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shippouk

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 2, 2010
109
0
Printing on Transparency Paper with a Mac.

Hi there
I am having issues printing to transparency paper with my Mac.
I am using a Epson DX5000 ink jet printer, with ink jet transparency paper.
I've created my design at 600dpi (a little bit overkill I guess you could say).

What I am doing is creating/printing (none coloured) black images that are then displayed using a projector.
My problem is that I don't think enough ink is being printed onto the transparency paper and so when its displayed on to a wall you can see through the black ink too much and also the ink all looks cracked.
This maybe also possibly caused by the fact that with ink jet transparency paper you print on the one side that has a rough type feel to it, that must have some kind of coating so that the ink dries on it correctly and doesnt just smear.

here's a little image of what I mean.
gobo-projector-example-problem.jpg

As you will see the image just isnt clear enough and light leaks through the black.
You are only actually supposed to be able to see anything thats white. So thats only the white text around the outside and the white images in the middle. (this is a little hard to explain as of course a printer doesnt print white, what its actually doing it NOT printing the white sections at all, so this is where the light shines through)

Ive tried numerous print settings when printing from Adobe Acrobat

Print>Printer>Print Settings

Media Type setting are:-
Plain papers
Epson Matt
Epson Ultra Glossy
Epson Premium Glossy
Epson Premium Semi Gloss
Epson Glossy
Envelope

Color settting are:-
Color
Black

Print Quality setting (More and less appear depending on what type of paper you say you are using) are:-
Fast Economy
Economy
Draft
Normal
Fine
Super Fine
Photo
Best Photo
Photo RPM

I assume that Photo RPM is the best setting and to be honest I'm not really sure which type of paper to choose?

Ive tried many different settings, Ive tried printing in just Black, but that doesnt put out enough ink, I then tried printing in colour (even though my designs are just in black), it definitely produced on a page more ink, but still not enough.

Does anyone have any suggestions here at all, I'm all out of ideas?

thanks
 
Did the transparencies come with any sort of print information sheet? If so, the settings you need might be on there.

I have an older Epson printer that actually lets you select Ink Jet Transparencies as a paper option.
 

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In addition to choosing the transparency media, also increase the resolution (Quality) in your settings. This will put down more ink on the media, and fill in more gaps. You'll go though ink faster, though.
 
Hi
No, there is no "transparency paper" option in my printer settings I'm afraid.

Any further advise?
 
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