Granted Patent B2

US 9,303,097 · App. 13/414,444 · Granted Apr 5, 2016

Abstract

Claims (16)

1. A method of ink jet printing onto a metallic substrate, comprising the steps of:

applying a primer having a primer viscosity of from about 100 to about 300 centipoises onto the metallic substrate, wherein the primer has a surface energy of from about 20 to about 50 milliNewtons per meter;

ink jet printing an ink having an ink viscosity greater than the viscosity of the primer over the primer while the primer is wet;

wherein the primer has a film weight of about 2 to about 6 g/m 2 of an ink film as formed by the primer and the ink jet ink; and

simultaneously curing the primer and the ink jet ink on the substrate.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the primer has a surface energy of about 20 to about 25 milliNewtons per meter.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: applying the primer at a temperature of from about 20 degree C. to about 40 degree C.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metallic substrate is selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, and metal-containing substrates.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metallic substrate comprises a sheet metal.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

applying an overcoat to the primer and ink jet on the sheet metal.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the overcoat and the primer are of the same chemical formulation.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of:

shaping the printed sheet metal into a formed product.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the primer and the ink jet ink are actinic radiation curable; and

further comprising the step of curing the primer and the ink jet ink with actinic radiation.

Assignments (8)