Inkjet printing method

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to producing an improved coloring effect, while suppressing smearing of a colorant in the inkjet textile printing. A fabric is printed by inkjet printing with a first liquid containing a dyeing assistant. Then, the fabric is further printed by inkjet printing with a second liquid containing a colorant and a water-soluble photo-curable resin. The second liquid applied on the fabric is then irradiated with light.

1 . An inkjet printing method, comprising:
 a first printing step of printing a fabric by inkjet printing with a first liquid comprising a dyeing assistant;   a second printing step of printing the fabric by inkjet printing subsequent to the first printing step with a second liquid comprising a colorant and a water-soluble photo-curable resin; and   a light irradiating step of irradiating the second liquid applied on the fabric in the second printing step with light.   
     
     
         2 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first liquid applied on the fabric in the first printing step is lower in viscosity than the second liquid applied on the fabric in the second printing step. 
     
     
         3 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a thickening step of thickening the first liquid applied on the fabric in the first printing step to a higher degree of viscosity, wherein the thickening step is performed subsequent to the first printing step and prior to the second printing step.   
     
     
         4 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein
 the first liquid further comprises: a water-soluble photo-curable resin, and   the thickening step further comprises: irradiating the first liquid applied on the fabric in the first printing step with light.   
     
     
         5 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein
 the thickening step comprises: heating the first liquid applied on the fabric in the first printing step.   
     
     
         6 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein
 a period of time between when the fabric is printed with the first liquid in the first printing step and when the first liquid is thickened in the thickening step is greater than a period of time between when the fabric is printed with the second liquid in the second printing step and when the second liquid is irradiated with light in the light irradiating step.   
     
     
         7 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein
 a period of time between when the fabric is printed with the first liquid in the first printing step and when the first liquid is thickened in the thickening step is greater than a period of time between when the fabric is printed with the second liquid in the second printing step and when the second liquid is irradiated with light in the light irradiating step.   
     
     
         8 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein
 a period of time between when the fabric is printed with the first liquid in the first printing step and when the first liquid is thickened in the thickening step is greater than a period of time between when the fabric is printed with the second liquid in the second printing step and when the second liquid is irradiated with light in the light irradiating step.   
     
     
         9 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 4 , comprising:
 performing the first printing step, the thickening step, the second printing step, and the light irradiating step by using an inkjet head, and   the inkjet head comprising:
 a first nozzle that applies the first liquid in the first printing step; 
 a first light irradiator that irradiates the first liquid with light in the thickening step; 
 a second nozzle that applies the second liquid in the second printing step; and 
 a second light irradiator that irradiates the second liquid with light in the light irradiating step, wherein 
 the first nozzle is located at a position more forward in a main scanning direction than the first light irradiator, 
 the second nozzle is located at a position more forward in the main scanning direction than the second light irradiator, 
 the first nozzle and the first light irradiator are located at positions more rearward in a sub scanning direction than the second nozzle and the second light irradiator, and 
 a distance between the first nozzle and the first light irradiator is greater than a distance between the second nozzle and the second light irradiator. 
   
     
     
         10 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 5 , comprising:
 performing the first printing step, the thickening step, the second printing step, and the light irradiating step by using an inkjet head, and   the inkjet head including:
 a first nozzle that applies the first liquid in the first printing step; 
 a heater that heats the first liquid in the thickening step; 
 a second nozzle that applies the second liquid in the second printing step; and 
 a light irradiator that irradiates the second liquid with light in the light irradiating step, wherein 
 the first nozzle is located at a position more forward in a main scanning direction than the heater, 
 the second nozzle is located at a position more forward in the main scanning direction than the light irradiator, 
 the first nozzle and the heater are located at positions more rearward in a sub scanning direction than the second nozzle and the light irradiator, and 
 a distance between the first nozzle and the heater is greater than a distance between the second nozzle and the light irradiator. 
   
     
     
         11 . The inkjet printing method as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a thickening step of thickening the first liquid applied on the fabric in the first printing step to a higher degree of viscosity, wherein the thickening step is performed subsequent to the first printing step and prior to the second printing step.