Homebrew PCBs

> Professionals use inkjets when
> it comes to making photomask for silk screening, ect.
> If you have had good success with laser printed photomasks,
> then please tell us more.
>
Professionals do not use printers for their artwork. My local screen printer
does not even own an inkjet printer. These guys use expensive equipment that
is made for this type of work. They usually use a photographic method with
artwork from paper to a transparency film that they hit with a massive light
source using a vaccuum table.
In regards to printers, I have used the epson laser printers (1200dpi) with
perfect results. I am sure that other brands also provide very good results.
The best transparencies are PMT, but I have never had a bad board with a
good laser transparency. You have to use the built in settings to set the
toner for extra dark and highest DPI. I have also gotten fairly good results
with a 600 DPI oin non critical artwork, but then again, I use a light box
on every transparency before it goes to production. The 600 DPI sometimes
requires touch up.
In the past, I have also gotten good results by taking my artwork to the
local print shop and let them use their high DPI copier machines, which is
the same technology. Inkjets might have come a long way since I have tried
them for this, but when I first tried making transparencies with them, I did
not get good results. It is actually the reason I purchased my first laser
printer. I guess the technology has changed since then.
-Mike