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| Posted on 2/6/08 at 05:40 AM | |
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Dear Michael, I read in your response questions going into a few different directions where I could reply to with a long answer but try to keep myself short and direct. Begin Quote: ---> There really is no cost or speed advantage going to a different printer platform. <--- End Quote No, only when your business require the possibilities to print onto a number of materials including fabrics I would recommend a printer with print heads based on Piezo technology. This would allow you to choose for pigmented inks and often you can choose for the brand you most like. Please keep in mind that one will never find a printer/ink/software solution which fits 100% in all possible requests. You remember that story of that farmer who goes to the market to buy a pig. The requirements he has given to that pig where it needs to give good meat, milk, wool and it should lay eggs as well. He came home without pig!  )Begin Quote: --> I have used garment inks with the new version as well and came out very nice. I believe those are the inks you referring to? <--- End Quote The company (software development for textile printing industry) where I was employed from 1988 until 2005 allowed me to test the pigment inks from various manufactures where the first versions of pigment based inks goes back to 1989. That where inks with a lot of hassle due to the properties of the pigments itself but the ink manufactures did a lot of good development since that time. The inks I refer to are made by a US company and the best I have tested ever since. The reason why every professional should have at least one machine dedicated with pigmented inks are numerous. e.g. You can print directly to fabric (if the printer allow you to do so) but you are not limited to fabrics only. Curing the inks to fabrics is done by heat and this brings me to the combination of the paper and inks I refer to. Because the heat needed to cure the inks to the fabric and the heat recommended for transferring the image from the paper is the same. This gives you an additional washable and therewith durability of your end-product. Begin Quote: --> I did read somewhere that although the paper is made for ink jet some have had success using it in an OKI laser. <--- End Quote Even when the paper original was designed for 100% cotton and/or 50-50 poly-cotton it is very well possible that users try to use it for several other substrates as well. I have honestly no knowledge about the OKI or any other laser printer but e.g. We did some successfully transfers onto polyester as well. I guess this is something what everyone should find out by him- or herself to be able to put their own professional fingerprint onto their end-products. Begin Quote: --> BTW, how are the dark transfers for cracking issues? Everything else on the market will eventually crack ... <--- End Quote This paper does not crack at all not even after a lot of washings. Washing makes the feel even better and better without impact to the colors. Michael, because of the time difference between us I would recommend to contact Euan in SC (864.490.7411) who have recently completed very comprehensive tests. If you would Skype him (euanbattson) he would be able to show you a finished print online to proof the quality in this matter. I know...this is quite a long reply but I hope it will answer most questions. Best Regards, Jan ____________________ The professional force behind your success; We show you the way! | |
  
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