Homebrew PCBs

On a similar note, I recently used two different inkjet printers, an 
Epson 600 and an HP 625C, to print on decal paper.  The similarity is 
that you want dense printing, as high resolution as possible, but the 
difference is that decals are usually in color.

I found no discernible differnce between the two printers, and no 
discernible increase in quality beyond 720 dpi.  Does this mean the 
1440 resolution is just hype?  Or maybe my software was not up to it.

I was using the cheapest of aftermarket ink in the Epson, but real HP 
ink in the Deskjet - no discernible difference.  The only 
disadvantage of the "clone" ink is that it tends to need cleaning of 
the jets more often.  That's for color ink:  for black, the clone ink 
isn't quite as dense, in my experience.

BTW, I had to get more ink for the HP in a hurry, so paid full price 
for HP ink.  Two cartridges for about $32 + $26 = $58 (plus tax).  
Epson is a little cheaper, but not much.  I noticed that CompUsa is 
offering the HP Deskjet 3320 1200x600 dpi for $50, so I'm wondering 
why I didn't buy another printer, instead of the ink.  To be honest, 
the $50 deskjet ships with a single ink cartridge, so you don't get 
true black without adding another cartridge ($22 additional).  Still, 
and interesting situation for one who bought his first dot matrix 
printer when they came down below $500...

Take it easy,
Jed.

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Russell <rjshaw@i...> wrote:
> Les Newell wrote:
> > Hi all,
> > Does anyone have a favourite make of inkjet film for printing 
artwork? It
> > looks to be expensive stuff so I would like to use a brand that 
others have
> > had success with. I am using a Lexmark Z25 printer if it makes any
> > difference.
> 
> I use epson over-head transparencies. They have a smooth coating 
that
> absorbs the ink, eliminating all pin-holes. It costs more than the 
printer
> ($3 per sheet), but i can make 30 sheets last a year or more. 
First, print
> the pcb onto paper in economy mode (to save ink). Cut out some 
transparency
> and sticky-tape it over the paper printout area. Feed back into the 
printer
> and print using the highest resolution black ink setting. The 
transparency
> off-cuts can be used for other boards. Unfortunately, refill ink 
gives bad
> results, so i have to use the genuine epson stuff. With this 
combination,
> you can do ~5mil tracks at 720dpi. To minimize ink costs, i got two 
printers
> the same (epson stylus colour 400 which are really cheap in the 
trading post).
> One is only used for PCB printing using the expensive ink and the 
other does
> the usual day-to-day printing using crap refill ink.