I've found the inkjet ink, inkjet transparency and inkjet printer
settings can play a ∗big∗ role in how well the image gets printed. The
Epson transparencies with Epson black ink work better than other
inkjet printer ink / transparency combinations I've tried. So I'm
assuming the inkjet your comparing against uses only Epson stuff. I
use Epson Stylus 660 but I think the black ink hasn't changed. Epson
use a dye based ink and has excellent UV opacity. HP and Lexmark use
pigment based blacks, which also is very UV opaque. The ink shows up
as deep red when very brightly backlit. The Epson transparencies are
the only type I've found (comparing to 7 other brands) that have some
special stabilized water absorbing layer which retains the Epson dye.
Even putting the transparencies in water for 1 minute does not
redissolve the dye. This absorbing property of the film bridges gaps
between individual ink droplets and creates pinhole free artwork. The
HP and Lexmark printers tests I have done all showed pinholes. The
very small pinholes are normaly not a problem, but when a larger
pinhole or similar defect occures in the centre of a narrow track (<=
12 mil) it can cause problems.
Adam
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., "tedinoue" <ted@s...> wrote:
> I can comment on my own experience using Epson Inkjet printers
> (Stylus Photo 1200 and Stylus 1160) vs. a Sharp Al1041 laser system.
>
> I measured items printed on the laser vs. the inkjets. What I found
> was that the laser printed transparencies didn't feed uniformly (or
> changed dimensionally because of heat) and therefore the ultimate
> printout did not measure precisely as it should. I'm talking >1/10"
> over an 11" printout. The inkjets were right on. Surprisingly
> accurate. On paper, both are very accurate.
>
> For blackness, the laser also fell short. The inkjet yielded very
> uniform black areas. The Laser was far from black when printing
> ground planes. i'm not sure how this would affect the ultimate
photo-
> transfer, but I have to think it wouldn't be good.
>
> After making these observations, I only use inkjets for my photo-
> transfers and have had very good success with my boards.
> -Ted
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@y..., dg140@f... wrote:
> > What is the general consensus; is a Laserjet, or Injket better for
> > photoetching? If laser printing is clearer, it also has the
danger
> of
> > melting the overlay (if plastic is used), yes?
> >
> > Charles