Ink Jet as replacement for film...sizing accuracy?

[schenkadere]

I would like to get rid of our filmsetter, but I cannot get a consistent and accurate result on clear media with an Epson 9900 and Oris Color Tuner. Has anyone made this transition successfully? I am only using the clear for dielines, but they must be accurate. The trouble seems to be in the feed direction. Even if I compensate with a scale in the software, it still measures slightly different with each output of the same file. I notice the same when creating "color keys" to show customers overlayed separations...they don't come close to registering.

[chevalier]

I've experimented with different inkjet clear media/'films' including the ORIS one and I can only achieve ~97% accuracy. We've had the same issues with die-lines from our CAD software to inkjet printers. It has more to do with the feedrate and floppiness of the media than anything else. I've found an ancient HP Draftmaster is way more accurate.

[Jerald]

I also have an Epson 9900 with an Oris Color Tuner front end. I am also seeing the exact same results as you. Our imagesetter was down for a couple of days and we tried to output to transparency film as a back up. For small pieces the fit was okay but when we tried to print up to 40" the fit problem was more noticeable. I have tried adjusting the feed rate in the Oris Color Tuner but I haven't been able to get it honed in on the number correctly. I'm not sure if the amount of ink being used on the clear film affects the stability of the film but it doesn't seem to be accurate enough to count on.

[chevalier]

I found that media thickness is the most important factor. A 5 - 7 mil film might make the problem go away but I couldn't find anything like that inkjet friendly.

[Bob Hill]

Our substrate is very dimensionally accurate and is the same substrate as image setting film. The problem of fit is mostly a problem with the Epson ability to be accurate over longer distances. Epson has a specification for Line Accuracy which states the accuracy of the length from piece to piece is a plus or minus .2% of file length. So the clear may be perfectly stable, but the Epson is not 100% accurate on length.

[color_matters]

Try this, print it per sheet, cut the film to your desired size. If that's a big bother, if you're printing in rolls, be sure that you have enough allowance for the film, never let it drag

[schenkadere]

Try this, print it per sheet, cut the film to your desired size. If that's a big bother, if you're printing in rolls, be sure that you have enough allowance for the film, never let it drag

What do you mean by "drag"?

Do you have success with this method?

[schenkadere]

Our substrate is very dimensionally accurate and is the same substrate as image setting film. The problem of fit is mostly a problem with the Epson ability to be accurate over longer distances. Epson has a specification for Line Accuracy which states the accuracy of the length from piece to piece is a plus or minus .2% of file length. So the clear may be perfectly stable, but the Epson is not 100% accurate on length.

Good information...curious...did this come from Epson directly?

So, bottom line...it will never be truly accurate based on device limitations, correct?

[Jerald]

That's my take on it. I don't think the Epson 9900 is designed to take the place of an imagesetter - it is a heck of a proofer though. I have heard of people using different inkjet printers to replace their film output. I believe MacDermid has a Flexo plate process that features a Roland inkjet to create the film. It may be worth looking into.

[color_matters]

What i mean by not letting it drag is to not let the feeder pull the film from the roll, leave an allowance to the roll of film equal to or more to what you are going to print, or try to print in sheets, cut the desired size and try from there