Luminous Landscape Forum
Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: rasworth on April 02, 2018, 10:25:13 am
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I've normally used the manual rear feed on my 3880 for heavier paper, but I'm trying to feed 21 mil canvas stock, and it is difficult to start. The spec states 20 mil limitation on the rear feed, and apparently anything thicker is a problem.
I've never used the manual front slot, easy enough to insert the stock and have it align, but I noticed the spec'd range was 48-60 mils. So what happens with thinner media, does it feed thru ok? Also is the paper thickness parameter still in effect, or does the mechanism auto adjust? Same question wrt platen gap? And lastly, what are the minimum margins?
Thanks for any input,
Richard Southworth
Added by edit - found top and bottom margin requirements for manual front, .79", that's a downer!
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Canvas is always tough to feed.
Tape a leader to the front edge and it goes right in the rear feed
Platen at the widest.
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Standard photo paper for the leader? I guess scotch tape? Got a picture?
I can tease it into the rear feed if I'm persistent, little bit concerned that the feed mechanism isn't really built to handle it properly.
Richard Southworh
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Make up using at least a 3" leader with semi stiff but flat paper.
Make sure you have set up a custom paper size including the leader.
Also before printing your top/bottom border must be set properly to take into account the leader that was added.
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So you overlap the canvas and leader, and it still feeds thru. Interesting, apparently it's not really a thickness limitation for the rear feed, just a skinny slot to get started.
I use blue painter's masking tape a lot, but this is a new one!
Richard Southworth
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That's all it does is make it easier to start.
You may have to tape it on both sides.
It works, not saying it is not still a pain.
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The problem is that the canvas sags and fouls at the back. The simple solution is to just feed in a piece of cardboard first and then slide the canvas over it. If that doesn't work then tape it to the edge of the cardboard.
I don't do much canvas though because it is only a 17" printer and you lose far too much and only get a max of about 14".
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I don't do much canvas though because it is only a 17" printer and you lose far too much and only get a max of about 14".
Never having done it but considering it, in what sense do you lose 3"?
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Never having done it but considering it, in what sense do you lose 3"?
Well you have to wrap it around the frame unless you glue it flat. You can only print 420mm wide on the front feed anyway
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Came up with a scheme that worked, at least for a sample of one. Bought a new roll of 1.5" 3M painters tape, blue color. Butted 2" heavy leader-trailer strips onto the 8.5x11 canvas sheet (see attached images). Defined a new size for the printer driver, 8.5x15.
Fed the assembly thru the front manual slot, printed ok with no strikes or pooling. One advantage of this technique is not losing the top and bottom borders on the media. Thanks to all who provided input.
Richard Southworth
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Have you tried using the ASF for canvas?
I have used the ASF for test prints on 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of canvas (Hahnemuhle's Daguerre canvas) and there seemed to be no obvious problems.
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Ultimately feeding wasn't the issue. My problem was head strikes on the leading edge and sides. Even if it would feed via the ASF the printing path is no different than using the rear manual feed, so no reason to think I wouldn't have the same problem.
Richard Southworth