Magazine Articles written by Cielab

Inks, Printers, and Colours

Magazine Articles written by Cielab Comments Off

Mar 182011

Published in Image Magazine (Australia)
http://www.imagemagazine.com.au/
Dec 08 / Jan 09

When looking for a new wide format printer for your business you will typically hear the same response from most vendors “oh you need a solvent printer”. The reality is that this is not the full story, Solvent is not simply a newer or better technology as is often assumed these days and in fact there is far more amazing technology available in other places these days.
So the questions remains why does everyone assume solvent is the only answer these days? Let me clarify the differences between available ink & printer technologies for you.

The truth about Dye Sublimation colour accuracy

Magazine Articles written by Cielab Comments Off

Mar 182011

Published in Image Magazine
http://www.imagemagazine.com.au/
Publish Date TBA

The Dye sublimation industry has become a very strong market. For those of you that may not be aware of it the process involves printing with an inkjet printer (small or wide format), with special water based inks onto a transfer paper. This transfer paper is then put on top of a polyester product such as fabric and with the combination of heat, time, and pressure the ink is turned into a gas that transfers internally to the fabric fibres rather than on the surface where it could be damaged as in other technology. This process means that the print can be used in the same way as other fabrics; it can be used as clothes or banners that can be ironed or washed just like any other.

Colour accuracy on UV Curable Hybrid printers

Magazine Articles written by Cielab Comments Off

Mar 182011

Written for Image Magazine
http://www.imagemagazine.com.au/

UV Curable printers have some distinct requirements when it comes to colour calibration because of the unique nature of some of the substrates that customers want to print directly to. Glass, rear illuminated acrylic, steel, aluminium, pre-treated boards and metal, and yet the customer expects colour accuracy on these materials.
When some of these materials are expensive or only available in limited quantities then the ability to quickly achieve the accurate desirable colour with the smallest wastage of time and materials is critical. Most people are aware that your solvent printer needs a profile for your vinyl; a UV curable printer has exactly the same colour requirements.
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