Homebrew PCBs

Ted Inoue wrote:
> I would think the most productive thing would be to keep a record of 
> all the printers and media that work or don't work. In this way, a 
> newcomer can simply refer to a chart and have an easy time learning 
> from the combined experience of those in the group.
> 

That would be a extremely useful reference to use. I was planning 
on making a web page dedicated to this very topic, but hadn't had 
the time. Ideally some form of measurements would need to be 
taken so all the different printing tests can be accurately 
characterized. Some measurements that come to mind are; overall 
relative light transmittance and line edge jaggedness (or maximum 
deviation of ink droplets from an ideal line). I have a 
microscope that can take pictures of line edge jaggedness.
The latter is responsible for the minimum PCB line widths that 
can be achieved.

4 main factors effect print quality;

* brand of transparency media
* inkjet printer
* ink
* printer driver settings