Issue no. 4
Sponsored by the VE PrismJET HiFi Color Printer.
Experience 6-Color 1440 dpi Brilliant Output!
And, by the new, upgradeable 12" LYNX vinyl cutter.
Perfect for retail displays & race car/boat lettering!
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In this issue...
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Demystifying Inkjet & Ink Differences
With the entry of inkjet printers and the various inks that accompany them into the signmaking market, understanding the differences between them can sometimes be likened to solving a mystery plot. However, demystifying the differences is really simple.
Inkjet printer systems may be broadly divided into two categories, namely piezo and thermal (or bubble jet).
Thermal inkjet printers use a heat resister that forms a bubble in the nozzle. And, the resulting bubble in the nozzle, forces a droplet of ink from the cartridge.
On the other hand, piezo inkjet printers use a piezo-electric crystal, vibrating at a controlled frequency, to force droplets of ink from the nozzle. The vibration of the piezo crystal generates kinetic energy in controlled and precise bursts.
What about the various inks used by inkjet printers? Again, there are two broad categories, water-based dye inks and pigment inks. Selecting the correct ink will be dependant upon the application.
Water-based dye inks contain colorants that are dissolved directly into the ink. Dye inks offer deep color density and a wide color gamut, but due to UV light susceptibility, quickly fade in direct sunlight. Therefore, these inks are recommended only for indoor application.
Pigment inks contain colorants that are suspended instead of dissolved in a liquid medium. Their strength is outdoor durability. Recent advances have increased the color range of these inks.
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Inkjet Media Handling Tips
Keep your inkjet media clean and dust free by storing the media in its original packing materials.
Store your inkjet media standing up or in a nice media rack. Do not let it lay flat on the floor.
Store in an area that is cool, dry, and away from the sun. Protect your media from extreme temperatures and humidity changes, if possible.
If you store your inkjet media in a different area other than your printing area --- you need to climatize your inkjet media. If the suggesting operating ranges are not the same , let the media acclimate for about 48 hours before printing. Protect your media from the oil on your hands. Oil can cause ink to repel. (Finger prints won't be that noticeable until your print is finished.) Wear light cotton gloves or handle the media on the edge, just like you would handle a nice photograph.
Protect your finished print from moisture. To protect your print, roll prints on a core that is at least 5" in diameter. Larger cores will protect your print better.
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2 Ways to Use Six Color Printing Capabilities
Six color printing, instead of only four, produces the most stunning images. HI-FI inkjets add two more colors giving you the widest color gamut possible.
An expanded color gamut produces deeper results. Skin tones are warmer and more natural looking. Lush rain forests, a ripe orange -- all your printed images now have a higher degree of brilliance and clarity.
There are two ways to use the 5th and 6th color printing capabilities in the newer six color inkjets. The first way is called Hi-Fi color. The first four colors are the traditional CMYK colors, and the 5th and 6th color is light cyan (Lc) and light magenta (Lm). So you would have CMYK+LcLm. This mode doesn't really expand the color gamut as much as it smoothies out the existing CMYK gamut. Transitions, gradations and skin tones are smoother. This method reproduces about 50% of spot colors.
The second way is to add orange and green as the 5th and 6th color. This is referred to as Hexachrome printing and was developed and patented by Pantone, Inc. This would be represented by CMYK+OG. Six color printing using this method reproduces about 90% of spot colors.
In either case, whether you employ CMYK+LcLm or CMYK+OG, you'll need a RIP that can use and compensate for these 5th and 6th color combinations. Some RIPS don't have this capability. So, choose carefully.
Yes, the power of color printed signs is clearly apparent to the eye and they are everywhere----competing for attention. The HI-FI 6-color inkjet printers give you a competitive weapon by producing outstanding signs and banners that easily catch peoples' eyes and hold their attention longer.
With the 6-color Piezo inkjets you'll get the widest color gamut possible with improved clarity, higher color purity, and faster print speed than any others.
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