INK-JET IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EXPRESSING GRADATION OF INK-JET IMAGE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize ink-jet image formation which improves gradation feature of dots by restraining ink consumption, improves a halftone and edge parts of printed images thereby achieving high image quality and high-speed images and facilitates magnification and reduction of formed images. SOLUTION: A scan control means 2 controls to relatively move an ink adhesion position (dot formation position) of an object 10 to be printed in a scan direction to a recording head 7 with the use of a scan means 8. This movement control is carried out with the use of a plurality of motor pulses per one pixel. An image data pulse (ink fly voltage pulse) is applied to the recording head 7 on the basis of image data from an image source 1. An application timing of the pulse is synchronized with a cycle of an integral multiple of the motor pulse. A fly amount of ink is controlled by modulating a pulse intensity or a pulse width of the image data pulse. The pulse width of the image data pulse is set to be longer than a pulse width in accordance with the fly amount of ink.