Patent ID: 8328303

Claim:
A process for printing a surface of a wood-based flat panel with a multi-colored image, comprising: providing the wood-based flat panel, which is made from a mass of wooden particles; a preliminary step of graphic composition of the multi-colored image using an electronic processor and relative software; and a printing step for printing the wood-based flat panel with the multi-colored image using an ink-jet printer provided with print heads; wherein the preliminary step of graphic composition is performed before the entirety of the printing step; wherein the preliminary step of graphic composition involves forming graphic files from which a number of monochromatic images are obtained; wherein the colors employed by the ink-jet printer comprise the prime colors cyan, magenta, and yellow in addition to black; wherein the ink-jet printer is controlled by the electronic processor; wherein the wood-based flat panel moves relative to the ink-jet printer while at least one of the print heads propels ink micro-droplets onto the wood-based flat panel; wherein the print heads are stationary during the printing operation; wherein for each color employed in the ink-jet printer, the number of print heads used is that required to cover the entire width of that surface of the wood-based flat panel to be printed, the surface being provided with the multi-colored image with a single pass of the panel transiting through the ink-jet printer and underneath the print heads; wherein prior to the printing step, the process includes a step of surface smoothing and a step of treating with sealants that surface of the wood-based flat panel to be printed, the sealants including water-based agents; wherein the printing step is followed by an additional step of applying coating products using a coating device to the printed surface of the wood-based flat panel to form a substantially transparent protective layer, the printed surface being provided with the transparent protective layer with the panel transiting underneath the coating device during the additional step; and wherein the coating device is of a roller application type and applies a protective liquid substance on top of the printed surface.