3D Stereo Printing Process Expertise

3D stereo printing process, also known as stereo printing, usually refers to stereo lenticular printing. The following is a detailed description of the 3D stereoscopic printing process:

3D printing, also known as lenticular stereoscopic printing, typically refers to lenticular printing. Here is a detailed introduction to the 3D lenticular stereoscopic printing process:

I. Principle

The principle behind 3D stereoscopic printing is to simulate the spatial difference that occurs due to the distance between human eyes. Different angles and layers of pixels are recorded on photosensitive materials. Then, by combining these with lenticular materials, a three-dimensional stereoscopic effect, and even virtual reality, is presented on a two-dimensional plane image. People can directly observe and clearly experience the wonder of stereoscopic images without the need for any tools.

2. Materials

This process mainly uses grating materials, which are thin sheets composed of strip-shaped lenses. When viewed from one side of the lens, an image on a very fine line on the other side of the sheet can be seen, and the position of this line is determined by the angle of observation. If these images on different lines are matched with the width of each lens and arranged in rows in sequence on the back of the grating sheet, different images will be seen when viewed through the lens from different angles.

Grating materials mainly include hard plastic stereoscopic grating sheets, which are made of polystyrene raw materials and processed by injection molding into concave-convex cylindrical grating sheets. In addition, the market also uses grating sheets made of polystyrene (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Among them, PET is used to make hard plastic grating sheets, PP is softer than PET, and PVC is used to make soft plastic cylindrical lens grating sheets.

3. Process Flow

The 3D printing process mainly includes several essential steps before printing, such as 3D design, color separation, image synthesis, plate making (layout), and grating line density testing. During printing, different patterns are transformed into 3D grating line densities using 3D grating visual software, and then, by utilizing the refraction principle of 3D gratings, different images are presented at various angles. Since different specifications of 3D gratings have different refraction effects and angles, and the viewing distance also varies, it is essential to understand the 3D grating before designing the 3D grating effect files to create designs that match the characteristics of the 3D grating.

In addition, 3D printing generally adopts offset lithography, as it offers stable plate-making, good registration accuracy, and high print durability, with excellent three-dimensionality and the ability to produce in large quantities. Due to the focusing and obstructive effects of the grating, it requires clear screen lines, accurate registration, and a color registration error not exceeding 0.02mm, with inks that are smooth and fade-resistant. Therefore, high-precision four-color printing machines are used during printing, with strict alignment of registration marks, and the workshop must be equipped with constant temperature and humidity conditions.

4. Eatures

The surface of the printed product is covered with a layer of concave-convex lenticular sheet, allowing for direct viewing of the three-dimensional effect of panoramic images, making the images lifelike, as if within reach.

Since the original is designed as a sculptural design or a scene shot, the printed materials are usually chosen to be high-quality art paper and heat-resistant ink for printing, resulting in good glossiness, vibrant colors, and resistance to fading.

3D printing products have the effect of animated transformation and are widely used in various fields such as 3D product printing, 3D packaging printing, 3D card printing, online game and movie posters, and craft advertising gifts.

5. Key Steps in the Success of Lenticular Printing

In the process of 3D lenticular printing, the key step that determines the success or failure of the printing is the calibration technique for the lenticular material. Whether the calibration of the lenticular is reasonable directly decides the quality of the 3D printed products, and is also the key to the success of the printing. Therefore, it is essential to conduct lenticular testing on the material before printing, and to calibrate the lenticular errors based on the test results. This requires that the printing personnel have rich experience and professional knowledge to ensure the quality and effect of the 3D printed products.

In summary, 3D lenticular printing technology is an advanced printing technique that transforms two-dimensional flat images into three-dimensional effects, with a broad application prospect and market potential. During the printing process, the calibration technique for the lenticular material is the key step to ensure the quality and effect of the 3D printed products.

In addition to the proofreading technology for raster materials, image synthesis and plate-making accuracy during the printing process are also crucial. After the completion of the stereoscopic design, precise color separation and synthesis are required to ensure that the images from every angle accurately correspond to each lens of the raster material. In the plate-making process, high-precision plate-making equipment and techniques must be used to ensure that the lines of the stereoscopic images are clear and the layers distinct, thus preventing blurring or misalignment during printing.

Moreover, the choice and adjustment of printing equipment are key factors affecting the quality of stereoscopic printing. Printers need to adjust the pressure, speed, and ink volume of the printing machine according to different raster materials and printing requirements to achieve the best printing effect. At the same time, the environment of the printing workshop also needs to be strictly controlled, maintaining constant temperature and humidity conditions to avoid printing quality issues caused by environmental factors.

In summary, the successful implementation of 3D stereoscopic printing technology requires that printers have rich experience and professional knowledge. From the proofreading of raster materials, image synthesis and plate-making, to the selection and adjustment of printing equipment, every step requires careful operation and control. Only in this way can the quality and effect of stereoscopic printing products be ensured to meet market demands and application requirements.