Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

previous by date index next by date
previous in topic topic list next in topic

Subject: Re: homebrew thermal transfer printer testing

From: "Steve" <alienrelics@...>
Date: 2007-03-14

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "docstein99" <docstein99@...>
wrote:
>
> Has anyone here tried pcb printing using a thermal TRANSFER printer?
> These are the printers used normally to print shipping lables. It
has
> a thermal head, which doesnt work like an inkjet head, its a thermal
> device that HEATS paper or ribbon to rastorize images.

Someone did try it with an Alps with wax ribbons installed, but found
that the copper sucks away heat too quickly for the wax to adhere. And
wax thermal tends to be very low resolution. I think the best on an
Alps or Roland (Roland uses Alps heads) is 600dpi max. Those wax
thermal CD and label printers are more like 200dpi.

Steve Greenfield