JP6197299B2 - Image forming method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming method having a pre-processing step, an image forming step, and a post-processing step, and an image forming apparatus using the image forming method.

The ink jet recording method has a problem that an image defect typified by character bleeding tends to occur depending on a combination of ink and a recording medium, and the image quality is greatly deteriorated.
Therefore, a method of obtaining a high-quality image that does not cause beading or bleeding by applying a liquid (pretreatment liquid) having a component that aggregates the coloring material in the ink to the recording medium before printing. Is already known.

On the other hand, pigment inks having good storage stability and water resistance are used in recent inkjet recording apparatuses. However, the pigment ink has a problem in abrasion resistance because the pigment adheres to the surface of the recording medium and easily peels off. In addition, since the smoothness of the image is lost after recording with the pigment ink, there is also a problem that a difference in gloss occurs between the printed portion and the non-printed portion.
Therefore, a so-called overcoat technique has been developed in which a liquid (post-treatment liquid) having a resin film or the like is applied to a recorded image to physically protect the image and improve gloss unevenness.

Under such circumstances, in Patent Document 1, an ink jet recording apparatus using these two techniques has been devised in order to provide a printed matter with high quality and excellent image fastness regardless of the type of recording medium.
Patent Document 2 discloses a recording method in which yellow ink is used as an overcoat and the overcoat application amount is changed depending on the hue angle of the image recording portion for the purpose of preventing image bronzing and improving color reproducibility. It is similar to the present invention in that the amount of post-treatment liquid applied is specified. However, the purpose of this publication is to prevent bronzing and improve color reproducibility, and it is difficult for the recording method disclosed in this publication to ensure reduction in desired transfer stains and improvement in blocking resistance. (Especially more difficult in high-speed continuous book printing.)
In the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, the pretreatment liquid and the posttreatment liquid are merely applied to the recording medium under the same conditions.

The optimum application amount of the pretreatment liquid and the posttreatment liquid varies depending on the printing conditions. In addition, there is a problem that the image gloss varies depending on the ink color forming the image, and there may be a case where sufficient drying and leaving time may be required after the image formation, and there is a problem that post-processing such as bookbinding cannot be performed immediately. After that, the present invention has been completed and a technique for improving this problem.

That is, an object of the present invention is to form a robust image regardless of colors by applying an optimal amount of processing liquid according to colors having different image gloss.

In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a pretreatment process unit that applies a pretreatment liquid to a recording medium, and an image that forms an image on a recording medium that has been pretreated in the pretreatment process unit. A forming unit and a post-processing step unit that applies a post-processing liquid to a recording medium on which an image is formed in the image forming unit, and the amount of the processing liquid applied in the post-processing step unit depends on the color with different image gloss And means for applying an optimal amount of processing liquid (post-processing liquid application amount adjusting means).
In the present invention, the amount of post-processing liquid applied to the recording medium is controlled according to the color with different image gloss, so that the target image quality / rubbing resistance has not been achieved and the cost / drying time has increased due to excessive adhesion of the processing liquid. Can be prevented. In addition, since it is possible to quickly perform bookbinding operations such as cutting, folding, signature collation, binding, cover winding, three-side cutting after printing, and post-processing, it is not necessary to secure time and space required for temporary storage of paper after printing. It becomes.

That is, the said subject is solved by (1)-(10) of this invention.
(1) “A pretreatment liquid application step for applying a pretreatment liquid on a recording medium before image formation, an image formation step for forming an image on a recording medium, and after applying a posttreatment liquid on a recording medium after image formation. In the image forming method having a treatment liquid coating step, the post-treatment liquid coating step is such that the adhesion area of the post-treatment liquid is smaller than the area of the portion where the image is formed and a color having a lower image gloss is recorded. The image is characterized in that it is a step of increasing the coating amount per unit area of the post-treatment liquid on the medium and applying the coating amount by decreasing the coating amount of the post-treatment liquid per unit area on the recording medium for a color with higher image gloss. Forming method. "
(2) In the above (1), when the application amount of the pretreatment liquid is increased, the posttreatment liquid application step increases the application amount of the posttreatment liquid accordingly. The image forming method described. "
(3) In the above (1), when the application amount of the pretreatment liquid is reduced, the posttreatment liquid application step reduces the application amount of the posttreatment liquid accordingly. The image forming method described. "
(4) “In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, a pretreatment liquid application unit for applying a pretreatment liquid on the recording medium before image formation, and a posttreatment liquid on the recording medium after image formation. A post-treatment liquid application means for applying the post-treatment liquid, wherein the post-treatment liquid application area is smaller than the area where the image is formed, and the image forming apparatus An image having a coating amount adjusting means necessary for increasing the coating amount of the post-treatment liquid on the recording medium as the color is lower, and reducing the coating amount of the post-treatment liquid on the recording medium as the color has a higher image gloss. Forming equipment. "
The present invention also includes the following “image forming method” and “image forming apparatus”.
(5) “The image forming method according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the image forming step is an inkjet recording step.”
(6) “The image forming method according to (6), wherein the ink jet recording step uses a pigment ink.”
(7) “Pretreatment liquid application process is blade coating method, gravure coating method, gravure offset coating method, bar coating method, roll coating method, knife coating method, air knife coating method, comma coating method, U comma coating method, AKKU Selected from coating method, smoothing coating method, micro gravure coating method, reverse roll coating method, 4 to 5 roll coating method, dip coating method, curtain coating method, slide coating method, die coating method, and inkjet recording method The image forming method according to any one of (1) to (3) or any one of (6) to (7) above,
(8) The image formation according to any one of (1) to (3) or (6) to (8), wherein the post-treatment liquid application step is an inkjet recording method. Method."
(9) “RIP processing means (raster image processor) implemented as a software component of an operating system or firmware executed by a microprocessor in a printer (image forming apparatus), or hardware RIP processing means independent of the printer The image forming apparatus according to (4), wherein the image forming apparatus cooperates with the computer. "
(10) The image forming apparatus according to (9), wherein the operation of the application amount adjusting unit is controlled by an output signal (control information) from the calculation / control unit of the RIP processing apparatus. "

As will be understood from the following detailed and specific description, according to the present invention, the coloring material is aggregated by the application of the pretreatment liquid, so that bleeding can be prevented. You can improve.
According to the image forming method and the image forming apparatus described in (1) and (4) above, the consumption amount of the post-processing liquid is reduced by making the adhesion area of the post-processing liquid smaller than the area where the image is formed. The cost can be reduced.
Furthermore, in order to maintain the image gloss by controlling the application amount of the post-treatment liquid according to the image gloss for each color, the lower the image gloss, the more the application amount of the post-treatment liquid to the recording medium. It is possible to further reduce the cost by reducing the amount of post-treatment liquid applied to the recording medium as the surface rubs or the color with higher image gloss.
According to the image forming method described in (2), when the application amount of the pretreatment liquid is increased, the application amount of the posttreatment liquid is increased accordingly. There will be no decline in quality and abrasion resistance.
According to the image forming method described in (3) above, when the amount of pretreatment liquid applied is reduced, the amount of posttreatment liquid applied is reduced accordingly, so the consumption of posttreatment liquid is reduced. And cost can be reduced.

It is a top view of an example of an image formed product in the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the example of an image formation in this invention. 1 is an overall view of an example of an image forming apparatus in the present invention. It is an enlarged view of the example of the pretreatment liquid application device in the present invention. It is an example of a droplet discharge head in the present invention. It is an enlarged view of an example of a droplet discharge head in the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an example of a printing system in the present invention. It is a block diagram of the example of a high-order apparatus in this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a printer apparatus according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the example of a data management part in this invention. It is an example of a structure of the image output part in this invention. It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing along the liquid chamber longitudinal direction of the droplet discharge head. It is a cross-sectional explanatory drawing of the short direction of the example of a liquid droplet discharge head liquid chamber. It is a flowchart in a 1st embodiment. It is a graph explaining the relationship between the coating amount of the pretreatment liquid on the recording medium and the granularity. It is a graph explaining the relationship between the permeability | transmittance of a recording medium, and a required pretreatment liquid application amount.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 and 2 are schematic views of the image-formed product of the present invention.
In the image formed product according to the present invention, the pretreatment liquid 501 is applied on the entire surface of the recording medium 500, the recording liquid 502 is applied thereon, and the image area formed on the formed image area is larger than the formed image area. The post-treatment liquid 503 is applied in a small area.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. An ink jet recording apparatus 300 to which the present invention is applied includes a recording medium transport unit 301, a pretreatment process unit 302 that applies a pretreatment liquid to the recording medium 203, and a pretreatment that dries the recording medium 203 to which the pretreatment liquid is applied. Post-drying section 303, image forming process section 304, post-processing process section 305 for applying post-processing liquid to the recording medium after the image forming process, and post-processing post-drying section 306 for drying recording medium 203 to which the post-processing liquid has been applied. It consists of
The recording medium conveyance unit 301 includes a paper feeding device 307, a plurality of conveyance rollers, and a winding device 308. The recording medium 203 in FIG. 1 is a continuous paper (roll paper) wound in a roll shape. The recording medium 203 is unwound from a paper feeding device by a conveyance roller, conveyed on a platen, and taken up by a winding device. It is done.
The recording medium 203 conveyed from the recording medium conveying unit 301 is applied with a pretreatment liquid in the pretreatment step unit 302 of FIG. In inkjet, when images are formed on media other than dedicated inkjet paper, problems such as bleeding, density, color tone, show-through, and image fastness such as water resistance and weather resistance have occurred. As a solution to this problem, prior to forming an image on a recording medium, a technique for improving the image quality by applying a pretreatment liquid having a function of aggregating ink is performed.
The pretreatment process may be any coating method in which the above pretreatment liquid is uniformly applied to the surface of the printing paper, and is not particularly limited. Examples of such coating methods include blade coating, gravure coating, gravure offset coating, bar coating, roll coating, knife coating, air knife coating, comma coating, U comma coating, and AKKU coating. , Smoothing coating method, micro gravure coating method, reverse roll coating method, 4 to 5 roll coating method, dip coating method, curtain coating method, slide coating method, die coating method and the like.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the pretreatment process unit 302 in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the roll coating method will be described, but another pretreatment liquid coating method may be used.
As shown in FIG. 4, the recording medium 203 such as continuous paper is conveyed into the pretreatment liquid coating apparatus 204 by the conveying roller 201.
The pretreatment liquid application device 204 stores a pretreatment liquid 205, and the pretreatment liquid 205 is transferred to the roller surface of the application roller 208 by a stirring / supply roller 206 and a transfer / thinning roller 207 in a thin film shape. . The application roller 208 rotates while being pressed against the rotating platen roller 202, and the recording medium 203 passes through the application roller 208, thereby applying the pretreatment liquid 205 to the surface.
Further, the platen roller 202 can adjust the nip pressure when applying the pretreatment liquid by the pressure adjusting device 209. By changing the nip pressure, the coating amount of the pretreatment liquid 205 can be changed.
Further, the application amount can be adjusted by changing the rotation speed of the application roller 208 and the platen roller 202. The application roller 208 and the platen roller 202 are driven by a power source such as a drive motor (not shown), and the amount of application can be adjusted by changing the rotational speed by changing the energy of the power source.
As described above, the method of applying the pretreatment liquid 205 for improving the image quality to the recording area of the recording medium 203 with the application roller 208 is performed by spraying the processing agent liquid onto the recording medium using the ejection head. Compared to the method to be performed, the pretreatment liquid 205 having a relatively high viscosity can be applied thinly on the recording medium 203, and the image bleeding and the like can be further reduced.

  Moreover, you may provide the post-processing drying part 303 after an application | coating process as shown in FIG. The pre-processing and post-drying apparatus includes, for example, heat rollers 311 and 312 as shown in FIG. According to this apparatus, the continuous paper coated with the pretreatment liquid is transported to the heat roller by the transport roller. The heat roller is heated to a high temperature of 50 to 100 ° C., and the continuous paper coated with the pretreatment liquid evaporates and is dried by contact heat transfer from the heat roller.

On the recording medium after the pretreatment process, an image corresponding to the image data is formed in the image forming process section. The image forming process unit 304 is a full-line head, and four recording heads that can handle black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) from the upstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction. 304K, 304C, 304M, and 304Y are arranged.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the black (K) recording head 304K has four head units 304K-1, 304K-2, 304K-3, and 304K-4 arranged in a staggered manner in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. This ensures the print area width.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the head unit 304K-1. As shown in the drawing, a large number of print nozzles 310 are arranged on the nozzle surface 309 of 304K-1 along the longitudinal direction of the head unit 304K-1, thereby constituting a nozzle row. In this embodiment, the number of nozzle rows is one, but a plurality of rows can be provided. The other recording heads 304C, 304M, and 304Y have the same configuration, and the four recording heads 304K, 304C, 304M, and 304Y are arranged in the transport direction while maintaining the same pitch. As a result, it is possible to form an image over the entire print area width in a single recording operation.
The post-processing liquid is applied to the recording medium after the image forming process by a post-processing process unit 305. This post-treatment liquid described later contains a component capable of forming a transparent protective layer on the recording medium.

In the post-processing step in the present embodiment, it is given only to a specific part of the image forming area of the recording medium. It is preferable to apply an optimal amount according to the color of the ink forming the image. More preferably, the coating amount and the coating method may be changed according to the type and resolution of the recording medium.
The method for applying the post-treatment liquid is not particularly limited, and various methods are appropriately selected depending on the type of the post-treatment liquid. The same method as the method for applying the pre-treatment liquid or the above inkjet ink is allowed to fly. Any of the methods similar to the method can be preferably used. Among these, a method similar to the method of flying an inkjet ink is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of the apparatus configuration and the storage stability of the post-treatment liquid. In this post-process includes the steps of dry coverage in the image formed surface to form a protective layer by applying a post-treatment liquid containing a transparent resin so as to 0.5g ^/ m ² ~10g / m 2 is there.

Dry coverage of the post-treatment solution is preferably ^{0.5g / m 2 ~10g / m 2} , more preferably ^{2g / m 2 ~8g / m 2} . When the adhesion amount is less than 0.5 g / m ² , the image quality (image density, saturation, glossiness and fixability) is hardly improved, and when it exceeds 10 g / m ² , the drying property of the protective layer is increased. And the image quality improvement effect is saturated, which is economically disadvantageous.
Further, the post-processing section 306 may be provided with a post-processing post-drying section 306 as shown in FIG.

  The post-processing post-drying apparatus includes, for example, heat rollers 313 and 314 as shown in FIG. According to this apparatus, the continuous paper coated with the post-treatment liquid is conveyed to the heat roller by the conveyance roller. The heat roller is heated to a high temperature, and the continuous paper coated with the post-treatment liquid is dried due to evaporation of moisture by contact heat transfer from the heat roller. The drying means is not limited to this, and an infrared drying device, a microwave drying device, hot air, etc. can be applied, and instead of using a single device, for example, a heat roller and a hot air device may be combined. good.

<< Description of Control System of Inkjet Recording Apparatus >>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, for easy understanding, production printing to which the printing system according to the present embodiment is applied will be schematically described. In production printing, the basic idea is to perform a large amount of printing in a short time. For this reason, in production printing, in order to speed up printing and efficiently manage jobs and print data, a workflow system that manages from creation of print data to distribution of printed materials is constructed. .

  The printing system according to the present embodiment relates to a part that executes printing in a production printing workflow. RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing and printing of bitmap data obtained by RIP processing are performed by different apparatuses. Do. The RIP process takes the longest processing time in the printing process, and the printing speed can be increased by separating the apparatus that performs the RIP process from the apparatus that performs the printing process.

(Outline of printing system applicable to the embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows an exemplary configuration of a printing system applicable to the embodiment of the present invention. This printing system is configured by connecting a host device 10 and a printer device 13 as a printing device by a plurality of data lines 11 and control lines 12. The host device 10 performs RIP processing in accordance with print job data supplied from the host device, and creates bitmap data for each color, which is print image data. At the same time, the upper level apparatus 10 creates control information for controlling the printing operation based on the print job data, host apparatus information, and the like.
The print image data for each color created by the host device 10 is supplied to a printer engine unit (not shown) of the printer device 13 via a plurality of data lines 11. Control information is transmitted and received between the upper level apparatus 10 and the printer controller 14 via the control line 12. The printer controller 14 controls the printer engine unit based on the transmission / reception of the control information, and executes printing according to the print job.
Although the printing method is not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, a print image is formed on a printing paper by an inkjet method. Further, as the printing paper, continuous form paper (continuous form) that is continuous paper in which perforable perforations are punched at a predetermined interval is used. In production printing, this continuous paper is often used as printing paper. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to this, and a cut sheet having a fixed size such as A4 size or B4 size may be used as the printing paper. In the continuous paper, a page refers to an area sandwiched between perforations that are struck at a predetermined interval, for example.
However, the present invention is naturally not limited to such a configuration. For example, an RIP process implemented as a software component of an operating system or firmware executed by a microprocessor in a printer (image forming apparatus). Of course, bitmap information by means (raster image processor) may be used.

(Host device)
FIG. 8 is an example of the configuration of the higher-level device 10. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 104 are connected to the bus 100. An external I / F 110, a control information I / F 111, and an image data I / F 112 are further connected to the bus 100. These units connected to the bus 100 can communicate with each other via the bus 100.
In ROM 102 and HDD 104, a program for operating CPU 101 is stored in advance. The RAM 103 is used as a work memory for the CPU 101. That is, the CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the host device 10 using the RAM 103 as a work memory in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 102 and the HDD 104.
The external I / F 110 corresponds to, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and controls communication with the host device. The control information I / F 111 controls communication of control information. The image data I / F 112 controls communication of print image data and has a plurality of channels. For example, the print image data of each color created by the host device 10 with the colors Y (Yellow), C (Cyan), M (Magenta), and K (Black) is output from each of the plurality of channels. Since the image data I / F 112 is required to have a high transfer speed, for example, PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Bus Express) is used. The method of the control information I / F 111 is not particularly limited, but here, as with the image data I / F 112, PCI Express is used.
In such a configuration, print job data transmitted from the host device is received by the external I / F 110 of the host device 10 and stored in the HDD 104 via the CPU 101. The CPU 101 performs RIP processing based on the print job data read from the HDD 104, generates bitmap data for each color, and writes it to the RAM 103. For example, the CPU 101 renders PDL (Page Description Language) by RIP processing, generates bitmap data of each color, and writes it to the RAM 103. The CPU 101 compresses and encodes the bitmap data of each color written in the RAM 103 and temporarily stores it in the HDD 104.
For example, when the printing operation is started in the printer device 13, the CPU 101 reads out the bitmap data of each color compressed and encoded from the HDD 104, decodes the compressed code, and stores the decompressed bitmap data of each color in the RAM 103. Write. Then, the CPU 101 reads out the bitmap data of each color from the RAM 103, outputs it as print image data of each color from each channel of the image data I / F 112, and supplies it to the printer device 13. Further, the CPU 101 transmits / receives control information to / from the printer device 13 via the control information I / F 111 according to the progress of the printing operation.

(Printer device)
FIG. 9 shows an example of the configuration of the printer device 13. The printer device 13 includes a printer controller 14 and a printer engine 15. The printer controller 14 is connected to the control line 12 and controls the printing operation by transmitting / receiving control information to / from the host apparatus 10 via the control line 12. The printer engine 15 is connected to a plurality of data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e. Under the control of the printer controller 14, the host device 10 is connected via the data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e, respectively. The printing process is performed based on the print image data of each color and post-processing liquid transferred from.
The printer controller 14 and the printer engine 15 will be described in more detail. The printer controller 14 includes a CPU 21 and a print control unit 22, and the CPU 21 and the print control unit 22 are connected to the bus 20 so that they can communicate with each other. The control line 12 is also connected to the bus 20 via a communication I / F (not shown). The CPU 21 operates according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown), and controls the overall operation of the printer device 13. The print control unit 22 transmits / receives commands and status information to / from the printer engine 15 based on transmission / reception of control information to / from the host device 10 via the control line 12 to control the operation of the printer engine 15. To do.
The printer engine 15 includes a plurality of data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e, and controls an image output unit 50 that outputs an image based on print image data to a sheet and forms the image, and conveyance of the print sheet. And a post-processing liquid output unit 52 and a post-processing post-drying control unit 53.
Data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e are connected to the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e, respectively. The data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e include memories 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and 31e, respectively, from the host device 10 via the data lines 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e. The transferred print image data of each color and post-treatment liquid is stored in the memories 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d and 31e, respectively.
Each of these memories 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d and 31e has a capacity capable of storing print image data for at least three pages. The print image data for three pages corresponds to, for example, the print image data of the page being transferred from the upper level device 10, the print image data of the page currently being output, and the print image data of the next page.
Further, the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e are connected to the print control unit 22 by engine control lines 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d and 40e, respectively. The print control unit 22 can individually transmit and receive control signals to and from the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e via the engine control lines 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, and 40e. it can.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary configuration of the data management unit 30a. Since the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e can apply a common configuration, in FIG. 9, the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are represented by the data management unit 30a. The configuration is shown.
The data management unit 30a includes a memory 31a and a logic circuit 32a. The engine control line 40a and the data line 11a are connected to the logic circuit 32a. The logic circuit 32a stores the print image data transferred from the upper level device 10 via the data line 11a in the memory 31a according to the control signal received from the print control unit 22 via the engine control line 40a. Similarly, the logic circuit 32a reads print image data from the memory 31a in accordance with a control signal received from the print control unit 22 via the engine control line 40a, and supplies the print image data to the image output unit 50 described later.
Note that the control by the logic circuit 32a configured in hardware by a combination of logic circuits and the like has an advantage that higher-speed processing is possible compared to control using a CPU that branches processing by interruption to a program. is there. For example, the logic circuit 32a performs logic determination on a control signal based on a bit string received via the engine control line 40a, and determines a process to be executed.
The print image data of each color and post-processing liquid output from the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e, respectively, is supplied to the image output unit 50 and the post-processing liquid output unit 52. The image output unit 50 executes printing using print image data of each color. The post-processing liquid output unit 52 executes printing using the print image data of the post-processing liquid. In the present embodiment, printing based on print image data is performed by an ink jet method in which printing is performed by ejecting ink from nozzles provided in the head. Of course, the printing method is not limited to the ink jet method, and for example, a laser printer method or the like may be used.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary configuration of the image output unit 50. The image output unit 50 includes an output control unit 55 and heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d for the colors C, M, Y, and K. The output control unit 55 connects the output lines 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d to which the print image data of the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d are output and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d. Control. That is, the output control unit 55 can set a path so that each head 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d selects and connects one from each output line 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d. (Although not shown here, the post-processing liquid output unit 52 is also configured to perform printing with the head, and thus can have the same configuration as the image output unit 50.)
For example, the output control unit 55 can set the output lines 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d to be connected one to one. Further, for example, each head 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d is connected to the output line 32a, and the output lines 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d are 1 Can be set to connect to many.
The path connecting each output line 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d and each head 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d can be set by a user operation using, for example, a dip switch. Not limited to this, the path may be set by a control signal (not shown) from the print control unit 22.

  As described above, in the printer device 13 according to the present embodiment, transfer of print image data from the host device 10 and transmission / reception of a control signal for controlling printing by the print image data between the host device 10 and the printer device 13 are performed. Are performed via different paths. Also, the print image data of each color is transferred from the host device 10 via different data lines 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d, and each color transferred via these data lines 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d is transferred. The print image data is controlled independently of each other and supplied to the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d having a common configuration. Further, in the image output unit 50, connection paths between the outputs of the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c and 30d and the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d of the respective colors can be set by a user operation or the like.

Therefore, the printer device 13 according to the present embodiment depends on the number of colors of print image data (four colors of C, M, Y and K, or only K colors) and the number of heads used in the image output unit 50. The configuration of the printer engine 15 can be easily changed. At this time, the printer engine 15 can be provided with only the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d that are required according to the required configuration.
For example, if it is desired to perform full-color printing with four colors C, M, Y, and K, the data management units 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are all provided for the printer engine 15, and the output control unit 55 What is necessary is just to connect each output of the management parts 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d to the heads 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d, respectively. Further, for example, when printing with one color K, as an apparatus cost priority, only one data management unit 30a and head 56a are provided, and the output control unit 55 connects the output of the data management unit 30a to the head 56a. can do. Further, for example, when printing with one color K, as a priority for the printing speed, one data management unit 30a and four heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d are provided. The output of 30a can be connected to heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d, respectively. In this case, since the same color is printed a plurality of times, for example, the ink ejection time at each of the heads 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d is set to 1/4 of the normal time, and the conveyance speed of the printing paper is normally set. It is conceivable to perform high-speed printing at four times as high.

Next, a detailed description of each process will be given.
<Head structure>
Next, an example of a droplet discharge head constituting the recording head in this image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.
12 is a cross-sectional explanatory view along the longitudinal direction of the liquid chamber of the head, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the head along the short side of the liquid chamber (nozzle arrangement direction).
The droplet discharge head includes a flow channel plate 401 formed by anisotropic etching a single crystal silicon substrate, a vibration plate 402 formed by nickel electroforming, for example, bonded to the lower surface of the flow channel plate 401, and a flow plate. A nozzle plate 403 that is bonded to the upper surface of the path plate 401 is bonded and stacked, and the nozzle communication path 405, the liquid chamber 406, and the liquid chamber, which are channels through which the nozzles 404 that discharge liquid droplets (ink droplets) communicate with each other An ink supply port 409 communicating with a common liquid chamber 408 for supplying ink to 406 is formed.
In addition, two rows (only one row is shown in FIG. 5) of stacked piezoelectric elements as electromechanical conversion elements that are pressure generating means (actuator means) for pressurizing ink in the liquid chamber 406 by deforming the diaphragm 402. An element 421 and a base substrate 422 to which the piezoelectric element 421 is bonded and fixed are provided. Note that a column portion 423 is provided between the piezoelectric elements 421.
The column portion 423 is a portion formed at the same time as the piezoelectric element 421 by dividing the piezoelectric element member. However, since the drive voltage is not applied, the column portion 423 becomes a simple column.
In addition, an FPC cable 224 for connecting to a drive circuit (drive IC) (not shown) is connected to the piezoelectric element 421.
Then, the peripheral edge of the diaphragm 402 is joined to the frame member 430, and the frame member 430 serves as a through-hole 431 and a common liquid chamber 408 that accommodates an actuator unit including the piezoelectric element 421 and the base substrate 422. A recess and an ink supply hole 432 for supplying ink from the outside to the common liquid chamber 408 are formed. The frame member 430 is formed by injection molding with a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin or polyphenylene sulfite, for example.

Here, the flow path plate 401 is formed by, for example, anisotropically etching a single crystal silicon substrate having a crystal plane orientation (110) with an alkaline etching solution such as an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution (KOH), thereby connecting the nozzle communication path 405, Although a recess or a hole to be the liquid chamber 406 is formed, the invention is not limited to a single crystal silicon substrate, and other stainless steel substrates, photosensitive resins, and the like can also be used.
The diaphragm 402 is formed of a nickel metal plate, and is manufactured by, for example, an electroforming method (electroforming method). In addition, a metal plate or a joining member between a metal and a resin plate may be used. it can. The piezoelectric element 421 and the column 423 are bonded to the diaphragm 402 with an adhesive, and the frame member 430 is bonded to the diaphragm 402 with an adhesive.

The nozzle plate 403 forms a nozzle 404 having a diameter of 10 to 30 μm corresponding to each liquid chamber 406 and is bonded to the flow path plate 401 with an adhesive. This nozzle plate 403 is formed by forming a water repellent layer on the outermost surface through a required layer on the surface of a nozzle forming member made of a metal member.
The piezoelectric element 421 is a stacked piezoelectric element (here, PZT) in which piezoelectric materials 451 and internal electrodes 452 are alternately stacked. An individual electrode 453 and a common electrode 454 are connected to each internal electrode 452 drawn to the alternately different end faces of the piezoelectric element 421.

In this embodiment, the ink in the liquid chamber 406 is pressurized using the displacement in the d33 direction as the piezoelectric direction of the piezoelectric element 421. However, the pressure in the d31 direction is used as the piezoelectric direction of the piezoelectric element 421. The ink in the liquid chamber 406 may be pressurized. Alternatively, a structure in which one row of piezoelectric elements 421 is provided on one substrate 422 may be employed.
In the droplet discharge head configured as described above, for example, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 421 is lowered from the reference potential, the piezoelectric element 421 contracts, and the diaphragm 402 descends to expand the volume of the liquid chamber 406. Then, the ink flows into the liquid chamber 406, and then the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 421 is increased to extend the piezoelectric element 421 in the laminating direction, and the diaphragm 402 is deformed in the nozzle 404 direction to change the volume / volume of the liquid chamber 406. By contracting the volume, the recording liquid in the liquid chamber 406 is pressurized, and droplets of the recording liquid are ejected (jetted) from the nozzle 404.
Then, by returning the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 421 to the reference potential, the diaphragm 402 is restored to the initial position, and the liquid chamber 406 expands to generate a negative pressure. The recording liquid is filled in 406.
Therefore, after the vibration of the meniscus surface of the nozzle 404 is attenuated and stabilized, the operation proceeds to the next droplet discharge.

Note that the driving method of the head is not limited to the above example (drawing-pushing), and striking or pushing can be performed depending on the direction of the drive waveform.
Further, in this example, a piezoelectric element is used as a pressure generating means for pressurizing ink in the ink flow path, and a diaphragm that forms the wall surface of the ink flow path is deformed to change the volume in the ink flow path to discharge ink droplets. A so-called piezo-type one is applied (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-51734). However, a so-called thermal-type one that generates bubbles by heating ink in an ink flow path using a heating resistor (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-61). No. -59911), the diaphragm that forms the wall surface of the ink flow path and the electrode are disposed opposite to each other, and the diaphragm is deformed by an electrostatic force generated between the vibration plate and the electrode. An electrostatic type (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-71882) that ejects ink droplets by changing the product can also be applied.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the embodiment, an image forming apparatus in which the pretreatment liquid is applied by a roller and the posttreatment liquid is applied by droplet flying by a droplet discharge head will be described.
First, the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of this embodiment. In the present invention, post-treatment liquid application amount control is performed based on information relating to the color of the print image among the control information transmitted from the host apparatus 10. The optimum post-treatment liquid adhesion amount for each color may be stored in advance on the printer device and applied in accordance with the image data.
In addition, by inputting the physical properties (paper material properties, paper thickness, basis weight) of the recording medium to be used into the host device, the penetrability at the time of printing is calculated, and the optimum pretreatment liquid and posttreatment liquid are applied. It is also possible to calculate the quantity. The input of this information is stored in advance on the printer device side for main media, and the data can be called by inputting the paper type name. It is also possible to add a new one.

In the present embodiment, the recording medium information is transferred from the host device 10, but an external input device may be attached to the printer device 13 and the recording medium information may be transmitted from there by external input.
Next, for example, information relating to the permeability of the medium is read from the recording medium information transmitted to the printer device 13 in the print control unit 22, and the coating amount of the pretreatment liquid is calculated from the permeability value. Information regarding the pretreatment liquid application amount is transmitted to the pretreatment liquid application control unit 60 and converted into information on the nip pressure of the difference in which the pretreatment liquid is applied. When the information of the nip pressure is sent to the pretreatment device 302, the pressure is adjusted by the pressure adjustment device 209, and the calculated amount of the pretreatment liquid can be applied.
Further, the application amount may be adjusted by the rotation speed of the application roller. In this case, the information on the application amount transmitted to the pretreatment application control unit 60 is converted into information on the driving energy of the motor that rotates the roller.
The pretreatment liquid amount may be other physical properties as long as it is a physical property value related to the cohesiveness of the ink on the medium in addition to the information on the permeability.

Next, the application amount of the post-treatment liquid is calculated in the print control unit according to the amount of the pre-treatment liquid. Since the fixability on the recording medium is affected by the application of the pretreatment liquid, it is possible to apply the optimum amount of the posttreatment liquid by applying the posttreatment liquid according to the amount of the pretreatment liquid. .
Information on the amount of the post-treatment liquid calculated by the print control unit is sent to the post-treatment liquid data management unit via the control line 40e, and correction is performed on the image data for the post-treatment liquid transmitted to the data management unit. To control the amount of the post-treatment liquid applied.
When the post-treatment liquid application is droplet ejection by the recording head, the output energy information is transmitted to the post-treatment liquid ejection head, which is changed to a voltage value applied to the piezoelectric element 421, and the voltage is applied by the piezoelectric element. Pressure is applied and a desired amount of post-treatment liquid is discharged.

Furthermore, you may control the intensity | strength of a drying part according to the application quantity of this pre-processing liquid and a post-processing liquid.
When controlling the drying unit, the application amount information of the pretreatment liquid and the posttreatment liquid calculated by the printing control unit is transmitted through the control lines 41b and 41d. Sent to the department.
When control is performed to reduce the amount of pretreatment liquid and posttreatment liquid applied, power consumption can be reduced by reducing the strength of drying after pretreatment and drying after posttreatment. Is calculated by the post-processing post-drying control unit and the post-processing post-drying control unit.

For example, when drying after pre-processing is performed with a heat roller, the strength of drying after pre-processing is controlled by controlling the temperature of the heat roller.
Moreover, when performing post-processing drying by ventilation, the strength of post-processing drying is controlled by controlling the temperature and speed of the wind.

Next, a specific treatment liquid application pattern will be described.
Note that a large amount of pretreatment liquid applied means an adhesion amount of 1.5 g / m 2 or more. A large application amount of the post-treatment liquid means an adhesion amount of 1.2 g / m 2 or more. That each adhesion amount is small means other than the above. It should be noted that “not applied” is included in the case where the amount of adhesion is small.
For example, when printing on ink-jet paper having good permeability, the amount of pretreatment liquid may be small. Accordingly, the amount of post-treatment liquid may be reduced accordingly. Also, the dry strength may be weak.
Next, when printing on offset printing paper having poor permeability, it is necessary to apply a large amount of pretreatment liquid. Accordingly, it is necessary to apply a large amount of post-treatment liquid. It is also necessary to increase the drying strength.
In this embodiment, the treatment liquid is applied in two amounts, that is, a large amount and a small amount. However, the physical properties of the recording medium may be finely classified to increase the treatment liquid coating pattern.
Next, the pretreatment liquid application amount and the bleeding suppression effect will be described.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of pretreatment liquid applied to a recording medium and the granularity. By applying the pretreatment liquid, the granularity is lowered.
Next, FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the permeability of the recording medium and the necessary amount of pretreatment liquid applied. The necessary pretreatment liquid application amount is defined as an amount with sufficiently high quality in FIG. 15, for example, a minimum pretreatment liquid application amount with a granularity equal to or less than the broken line. When the permeability of the recording medium is small, the amount of necessary pretreatment liquid increases, and when the permeability increases, the amount of necessary pretreatment liquid decreases. Therefore, the optimum amount of pretreatment liquid applied can be determined from the permeability of the recording medium.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example and a comparative example demonstrate this invention further more concretely, this invention is not limited by these Examples.
<About pretreatment>
The purpose of preprocessing is to improve image quality. When the pretreatment is performed, the pigment is aggregated on the surface of the recording medium, so that the image density is increased. The liquid composition includes a cationic substance having a pigment aggregation effect, a polyvalent metal salt, a water-soluble resin, and the like.
As a method for applying the pretreatment liquid, a method of applying a roller on the entire recording medium is desirable. By applying with a roller, it becomes possible to uniformly apply a small amount of a high-concentration and high-viscosity pretreatment liquid to the entire surface of the recording medium. Also, the coating amount can be easily controlled.

<About ink>
There is no particular limitation on the ink composition, and an image is formed by ink jet recording on the pretreated surface of the recording medium having the coating layer or on the non-pretreated surface.
Any of water-based ink, UV ink, and solvent-based ink can be used. In the case of water-based ink, the ink is composed of components such as a water-soluble organic solvent (functioning as a moisturizing agent and a penetrating agent), a surfactant, an antifungal agent, an antifoaming agent, and a pH adjusting agent.

<About post-processing>
The purpose of post-processing is to prevent transfer contamination of the recorded image during conveyance and to prevent the recording medium from blocking. As the composition of the post-treatment liquid, it is effective to contain a polyurethane resin and polyethylene wax, and the effect is further improved by including polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane. As a method for applying the post-treatment liquid, it is desirable to apply the ink by ink jet recording, and it is preferable that the application amount is 10 to 30% of the ink application amount.

<Pretreatment liquid>
-Water-soluble aliphatic organic acids-
The pretreatment liquid used in the image forming method of the present embodiment contains a water-soluble aliphatic organic acid and has a property of aggregating a water-dispersible colorant. Here, agglomeration means that water-dispersible colorant particles adsorb and gather together, and can be confirmed by a particle size distribution measuring device. When an ionic substance such as a water-soluble aliphatic organic acid is added to the pretreatment liquid, the surface charge is neutralized by adsorption of ions to the surface charge of the water-dispersible colorant. Aggregation is enhanced and aggregation is possible. As an example of a method for confirming the aggregation, there is a method for confirming whether or not the colorant aggregates instantaneously when 30 μl of the pretreatment liquid is added with 5 μl of the inkjet ink having a water dispersible colorant concentration of 5 mass%.

<Post-treatment liquid>
The post-treatment liquid used in the image forming method of the present embodiment contains a component capable of forming a transparent protective layer on a recording medium, and includes, for example, a water-dispersible resin, a water-soluble organic solvent, a penetrant, an interface. It contains an activator, water, and other components as required. This post-treatment liquid varies depending on the method of application or flight, but in order to give the image portion glossiness or to protect the image portion with a resin layer (improve glossiness and fixability), the polymer is irradiated by ultraviolet irradiation. A resin composition and a thermoplastic resin comprising a component to be converted are preferable. In particular, a thermoplastic resin emulsion (also referred to as a water-dispersible resin) is preferable for improving glossiness and fixing property. In the case where the post-treatment liquid is caused to fly by the ink jet recording apparatus, it is preferable that an appropriate amount of the water-soluble organic solvent (wetting agent) used in the ink for ink jet and the pretreatment liquid is contained.

-Water dispersible resin-
As for said water dispersible resin, it is preferable that the glass transition temperature (Tg) is -30 degreeC or more, and the range of -20-100 degreeC is more preferable. The minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) of the water-dispersible resin is preferably 50 ° C. or lower, and more preferably 35 ° C. or lower. If the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the water-dispersible resin is less than −30 ° C., even after evaporation of moisture, it has tackiness like an adhesive and may be difficult to actually use. If the minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) of the water-dispersible resin exceeds 50 ° C., the film cannot be formed in a short time even if a drying means such as a heater or hot air is used, so that actual use may be difficult. The glass transition temperature of the water dispersible resin can be measured by, for example, the TMA method, the DSC method, and the DMA method (tensile method). The minimum film-forming temperature (MFT) of the water-dispersible resin can be measured by, for example, a minimum film-forming temperature measuring device (MFT type).
As this water dispersible resin, for example, an acrylic resin, a styrene-acrylic resin, a urethane resin, an acrylic-silicone resin, a fluororesin, and the like are suitable. As these water-dispersible resins, those similar to the water-dispersible resins used in the ink jet ink can be appropriately selected and used. The content of these water-dispersible resins in the protective layer is preferably 1% by mass to 50% by mass in terms of solid content, and preferably 1% by mass to 30% by mass when flying with an ink jet recording apparatus. When the resin content exceeds 50% by mass, the viscosity may increase, and when the resin content is less than 1% by mass, the film formability is lowered and much energy for water evaporation is required.
In addition, the average particle diameter (D50) of the water-dispersible resin in the post-processing liquid used in the image forming method of the present embodiment is related to the viscosity of the post-processing liquid. Increases viscosity at the same solid content. The average particle diameter (D50) of the water-dispersible resin is preferably 50 nm or more so as not to have an excessively high viscosity when the post-treatment liquid is used. Moreover, since it will become larger than the nozzle opening of the head of the apparatus which flies a post-processing liquid when a particle size becomes several tens of micrometers, it is not preferable. If particles having a large particle diameter are present in the post-treatment liquid even though they are smaller than the nozzle opening, the discharge property is deteriorated. Therefore, the average particle diameter (D50) of the post-treatment liquid is more preferably 200 nm or less, and even more preferably 150 nm or less, in order not to inhibit the ink discharge properties.

-Water-soluble organic solvent-
Although content of the water-soluble organic solvent in a post-processing liquid is not specifically limited, Usually, it is 10-80 mass%, Preferably it is 15-60 mass%. If it is larger than 80% by mass, the recording medium after post-treatment may be difficult to dry depending on the type of the water-soluble organic solvent. If it is less than 10% by mass, moisture will evaporate during the pre-treatment. The composition can change significantly.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said penetrant and surfactant, According to the objective, it can select suitably from the thing similar to the penetrant and surfactant used for said inkjet ink and pre-processing liquid. Examples of the other components include a fungicide, an antifoaming agent, and a pH adjuster.

Preparation of pretreatment liquid 1,3-butanediol 10% by mass, L-lactic acid 15% by mass, fluorosurfactant 0.05% by mass, Proxel GXL 0.05% by mass, foam inhibitor 0.05% by mass, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol 0.1% by mass, N, N-diethylethanolamine 23.42% by mass, calcium lactate 5% by mass, surfactant Rf-O-polyoxyethylene ether (Neos) (Factent 251) 0.1% by weight, modified silicone oil (KF643 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 1% by weight, antifungal agent 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one dipropylene glycol 20% aqueous solution (Arch Chemicals Japan Proxel GXL) 0.05 mass%, 1,2,3-benzotriazole 0.1 mass% is stirred for 1 hour and mixed uniformly. The remaining amount of water was added to the mixture so that the total amount was 100% by mass, and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. Thereafter, the solution was filtered under pressure through a 0.8 μ cellulose acetate membrane filter to remove coarse particles to obtain a pretreatment liquid.

<Preparation of pigment dispersion>
(Cyan dispersion)
After sufficiently replacing the inside of the 1 L flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermometer, nitrogen gas introduction tube, reflux tube and dropping funnel with nitrogen gas, 11.2 g of styrene, 2.8 g of acrylic acid, 12.0 g of lauryl methacrylate, 4.0 g of polyethylene glycol methacrylate, 4.0 g of styrene macromer (manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., trade name: AS-6) and 0.4 g of mercaptoethanol were charged, and the temperature was raised to 65 ° C. Next, styrene 100.8 g, acrylic acid 25.2 g, lauryl methacrylate 108.0 g, polyethylene glycol methacrylate 36.0 g, hydroxyethyl methacrylate 60.0 g, styrene macromer (manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd., trade name: AS-6) A mixed solution of 36.0 g, mercaptoethanol 3.6 g, azobisdimethylvaleronitrile 2.4 g and methyl ethyl ketone 18 g was dropped into the flask over 2.5 hours.
After completion of dropping, a mixed solution of 0.8 g of azobisdimethylvaleronitrile and 18 g of methyl ethyl ketone was dropped into the flask over 0.5 hours. After aging at 65 ° C. for 1 hour, 0.8 g of azobisdimethylvaleronitrile was added, and further aging was performed for 1 hour. After completion of the reaction, 364 g of methyl ethyl ketone was added to the flask to obtain 800 g of a polymer solution having a concentration of 50%.
Next, a part of the polymer solution was dried and measured by gel permeation chromatography (standard: polystyrene, solvent: tetrahydrofuran). The weight average molecular weight was 15000.
28 g of the polymer solution, 26 g of copper phthalocyanine pigment, 13.6 g of 1 mol / L potassium hydroxide aqueous solution, 20 g of methyl ethyl ketone and 30 g of ion-exchanged water were sufficiently stirred.
Thereafter, the mixture was kneaded 20 times using a three-roll mill (manufactured by Noritake Co., Ltd., trade name: NR-84A). The obtained paste was put into 200 g of ion-exchanged water and stirred sufficiently, and then methyl ethyl ketone and water were distilled off using an evaporator to obtain 160 g of a blue polymer fine particle dispersion having a solid content of 20.0 wt%.
The average particle diameter (D50%) of the fine polymer particles measured by Microtrac UPA was 98 nm.

(Magenta dispersion)
A red-purple polymer fine particle dispersion was obtained in the same manner as in the preparation of the cyan dispersion except that the copper phthalocyanine pigment of the cyan dispersion was changed to Pigment Pigment Red 122. The average particle size (D50%) of the polymer fine particles measured by Microtrac UPA was 124 nm.

(Yellow dispersion)
A yellow polymer fine particle dispersion was obtained in the same manner as the preparation of the cyan dispersion except that the copper phthalocyanine pigment of the cyan dispersion was changed to Pigment Pigment Yellow 74. The average particle diameter (D50%) of the polymer fine particles measured by Microtrac UPA was 78 nm.

(Black dispersion)
A black polymer fine particle dispersion was obtained in the same manner as the preparation of the cyan dispersion except that the copper phthalocyanine pigment of the cyan dispersion was changed to carbon black (Degussa FW100). The average particle size (D50%) of the polymer fine particles measured by Microtrac UPA was 110 nm.
-Ink adjustment-
1,3-butanediol 15% by mass, glycerin 15% by mass, OMNOVA polyfox PF-151N 1% by mass, and octanediol 2% by mass are mixed and stirred uniformly for 1 hour. The pigment dispersion was added in an amount of 40% by weight to this mixed solution, and the remaining amount of water was added so that the total amount was 100% by mass, followed by stirring for 1 hour. Thereafter, the mixture was filtered under pressure through a 0.8 μ cellulose acetate membrane filter to remove coarse particles, and an evaluation ink was obtained.

Preparation of post-treatment liquid 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol 22% by mass, glycerin 11% by mass, fluorosurfactant 0.05% by mass, Proxel GXL 0.05% by mass, foam inhibitor 0.05% by mass %, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol 0.2% by mass, polyurethane emulsion 15% by mass, polyethylene wax 14% by mass, and polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane 1% by mass are stirred for one hour and mixed uniformly. . The remaining amount of water was added to the mixture so that the total amount was 100% by mass, and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. Thereafter, the solution was filtered under pressure through a 0.8 μ cellulose acetate membrane filter to remove coarse particles, thereby obtaining a post-treatment liquid.

Image creation:
The image required for each evaluation is printed with ink on POD gloss paper to which 40 mg / A4 amount of pretreatment liquid is applied by the roller coating method, and immediately after that, the amount of posttreatment liquid applied to the ink color at the time of printing An image was created by changing. The heat treatment was performed at a roller temperature of 100 ° C. from the back side of the printing surface.

Image rating:
[A] Glossiness The glossiness of each recorded matter was visually evaluated on the basis of the following criteria, using a pigment ink print image not using a post-treatment liquid as a reference.
○: A gloss improvement of 15% or more is recognized compared to the reference.
Δ: Gloss improvement of 5% or more and less than 15% compared to the reference is recognized.
X: The gloss improvement is not recognized or decreased as compared with the reference.

[B] Image Density For an image printed with a 10-point solid chart (100% duty) as an image chart, the image density is measured using a reflective color spectrocolorimeter (manufactured by X-Rite). did.
Judgment criteria ◎: 1.5 or more ○: 1.2 or more and less than 1.5 △: 0.9 or more and less than 1.2 ×: Less than 0.9

[C] Image blur Judgment criteria for visually observing blur for an image printed with 10-point H characters as an image chart at a resolution of 1200 dpi ◎: No blurring ○: Slight blurring △: Bluring × : Clear bleeding

The evaluation results are shown below.

(About Figures 1 and 2)
500 Recording medium 501 Pretreatment liquid 502 Recording liquid 503 Posttreatment liquid

(About Figure 3)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 300 Inkjet recording device 301 Recording medium conveyance part 203 Recording medium 302 Pre-processing process part 303 Pre-processing post-drying part 304 Image formation process part 305 Post-processing process part 306 Post-processing post-drying part 307 Paper feeder 308 Winding-up apparatus 311 Heat roller 312 Heat roller 313 Heat roller 314 Heat roller

(Figs. 4, 5 and 6)
201 Conveying roller 202 Platen roller 203 Recording medium 204 Pretreatment liquid coating device 205 Pretreatment liquid 206 Stirring / supply roller 207 Transfer / thinning roller 208 Coating roller 304 Image forming step 304K Black (K) recording head 304C Cyan (C ) Recording head 304M Magenta (M) recording head 304Y Yellow (Y) recording head 304K-1 Head unit 304K-2 Head unit 304K-3 Head unit 304K-4 Head unit 309 Nozzle surface 310 Print nozzle

(About FIGS. 7 to 11)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Host apparatus 11 Data line 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e Data line 12 Control line 13 Printer apparatus 14 Printer controller 15 Printer engine 20 Bus 21 CPU
22 Print control units 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e Data management units 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d and 31e Memory 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e Logic circuits 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e Engine control line 41a , 41b, 41c, 41d, 41e Control line 50 Image output unit 51 Transport control unit 52 Post-processing liquid output unit 53 Post-processing post-drying control unit 55 Output control unit 55
56a, 56b, 56c, 56d C, M, Y, K heads 60 Pretreatment liquid application controller 61 Pretreatment drying controller 62 Prewinding drying controller 100 Bus 101 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101
102 ROM (Read Only Memory)
103 RAM (Random Access Memory)
104 Hard disk drive 110 External I / F
111 I / F for control information
112 I / F for image data

(About FIGS. 12 and 13)
224 FPC cable 401 Flow path plate 402 Vibration plate 403 Nozzle plate 404 Nozzle 405 Nozzle communication path 406 Liquid chamber 408 Common liquid chamber 409 Ink supply port 421 Piezoelectric element 422 Base substrate 423 Strut portion 430 Frame member 431 Through portion 432 Ink supply hole 451 Piezoelectric material 452 Internal electrode 453 Individual electrode 454 Common electrode

JP 2004-330568 A No. 40663338

Claims (4)

A pretreatment liquid application process for applying a pretreatment liquid on a recording medium before image formation, an image formation process for forming an image on a recording medium, and a posttreatment liquid application process for applying a posttreatment liquid on a recording medium after image formation In an image forming method having
When the application amount of the pretreatment liquid is increased, the posttreatment liquid application step is to increase the application amount of the posttreatment liquid accordingly.
In the post-treatment liquid application step, the adhesion area of the post-treatment liquid is made smaller than the area of the portion where the image is formed, and the color with lower image gloss per unit area of the post-treatment liquid on the recording medium An image forming method characterized in that the coating amount is increased and the amount of post-treatment liquid applied to a recording medium per unit area is decreased and applied to a color with higher image gloss. A pretreatment liquid application process for applying a pretreatment liquid on a recording medium before image formation, an image formation process for forming an image on a recording medium, and a posttreatment liquid application process for applying a posttreatment liquid on a recording medium after image formation In an image forming method having
When the application amount of the pretreatment liquid is reduced, the posttreatment liquid application step accordingly reduces the application amount of the posttreatment liquid,
In the post-treatment liquid application step, the adhesion area of the post-treatment liquid is made smaller than the area of the portion where the image is formed, and the color with lower image gloss per unit area of the post-treatment liquid on the recording medium An image forming method characterized in that the coating amount is increased and the amount of post-treatment liquid applied to a recording medium per unit area is decreased and applied to a color with higher image gloss. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, a pretreatment liquid application unit for applying a pretreatment liquid on the recording medium before image formation, and a posttreatment liquid for applying a posttreatment liquid on the recording medium after image formation Having an application means,
When the application amount of the pretreatment liquid is increased, the posttreatment liquid application means increases the application amount of the posttreatment liquid accordingly.
In the post-treatment liquid application, the adhesion area of the post-treatment liquid is smaller than the area on which the image is formed, and the image forming apparatus has a post-treatment liquid on a recording medium for a color having a lower image gloss. An image forming apparatus comprising: a coating amount adjusting unit necessary to increase the coating amount of the toner and to reduce the coating amount of the post-processing liquid on the recording medium as the image has higher gloss. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, a pretreatment liquid application unit for applying a pretreatment liquid on the recording medium before image formation, and a posttreatment liquid for applying a posttreatment liquid on the recording medium after image formation Having an application means,
When the application amount of the pretreatment liquid is reduced, the posttreatment liquid application means accordingly reduces the application amount of the posttreatment liquid,
In the post-treatment liquid application, the adhesion area of the post-treatment liquid is smaller than the area on which the image is formed, and the image forming apparatus has a post-treatment liquid on a recording medium for a color having a lower image gloss. An image forming apparatus comprising: a coating amount adjusting unit necessary to increase the coating amount of the toner and to reduce the coating amount of the post-processing liquid on the recording medium as the image has higher gloss.

Images