Changing the colour of European Hybrid Walnut by means of digital printing

Abstract

In terms of market, the colour of Walnut timber and veneer is the one from Juglans Regia. That colour is darker than the one from Hybrid European Walnut. This fact is a barrier for market success of Hybrid European Walnut plantations. There are different methods for modifying the colour such as vaporising, dyeing, thermal modification, etc. Digital printing is an innovative technology that can be used for changing the colour of wooden surfaces. Using transparent inks makes possible to maintain the grain and figure while the colour is modified. In addition to this, digital printing makes possible not just to apply a flat colour but a texture. The review details the colour coordinates allowing that transformation under a certain printing device. It also explains further opportunities of that technology.