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
tedinoue 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
>>
>
>
>
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