U of S | Mailing List Archive | alt-photo-process-l | Re: First try gravure

Re: First try gravure



Hey Mark!

I would NEVER say "dah mark" :o)  ... it is very helpful to have
experienced folks point out all the little details like you did.  I am
climbing a steep learning curve right now, and my brain is overwhelmed
with information!  It's really easy to make "dumb" mistakes.  I have a
rather permanent mark on my forehead that seems to match the palm of
my hand!!!  Doh!

The transparency stuff i used was really nasty... had a very rough
grainy surface on the print side.  No surprise it didn't print well
for my purpose.  I got the OHP last night, and there is a WORLD of
difference.  I printed Jon Lybrook's exposure test sheet on it, and it
looks beautiful... will be exposing that later this morning.

as for your PS:  It's currently 7.9 degrees outside here on the side
of my little Catskill mountain, and not expected to get above 20 later
today.  Lots of white stuff on the ground, too.  Fat chance I'll be
doing any "sunlight" exposures outside today ;o)  That's why I got the
NuArc!  ( Which seems to be working like a champ ever since I
threatened it with that call to Nuarc Tech support.  Ha.)

Seriously though, thanks for the help.
susan
www.dalyvoss.com

On 2/7/07, D. Mark Andrews <mark@dragonbones.com> wrote:
Susan,

You might consider trouble-shooting a few variables before you give up on
the cheapy transparency material:

1. Not all transparencies are meant to go in an ink jet printer. So make
sure you buy the cheapy inkjet printer transparencies designed for ink jet
printers AND specifically for your brand printer. Some are designed for
overhead projector only and some for laser printers.

2. There is a right and wrong side to print on. The rough side is the side
that accepts ink. If you make the common mistake to print on the glossy side
you will get goo.

3. Depending on your print options, you may have an print option for
transparencies. Perhaps you are using this setting. If you don't have a
transparency setting, experiment with the glossy or matte surface photo
paper settings until you find the best one for your material.

4. Inks can be a variable. Which black ink are you using in your printer?

I'm not really trying to discourage you from OHP, I use it frequently. Just
like a less expensive option for experimentation, learning and printing.
Personally, I've sees some really good prints made from Office Depot
transparencies printed on a $28.00 ink jet printer--it does work.

My apologies in advance if you already know all the points above and are
saying "dah, Mark" :-)

PS The sun remains a good source of UV light if the NuArc won't work :-)

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: SusanV [mailto:susanvoss3@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 6:49 AM
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
Subject: First try gravure


...so last night I gave it a try with a digital positive I printed out
on the 3M brand transparency material I had on hand.  What a hoot!
That stuff just can't hold it's ink ;o)

I gave it a try anyway though, just to work through the process once
before my OHP arrives.  This is what I found out:  My Nuarc has a
problem.  The light only works for about 30 seconds before flickering,
then shutting down.  After about another 30 seconds, it comes back to
life and again works for about 30 seconds before shutting down.
Sounds like it's overheating, doesn't it?  But there's nothing
blocking the fan, and there is a lot of unobstructed airflow, so I
don't get it.  Also, the integrator started counting down very quickly
once the light went out.  That's not right, either.

wacky.

any insights appreciated.  Nuarc tech support opens in a bit, and I'll
give them a call.

susan

--
Susan Daly Voss
www.dalyvoss.com



--
Susan Daly Voss
www.dalyvoss.com