Well, that is the thing. I had read all I could on the toner transfer
method as was looking for suuitable paper. Magazines, catalogs and
books where no longer magazines, catalogs and books. They had all
simply become 'samples' of paper to try TT with.
Initally I was looking for paper with a very smooth finish (very
glossy magazines) as I thought that this was the "high clay content"
paper that I was supposed to be using. Nice shiny smooth finish
should make it easier to release the toner right?
I acheived average results with this paper but if I choose a page
that had dark graphics on it then I did had trouble with the paper
blitering as it went through the fuser.
Having also read the 'time magazine' success people had had. I went
to the newsagent and had a look at what this paper was like. (as well
as a lot of other magazines) I was suprised to see that the time
magazine was not a very glossing finish. (Well not in Australia at
least)
This got me thinking that the super high gloss was not necassary and
to try other less glossy magazines. I have settled on using a
magazine that has mildly glossy finish but is quite thin. (Certainly
a lot thinner than the 80 g.s.m. copier paper) I was amazed at the
detail of the toner transfer. 10mil tracks looked quite OK and best
of all the paper almost falls off when soaked for long enough.
Now I am convinced that this is the 'high clay content' paper that I
should be using. Having completed soaking the board removing the
paper, as the board is drying if I rub the board/traces I get a white
residue over the board. I am assuming this is the clay content of the
paper. It doesn't seem to cause trouble as it washed of when the
board is next wet.
Now, describing the paper:
It is quite a thin paper that is smooth to touch however is not
overly glossy. I suppose a semi-gloss finish. My source is an
Australian "Airborne" magazine which I doubt is available outside
Australia. I imagine it is a fairly small circulation magazine and
therefore the paper will be a budget paper. It is not rough like
newsprint. Judging from the result of the tonner transfer I think is
must have small cellulose fiber length as the paper fibres that
remain on the toner bonded to the copper appear to be very small. Not
like the 80 gsm copy paper which had huge fibers hanging out of the
toner causing fuzzy edges and bridges between traces.
This has become quite a long post and probably far in excess of what
you were asking ST but I have been meaning to share these results
with the group for a while to give a bit back.
To summarise I know myself and a few other friends that have tried TT
assumed that the most glossy paper was the way to go for better toner
release. We were completely surprised when less glossy, thinner paper
turned out better results. I beleive due to smaller fiber length and
greater clay content just as a gut feel.
Cheers,
David
> Nice to hear it does like it should.
> I really need to try magazine paper again some time with the
fuser...
> I have tried different kinds and it didn't work at all.
> Some papers form bubbles in the fuser of the printer, they are no
good.
> Others don't release the toner at all.
> how thick is the paper you use?
> is it the more expensive glossy magazine paper (>=80gr/m^2)
> or is it the very thin paper (much thinner than office paper)?
>
> thanks
>
> ST
>
> > Cheers,
> > David
> >