39 and the printing pressure determination method automatically determine whether the printing pressure Pc is the appropriate printing pressure or the excessive printing pressure. In the present embodiment, the printing pressure Pc is appropriate based on the comparison between the optical density Nc of the detection unit image (the printing pressure Pc corresponding to the density image) and the density of the solid image (the printing pressure threshold value Pth corresponding to the density threshold value Nth). Since it is only necessary to be able to determine whether the printing pressure or the overprinting pressure, the operator visually compares the optical density Nc of the detection portion image with the optical density of the solid portion image, and the printing pressure Pc is the appropriate printing pressure or overpressure. It is also possible to determine which is the printing pressure.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing letterpress preparation apparatus 12 ... RIP process part 14 ... Screening process part 16 ... Plate shape determination part 18 ... Printing letterpress preparation part 18a ... Data conversion part 18b ... Engraving type CTP drawing machine 20 ... Flexographic printing machine 24 ... Plate Cylinder 26 ... Doctor chamber 28 ... Anilox roller 30 ... Impression cylinder 32 ... Printed body 34 ... Imaging unit 36 ... Determination processing unit 38 ... Memory 39 ... Printing pressure judgment device 40 ... Laser engraving machine 70 ... Image formation area 72 ... Solid Part 73 ... Detection part unit 74a, 74b ... Detection part 76a to 76c ... Projection part 78a to 78c ... Top part 80, 82a, 82b ... Bottom face 84a, 84b ... Ink

Claims (12)

In the printing relief plate provided on the surface of the plate material, and formed with protrusions for transferring halftone dots by transferring ink to the printing medium,
On the surface of the plate material, there are a solid part, an image line forming region in which a plurality of protrusions are formed, and a mark applied to the printing relief plate when ink is transferred from the printing relief plate to the substrate. A plurality of detection units for determining the magnitude of the pressure,
The protrusions and the detection parts are lower than the solid part,
Each of the detection units has a width different from each other and is higher than the lowest highlight projection among the projections, or the same height as the highlight projection,
The density of a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the detection units to the printing medium, and the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the solid part to the printing medium. A printing relief printing plate, wherein it is possible to determine whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure by comparing with the density of the solid image printed on the printing plate. In the letterpress for printing according to claim 1,
If the density of each detection part image is lower than the density of the solid part image, it is determined that the printing pressure is the appropriate printing pressure even if the ink is transferred from each detection part to the substrate. On the other hand, if there is at least one detection part image having a density substantially equal to the density of the solid part image among the detection part images, it is determined that the printing pressure is an overprinting pressure. Letterpress for printing. In the letterpress for printing according to claim 2,
Among the detection unit images, if the density of the detection unit image corresponding to the detection unit having a relatively wide width is substantially equal to the density of the solid image, it is determined that the printing pressure is an overprinting pressure. A letterpress for printing. In the relief printing plate of any one of Claims 1-3,
Further, it is possible to determine whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure based on a density difference between two detection unit images corresponding to at least two detection units having different widths among the detection unit images. A letterpress for printing, characterized by being. In the letterpress for printing according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Each detection unit is a recess formed in the solid part,
The printing letterpress characterized by the height position of the bottom face of each said recessed part being higher than the height position of the top part of the said projection part for highlights, or the same height position as this top part. In the letterpress for printing according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When at least two detection units having different widths are used as one detection unit, a plurality of the detection unit units are provided on the surface of the plate material,
When the ink is transferred from each detection unit of each detection unit to the printing body, a plurality of the detection unit images are printed on the printing body,
The density of each detection unit image is compared with the density of the solid image, and by the majority of the number of detection unit images according to the appropriate printing pressure and the number of detection unit images according to overprinting pressure, It is determined whether the printing pressure is the appropriate printing pressure or the overprinting pressure. In a relief printing plate making apparatus for creating a printing relief plate provided with projections on the surface of a plate material for transferring halftone dots by transferring ink to a printing medium,
On the surface of the plate material, there are a solid part, an image line forming region in which a plurality of protrusions are formed, and a mark applied to the printing relief plate when ink is transferred from the printing relief plate to the substrate. A plurality of detection units for determining the magnitude of the pressure,
The printing letterpress creating apparatus is
A binary image data generation unit that generates binary image data based on multi-value image data representing a print image;
Based on the binary image data, a plate shape determining unit that generates shape data indicating each shape of the solid portion, the image forming region including the protrusions, and the detection units;
A relief printing plate creating section for creating the printing relief plate based on the shape data;
Have
The protrusions and the detection parts are lower than the solid part,
Each of the detection units has a width different from each other and is higher than the lowest highlight projection among the projections, or the same height as the highlight projection,
The density of a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the detection units to the printing medium, and the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the solid part to the printing medium. It is possible to determine whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure by comparing with the density of the solid image printed on the printing plate. In a printing relief printing method for creating a printing relief plate in which protrusions for transferring halftone dots by transferring ink to a printing material are provided on the surface of the plate material,
On the surface of the plate material, there are a solid part, an image line forming region in which a plurality of protrusions are formed, and a mark applied to the printing relief plate when ink is transferred from the printing relief plate to the substrate. A plurality of detection units for determining the magnitude of the pressure,
The printing relief plate making method is:
Generating binary image data based on multivalued image data representing a print image;
Generating shape data indicating each shape of the solid part, the image forming area including the protrusions, and the detection parts based on the binary image data;
Creating the relief printing plate based on the shape data;
Have
The protrusions and the detection parts are lower than the solid part,
Each of the detection units has a width different from each other and is higher than the lowest highlight projection among the projections, or the same height as the highlight projection,
The density of a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the detection units to the printing medium, and the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the solid part to the printing medium. It is possible to determine whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure by comparison with the density of the solid image printed on the printing plate. In a printing apparatus that prints halftone dots on a printing material by transferring ink from the protrusions provided on the surface of the printing relief plate material to the printing material,
Anilox Roller,
A printing cylinder to which the printing relief plate is attached and ink is transferred from the anilox roller to the printing relief plate;
By sandwiching the printing medium in cooperation with the plate cylinder to which the printing relief plate is attached, ink is transferred from the protrusions to the printing medium so that the halftone dots are formed on the printing medium. An impression cylinder to be printed;
Have
On the surface of the plate material, there are a solid part, an image line forming region in which a plurality of protrusions are formed, and a mark applied to the printing relief plate when ink is transferred from the printing relief plate to the substrate. A plurality of detection units for determining the magnitude of the pressure,
The protrusions and the detection parts are lower than the solid part,
Each of the detection units has a width different from each other and is higher than the lowest highlight projection among the projections, or the same height as the highlight projection,
The density of a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the detection units to the printing medium, and the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the solid part to the printing medium. It is possible to determine whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure by comparing with the density of the solid image printed on the printing apparatus. In the printing method of printing halftone dots on the printing medium by transferring ink from the protrusions provided on the surface of the printing relief plate material to the printing medium,
Transferring the ink from the anilox roller to the printing relief plate attached to the plate cylinder;
In a state where the printing medium is sandwiched between the plate cylinder and the impression cylinder to which the printing relief plate is attached, ink is transferred from the protrusions to the printing medium, and the halftone dots are formed on the printing medium. Printing step;
Have
On the surface of the plate material, there are a solid part, an image line forming region in which a plurality of protrusions are formed, and a mark applied to the printing relief plate when ink is transferred from the printing relief plate to the substrate. A plurality of detection units for determining the magnitude of the pressure,
The protrusions and the detection parts are lower than the solid part,
Each of the detection units has a width different from each other and is higher than the lowest highlight projection among the projections, or the same height as the highlight projection,
The density of a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the detection units to the printing medium, and the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the solid part to the printing medium. A printing method characterized in that it is possible to determine whether or not the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure by comparison with the density of a solid image printed on the printing medium. When printing halftone dots on the printing material by transferring ink from the protrusions provided on the surface of the printing relief plate material to the printing material, the printing pressure applied to the printing relief plate is determined. In the printing pressure determination device for determining,
On the surface of the plate material, there are a solid part, an image line forming region in which a plurality of protrusions are formed, and a mark applied to the printing relief plate when ink is transferred from the printing relief plate to the substrate. A plurality of detection units for determining the magnitude of the pressure,
The protrusions and the detection parts are lower than the solid part,
Each of the detection units has a width different from each other and is higher than the lowest highlight projection among the projections, or the same height as the highlight projection,
The printing pressure determination device includes:
An imaging unit that captures at least a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by transfer of ink from the detection units to the printing medium;
Based on the comparison between the density of each detection unit image captured by the imaging unit and the density of the solid image printed on the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the solid part to the printing medium, A determination unit for determining whether the printing pressure is an appropriate printing pressure; and
A printing pressure determination device comprising: When printing halftone dots on the printing material by transferring ink from the protrusions provided on the surface of the printing relief plate material to the printing material, the printing pressure applied to the printing relief plate is determined. In the printing pressure determination method for determining,
On the surface of the plate material, there are a solid part, an image line forming region in which a plurality of protrusions are formed, and a mark applied to the printing relief plate when ink is transferred from the printing relief plate to the substrate. A plurality of detection units for determining the magnitude of the pressure,
The protrusions and the detection parts are lower than the solid part,
Each of the detection units has a width different from each other and is higher than the lowest highlight projection among the projections, or the same height as the highlight projection,
The printing pressure determination method is:
Capturing at least a plurality of detection unit images printed on the printing medium by transferring ink from the detection units to the printing medium;
The printing pressure is appropriate based on a comparison between the density of each captured image of the detection part and the density of the solid part image printed on the printing medium by the transfer of ink from the solid part to the printing body. Determining whether it is printing pressure;
A printing pressure determination method characterized by comprising:

Images