Method of printing
A printing system and method for improving ink absorption in a print substrate by preventing evaporation includes a conditioned transport module arranged for transporting a printed print substrate from a (conditioned) image formation module to a drying/fixation module. The transport module includes a control system configured for controlling the relative humidity inside the transport module to at least 50%.
1. A printing system, comprising:
an image formation module;
a drying/fixation module; and
a transport module arranged between the image formation module and the drying/fixation module for transporting a printed print substrate from the image formation module to the drying and fixing module,
wherein the transport module comprises a control system configured for controlling the relative humidity inside the transport module to at least 50%, and
wherein the transport module comprises a transporting mechanism providing a transport path having a length that satisfies the following equation:
L ≥( v printing /60* t abs *W image ),
wherein:
v printing =the printing speed in images per minute (ipm);
t abs =print substrate and ink set dependent absorption time (s) which is 1000 ms; and
W image =image width (m).
2. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured for controlling the relative humidity inside the transport module to between 50% and 100%.
3. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured for controlling the relative humidity inside the transport module to between 55% and 95%.
4. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured for controlling the relative humidity inside the transport module to between 60% and 90%.
5. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the control system comprises a relative humidity sensor and a mechanism for increasing the relative humidity (RH).
6. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the transporting mechanism comprises at least one transporting mechanism selected from the group consisting of a transport belt, a transport roller and a transport drum.
7. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the transport path is equal to or larger than 2.1 m.
8. A method of printing for improving ink absorption into a printed print substrate by preventing evaporation, the method comprising the steps of:
printing an image on a print substrate;
transporting the printed print substrate obtained in said step of printing; and
drying and/or fixating the image on the printed print substrate,
wherein said step of transporting is performed in a conditioned environment having a relative humidity controlled to at least 50%, and
wherein the transport module comprises a transporting mechanism providing a transport path having a length that satisfies the following equation:
L ≥( v printing /60* t abs *W image ),
wherein:
v printing =the printing speed in images per minute (ipm);
t abs =print substrate and ink set dependent absorption time (s) which is 1000 ms; and
W image =image width (m).
9. The method of printing according to claim 8 , wherein the relative humidity in said transporting step is controlled to at least 70%.