User`s manual

Chapter 10 - Output Settings
154
FastRIP 10.0 User’s Manual
Inkjet Concerns and Issues
ov e R s P R a y a n d do t sh a P e
Generally speaking, an inkjet printer will print a fairly clean image. However, an inkjet uses hun-
dreds of tiny little nozzles to spray out the ink drops and occasionally a few random drops are
deposited outside the image area. If you look at a typical inkjet print with a 30X magnifier, you
may see a few random dots scattered very close to the actual image area. ese dots are extremely
small and will not burn or expose on a screen or plate. ese dots are also generally only on one
side of a halftone or image edge.
Another quirk of an inkjet printer is its dot shape- it’s not an exact “dot” or “ellipse.” However, if
you compare inkjet dots with those from a laser printer or lower resolution dry thermal system,
the inkjet dots are much cleaner. If you are concerned about the lack of a perfect shape to half-
tone dots, you need to compare the cost investment against how critical an exact dot shape is for
printing. Even in Imagesetter output, the dots are not perfect.
Many very successful companies use inkjet output to print high-end Process Color and Simulated
Process Color on light and dark shirts. If you didn’t know better, you would think the films came
off an Imagesetter. Even if you use FastRIP for Flexo or basic offset negative images (newspapers
and low LPI halftone usage), the dot is clean enough.
ou t P u t sP e e d
ere may be some concern about the speed of printing when using an inkjet printer because
inkjet’s typically don’t have as much memory as a laser printer or dry film system. Don’t be con-
cerned. FastRIP uses your computer’s memory when “RIPing” the image. If you print to a 17”
x 22” piece of film, the actual printing time may take up to nine minutes. at may seem long,
but FastRIP actually processes the image much faster than RIP’s that are built into laser printers.
erefore, the actual rasterizing of the image is much faster and technically speed IS NOT an
issue when printing with an inkjet.
In k j e t FI l m
FastRIP is designed to print on specially coated inkjet receptive clear film. ere is a wide variety
of coated films on the market and some have better coatings than others. Some even have a back
coating that prevents static and keeps the film from curling.
NOTE: Figuring out the proper side to print on with these films is often hard to tell. If the film has a notch in
one corner, the printing side is facing you if the notch is in the LOWER right corner. Another way to determine
which side to print on is by moistening your finger. e side that is sticky is the printing side. If both sides are sticky,
you may have to do a test print.
For best results, use a film with a smooth coating, such as FastPOSITIVE. It has been specially
designed to work with FastRIP and produces excellent black areas, clean halftone dots and is
quick drying when using standard Epson inks.