Hi there

I wonder if you can help me out. I am new to screen printing. I have a 2 colour screen printing machine setup. I am looking for a printer to print the film positives. I have been researching but can't find the best printer to buy at a reasonable price. I have been reading that the Epson 1500W Stylus Photo A3+ Printer is a good option, however I want to be sure before purchasing. Today I contacted Epson in the UK (where I am based) but they told me there printers do not support film positives.

Could you give some advice.

Thanks

The Epson 1430 is a good choice. Or if you can find the 1400 (discontinued) that is a workhorse. The 1430 is the replacement for the 1400. They print 13x19" films and are a great choice.

I use the Epson Workforce 7520 to print all of my films. I got it for under $200 from an office supply store, and it can print 13"x19", has two paper trays, is wireless, and can scan up to 11x17. Love it!

Epson always says that about inkjet film positives because their printers are made for photo imaging mainly. So the bottom line is if it can handle clear media then it will work. I don’t know what they will say for that but what you really should think about when you invest in an inkjet printer for film positives is RIP software and size.

Whatever printer you chose, in the end it will be helpful to choose one that is on the roster list for any given RIP program. You gain 2 advantages by doing that. First, you will have a printer that will work with the RIP software you have or will buy in the future. Secondly if the Epson printer model is listed on any given RIP software package then you know it will work with clear media such as inkjet film.

Models like the 1400 will work with a few different RIP programs since it was a popular model. You will also want the printer with the biggest size sheet you will want to use. Sheet fed units will go up to 13x19 inches.

I hope that helps out. Here are the suggestions on the Catspit supply site:

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

For your researching endeavors

Thanks guys, appreciate your advice.

I have the epson 1430 as well. Works great, very dark film positives.

will a epson r300 stylus work to out put film positves for screens??

Any inkjet printer will print inkjet film positives if it can handle clear media. It must also handle the size film of course but some inkjet printers do not feed clear films without a white guide strip. So that is the only thing you should need to check for your unit.

Just wanted to weigh in and ditto the Epson 1430 recommendation. This image was printed with RhinoJet Waterproof Film Positive material. Great printer!

Here's another shot of the film positive material printed with the Epson 1430.