Film alternatives

cnorris

New member
On ocassion we still output film (both negative and positive), for die-cutting, UV coating, foil stamping, etc. What alternatives do we have? Are there plotters or wide format proofers that accurately print on mylar? Would the black area be dense enough to burn plates
with? Any suggestions will be appreciated.
 
Re: Film alternatives

Using an Epson (choose your format size), High Density UV blocking black ink and the proper RIP it is indeed possible to do this with excellent results. Film positives are the most proactical - less ink usage and the resolution is good enough for the application you describe. Negatives would use a fair amount of ink and the resolution would be limited to 120 to 133 lpi.

Our solution for the RIP is MegaRIP (little brother of Serendipity's Black Magic) which will handle the screening and will also allow the printer to be used as a contract color proofer, minus the Lt Lt K which is the channel used for the HDUV ink.

The substrate is an inkjet coated clear film with excellent dimensional stability and allows for the denstiy required for production. The typical application for this system is screen printing and the occasional negative for plates which are smaller than the CTP device will accomodate. Again, negative resolution is limited to 120 to 133 lpi, but this is generally acceptable for those types of plates and the jobs that would run on them.

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can answer any specific questions you may have.

Bob
 
Re: Film alternatives

Hi
There is an opaque inkjet film made for separations that will get density up to burn a plate. What size output do you need, if it a large sheet, the ink coverage for a negative maybe too costly.

Tom
 

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