From: Joe Tait (jtait@texas.net)
Date: 04/23/02-10:22:26 PM Z
>
>> You mean an optically clear enough film? Or one that is compatible with
> your
>> inkset?
>
> --- Both actually, the real object of the exercise is to find a printer/ink
> combo that can produce both negs on clear film and archival prints on an
> acceptable paper. For me, the issue has been just the opposite of what your
> tech guy suggests below. The dye based inks (of which I have only found one
> that is Quad/Black/Gray) don't have sufficient density or gamut and are well
> known to be less archival than pigment based inks. While no clear film has
> accepted any of the Pigments I have tried. New product samples are in the
> mail. More to follow.
>
> BTW, fading is not a concern for the negs - only the prints.
What model Epson do you print from?
>
> ---I am very interested in a sample or two of the Rexam - the price seems
> reasonable. How many mils. Who do we contact.
It is 4mil and intended for backlit displays. The company is Charrette
(www.charrette.com). Their number is 1-800-367-3729. They might require an
account setup for orders, but I'm not sure.
There are two products with the designation "Optically Clear Film". They are
DMCF4HP (catalog# 10-0347), which is $99.99; 24" x 100ft. The other is
DMCF4HP (catalog# 21-8693), and is $80.49; 24" x 75ft. The difference seems
to be in compatibility with certain LF Inkjet models, none of which lists
Epson, although this doesn't mean that they won't work.
>
>
> --- Now we need to know whose dye based inks he is referring to - I wonder
> if he is really trying to sell something here, because, the problem is that
> pigments, as I understand it, have greater density and are more archival,
> while most films won't accept pigments. Something is wrong there, but I
> would like to persue it.
I am confused too. But I know that the pigmented inks we use for our HP
DesignJet CP look visibly thinner, but I haven't measured them with a
densitometer. I'll just have to experiment.
>>
>> Nick, a company I subcontract work to does Lightjet prints for $13.00 USA
> a
>> square foot! If I get more than 3 square feet, that goes to $10. :) I
> think
>> I might be able to get it slightly lower if I put in a bulk order. This is
>> for the clear film, BTW; not paper (which is $11 to $8.50 respectively,
>> although not Fuji Crystal).
>
> --- Who do we contact?
>
You have a couple options here. All are here locally in Houston, TX.
1st is A&E Products (www.aeproducts.com) 713-621-0022. This is the company
that I specifically mentioned pricing for. They list Lighjet as "PhotoMax"
prints, and they use a Lighjet 5500. Now their public pricing is $17.50 a
sq. ft. on clear film, $13.50 if you get 2-5 sq. ft. My shop gets preferred
pricing, but these prices still put to shame the ones you mentioned earlier.
They are a good company and would probably negiotiate pricing for bulk
orders.
2nd is NPI (www.npidigital.com) 713-988-9200. I like these people. They sell
Lightjet/Lambda as "Duratrans". Their pricing is similar to A&E, but I don't
have pricing handy, and can't give you specifics.
3rd is HPI (www.houstonphotoimaging.com) 713-666-0282. They use Lambda's and
I don't know their pricing, never done business with them, but they have
been around a long time.
>
> If you can not print what you see on your screen, there is a high
> probability that you negs will be inappropriate - I have been fortunate in
> this respect.
>
I don't understand what you meant there, please clarify.
I'm curious as to what format negs you used for lightjet, and how they were
scanned.
Thanks again!
-Joe
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