Straight-Through Paper Path A Handbook for Users 1
Introduction This handbook is a collection of techniques and recommendations for achieving best output using the StraightThrough Paper Path (STPP) on the ColorSpan Legacy Solvent and UV-Cure printers. It does not cover the features of the DisplayMaker Esprit, which has more limited STPP capabilities. General Recommendations Hardware Setup • Ensure that the printer stand is firmly assembled and has been stabilized using the supplied leveling feet. The stand legs should be level from front to back.
4. A list of predefined media entries appears. This is the Media Wizard, which assists you in configuring the printer to work best with individual media properties. 5. Select the Media Wizard entry that most closely matches your media. If the printer settings need to be changed to better fit your specific media, you can make those changes later. 6. The printer will display whatever settings are associated with the media you chose in step 5.
20. Once the media width has been determined, the printer will show the current margin settings. The default margin settings are 0.25” front, left, and right, and 6.50” back. The 6.50” back is a minimum requirement necessary to feed the printable area of the media through the printer. See the following section on Extending the Printable Length for additional information on margins. 21. Press Proceed to complete the media load process.
Media Measurement Options The printer can automatically measure the media in three different ways: Standard, Maximal, and Minimal. This option is set on the printer’s control panel under “Menu -> Printer Settings -> Media Measurement”. • Standard — measures the width of the media once, and finds the right and left front edges to estimate skew. This is the factory default and is recommended for most applications.
Edge-to-Edge Printing Edge-to-Edge printing is automatically enabled when the left and right margins are set to zero. (Menu -> Printer Settings -> Margins). In this context, we discuss only the left-to-right edges of the media. See the following section on Extending the Printable Length for printing front-to-back as well as edge-to-edge.
Entire image slightly enlarged Source file created for full bleed Edge detail enlaged in source file Extending the Printable Length of Cut Sheets The minimum allowable trailing edge margin permitted by the printer is 6.50”. This trailing amount is used by the printer’s media advance system (the grit rollers and pinch rollers) to grip the media and propel it through the print zone. A leading margin of zero is permitted by the printer software.
The success of double-sided printing depends largely on the qualities of the media. The printer uses friction to propel the media through the print zone (the grit rollers press into the bottom surface of the media to grip it and push it through), so good adhesion of the ink to the media on side one is necessary to survive the printing on the second side.
board mode may be satisfactory as well. Plan for some amount of experimentation the first time a media type is used. As noted above, media that is not flat may show some output anomalies from inaccurate dot placement. This inaccuracy stems from the bidirectional print method, which requires a flat surface in order to place dots in the same place when printing on both directions. The typical visible defect is a grainy appearance.
Appendix A Loading Media without the Media Alignment Tool The media alignment tool described elsewhere in this document cannot be used on the DisplayMaker 72S, 72SR, or 72SRU printers because the arrangement of platen holes in these printers is different. An alternative technique using two small screwdrivers can accomplish the same end. 1. Locate two objects, such as small screwdrivers, with a diameter of 1/8”. This is the diameter of each hole in the platen. 2.
© Copyright 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.