EP-4740450-A1 - METHOD FOR CREATING A DIGITALLY PRINTED DÉCOR COMPRISING A CONCEALED CODE

Abstract

Method for generating a control file for a digital printer, wherein the control file is provided for printing a decorative pattern on a sheet. The decorative pattern is modified such that it comprises a concealed code. The method comprises the steps of - printing a first master decor showing the decorative pattern on a first sample of the sheet, thereby obtaining a first sample sheet comprising the first master decor; - performing a process on the first sample sheet comprising the first master decor, wherein the process causes a deformation of the printed first master decor on this first sample sheet; - measuring this deformation on the first sample sheet; - modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining a second master decor, wherein the second master decor is modified compared to the first master decor such that it compensates for the deformation occurring in said process; - generating a control file for a digital printer for printing the second master decor on a sheet having the same characteristics as the first sample sheet; characterized in that the printed second master decor comprises the concealed code invisible to the human eye but machine readable.

Inventors

• CLEMENT, BENJAMIN
• BOUTMANS, Beauregard

Assignees

• Unilin, BV

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240701

Claims (20)

1. 1.- Method for generating a control file for a digital printer, wherein the control file is provided for printing a decorative pattern on a sheet, wherein the decorative pattern is modified such that it comprises a concealed code; wherein the method comprises the steps of - printing a first master decor showing the decorative pattern on a first sample of the sheet, thereby obtaining a first sample sheet comprising the first master decor; - performing a process on the first sample sheet comprising the first master decor, wherein the process causes a deformation of the printed first master decor on this first sample sheet; - measuring this deformation on the first sample sheet; - modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining a second master decor, wherein the second master decor is modified compared to the first master decor such that it compensates for the deformation occurring in said process; - generating a control file for a digital printer for printing the second master decor on a sheet having the same characteristics as the first sample sheet; characterized in that the printed second master decor comprises the concealed code invisible to the human eye but machine readable.
2. 2.- Method for generating a control file for a digital printer, wherein the control file is provided for printing a decorative pattern on a sheet, wherein the decorative pattern is modified such that it comprises a concealed code; wherein the method comprises the steps of - providing a printed or printable first sample of the sheet, thereby obtaining a first sample sheet; - performing a process on the first sample sheet, wherein the process causes a deformation on this first sample sheet; - measuring this deformation on the first sample sheet; - providing a first master decor comprising the decorative pattern; - modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining a second master decor, wherein the second master decor is modified compared to the first master decor such that it compensates for the deformation occurring in said process; - generating a control file for a digital printer for printing the second master decor on a sheet having the same characteristics as the first sample sheet; characterized in that the printed second master decor comprises the concealed code invisible to the human eye but machine readable.
3. 3.- Method for generating a control file for a digital printer, wherein the control file is provided for printing a decorative pattern on a sheet, wherein the decorative pattern is modified such that it comprises a concealed code; wherein the method comprises the steps of - providing a first master decor comprising the decorative pattern; - modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining a second master decor, wherein the second master decor is modified compared to the first master decor such that it compensates for expected deformation occurring in processes the sheet undergoes after being printed with the decorative pattern; - generating a control file for a digital printer for printing the second master decor on a sheet having the same characteristics as the first sample sheet; characterized in that the printed second master decor comprises the concealed code invisible to the human eye but machine readable.
4. 4.- Method as in any of the claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the concealed code is added to the decorative pattern before the step of modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining the second master decor.
5. 5.- Method as in any of the claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the method comprises the step of banding compensation before the step of modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining the second master decor; wherein the step of banding compensation comprises the step of modifying the first master decor to compensate for variable density output of the individual printheads of the digital printer to be used for printing the decorative pattern on the sheet; wherein the concealed code is added to the decorative pattern before the step of banding compensation.
6. 6.- Method as in any of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the method comprises the step of banding compensation before the step of modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining the second master decor; wherein the step of banding compensation comprises the step of modifying the first master decor to compensate for variable density output of the individual printheads of the digital printer to be used for printing the decorative pattern on the sheet; wherein the concealed code is added to the decorative pattern after the step of banding compensation.
7. 7.- Method as in any of the claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the concealed code is added to the decorative pattern after the step of modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining the second master decor.
8. 8.- Method as in claim 7, characterized in that the concealed code is added to the decorative pattern before the step of generating the control file for a digital printer for printing the second master decor on a sheet having the same characteristics as the first sample sheet.
9. 9.- Method as in claim 7, characterized in that the method comprises the step of incorporating the concealed code into the control file after a control file has been generated from the second master decor.
10. 10.- Method as in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said process comprises one or a plurality of process steps which the printed sheet will undergo for use as decorative layer of a decorative panel; preferably wherein the decorative layer of the decorative panel comprises a surface texture, preferably a surface texture in register with the decorative pattern of the decorative layer.
11. 11.- Method as in any of the preceding claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the sheet is a sheet of paper.
12. 12.- Method as in claim 11, characterized in that said process comprises the impregnation of the sheet of paper with a resin, preferably with a thermosetting resin.
13. 13.- Method as in any of the preceding claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the sheet is a thermoplastic foil, e.g. a polyvinylchloride (PVC) foil, a polyethylene (PE) foil, a polypropylene (PP) foil, or a polyester foil.
14. 14.- Method as in claim 13, characterized in that the process comprises the lamination - preferably the thermal lamination - of the thermoplastic foil onto a board, preferably onto a synthetic board or onto a mineral board; or in that the process comprises the lamination - preferably the thermal lamination - of a transparent thermoplastic foil on the printed thermoplastic foil.
15. 15.- Method for generating a control file for a digital printer, wherein the control file is provided for printing a decorative pattern on a board, wherein the decorative pattern is modified such that it comprises a concealed code; wherein the method comprises the steps of - printing a first master decor showing the decorative pattern on a first sample of the board, thereby obtaining a first sample board comprising the first master decor; - performing a process on the first sample board comprising the first master decor, wherein the process causes a deformation of the printed first master decor on this first sample board; - measuring this deformation on the first sample board; - modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining a second master decor, wherein the second master decor is modified compared to the first master decor such that it compensates for the deformation occurring in said process; - generating a control file for a digital printer for printing the second master decor on a board having the same characteristics as the first sample board; characterized in that the printed second mater decor comprises the concealed code invisible to the human eye but machine readable.
16. 16.- Method for generating a control file for a digital printer, wherein the control file is provided for printing a decorative pattern on a board, wherein the decorative pattern is modified such that it comprises a concealed code; wherein the method comprises the steps of - providing a printed or printable first sample of the board, thereby obtaining a first sample board; - performing a process on the first sample board, wherein the process causes a deformation of first sample board; - measuring this deformation on the first sample board; - - providing a first master decor comprising the decorative pattern; - modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining a second master decor, wherein the second master decor is modified compared to the first master decor such that it compensates for the deformation occurring in said process; - generating a control file for a digital printer for printing the second master decor on a board having the same characteristics as the first sample board; characterized in that the printed second mater decor comprises the concealed code invisible to the human eye but machine readable.
17. 17.- Method for generating a control file for a digital printer, wherein the control file is provided for printing a decorative pattern on a board, wherein the decorative pattern is modified such that it comprises a concealed code; wherein the method comprises the steps of - providing a first master decor comprising the decorative pattern; - modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining a second master decor, wherein the second master decor is modified compared to the first master decor such that it compensates for expected deformation occurring in processes the sheet undergoes after being printed with the decorative pattern; - generating a control file for a digital printer for printing the second master decor on a board; characterized in that the printed second mater decor comprises the concealed code invisible to the human eye but machine readable.
18. 18.- Method as in any of the preceding claims 15 - 17, characterized in that the board is a ceramic board, a quartz board or an engineered stone board before or after the board is baked or cured.
19. 19.- Method as in any of the preceding claims 15 - 17, characterized in that the concealed code is added to the decorative pattern before the step of modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining the second master decor.
20. 20.- Method as in any of the preceding claims 15 - 19, characterized in that the method comprises the step of banding compensation before the step of modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining the second master decor; wherein the step of banding compensation comprises the step of modifying the first master decor to compensate for variable density output of the individual printheads of the digital printer to be used for printing the decorative pattern on the sheet; wherein the concealed code is added to the decorative pattern before the step of banding compensation.

Description

Method for creating a digitally printed decor comprising a concealed code The invention relates to a method for generating a control file for a digital printer, wherein the control file is provided for printing a decorative pattern on a sheet or board, wherein the decorative pattern is modified such that it comprises a concealed code. A sheet printed with the decorative pattern comprising the concealed code can be used for the decor layer for a decorative panel, e.g. a floor panel. The concealed code is invisible to the human eye, but is machine readable. WO2019/072733A1 discloses an inkjet printing method for manufacturing decorative laminate panels ordered by a customer. The method includes the steps of: i) providing an inkjet printing device with a print job including one or more decorative patterns and an identification code assigned to the one or more decorative patterns; and ii) printing the one or more decorative patterns with one or more inkjet inks and applying the identification code on a substrate web. The substrate web is a paper substrate. The one or more inkjet inks are aqueous pigmented inkjet inks are printed on the substrate web before impregnation with a thermosetting resin; or the one or more inkjet inks are UV curable inkjet inks and the substrate web is a thermoplastic substrate web based on a material selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The identification code can be concealed in the one or more decorative patterns with steganographic techniques. It is known to provide panels which have a printed decor and an embossed texture in register with the printed decor. The combination of the printed decor and the embossed texture provide the decorative aspect of the panel. Such panels are known that simulate a wood panel. W02023/007306A1 discloses a method for manufacturing a printed decor sheet. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first printable or printed sheet of paper; performing at least one predetermined operation on the sheet of paper, wherein the predetermined operation causes the deformation of the sheet of paper in at least one direction; measuring the deformation to obtain at least one deformation parameter; providing a first master image; performing an image processing operation on the first master image to obtain a second master image; and printing the second master image on a second sheet of paper to obtain the decor sheet. The image processing operation involves at least modifying the first master image on the basis of the first deformation parameter. W02023/007307A1 discloses a method for manufacturing a printed decor sheet. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first printable or printed thermoplastic layer; performing at least one predetermined operation on the substrate, wherein the predetermined operation causes the deformation of the printed thermoplastic layer in at least one direction; measuring the deformation to obtain at least one deformation parameter; providing a first master image; performing an image processing operation on the first master image to obtain a second master image; and printing the second master image on a second printable thermoplastic layer to obtain the decor sheet. The image processing operation involves at least modifying the first master image on the basis of the first deformation parameter. It is a challenge to ensure that a concealed code does not disturb the visual aspect of the printed decorative pattern. It is a further challenge to add the concealed code to the decorative pattern to be printed in such a way that it can be read afterwards without problems. The first aspect of the invention is a method for generating a control file for a digital printer. The control file is provided for printing a decorative pattern on a sheet. The decorative pattern is modified such that it comprises a concealed code. The method comprises the steps of - printing a first master decor showing the decorative pattern on a first sample of the sheet, thereby obtaining a first sample sheet comprising the first master decor; - performing a process on the first sample sheet comprising the first master decor, wherein the process causes a deformation of the printed first master decor on this first sample sheet; - measuring this deformation on the first sample sheet; - modifying the first master decor thereby obtaining a second master decor, wherein the second master decor is modified compared to the first master decor such that it compensates for the deformation occurring in said process; - generating a control file for a digital printer for printing the second master decor on a sheet having the same characteristics as the first sample sheet. The printed second master decor comprises the concealed code invisible to the human eye but machine readable. The second aspect of the invention relates to a method for