PRINTING METHOD FOR PRINTING AND PLATING PROCESS
A method for printing on a substrate, including providing a substrate having at least one three-dimensional surface and performing inkjet printing of an ink on at least a portion of the at least one three-dimensional surface by repositioning an inkjet printing head relative to the substrate in only two dimensions.
1 . A method for printing on a substrate, comprising:
providing a substrate having at least one three-dimensional surface; and
performing inkjet printing of an ink on at least a portion of said at least one three-dimensional surface of said substrate by repositioning an inkjet printing head relative to said substrate in only two dimensions.
2 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 1 , and also comprising plating at least one conductive layer on the printed portion of said at least one three-dimensional surface of said substrate.
3 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 2 , wherein said conductive layer comprises a metal layer.
4 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 3 , wherein said metal layer comprises an antenna.
5 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 2 , wherein said at least one three-dimensional surface of said substrate includes a through-hole and said printed portion is formed on a bore of said through-hole.
6 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 2 , wherein said plating comprises electroplating.
7 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 2 , wherein said plating comprises electroless plating.
8 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 1 , wherein said substrate comprises a non-conductive substrate.
9 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 8 , wherein said non-conductive substrate comprises plastic.
10 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 1 , wherein said ink comprises a non-conductive ink.
11 . A method for printing on a substrate according to claim 1 , wherein said inkjet printing comprises piezoelectric inkjet printing.
12 . An antenna, comprising:
a substrate having at least one three-dimensional surface;
a pattern of ink printed on at least a portion of said three-dimensional surface by repositioning an inkjet printing head relative to said substrate in only two dimensions; and
at least one conductive layer plated on at least a portion of said pattern of ink.
13 . A method for printing on a bore of a through-hole, comprising:
providing a substrate having at least one through-hole formed therein having a bore; and
performing inkjet printing of an ink on at least a portion of said bore of said through-hole by repositioning an inkjet printing head relative to said substrate in only two dimensions.
14 . A method for printing on a bore of a through-hole according to claim 13 , and also comprising plating at least one conductive layer on the printed portion of said bore.