An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing printed material on which active energy ray-curable ink is printed, the method being capable of improving print density without impairing gradation expressivity.

The present invention is a method for producing printed material, the method including, in order: a transfer process of transferring ink to a transfer target surface of a substrate; and an impression process of bringing each of impression cylinders into contact with the transfer target surface to which the ink has been transferred, and at least one of the impression cylinders has a patterned impression part.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing printed material on which active energy ray-curable ink is printed, the method being capable of improving print density without impairing gradation expressivity.

The present invention is a method for producing printed material, the method including, in order: a transfer process of transferring ink to a transfer target surface of a substrate; and an impression process of bringing each of impression cylinders into contact with the transfer target surface to which the ink has been transferred, and at least one of the impression cylinders has a patterned impression part.

Ink-based digital printing systems useful for ink printing include a rotatable charge-retentive reimageable surface layer configured to receive a layer of fountain solution. The fountain solution is carried to the charge retentive surface by a fog or mist including fountain solution aerosol particles, dispersed gas particles, and charge directors that impart charge to the fountain solution aerosol particles. The charge-retentive reimageable surface may be charged to a uniform potential, and selectively discharged using an ROS according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The charged fountain solution adheres to portions of the charge-retentive reimageable surface according to the electrostatic latent image to form a fountain solution image thereon. The fountain solution image can be partially transferred to an imaging blanket, where the fountain solution image is inked. The resulting ink image may be transferred to a print substrate.

Ink-based digital printing systems useful for ink printing include a rotatable charge-retentive reimageable surface layer configured to receive a layer of fountain solution. The fountain solution is carried to the charge retentive surface by a fog or mist including fountain solution aerosol particles, dispersed gas particles, and charge directors that impart charge to the fountain solution aerosol particles. The charge-retentive reimageable surface may be charged to a uniform potential, and selectively discharged using an ROS according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The charged fountain solution adheres to portions of the charge-retentive reimageable surface according to the electrostatic latent image to form a fountain solution image thereon. The fountain solution image can be partially transferred to an imaging blanket, where the fountain solution image is inked. The resulting ink image may be transferred to a print substrate.

A calibration plate is arranged on a support surface of a table. The calibration plate has first and second alignment marks arranged in one direction, and third and fourth alignment marks arranged in another direction that is orthogonal to the one direction. The first and second alignment marks that move in a front-and-rear direction are imaged by a first camera. The one direction of the calibration plate is made parallel to a front-and-rear direction based on the image. The positions of second and third cameras are adjusted based on the third and fourth alignment marks. The second and third cameras, positions of which have been adjusted, are moved to positions below the transfer roller, and a reference line formed at the transfer roller is imaged by the second and third cameras. An orientation of a rotation shaft of the transfer roller is adjusted in a plane parallel to the support surface based on these images.

A calibration plate is arranged on a support surface of a table. The calibration plate has first and second alignment marks arranged in one direction, and third and fourth alignment marks arranged in another direction that is orthogonal to the one direction. The first and second alignment marks that move in a front-and-rear direction are imaged by a first camera. The one direction of the calibration plate is made parallel to a front-and-rear direction based on the image. The positions of second and third cameras are adjusted based on the third and fourth alignment marks. The second and third cameras, positions of which have been adjusted, are moved to positions below the transfer roller, and a reference line formed at the transfer roller is imaged by the second and third cameras. An orientation of a rotation shaft of the transfer roller is adjusted in a plane parallel to the support surface based on these images.

The present invention provides an active energy ray-curable ink composition for offset printing which can maintain excellent drying characteristics with a small dose of UV light. An active energy ray-curable ink composition for offset printing comprising a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, a photopolymerization initiator, and an epoxidized fat or oil is used. Although epoxidized fat or oil is not polymerized through radical polymerization, the present inventors, who have conducted research, have revealed that the reactivity of a radically polymerizable ink composition is increased through addition of epoxidized fat or oil thereto.

The present invention provides an active energy ray-curable ink composition for offset printing which can maintain excellent drying characteristics with a small dose of UV light. An active energy ray-curable ink composition for offset printing comprising a compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond, a photopolymerization initiator, and an epoxidized fat or oil is used. Although epoxidized fat or oil is not polymerized through radical polymerization, the present inventors, who have conducted research, have revealed that the reactivity of a radically polymerizable ink composition is increased through addition of epoxidized fat or oil thereto.

An imaging blanket comprises a base comprising an elastic polymer and sulfur. A barrier layer is on the base and a surface layer is on the barrier layer. The surface layer comprises an elastomer and a platinum catalyst.

An imaging blanket comprises a base comprising an elastic polymer and sulfur. A barrier layer is on the base and a surface layer is on the barrier layer. The surface layer comprises an elastomer and a platinum catalyst.