Homebrew PCBs

In reading through the group I have read in a few cases where it is 
best to get a Photo Printer to make use of the UV inks (and to print 
in yellow/cyan as opposed to black to get a truly opaque image).

I have been researching the Epson R1800 printer and wonder if any of 
you have had success with this printer for printing on transparencies 
to be used to expose PCB artwork and sensitized PCB's.

I currently have a Color LaserJet 5550dn and it has HORRIBLE black 
coverage and is not opaque at ALL!

cheers,
Paul C. Murdock

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "paul_carlos_murdock"
<paul_carlos_murdock@...> wrote:
>
> In reading through the group I have read in a few cases where it is 
> best to get a Photo Printer to make use of the UV inks (and to print 
> in yellow/cyan as opposed to black to get a truly opaque image).
> 
> I have been researching the Epson R1800 printer and wonder if any of 
> you have had success with this printer for printing on transparencies 
> to be used to expose PCB artwork and sensitized PCB's.
> 
> I currently have a Color LaserJet 5550dn and it has HORRIBLE black 
> coverage and is not opaque at ALL!

You might check the forums at Screenprinters.net, as they do prints
for photo exposure of screens for Tshirt printing. Most seem to be
using inkjets.

A lot are just using stock Epson dye ink, many in older Epsons such as
the 1520 and 3000. PCB makers don't generally need 13 and 17 inch
wide, I mention those printers because the Epson 800 uses the same
printheads, and the 850 and 600 very similar heads.

In fact I think it is the Epson 9000 that uses an improved version of
the heads in the 1520 and 3000, and are backwards compatible. If I
ever have to replace the heads in a 3000, that's what I'm using.

I got the tip about using yellow/cyan as a better UV opaque than black
ink from Screenprinters.net.
http://www.screenprinters.net

Steve Greenfield

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "paul_carlos_murdock" 
> <paul_carlos_murdock@> wrote:
>
> In reading through the group I have read in a few cases where it is 
> best to get a Photo Printer to make use of the UV inks (and to print 
> in yellow/cyan as opposed to black to get a truly opaque image).
> 
> I have been researching the Epson R1800 printer and wonder if any of 
> you have had success with this printer for printing on 
> transparencies 
> to be used to expose PCB artwork and sensitized PCB's.
> 
> I currently have a Color LaserJet 5550dn and it has HORRIBLE black 
> coverage and is not opaque at ALL!
> 
> cheers,
> Paul C. Murdock

From what I've heard, the R1800 that takes the Ultrachrome inks is not 
compatible with any kind of transparency, and there is not even a 
setting in the driver to use it. Ultrachrome inks are different from 
standard inkjet inks and are not designed with 'business 
applications' in mind (unless your business is printing giclees). I 
don't know anything about using yellow as a photo resist, but what I 
use to develop quick screen printing sheets (I think it's called 
PhotoEZ, it's used for craft work and not 'serious' silkscreen work) 
is any printer that has pigment ink. This would be any Epson that has 
DuraBrite ink (C84/86/88), but Epson Durabrite printers tend to clog 
up if not used every two seconds, and the ink is terribly expensive. 
Many HPs have pigment black (but not color). I have a HP 1100d which 
takes pigment black, and it works fine on HP or Apollo transparencies 
(I find Apollo are 'clearer' than most other inkjet transparencies and 
don't have that vague fuzzy frosted look) and makes a nice opaque 
black resist. Make sure you place the printed side against the work, 
the thickness of the transparency itself is enough to let a little in 
around the edge. Not sure if a printer takes pigment ink? Find the 
cartridge or model number, and search on any /good/ ink refilling 
site. Most of them will mention whether the ink is pigmented or not.

If you want to go laser, remember that many color lasers and 
photocopiers tend to have a 'better', more solid black toner than 
cheap black and white printers.

>I have been researching the Epson R1800 printer and wonder if any of 
>you have had success with this printer for printing on 
>transparencies to be used to expose PCB artwork and sensitized PCB's.

Can't answer that directly but the Epson literature is sending mixed 
signals on the R1800. It uses Ultrachrome high gloss ink (not the same 
as just Ultrachrome). Their Ink/Paper compatibly chart has UHG being 
compatible with their transparencies and the printer they have as a 
UHG example is the R800. The R800 and R1800 use the same ink so based 
on the chart the R1800 should be fine with their transparencies.

However, if you look at the specification for either the R800 or 
R1800, it doesn't mention transparencies as a paper type. This 
suggests that it isn't handled in the drivers. A call to Epson may 
clear this up but beware, not everyone at Epson knows what they're 
talking about. Personally, I would give it a shot based on the 
Ink/Paper chart.

I have a 2200 that uses just Ultrachrome ink which isn't recommended 
for use with Epson transparencies based on the chart. However, I've 
made boards using artwork from that printer. The only problem I came 
across was the Ultrachrome ink didn't adhere well to the 
transparencies so they were only good for a one time use.


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "paul_carlos_murdock" 
<paul_carlos_murdock@...> wrote:
>