Methods of adjusting gloss of images on substrates using ink partial-curing and contact leveling and apparatuses useful in forming images on substrates

#This application is related to the applications entitled “METHODS OF FORMING IMAGES ON SUBSTRATES WITH INK PARTIAL-CURING AND CONTACT LEVELING AND APPARATUSES USEFUL IN FORMING IMAGES ON SUBSTRATES” Ser. No. 12/881,715 and “METHODS OF ADJUSTING GLOSS OF IMAGES LOCALLY ON SUBSTRATES USING INK PARTIAL-CURING AND CONTACT LEVELING AND APPARATUSES USEFUL IN FORMING IMAGES ON SUBSTRATES” Ser. No. 12/881,753, which are filed on the same date as the present application, commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

#In printing processes, marking material is applied to substrates to form images. In these processes, pressure can be applied to the substrates and marking material with contact surfaces to level the marking material on the substrates. The marking material can offset to the surfaces, resulting in unsatisfactory fixed images.

#It would be desirable to provide methods of forming images on substrates in printing and apparatuses for forming images on substrates that can form images having adjustable gloss with ink.

#FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a printing apparatus for forming images on substrates with ink partial-curing and contact leveling of the images.

#FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the marking/partial-curing device of the printing apparatus of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary marking station and partial curing station of the marking/partial-curing device.

#The disclosed embodiments include apparatuses for forming images on substrates in printing. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatuses comprises a first marking station for applying a first ink having a first color to a surface of a substrate; a first partial-curing station downstream from the first marking station including at least one first radiant energy source for irradiating the first ink on the surface of the substrate with first radiation to partially-cure, and adjust gloss of, the first ink; a second marking station downstream from the first partial-curing station for applying a second ink having a second color to the surface of the substrate; a second partial-curing station downstream from the second marking station including at least one second radiant energy source for irradiating the first ink and the second ink on the surface of the substrate with second radiation to further partially-cure the first ink and to partially-cure the second ink to adjust gloss of the first ink and the second ink; a leveling device comprising a first member, a second member, and a nip formed by the first member and second member, the first member and second member being configured to apply pressure to the partially-cured first ink and second ink when the substrate is received at the nip to level the first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate; and a post-leveling curing device for irradiating the as-leveled first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate to substantially-fully cure the first ink and the second ink.

#The disclosed embodiments further include methods for forming images on substrates in printing. An exemplary embodiment of the methods comprises applying a first ink having a first color to a surface of a substrate with a first marking station; irradiating the first ink on the surface of the substrate with first radiation emitted by at least one first radiant energy source of a first partial-curing station downstream from the first marking station to partially-cure, and adjust gloss of, the first ink; applying a second ink having a second color to the surface of the substrate with a second marking station downstream from the first partial-curing station; irradiating the second ink on the surface of the substrate with second radiation emitted by at least one second radiant energy source of a second partial-curing station downstream from the second marking station to further partially-cure the first ink and to partially-cure the second ink to adjust gloss of the first ink and the second ink; applying pressure to the substrate and the partially-cured first ink and second ink at a nip of a leveling device with a first member and a second member forming the nip to level the first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate; and irradiating the as-leveled first ink and second ink on the surface of the substrate to substantially-fully cure the first ink and second ink.

#Ultra-violet (UV) curable inks can be used to form images on substrates in printing. UV-curable inks applied to a substrate are exposed to UV radiation to cure the ink. During this exposure, photoinitiator substances contained in the ink are irradiated with the UV radiation, and the incident flux converts monomers in the ink into a cross-linked polymer matrix, resulting in a hard and durable mark on the substrate. However, for various applications it is desirable for the ink to be leveled prior to this UV curing. Additionally, certain print applications, such as packaging, may benefit from having thin ink layers of relatively-constant thickness on prints.