printing waterproof maps on tyvek?

[LF]

I'd like to print waterproof maps on tyvek.

1. I'd like to use one of the older Canon or HP printers I have,
originally designed for dye based ink. Will it work if I clean and
refill the cartridge(s) with pigmented ink? Is there some advantage
to starting with an Epson?

2. Where can I buy a small amount of tyvek paper, cut into legal or
letter size pages? So far, I can only find large rolls or envelopes.

Thanks,
Larry

 

[tmonego]

I'd like to print waterproof maps on tyvek.

1.  I'd like to use one of the older Canon or HP printers I have,
originally designed for dye based ink.  Will it work if I clean and
refill the cartridge(s) with pigmented ink?  Is there some advantage
to starting with an Epson?

2.  Where can I buy a small amount of tyvek paper, cut into legal or
letter size pages? So far, I can only find large rolls or envelopes.

Thanks,
Larry

If you are printing with a dye printer why not use regular paper and
encapsulate the print with a laminator. Dye is the worst ink for
weather resistance, pigment is a little better but not great and
switching a dye printer to pigment can cause problems. This is because
the particle size in pigment inks is a lot larger than in dye ink and
can muck up the printer heads. It is Ok to experiment and switching
the inks may work but you have to be prepared to kiss the printer
goodbye (say a 75% chance of everything working). Pigment ink would
still not be that weather proof, I would still encapsulate.
Solvent ink or offset inks are much more durable and used on tyvek
makes a weather resistant print. But these are not home solutions.

Tom

 

[me]

I'd like to print waterproof maps on tyvek.

1. I'd like to use one of the older Canon or HP printers I have,
originally designed for dye based ink. Will it work if I clean and
refill the cartridge(s) with pigmented ink? Is there some advantage
to starting with an Epson?

2. Where can I buy a small amount of tyvek paper, cut into legal or
letter size pages? So far, I can only find large rolls or envelopes.

Why not go to the source?

http://www2.dupont.com/Packaging_Graphics/en_US/uses_apps/printing_tyvek.html

 

[IntergalacticExpandingPanda]

I'd like to print waterproof maps on tyvek.

1.  I'd like to use one of the older Canon or HP printers I have,
originally designed for dye based ink.  Will it work if I clean and
refill the cartridge(s) with pigmented ink?  Is there some advantage
to starting with an Epson?

Epson is going to be more tolerant to use of non-stock medium such as
pigment ink, and in do offer OEM pigment ink. Aftermarket there are
dysub, eco and hard solvent ink solutions.

I've not tried pigment ink in an older canon. Canon does offer one
printer with pigment ink with 2pl nozzles so one "might" be able to
use pigment ink in "older" canons. Keep in mind Canon and HP are
thermal bubble jet printers. Epson uses micropiezo, so long as the
fluid is the right viscosity it'll flow through.

 

[tmonego]

I'd like to print waterproof maps on tyvek.

1.  I'd like to use one of the older Canon or HP printers I have,
originally designed for dye based ink.  Will it work if I clean and
refill the cartridge(s) with pigmented ink?  Is there some advantage
to starting with an Epson?

2.  Where can I buy a small amount of tyvek paper, cut into legal or
letter size pages? So far, I can only find large rolls or envelopes.

Thanks,
Larry

Tyvek is made in inkjet compatible forms, I have bought it in 44 inch
roll, as the OP said I have no idea if it can be found in small
sheets. Any good printer supply house will have it. Excellent for
outdoor applications even if out inks aren't. Widely used with solvent
inks.

Tom

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I have printed on Tyvek with an Epson printer using dye inks.

The results were very light (almost pastel) the dot gain was enormous
meaning the printing looked blurry. I would not suggest this
combination for anything with small detail or bright colors. Pigment
inks might do better, but I don't think either will create a durable result.

Art


If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

 

[LF]

I'd like to print waterproof maps on tyvek.

Thanks much to all for your thoughtful and helpful suggestions. After
reading comments, and remembering how much a fountain pen bleeds into
tyvek when I tried that, I am switching to some form of plan B. Print
on high quality inkjet paper, maybe even photo paper, and laminating
OR possibly experimenting with some spray fixative. Probably the
laminating or covering in clear shelf liner.

Best,
Larry

 

[Arthur Entlich]

If the end product needs to be readable in uncontrolled lighting,
using a semi-matte or matte laminate is probably better. While it may
somewhat lower the contrast and mildly cut down on the color brilliance,
it makes the information much easier to read without reflection from
lights. Glossy laminate is very reflective and often not easy to read
under bright or uncontrolled lighting.

If you have a laminator machine, many have a cold setting, which can be
used with cold adhesive materials. If you want to go pretty cheap,
there are some adhesive backed vinyls which are semi matte or matte,
which are sold in general or department stores which might work.

Art


If you are interested in issues surrounding e-waste,
I invite you to enter the discussion at my blog:

http://e-trashtalk.spaces.live.com/

 

[Elmo P. Shagnasty]

I'd like to print waterproof maps on tyvek.

1. I'd like to use one of the older Canon or HP printers I have,
originally designed for dye based ink. Will it work if I clean and
refill the cartridge(s) with pigmented ink? Is there some advantage
to starting with an Epson?

2. Where can I buy a small amount of tyvek paper, cut into legal or
letter size pages? So far, I can only find large rolls or envelopes.

Thanks,
Larry

http://www.xerox.com/go/xrx/portal/STServlet?projectID=ST_Media_Solutions
&pageID=Application&Xcntry=USA&Xlang=en_US

see the section "Synthetic and Durable Papers"

Xerox sells such stock, and it works quite well in their production
printers. If you needed to print much of this kind of thing, you could
find someone with an appropriate system to do it for you.

 

[Brendan R. Wehrung]

It's one thing to get the ink onto the substrate, whether
it will be legible and durable is a different matter.
Most inks both pigment and dye are not waterproof.
I would hesitate to put tyvek through a color laser.

If all you want s a tough, waterproof map (the finished product) and can
live without tyvek, why not look into vinyl banner printers at places like
Kinkos? It may be that their resolution will not be good enough, and
you'd have to do multiple pages and cut them apart for 8 1/2 x 11, but
it's worth at least asking.

Brendan

 

[Joel]

If all you want s a tough, waterproof map (the finished product) and can
live without tyvek, why not look into vinyl banner printers at places like
Kinkos? It may be that their resolution will not be good enough, and
you'd have to do multiple pages and cut them apart for 8 1/2 x 11, but
it's worth at least asking.

Brendan

It seems like the problem some OPs have that they ask but won't listen.

 

[newshound]

Plenty of sources of waterproof paper for inkjet or laser here in the UK,
e.g.

http://www.memory-map.co.uk/acatalog/accessories_waterproof_paper.html

 

[LF]

Plenty of sources of waterproof paper for inkjet or laser here in the UK,
e.g.

http://www.memory-map.co.uk/acatalog/accessories_waterproof_paper.html

Thanks much, I've now found several waterproof papers for inkjet
available in the USA. Much better than my failed tyvek idea. Amazon
reviews some of them.

Best,
Larry

 

[dave_stevens]

I'd like to print waterproof maps on tyvek.

1. I'd like to use one of the older Canon or HP printers I have,
originally designed for dye based ink. Will it work if I clean and
refill the cartridge(s) with pigmented ink? Is there some advantage
to starting with an Epson?

2. Where can I buy a small amount of tyvek paper, cut into legal or
letter size pages? So far, I can only find large rolls or envelopes.

Thanks,
Larry

Get 8-1/2 x 11 sheets of tyvek at allweatherblueprints.com. Print as glossy photo paper and spray the sheet with a couple of coats of clear acrylic after the ink dries and before you touch the ink. I use a Canon i860.