Best material for transparencies.

[George Marinos]

I' m going to start a project where the prints (100x100cm)must be on transparencies.
What would be the best material (inkjet or other) to use for this job?
Best image quality is very important!

[Iluvmycam]

Here is a listing from the Encyclopedia of Photographic and Fine Art Ink Jet Printing Media

Volume 3 - Chapter 4

Film


Arista II OHP Transparency Film 7 mil E.U. 2013
Bergger PN100 OHP Digital Darkroom Film France
Grafix Transparency Sheets
Inkpress Backlight film 7 mil
Inkpress Clear Film
Inkpress Transparency Film 7 mil
Inkpress White Gloss Film 7 mil
Jacquard Solar Fast Film 4 mil
Oriental Graphica Inkjet Film Japan
Pictorica Premium OHP Transparency Film 5.2 mil Japan
Pictorica ultra Premium OHP Transparency Film 5.7 mil Japan


They all work, some better than others as far as drying.

[howardm]

do you really need full 'transparency' (ie. crystal clear) or would a white background (ala 'backlit film') be better?

For best image quality, I would think the latter but it would matter how you were displaying the images.

[George Marinos]

Βacklit film sounds better...Have you some suggestions "howardm"! Any cons?

Thank you "iluvmycam".

[howardm]

Sorry, I do not have any recommendations (never used the stuff). 

Also, I would think that the range of materials available to you (in Europe) are much different from here in the USA.

[deanwork]

I like the Epson backlit transparency material. It is the best I've tested and works well with the Canon and HP inks also.

john

[Phil Indeblanc]

OCE makes a nice one, and I think they are from Germany....nope, box says made in USA.

[huguito]

I did try some time ago the pictorico Premium OHP Transparency film, its completely clear with a cold blue tint to it.

Prints very nice, the pure blacks look almost painted, the only problem is that you get completely clear areas where is pure white in the image.
If I would have to frame these the backing board will be part of the image.

Not necessarily a bad thing, but something to keep in mind.

Specially if you do your own profiles, since at the time of reading the targets, you have to place something under it.

Hugo

[George Marinos]

Hugo,you prefer  more the clear film than the backlit transparency material and why?

[huguito]

Hi George
The film I described is the only one I have tried
I would like to try the one that is white and translucent, I believe Pictorico makes one, for what I know the printing surface behaves just like the one I tried so it print the same

[water1]

In the last year, I've printed multiple backlit images with the Epson product. They were stunning both in detail and quality. Surprisingly, it required little tweaking with the canned profiles and run through the Epson 7800. They are being displayed 24/7 and I have yet to see and peceptible deterioration. Control the backlit bulb temp to daylight and they are spot on.

[deanwork]

Where is a great place to buy light boxes for the Epson backlit material?

I realize there are different configurations of the led backlit boxes. I would like something in the 30x40 or 40x60 size that it both bright enough but also has even illumination across the surface with no hot spots or dark spots. Also the thinner the better.

John

[Phil Indeblanc]

China/Ebay.

I was able to have a supplier make it with light modifications. It was some years ago. I wish I had the info, as I can see doing this again.
There are the cheap and flimsy, then there are the good, or good enough.
Anywhere from $80-$300. Anyone local I tried are about $800-1500+

[Chris_Brown]

Where is a great place to buy light boxes for the Epson backlit material?

http://www.blueriverdigital.com/lightboxes

[Phil Indeblanc]

Yup...

24" x 36"    list:1114.00    sale:$897.00    LED    

This, you can have fabricated for about $280-350 with the color temp light you want.

It says they are made in US...they mean assembled. I doubt the boards, the diodes, the drivers and box are all made here.(like anything these days)

[Chris_Brown]

SnapFrames

40Visuals (request pricing  )

[Phil Indeblanc]

Are you doing a search online and posting what comes up, or are these any you have some experience with?

If the latter, some feedback on your experience with them would be great.

[Chris_Brown]

Are you doing a search online and posting what comes up, or are these any you have some experience with?
If the latter, some feedback on your experience with them would be great.

Simply recalling what some of my clients have used. There was a fourth brand/model but I can't find the order. I did not assemble or use any of these, simply provide the transparencies for display (using Lexjet Absolut Backlit with gloss laminate).

[George Marinos]

One more question:If I want maximum photo quality should I choose  Epson backlit transparency material (Inkjet) or Duratrans