Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: earlybird on February 04, 2016, 10:00:48 am

Title: Those big fancy machines that print on Kodak and Fuji paper?
Post by: earlybird on February 04, 2016, 10:00:48 am

Hi,
 Is there a "how it works" resource that describes what goes on inside the industrial photo print machines that some print services use to print on Kodak Endura or Fuji Crystal papers?
 For example; I have been wondering if the paper is exposed all at once as with an traditional projection enlarger or if there is some sort of scan process.

 I recall having read the names of some of the often used machines but I don't recall them so I don't have much inf to search with.

 If anyone can point me in the direction of some reading material or search terms I will appreciate it.

 Thank you.

Title: Re: Those big fancy machines that print on Kodak and Fuji paper?
Post by: RoyH on February 04, 2016, 10:35:24 am

These modern printers typically use a laser exposure engine. Fuji and Durst are a couple of manufacturers of this type of equipment. I worked in the professional photofinishing industry for 17 years but left right as the conversion to digital was starting, but still have contacts in the industry. Here are a couple of links to some basic information about this equipment:

Fuji minilab (http://www.fujifilm.com/products/photofinishing/digital_minilabs/lp7700/)

Durst Lambda Printer (http://gammaimaging.com/digital-photographic-printing/lambda-color-printing/)

Roy

Title: Re: Those big fancy machines that print on Kodak and Fuji paper?
Post by: earlybird on February 04, 2016, 11:34:29 am

Thank You Rob!

 :)

Title: Re: Those big fancy machines that print on Kodak and Fuji paper?
Post by: digitaldog on February 04, 2016, 12:41:02 pm

And Lightjet: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LightJet


In the old days, big debate among Lambda and Lightjet labs which was better.

Title: Re: Those big fancy machines that print on Kodak and Fuji paper?
Post by: Wayne Fox on February 04, 2016, 01:09:28 pm

Most use a laser. An exception is the ZBE chromira, I believe the only 30” wide printer in this category still being manufactured.  It uses a small LED array in a head mechanism which moves back and forth across the paper, creating the image much like an inkjet printer does.

Title: Re: Those big fancy machines that print on Kodak and Fuji paper?
Post by: earlybird on February 04, 2016, 04:27:14 pm

Thanks to both of you for the additional info.

I have been able to find some interesting reading today.