Need Advice: Black Printing to Large Transparancies

[Jeff Cooper]

Hi folks,

Any advice, opinions, tips, etc are welcome and appreciated.

We need to print in high detail black (blacker the better) images
directly onto a transparancies. The transparencies need to be at
least 11.5 x 17.5 inches, though 16x20 would be ideal. Image quality
is very important, as is the darkness of the image. The images are
generally graphics with some text.

In earlier attempts at this (using laser printers) the black is
washed out/kind of gray-ish.

What would be the best type of printer for this? Laser? Inkjet?
Something else? What brands/models would you recommend?

Of course, cost is a factor (isn't it always), but we're willing to
spend a little more if it accomplishes what we want.

Thanks much!

Jeff

 

[Warren]

Hi folks,

Any advice, opinions, tips, etc are welcome and appreciated.

We need to print in high detail black (blacker the better) images
directly onto a transparancies. The transparencies need to be at
least 11.5 x 17.5 inches, though 16x20 would be ideal. Image quality
is very important, as is the darkness of the image. The images are
generally graphics with some text.

In earlier attempts at this (using laser printers) the black is
washed out/kind of gray-ish.

What would be the best type of printer for this? Laser? Inkjet?
Something else? What brands/models would you recommend?

Of course, cost is a factor (isn't it always), but we're willing to
spend a little more if it accomplishes what we want.

Thanks much!

Jeff

It is doubtful that any of the inkjet printers can provide the
contrast you're after. Even laserjets fail to provide completely
opaque black areas and are thus impossible to use as CB masks, for
example. Back in the murky past I remember doing such things with
litho film, it develops to a totally clear and opaque black image with
fine detail. I'd suggest that if you have an art department that you
take your TPs over there and have them make lithos of them.