Microstructured image overcoat layer for improved image uniformity applied with blanket overcoater and functional embossing roller

摘要

In accordance with various embodiments, there are printing apparatuses and methods of enhancing an image quality on a media. The method of enhancing an image quality on a media can include providing an ink-based halftone image on a media, wherein the halftone image can include an amount of noise. The method can also include depositing a transparent overcoat layer at least over the halftone image, wherein the transparent overcoat layer can include a major amount of cross-linkable resin and a minor amount of a photoinitiator. The method can further include embossing the transparent overcoat layer to form an embossed micro-structured overcoat layer and curing the embossed micro-structured overcoat layer to form the micro-structured overcoat layer, such that the micro-structured overcoat layer reduces the amount of noise.

主权项

1. A method of enhancing an image quality on a media, comprising:
providing an ink-based halftone image on a media, wherein the halftone image comprises an amount of noise due to non-uniform properties of the media; depositing a transparent overcoat layer at least over the halftone image, wherein the transparent overcoat layer comprises a major amount of cross-linkable resin and a minor amount of a photoinitiator; embossing the transparent overcoat layer to form an embossed micro-structured overcoat layer; and curing the embossed micro-structured overcoat layer to form the micro-structured overcoat, wherein the micro-structured overcoat layer comprises an array of microlenses, each microlens having a diameter in the range of about 5 μm to about 50 μm; configuring the microstructured overcoat layer to reduce the amount of noise due to optical diffusion surrounding halftone dots in the inked-based halftone image and to improve a perceived uniformity of the halftone image compared to a perceived uniformity of the halftone image without the overcoat layer, wherein configuring the micro-structured overcoat layer comprises: arranging each of the microlenses in the microarray to correspond to a single halftone dot of the halftone image, capturing incident illumination with each of the microlenses; focusing the incident illumination captured by each of the microlenses onto the corresponding halftone dot, thereby reducing the amount of noise due to optical diffusion surrounding halftone dots.