Digital printing apparatus and a digital method for producing a structured surface

An apparatus (18) for producing a decorative surface on a workpiece (1), comprising:

• a transport device (20) having a transport direction (28), the transport device (20) being adapted to transport a workpiece (1) coated with a liquid layer (2),
• a digital printing station, and
• a dispenser adapted to apply an agent capable of at least partially absorbing electromagnetic radiation to at least a partial area of the surface of the liquid layer (2);
• a curing station comprising a radiation source which is adapted to irradiate at least one of the liquid layer (2) and the applied agent with electromagnetic radiation having different wavelengths in different time intervals at least until at least one of the liquid layer (2) and the applied agent is partially cured;
• control means adapted to control the apparatus (18) to perform the following:
• feeding (S10) the workpiece (1) coated with a liquid layer (2) to the digital printing station, and
• applying (S12) the agent using the dispenser, at least on a partial area of the surface of the liquid layer (2), or which, in contact with the surface, produces a reaction product which is capable of at least partially absorbing electromagnetic radiation, and
• curing (S16) of the layer (2) is carried out by irradiation with the electromagnetic radiation,
• wherein the irradiation of the surface of the liquid layer (2) and of the agent is carried out with the electromagnetic radiation.