MULTI-LAYER PRINTING PROCESS

摘要

A system and method for forming indicia on a substrate. The system includes a feed system for feeding the substrate and a plurality of stations each operable to apply a processing step to the substrate. A first of the plurality of stations applies an energy curable ink to the substrate using a printing process. In some embodiments, this printing process is a gravure cylinder having indicia grooves formed on the gravure cylinder. The indicia grooves on the cylinder retain the energy curable ink until contact with the substrate whereby the energy curable ink is applied to the substrate. A curing unit is disposed downstream of the first of the plurality of stations. The curing unit receives the substrate and outputs an electron beam directed toward the energy curable ink to cure the energy curable ink and form a resultant energy curable layer upon the substrate.

主权项

1. A method for forming a printed product, the method comprising:
applying an energy curable coating to a substrate at a first station using a printing process; curing the energy curable coating using an energy curable process including free radical polymerization at a second station downstream of the first station to define an unembossed, cured energy curable layer bonded to the substrate having a predetermined reflectivity and predetermined durability; routing the substrate to a third station downstream of the second station; and applying a metallic ink directly to an unembossed surface of the unembossed, cured energy curable layer to define a metallic ink layer.