Custom size printing

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Custom size printing

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gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8957
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Tue May 11, 21 5:28 pm Post subject: Custom size printing

I am using Ocular to print the back of hand-printed cards.
A5...A6 when folded have been successful, and I have managed to design the backs of square when folded cards.
However the printer doesn't seem to understand non standard sizes even though I am telling it Custom size paper ....it is an Epson printer expression X P 322.
It understands my Linux organised laptop...Epson is ok with Linux....

Any suggestions?
It was a job to find a printer that is Linux compatible, and rear feed so that I can print on 250gsm card...it still bends it a bit so I can't use 300gsm.

I don't really want to change the printer, but I feel that I need to phrase the instructions differently

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue May 11, 21 7:33 pm Post subject:
I struggled with this on a canon printer, you had to ‘register’ a custom size on the printer before you could use it. Not sure if it’s something similar

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8957
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Wed May 12, 21 8:35 am Post subject:
Could well be that... unfortunately the printer doesn't seem to want to do that...yet! I wouldn't mind a canon printer but they don't work with Linux Roll on the day that I am selling enough cards that it will make sense to get the backs printed at a local printers

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Wed May 12, 21 9:06 am Post subject:

out of the box, cut a plate for the backstamp print, print that same as the fronts, but do a batch of cards in one go on the back, before you do the image and folding etc
or
spend a tenner or so on a rubber stamp with the contact details
i prefer the former unless you mix a fun ink for a simple stamp

i am now semi hi tech with a canon tank printer, win ten, photoshop etc

the printer was not expensive compared to ink and breaking carp printers rather too often with sp grade papers let alone 300 gm lanson

the pooter was a bit costly:roll:

ed and ps

if you can find an embossing stamping machine, desk top press the handle thingy victorian/edwardian kit, it is possible to get new dies made for it at a per card cost of not much

i do not know what you print on but those and decent paper can give this sort of text size

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8957
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Wed May 12, 21 10:04 am Post subject:
An embossing stamping machine would be good..and they don't take up much room...and are handruaulic Rubber stamp sounds good....I don't think I could do a link block good enough.

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8957
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Wed May 12, 21 8:15 pm Post subject:
A small tabletop letterpress would suit...and I have seen one being used a couple of years ago in Kirkcudbright. Might be better than struggling with IT to be honest 😄

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Wed May 12, 21 8:33 pm Post subject:

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Thu May 13, 21 7:37 am Post subject:

iirc sd had a commercially made rubber backstamp with name and contact details but has cracked the IT issues and backstamps by pooter with details and a colour image of the process

i had a canon something that would talk to linux and older win but not with win 10

i now have a canon g6050 which is ace
afaik it might speak to linux but i have had no reason to try it so far
the ink is cheap as vodka rather than rare earth prices and it can do bulk from the tray or 300gm down the slot

£300 to buy but the ink is so cheap that printing is the price of the paper +0.1p b w both sides or 1p colour even at photo res

it may be worth phoning canon, they are as helpful as helpful things

it is not bad at anything and more than good enough for office(tt now and again)or arty playing to pro standards, if i really wanted a good print i would proof it with that and then get the production done commercially at daft o clock money per sheet

anyway back to the plot SD has sorted the IT for her back plate stuff and it does look better than the stamp she used previously:wink:

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8957
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Thu May 13, 21 11:52 am Post subject:
Well done SD

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8957
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Fri May 14, 21 7:52 pm Post subject:
Just bought a letterpress printer 😎 I will still persevere with IT.....it will not beat me!!😄

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Sat May 15, 21 9:27 am Post subject:

they are nice, with decent ink can add another layer of nice to goodcards etc

if you are doing a batch of backstamps on blank cards made of good paper using a wet book and etching ink mix gives an ace if slow result

anything over about 150 gm would be better damp

not will take a print dry but a better one damp, cold and hot rolled are defo wet book territory for a crisp print

for wet read damp and soft and even, after 24 hrs layered between boards with a weight on top
use clean newsprint or lining paper that has been pre moistened to "pretty damp no liquid"
and washing line drying

a thing like that will only give maybe 15 lb per sq " so soft damp paper helps a lot even if it is tricker to handle.

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8957
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Sat May 15, 21 9:51 am Post subject:
Thanks that's a great help. I will copy that post.🙂 This machine comes with all sorts of necessary goodies including the manual 🙂 and it's also not too far from where my brother lives so I don't have to entrust it to the tender mercies of a courier 😎😄

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Sun May 16, 21 7:06 am Post subject:
another thought, play with inks, type/plate and machine settings and registration before risking good paper/card

gz

Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8957
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Posted: Sun May 16, 21 10:26 am Post subject:
Definitely! Also there is someone using one of these at Buittle Castle between Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas...I saw them using it before they moved from Kirkcudbright, during the Spring Fling. They might be ok to talk to.

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