Re: laser printer for diginegs

[Jim Larimer <jrlarimer@gmail.com>]

Hi, Loris...I do not use bitmaps, just grayscale. I should also add that I use the laser printed negatives only for Gum Bichromate and Gumoil. With these two process I feel that the laser transparencies work just fine, but, other processes will no doubt suffer from their use.

Jim

On Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 9:30 AM, Loris Medici <mail@loris.medici.name> wrote:

Hi Katharine,

So, you're saying that if you print a stochastic bitmap from a laser
printer, *its driver won't internally convert it to halftone* but
print it as stochastic bitmap indeed. Do I get it right?

Are you absolutely sure that it works that way, all the times?

Anyone? Jim, are you printing your images as bitmaps or do you simply
use grayscale?

Regards,
Loris.

2009/8/29 Katharine Thayer <kthayer@pacifier.com>:

> David,  the negatives aren't halftone unless you make them halftone, and
> there's no reason to do that, so there's no need to worry about screen
> angles or moire or anything like that.  I really recommend the stochastic
> bitmap  (you can do this in Photoshop-- it's the "diffusion dither" option
> on the bitmap menu) for smooth gradations of tone in your print and no hint
> of a regular dot pattern.
>
> As for whether it would be good enough for iron processes, I couldn't say.
>  What resolution is your laser printer?
>
> katharine
>
>
>
> On Aug 28, 2009, at 2:01 PM, davidhatton@totalise.co.uk wrote:
>
>>
>> Hi Loris,
>>
>> don't know about moire. I fact I didn't think of it!
>>
>> It really isn't the printers fault. I often have to leave it several weeks
>> without use. E.G. this week i am going to Saudi Arabia for 6 weeks. Can't be
>> helped.:?)
>>
>> David
>>
>>
>> On Aug 28 2009, Loris Medici wrote:
>>
>> I'm interested in laser printer negatives too. How one does manage to
>> not get moire effect (negatives are halftone!) when making multi-layer
>> prints from one negative?
>>
>> Sorry for your printer David. I was printing a nozzle check each 2-3
>> days even if don't use it (and never run the cleaning procedure - if
>> it needed - more than twice in a row) + I always used Epson brand
>> ink/cartridges -> it never gave me a problem keeping that routine...
>>
>> Regards,
>> Loris.
>>
>>
>> 2009/8/28 :
>> > Hi all,
>> >
>> > Well, my epson 1290 has bitten the dust, bought the farm, snuffed it,
>> > shook
>> > a seven..etc and not before time I'm thinking. The amount of ink wasted
>> > trying to clear blocked nozzles would probably have put several children
>> > through university! In its defence though I often left it for several
>> > weeks
>> > between prints. Which is why I'm considering a laser printer instead of
>> > an
>> > inkjet.
>> >
>> > I was wondering if anyone uses a laser printer to make digital negs as I
>> > don't think these (laser printers) have the same problems with blocked
>> > nozzles if left idle for weeks. I'm loath to replace the 1290 with
>> > another
>> > expensive colour inkjet only to have it block up again. If so what do
>> > you
>> > print on and are there any special techniques needed?  Thanks in
>> > advance for
>> > all your help,
>> >
>> > Regards
>> >
>> > Davidh
>
>