Choosing Your Film Output System

This is the place to talk about how to create film positives for screen printing. You may discuss topics like RIP software, inkjet and laser printers, film positive products, thermal printers and image setters.

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Catspit Productions
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Re: Choosing Your Film Output System

Post by Catspit Productions »

LOL... Let me tell you I still learn new things about screen printing each time I meet another seasoned screen printer ;)

Okay let me see if I can answer this. Black inkjet ink is normally done with some kind of pigment which could be charcoal. But that’s all the color it will have. Whatever color hues the pigment has the ink has.

Now when we work with mixing inks it is normally called subtractive color theory. Black is actually created by mixing in all the colors together until you get black. Of course we know it will only really get dark brown in practice. Therefore a black pigmented ink is needed.

With printing CMYK it work a little differently. This could be called additive color theory. Again in theory if we print CMY together we get black. But it is neither really dark enough nor rich enough. Therefore we add K which is the black printer. Sounds like the same thing and it is in relation to the black not being able to be achieved by mixing colors.

On the contrasting side the black pigment has no others. When we add CMY to the K then the black turns a richer darker black. Additive theory is all about what color is absorbed by the printed pigments. A color rich black absorbs more light.

I don’t know if that made any sense.... LOL. Here is an article on color theory and mixing inks with added links at the bottom of the page:

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/sc ... ixing.html

But in the end a color rich black is far blacker than just printing the back alone.

And I have no idea how you print your transfers twice... LOL. I could never get one to go through the printer the same twice ;(

I hope that helped.
Jonathan Monaco
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Dublebas
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Re: Choosing Your Film Output System

Post by Dublebas »

Do you know any rip software to use with Epson Xp-202, I cant print out halftones with it... Maybe I have problem with films...
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Re: Choosing Your Film Output System

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I don't know of anything that will work with all in one printers. Most RIP will be for dedicated sheet or roll fed inkjet printers. The Epson 1430 is the least expensive unit I know of that will do 8.5x11, 11x17, and 13x19 inch sheets of clear media, meaning inkjet film. It will also be compatible with many RIP programs. But always get the RIP first and buy your printer for that.

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/inkjet-film/

Or if you have a decent dedicated printer you can see if anything will work.

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/fil ... -software/

The compatible printers are listed there.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
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http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
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theprintingblue
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Re: Choosing Your Film Output System

Post by theprintingblue »

Hello Sir, I appreciate your efforts. Your forums information are meaningful for me. Please keep posting. Thanks
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Re: Choosing Your Film Output System

Post by Catspit Productions »

theprintingblue wrote:Hello Sir, I appreciate your efforts. Your forums information are meaningful for me. Please keep posting. Thanks
You're welcome. Thank you.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
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