Graphic Arts in Finland 30(2001)2

5
Research on Paper-Ink-Process Interactions in
Electrophotographic and Ink Jet Printing*
Oittinen, P., AL-Rubaiey, H., Sipi, K. and Vikman, K.
Helsinki University of Technology, Laboratory of Media Technology
E-mail: Pirkko.Oittinen@hut.fi, Hussain@cc.hut.fi, Katri.Vikman@hut.fi, Katja.Sipi@hut.fi
* Poster paper presented at the first DPP Conference, May 13-16, 2001, Antwerp, Belgium.

ABSTRACT
The research is motivated by needs of quality improvement in electrophotography and ink jet.
From a materials perspective, understanding of the interactive phenomena between paper, inks
and the process is a key asset in the development. The overall goal of the research is to gain
understanding of the interactive phenomena by experimentation, characterization of print
structure, measurement of print properties and result modeling. This paper focuses on the
methodology in interaction and print structure research. Several approaches can be taken: 1-
experimentation by variation of process parameters, 2- monitoring process phenomena in real
time and 3- monitoring the development of print structure or print properties in the process.


TONER TRANSFER
Methods
A commercial colour laser printer has been equipped with adjustment of transfer voltage and
measurement of transfer current. Figure 1. illustrates the configuration. It allows recording of the
flow of the current during the transfer stage. Measured current responds to any change in the
input variables, such as the bulk and electrical properties of the paper, the q/m of the toner,
transfer voltage and RH%.


Figure 1. Measurement of transfer current. Sampling at 50 Hz.
Graphic Arts in Finland 30(2001)2



6
Results
The method provides information of the transferred image related to any change in any
individual or group of input variables. Some of those evaluations are:
Use of transfer current to indicate transfer efficiency.
The relations of transferred toner amount and transfer voltage; to support deductions of
transfer phenomena and support quantitative modeling.
Study of the influences of different paper properties, or any input variables on the transfer
efficiency and print quality. Figure 2 shows the change in transfer current due to toner
transfer at different levels of moisture content.


Figure 2. Influence of moisture content of paper on toner transfer current.

FUSING
Methods
The challenges of toner fusing as a research topic, arise from needs for energetically more
efficient fusing methods and needs for better fusing quality. Different fusing installations have
been constructed for these purposes. Table 1 gives a summary of the facilities currently
available.






Graphic Arts in Finland 30(2001)2



7

Table 1. Facilities for fusing experimentation and their variables.

Results
Completed research has focused on fusing with a combination of nip and IR fusing. Figure 3
illustrates toner adhesion in single and double fusing experiments as function of print density. In
general, the second step causes changes in most quality factors as well as their small-scale
variation, but the first step is decisive.
Current research deals with print structure and fusing quality achieved in different fusing
conditions. Also the feasibility of long nip fusing is studied.


Figure 3. Example of fusing experiments with different combinations of nip and IR fusing.



Graphic Arts in Finland 30(2001)2



8
AGING
Methods
In most of the current ink jet applications, the prints are expected to retain their optical properties
for many years, even when exposed to various environmental stresses. In our test set-up, aging
phenomena can be studied by monitoring changes in print structure caused by light, water and
mechanical stress, see the following table. Temporal changes in print properties are measured as
colour and density differences, whereas more detailed information of changes in print structure
is gained from FTIR- and Raman spectroscopic measurements.
Table 2. Methods in spectroscopic print structure analysis.


Results
The objective of the present study is to characterize the effects of paper-ink interactions on ink
jet print quality. An example of light fastness test results is shown in Figure 4. Colour co-
ordinates and Raman spectra of light exposed yellow prints were measured, and intensity ratios
for the most intense bands of yellow ink were calculated relative to a band at 1082 cm
1

originating from the CaCO
3
filler. In Figure 4, the intensity ratios are presented as a function of
b*, or print yellowness.


Figure 4. Raman intensity ratios of yellow print (reference band: CaCO3 at 1084 cm-1.


Graphic Arts in Finland 30(2001)2



9
PRINT STRUCTURE
Methods
Vibrational spectroscopic methods, or IR and Raman spectroscopy, give complementary
information to optical print quality measurements. These methods enable an analytical study of
the actual print structure. Methods used include ATR Rapid-scan PAS, DTGS and Microscopic
Raman in x,y-direction and Step-scan PAS and confocal Raman in z-direction.
Confocal Raman allows sensitive depth profiling of ink jet colourants, toner pigments and print
substrates. The principle of the technique is illustrated in Figure 5.


Figure 5. As laser light impinges on a sample, a difference in the refractive indices causes light reflection and
refraction at the optical boundary (a). Using a travelling objective the beam can be focused at
different depths. In the basic mode, sample aberration, however, decreases depth resolution and
causes variation in the sampling depth (b). Also light scattering diminishes the penetration depth and
causes losses in spatial resolution (c). An immersion objective and suitable immersion oil (d)
radically improve the depth profiling when light scattering samples, such as prints, are measured.
[Vyrykk, J. et al., Confocal Raman Spectroscopy for the Depth Profiling of Paper Coating
Colours.. HUT, Dept. of Forest Products Technology, Lab. of Forest Products Chemistry]
Results
Changes in print structure caused by aging can be investigated in detail by spectroscopic
methods. Figure 6 gives an example of a Raman spectroscopic depth profile of a yellow print,
which has undergone a water immersion test WF-test).
Graphic Arts in Finland 30(2001)2



10


Figure 6. Effect of water immersion on yellow print.

CONCLUSIONS
Paper-ink-process interactions were discussed from the viewpoint of research approaches and
methods. Especially the question of extending the traditional paper-ink approach to include the
process toner transfer, fusing or aging was addressed.
Available set-ups support adjustment of process parameters, process monitoring and print
structure analysis in a manner that is different in the three areas of the study. Also the needs are
different. Despite some shortcomings the methods meet current needs.