JP6951632B2 - Printing method by thermal transfer printer, thermal transfer printer, and printed matter - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing method using a thermal transfer printer using a spot color ink having a metallic luster, a thermal transfer printer, and a printed matter.

Conventionally, in printed matter such as cards for card games printed by using a thermal transfer printer, a part of an image is given a metallic luster (giving a metallic effect) in order to enhance the design. For example, in Patent Document 1, printing can be performed on a print medium on which a silver metallic layer is formed to give a printed matter a metallic effect. Specifically, the metallic effect can be imparted to each color by directly transferring the color ink to the printing medium on which the silver metallic layer is formed in the region where the metallic effect is desired to be imparted. On the other hand, the metallic effect can be eliminated by transferring the white ink that does not transmit the base color to the region that does not want to have the metallic effect and then transferring the color ink.

JP-A-2007-144693

As described above, in the thermal transfer printer of Patent Document 1, it is possible to select whether or not to give the metallic effect to a certain region in the image depending on whether or not the white ink is transferred to the region. .. However, it was not possible to adjust the degree of metallic effect. Therefore, there is a limit to improving the design of the printed matter.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve the design of printed matter by making it possible to adjust the degree of metallic effect.

The printing method using a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention is a printing method using a thermal transfer printer that thermally transfers the ink applied to the ink ribbon to a printing medium using a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged. The heat-generating body when the special color ink layer, the receiving layer, and the color ink layer having a metallic luster are sequentially heat-transferred to the medium, and the receiving layer is heat-transferred in at least a part of the region where the special color ink layer is heat-transferred. It is characterized in that unevenness is formed in the receiving layer by changing the calorific value of the above.

In the printed matter printed by such a printing method, the spot color ink layer on the lower side is clearly visible in the region where the receiving layer is not uneven, whereas in the region where the receiving layer is uneven. , The spot color ink layer underneath it becomes dull. By forming irregularities on the receiving layer in this way, the appearance of the spot color ink layer having a metallic luster can be changed. Therefore, the degree of the metallic effect of the spot color ink layer can be adjusted, and the design of the printed matter can be improved.

In the printing method using a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention, the spot color ink layer, the receiving layer, and the color ink layer are sequentially thermally transferred to the printing medium, and then the overcoat layer is thermally transferred to the receiving layer. It is preferable to form irregularities in the overcoat layer by changing the calorific value of the heating element when the overcoat layer is thermally transferred in at least a part of the region where the irregularities are formed.

As described above, by forming the unevenness on the overcoat layer in addition to forming the unevenness on the receiving layer, the degree of freedom in adjusting the metallic effect can be further improved.

In the printing method using a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention, the amount of heat generated by the heating element when the overcoat layer is thermally transferred so as to cancel the irregularities formed on the receiving layer by the irregularities formed on the overcoat layer. Should be changed.

In this way, by canceling the unevenness of the receiving layer with the unevenness of the overcoat layer, the surface of the overcoat layer, that is, the surface of the printed matter can be flattened. Therefore, the glossiness of the printed matter can be improved.

The thermal transfer printer according to the present invention is characterized by including a control unit that controls the thermal head so as to execute any of the above printing methods.

According to such a thermal transfer printer, as described above, the degree of the metallic effect of the spot color ink can be adjusted, so that the design of the printed matter can be improved.

The printed matter according to the present invention is characterized in that it is printed by any of the above printing methods.

According to such a printed matter, as described above, the degree of the metallic effect of the spot color ink can be adjusted, so that the design can be improved.

The schematic block diagram of the main part of the thermal transfer printer which concerns on this embodiment. The figure which shows the ink ribbon used in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the printed matter in which an image was formed. Sectional drawing which shows a part of printed matter. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a printed matter in a modified example.

Hereinafter, an example of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of the thermal transfer printer according to the present embodiment. The thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment sandwiches the print medium 12 and the ink ribbon 13 in a state of being overlapped by the thermal heads 10 and the platen rollers 11 arranged so as to face each other. Then, the ink applied to the ink ribbon 13 is thermally transferred to the printing medium 12 by the thermal head 10 to form an image on the printing medium 12. The print medium 12 and the ink ribbon 13 are configured to be conveyed in the directions of the arrows in FIG. 1, respectively.

The thermal transfer printer 1 is provided with a paper feed roll 14 on which a long sheet-shaped printing medium 12 is wound, and an ink ribbon roll 15 on which an ink ribbon 13 is wound. The print medium 12 drawn out from the paper feed roll 14 is printed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 11, and then conveyed to a discharge port (not shown) by the pinch roller 16 and the feed roller 17. The printed print medium 12 is cut at an appropriate position by a cutter (not shown) and then discharged from the discharge port. In the printing medium 12 of the present embodiment, a receiving layer capable of receiving ink is formed on the surface of the base material. However, if the base material is a material that can accept ink, the print medium 12 may be composed of only the base material.

The ink ribbon 13 drawn from the ink ribbon roll 15 is guided between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 11 by the guide roller 18. The used ink ribbon 13 to which heat is applied by the thermal head 10 and the ink is transferred is wound around the used roll 19.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ink ribbon 13 used in the present embodiment. The ink ribbon 13 has a configuration in which the ink surfaces coated with the hologram layer HG, the receiving layer RC, the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the overcoat layer OP are arranged in this order. It has become. The portion surrounded by the thick line in FIG. 2 is the ink surface used in one printing. The hologram layer HG is made of a molten type (may be a sublimation type) hologram ink having a metallic luster. The receptive layer RC consists of a melt-type transparent receptive ink that can accept the ink. The yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, and the cyan ink layer C are each composed of sublimation type inks of each color. The overcoat layer OP is composed of a melt-type transparent overcoat ink.

A plurality of minute heating elements 10a are arranged on the thermal head 10 at positions facing the platen roller 11 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. The thermal head 10 is appropriately pressed toward the platen roller 11 in a state where the print medium 12 and the ink ribbon 13 are overlapped and sandwiched between the platen roller 11 and the platen roller 11. Then, the ink in the portion pressed against the heating element 10a in the heat generating state is melted or sublimated and transferred from the ink ribbon 13 to the printing medium 12.

The thermal transfer printer 1 has a control unit 20 that controls the operation of each unit. The control unit 20 appropriately controls the heat generation of the heating element 10a of the thermal head 10 and the transfer control of the print medium 12 and the ink ribbon 13 based on the input image data, thereby producing a desired image on the print medium 12. Form. Each heating element 10a is individually heat-controlled.

Next, a specific example of printing using the thermal transfer printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a printed matter P on which an image is formed. The image printed on the printed matter P has a star-shaped region S1, a moon-shaped region S2, and a region S3 other than the regions S1 and S2. A hologram layer HG having a metallic luster is transferred to the regions S1 and S2 in order to impart a metallic effect. On the other hand, the region S3 is a normal color image, and the hologram layer HG is not transferred.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the printed matter P, where a is a cross-sectional view in the area S1, b is a cross-sectional view in the area S2, and c is a cross-sectional view in the area S3. In FIG. 4, each layer is laminated to facilitate understanding of the invention. However, the color ink layers Y, M, and C that actually use the sublimation type ink are transferred in such a manner that the sublimated ink soaks into the receiving layer RC, and the laminated state is not formed.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in the regions S1 and S2, the hologram layer HG, the receiving layer RC, the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and the cyan ink layer C are formed on the surface of the print medium 12. , The overcoat layer OP is thermally transferred in order. However, the morphology of thermal transfer of the receiving layer RC is different between the region S1 and the region S2. That is, when the receiving layer RC is thermally transferred in the region S1, the thickness of the receiving layer RC is kept constant by keeping the calorific value of the heating element 10a constant. On the other hand, when the receiving layer RC is thermally transferred in the region S2, the heating element 10a is controlled so as to fluctuate in a fixed cycle so that the receiving layer RC has a wavy shape having irregularities. Specifically, if the calorific value of the heating element 10a is increased, the thickness of the receiving layer RC is increased, and if the calorific value of the heating element 10a is decreased, the thickness of the receiving layer RC is decreased. In the present embodiment, the calorific value is controlled so that the thickness of the portion having the smallest thickness of the receiving layer RC in the region S2 is substantially the same as the thickness of the receiving layer RC in the region S1.

In the region S1 in which the thickness of the receiving layer RC is constant and flat, the metallic luster of the hologram layer HG immediately below the receiving layer RC is not particularly dull, and the metallic effect is maximized. As a result, the star-shaped region S1 appears to shine strongly. On the other hand, in the region S2 in which the receiving layer RC has irregularities, the metallic luster of the hologram layer HG immediately below the region S2 looks slightly dull due to the scattering of light due to the irregularities, and the metallic effect can be softened. As a result, the moon-shaped region S2 appears to shine faintly. In this way, it is possible to make a difference in the metallic effect in one printed matter P, and it is possible to enhance the design.

As shown in FIG. 4c, in the region S3, the hologram layer HG is not transferred to the surface of the print medium 12, and the receiving layer RC, the yellow ink layer Y, the magenta ink layer M, the cyan ink layer C, and The overcoat layer OP is sequentially thermally transferred. Therefore, the image formed in the region S3 becomes a normal color image without a metallic effect.

Here, FIG. 4b shows a case where the calorific value of the heating element 10a is kept constant when the overcoat layer OP is thermally transferred. When the overcoat layer OP is transferred with a constant calorific value, the thickness of the overcoat layer OP becomes constant, and as a result, the surface of the printed matter P also becomes uneven in the region S2 due to the influence of the unevenness of the receiving layer RC. It will be. As described above, in the region S2 having an uneven surface, the glossiness may be lower than in the other regions S1 and S3 having a flat surface. Therefore, if it is desired to give the region S2 the same glossiness as the regions S1 and S3, the surface of the region S2 may be flattened as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 5 shows a case where the overcoat layer OP is thermally transferred in the region S2 and controlled so as to increase or decrease in a phase opposite to that when the receiving layer RC is thermally transferred. In this case, the unevenness of the overcoat layer OP is formed in the direction opposite to the unevenness of the receiving layer RC, and the unevenness of the receiving layer RC is canceled by the unevenness of the overcoat layer OP. As a result, the surface of the printed matter P becomes flat even in the region S2, and the glossiness of the region S2 can be equal to or close to that of the regions S1 and S3. It is not essential that the unevenness of the overcoat layer OP completely cancels the unevenness of the receiving layer RC. That is, if the unevenness of the receiving layer RC can be offset to some extent by the unevenness of the overcoat layer OP, the surface can be flattened to some extent and the glossiness can be improved.

(effect)
In the present embodiment, the hologram layer HG (spot color ink layer) having metallic luster, the receiving layer RC, and the color ink layers Y, M, and C are thermally transferred to the print medium 12 in this order, and the hologram layer HG is thermally transferred. In at least a part of S1 and S2, unevenness was formed in the receiving layer RC by changing the calorific value of the heating element 10a when the receiving layer RC was thermally transferred. In the printed matter P printed by such a printing method, in the region S1 in which the receiving layer RC is not formed with irregularities, the hologram layer HG below the region S1 is clearly visible, whereas the receiving layer RC is formed with irregularities. In the formed region S2, the hologram layer HG below the region S2 becomes dull. By forming irregularities on the receiving layer RC in this way, the appearance of the hologram layer HG having a metallic luster can be changed. Therefore, the degree of the metallic effect of the hologram layer HG can be adjusted, and the design of the printed matter P can be improved.

Further, in the modified example of the present embodiment, the hologram layer HG, the receiving layer RC, and the color ink layers Y, M, and C are heat-transferred in order to the print medium 12, and then the overcoat layer OP is heat-transferred and received. In at least a part of the region S2 in which the layer RC has irregularities, the overcoat layer OP is formed with irregularities by changing the calorific value of the heating element 10a when the overcoat layer OP is thermally transferred. In this way, in addition to forming irregularities on the receiving layer RC, by forming irregularities on the overcoat layer OP as well, the degree of freedom in adjusting the metallic effect can be further improved.

Further, in the modified example of the present embodiment, the amount of heat generated by the heating element 10a when the overcoat layer OP is thermally transferred is set so as to cancel the unevenness formed on the receiving layer RC by the unevenness formed on the overcoat layer OP. I tried to change it. In this way, the surface of the overcoat layer OP can be flattened by canceling the unevenness of the receiving layer RC by the unevenness of the overcoat layer OP. Therefore, the glossiness of the printed matter P can be improved.

(Other embodiments)
A modified example in which various changes are made to the above embodiment will be described.

In the above embodiment, the case where the hologram layer HG is adopted as the special color ink layer having metallic luster has been described. However, the spot color ink layer is not limited to the hologram layer HG, and may be, for example, a silver metallic layer or a golden metallic layer.

In the above embodiment, the ink ribbon 13 has an ink surface coated with a hologram layer HG, a receiving layer RC, a yellow ink layer Y, a magenta ink layer M, a cyan ink layer C, and an overcoat layer OP. I made it. However, the type of ink surface of the ink ribbon 13 is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, as the color ink surface, an ink surface of a color other than yellow, magenta, and cyan may be provided, or a black ink surface may be provided. Further, it is possible to omit the ink surface on which the overcoat layer OP is applied.

In the above embodiment, the thermal transfer printer 1 is of a so-called single head type having only one thermal head 10. However, as the thermal transfer printer 1, a multi-head type having a plurality of thermal heads 10 may be adopted. For example, when two thermal heads 10 are provided, an ink ribbon having an ink surface coated with a conventionally common yellow ink layer Y, magenta ink layer M, cyan ink layer C, and overcoat layer OP. It is also possible to carry out the printing method of the above embodiment by using an ink ribbon having an ink surface coated with the hologram layer HG and the receiving layer RC.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the print medium 12 is in the form of a long sheet, but the print medium 12 is not limited to this, and may be in the form of a card, print paper of a specified size (A4 or the like), or the like.

In the modified example of the above embodiment, the unevenness is formed in the overcoat layer OP so as to cancel the unevenness formed in the receiving layer RC. However, on the contrary, the unevenness may be formed on the overcoat layer OP so as to amplify the unevenness formed on the receiving layer RC. In this case, the metallic effect of the hologram layer HG can be further softened.

In the above embodiment, unevenness is formed in the receiving layer RC by varying the calorific value of the heating element 10a at regular intervals. Here, if the calorific value at the time of thermal transfer of the receiving layer RC is increased to a predetermined amount or more, the thickness of the transferred receiving layer RC does not change, but the surface of the receiving layer RC is overheated in addition to the above-mentioned unevenness. May be rough. Such roughness also promotes light scattering in the receiving layer RC. Therefore, when forming the uneven receiving layer RC, it is possible to further soften the metallic effect by intentionally heating the heating element 10a with a heating element of a predetermined amount or more to cause the surface to be roughened.

In the above embodiment, the amount of heat generated by the heating element 10a is changed at regular intervals to form corrugated irregularities in the receiving layer RC. However, it is not essential to change the calorific value of the heating element 10a at regular intervals, and it may be changed randomly. Further, it is also possible to change the shape of the unevenness by regularly controlling the amount of heat generated by the heating element 10a so that a pattern such as a checkered pattern emerges or a gradation effect is generated in the area having the metallic effect. It is possible.

1: Thermal transfer printer 10: Thermal head 10a: Heating element 12: Printing medium 13: Ink ribbon 20: Control unit HG: Hologram layer (spot color ink layer)
RC: Receptive layer Y: Yellow ink layer (color ink layer)
M: Magenta ink layer (color ink layer)
C: Cyan ink layer (color ink layer)
OP: Overcoat layer

Claims (4)

A printing method using a thermal transfer printer that thermally transfers the ink applied to the ink ribbon to a printing medium using a thermal head in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged.
A special color ink layer having a metallic luster, a receiving layer, and a color ink layer are sequentially heat-transferred to the printing medium.
By a thermal transfer printer characterized in that unevenness is formed in the receiving layer by changing the calorific value of the heating element when the receiving layer is thermally transferred in at least a part of the region where the special color ink layer is thermally transferred. Printing method. After the special color ink layer, the receiving layer, and the color ink layer are thermally transferred to the printing medium in order, the overcoat layer is further thermally transferred.
It is characterized in that unevenness is formed in the overcoat layer by changing the calorific value of the heating element when the overcoat layer is thermally transferred in at least a part of the region where the unevenness is formed in the receiving layer. The printing method by the thermal transfer printer according to claim 1. 2. The second aspect of the present invention is that the amount of heat generated by the heating element when the overcoat layer is thermally transferred is changed so that the unevenness formed on the overcoat layer cancels the unevenness formed on the receiving layer. The printing method by the thermal transfer printer described in 1. A thermal transfer printer comprising a control unit that controls the thermal head so as to execute the printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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