Howdy neighbors I was wonderin if any of you kind folks have any experience with the solvent based inks and more specificly, if it is possible to convert an existing machine to use the new solvent based products. any info would be greatly appreciated I've done some searching and havn't been able to dig up to much.
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
What printer do you have, Eric?
Posted by Eric Roche (Member # 1967) on :
I Don't Have A printer yet but I'm in the market for a used machine and was wondering if it's possible to convert one to use the outdoor durable inks and if so what brands I should be on the look out for. Any tips would be great even some links where I might be able to research it a little more.
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
This site has more information in one place than anywhere else I have visited.
If you google something like wide format inkjet, you will find links to the major machine vendors and also the major media vendors. The task can be daunting when starting from zero. There is also a site out there somewhere with a streaming video tutorial on the various ink jet technologies with pros and cons.
The broad answer to your question is, some machines do come in both dye and solvent ink versions, so in theory you could buy a dye based machine and convert it to solvent ink.
My machine started out dye based and I purchased the UV conversion before the machines original warranty expired. The UV developed problems shortly after installation, and the manufacturer took care of the problem because both the machine and the conversion were in warranty. It was a tough problem that required a service person on site most of a working day. The point is, I worked with the tech every step of the way, and I know after the fact there is no way that I could have fixed that machine by myself, even with telephone support. Without the warranty, the service call would have been well over $1,000.
Unless you have a very high tolerance for frustration, I would encourage you to either find a machine already configured for UV, or else buy the machine from someone who can do the UV conversion and give it to you ready to go.
Just one man's opinion. Vic G
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
I was at the recent Orlando show, and I was taking a hard look at solvent printers. Basicly there are 2 types of solvent printers
true solvents - will print on almost anything - require ventilation (if you have ever used solvent based printers ink to silkscreen with, you'll know the smell, and yes there are health issues) - require daily maintenance/ usage or heads will clog - fast - only affordable one I saw (~20K)was a korean machine from DGI marketed by DGS had very low (200 dpi) print resolution, and it showed. A company called Tiara had one with a much better print quality but it was in the 40K range.
Light Solvents - No ventilation required - safe to use - Stunning print Quality 720 or 1440 dpi - Require coated substrates - Slow
I saw one company that'll convert encads or anything else based on the epson engine, but they really looked like a Mickey Mouse outfit... they had one machine at the show but it didnt work very well and they seemed to spend the entire show working on it. It's not likely you would ever get accurate colors this way and keep in mind that the solvents, and solvent fumes, in solvent based inks will eat into almost any plastic, so when you convert, even though you will have changed out the entire ink delivery system to something that is compatible with solvents, you have to wonder whether other components will stand up.
Posted by Lettercraft (Member # 268) on :
AT THIS POINT IN TECHNOLOGY, I WOULD OPT FOR A PIEZO-HEAD 6 OR 8 COLOR INKJET AND LAMINATOR. ROLAND PUTS A 5 YR. LIFE ON OUTDOOR PRINTS THAT ARE LAMINATED USING THEIR MATERIAL. VERY SELDOM DOES A SIGN STAY UP THAT LONG ANYWAY. YOU CAN GET INTO SUCH A COMBINATION FOR UNDER 20k.
Posted by Eric Roche (Member # 1967) on :
Thanks guys, I appreciate the insight I knew it couldn't be that simple. Thanks for the info. I think I will end up going the non solvent route for the time being until the new technology comes down a bit and by thaty time they should have it down pat. Thanks Again
Posted by Glenn Thompson (Member # 1851) on :
Is the reason for going to solvent because of its 3 year (expected) life? There are also limited medias available for it, but you still have to use a coated media. Thus defeating the purpose of going to a solvent ink set. I am running DicoJet pigment inks that are guaranteed for 3 years against UV fade, unlaminated on any inkjet media. DicoJet Inks is in my peizo(mutoh) and my 2 thermal inkjets (600e & pro 50) It even looks like there are chips available so that one could run these inks in the HP's as well.
Posted by Phil Braham (Member # 346) on :
I have been running 2 solvent printers for 12 months now with no problems. What do you wish to know?
