Digital Printing: Dispelling five myths around the simplicity

by | 12 June 2019 7:41 pm

By Ryan Allen

Digital printing offers a number of advantages over technologies of the past. In fact, given the advancements in printing equipment and recent software and materials, one might think the life of a modern printing professional is fairly easy; though, this is not the case.

Challenges are part of every evolving technology, and many times signmakers feel as though they have more questions than answers as they pursue the latest digital printing best practices. To operate as a printing professional, even in the digital age, requires a thorough knowledge of everything from print media choice to production and finishing. This information must be continuously built upon as technology
is always evolving.

In this article, the author discusses some of the challenges one might face with digital printing on a daily basis, dispels a few myths related to printing and media, and provides troubleshooting solutions to help maintain efficient, cost-effective operations in the process.

Myth No. 1: A film is just a film

Choosing the right media for a job can be a challenge from the start. Film technology has evolved over the years and product performance may vary among suppliers and different product lines. While some product lines offer better printing quality than others, regardless of the printer, a general understanding of material functionality is a prerequisite to ensure desirable results in any project.

Print media suppliers have designed tools to help customers make smart choices. These assist with navigating through a wide portfolio of products offered based on application needs; compatibility with inks and cures; and requirements for durability, conformability, and adhesive removability. One can start with similar tools and then reach out to material providers with any questions.

While ensuring printability may be the key area of focus, one must not overlook the importance of choosing the right permanent, removable, or long-term removable (LTR) adhesive for application. No matter how great a print project looks, the wrong adhesive for the end-use application can cause issues during the installation/removal process and durability could suffer.

Myth No. 2: Newer printers make printing simple

The technology may have come a long way, but printing remains a challenging part of the digital printmaking process. There are various prerequisites to getting a job right, including knowledge of printer operation, raster image processor (RIP) software, colour management, International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles, and troubleshooting skills, along with a general awareness of printer operation protocols and proper cleaning techniques.

Incorrect printer settings are a common cause of printing issues when working with films. ICC profiles are designed to simplify
the process by providing the ideal printer calibrations for specific media, printer model, ink type, and ink configurations. Yet, ICC profiles must be updated frequently as new technology emerges or further testing shows
a different setting yields better results. Print media manufacturers work diligently to keep these profiles updated as quickly as possible. One must check frequently to ensure ICC profiles are up-to-date to avoid encountering any difficulties when printing on films.

Myth No. 3: Material providers can be swapped without changing much

The most common mistake sign shops make when they switch from one media manufacturer to another is not changing the profile and printer settings. Since ICC profiles are specific to printer/ink/RIP/media, it is likely the ink limits colour adjustments, and temperatures will be different from one print media brand to another.

Encountering image quality or drying issues is the first sign there is a printing problem and is the place to start when troubleshooting.
Very often, when incorrect profiles are used, the drying temperature is set too low. When the film is rolled up before the ink dries, the resulting print can have a mottled look. This typically happens when a film is glossier than products from another brand, but setting the correct (higher) drying temperatures can avoid this issue. 

Myth No. 4: The print material is always the problem

Troubleshooting effectively is a significant part of the printing process. When one faces a problem during printing, one must be able to determine if the material, printer, or a foreign factor is the reason. Simple diagnostics can help speed things along when issues arise.

For example, if there is banding on the print, the first step should be to conduct a head check and cleaning. If the issue persists, one must check the media by rotating the material 90 degrees. If the banding is horizontal, it would point to a printer issue. If the banding remains in the same direction as it was earlier, this points toward the material as the problem. The next step would be to load a different material and test for banding. If one suspects the material is the problem, one must reach out to their print media provider for assistance who can help work through any additional troubleshooting steps while also checking against retained material on their end.

Myth No. 5: The tough part is over when one gets to finishing

Proper finishing depends on who is working with the material. Today, with trimming and weeding equipment gaining popularity, many shops have implemented automation into finishing. Yet, many shops continue to depend on a dedicated staff to handle this function manually. Precise straight-line cuts allow clean installations and create perfectly straight overlaps. Production personnel and installers must work together to align panels, as often, no bleed is given to the installer who, as a result, seams the material improperly.

Knowledge of merging different media when laminating the material is crucial. For example, what should be done if a laminate shows diagonal lines running across the film? In this case, one should be able to diagnose the way the lines run across the material from the laminator; this will help provide information on how to resolve the problem. Perhaps, the nip roller is out of adjustment. The laminator rolls must have equal pressure on both sides; otherwise, there will be tracking issues and inadequate pressure on one side of the laminator.

When laminating, one must test each side of the roller by sliding a piece of paper in and out between the rollers, tightening it until it stops moving. This must be done on both ends until the friction is equal. After it has been adjusted, the material can be reloaded and tested. It may be necessary to contact the laminator manufacturer for service as some adjustments on laminators should be completed by authorized personnel only.

Digital printing requires skill

The process of transitioning a project from
an art file to a physical print is complex and requires hard work, talent, and knowledge. Producing a quality item that will survive its intended lifespan not only requires the right equipment and media, but also specialized understanding and experience working through its unique challenges. The job is not always an easy one.

Ryan Allen is regional technical specialist for Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions in North America. He holds a degree in graphic design and has more than 12 years of experience in design and print production. He previously owned print and wrap shops. Allen can be reached at ryan.allen@averydennison.com.

 

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/digital-printing-dispelling-five-myths-around-the-simplicity/

---