Method of forming a surface covering with substrate, phase transition liquid and plasticizer

A method of forming a surface covering, comprising the steps of:

• supplying a substrate;
• applying a liquid resin layer to the substrate, thereby forming a surface covering raw material, the liquid resin layer comprising a resin dispersed in a carrier liquid, and being capable of undergoing a phase transition from liquid to solid;
• discharging ink to the liquid resin layer by an inkjet printhead so as to form a pattern by inkjet printing, said ink being discharged to the liquid resin layer separately from the liquid resin layer, and
• causing the liquid resin layer with the pattern formed on the liquid resin layer to undergo a phase transition from liquid to solid to thereby prepare a surface covering,
• wherein the ink is an oil-based ink, and the oil-based ink comprises an oily component,
• the liquid resin layer of the surface covering raw material comprises a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of phthalate-based plasticizer, phosphate based plasticizer, adipate-based plasticizer, trimellitate-based plasticizer, polyester based plasticizer, epoxy-based plasticizer, sebacate-based plasticizer, azelate-based plasticizer, citrate based plasticizer, glycolate-based plasticizer, ricinolate-based plasticizer, maleate-based plasticizer, fumarate-based plasticizer, benzoate plasticizers, pyromellitate-based plasticizer and itaconate-based plasticizer, and
• the oily component is selected from the group consisting of phthalic acid esters, adipic acid esters, sebacic acid esters, citric acid esters, azelaic acid esters, lauric acid esters, myristic acid esters, palmitic acid esters, octanoic acid esters, and isononanoic acid esters.