laser printer transparency solid black - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: JAGUAT
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 02:32:15 am
content: Hi guys, i'm wondering whats the best printer or method for printing transparencies and i mean really solid prints.I've been making my pcbs using the toner transfer method and i'm happy with the results but i decided to add solder mask to the pcbs , so i decided to buy some solder mask tubes from ebay and purchased some transparencies, first i was using a samsung m2020w,big mistake i damaged the toner cartidge because i didn't realize the transparencies i bought were not meant for laser printers so i decided to buy a new laser printer since the the cartridges for the samsung are not available in my country any more i bought the hpm106w and new transparencies and double checked to make sure that they are suitable for laser printers i know the hp is not suited for transparencies but bought it because i needed to make pcbs quickly and didnt have time to look for a printer, now i've had some time to run some tests and decided to try the new transparencies with the hp printer this time i didn't kill the printer but the transparencies are not solid black i've read about people using tracing o vellum paper but this kind of paper is hard to align over an etched pcb, ive been looking for printers that give a solid print on transparencies but havent found anything useful, so i was wondering if any of you has had any experience using printers that that can print real solid black on transparencies, i've seen some trancing paper that is translucent enough to do the job but in my country that paper is not available.What ive been doing is printing two masks, align them and glue them but i would like to be able to place the mask over the board as soon as i print it, or is it too expensive for home made pcbs?

author: xavier60
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 03:09:57 am
content: I directly use laser printed paper as transparencies which has a lot of shortcomings but it's quick and cheap. I can't be certain if this also applies to clear transparency.A very useful tip I was given is to heat the paper just before printing. This causes heavier toner deposit with my HP6L.Then heat the printout with a heat gun set to 250C to further darken the print. I think this melts the toner, causing the small voids to close up.

author: drussell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 03:32:25 am
content: Do you at least have the print quality setting set to the highest value?You can probably also send the page through twice if you stack the input tray carefully with the guides tight if it is really necessary to increase the density.

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 05:25:10 am
content: I picked up a Brother MFC-9440-CN at a thrift store for 50 bucks.Not a thing wrong with it.It does transparencies really well. As for toner I just refill the cartridges.I've tried many things and settled with the backing off adhesive vinyl.Get it free from a local sign maker.It just transfers the toner and not the plastic of the paper.So no mucking about soaking in water.Just iron on and peel.works great.Might work with a mask as well.I'll have to try that.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 06:59:58 am
content: Tracing paper works very well - needs to be thick ( 90gsm or more) to avoid crinkling in the fuser.It's similar enough to paper mechnically to not cause problems with the printer.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 01:06:13 pm
content: Laser printers have problems coating large contiguous areas... the density drops off compared to thinner lines. A possible workaround is to use a checked pattern instead of a solid fill for ground areas.

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 10:41:40 pm
content: I've switched from toner transfer to negative photoresist dry film. With negative dry film. the clear areas on the negatives is where the copper remains. So large solid areas are not effected by printer errors. Only areas that the copper is to be etch away can be effected . But that can easily fixed by scraping the mask off those areas. I use 2 transparencies per side which provides added error control. Aligning is easy by using pin guides through the copper board. That way all vias line up perfectly.