Epson 4900 user, switching to roll film instead of cut sheet

[GrafixxMan]

I am a long time Epson 3000 user with 17x22 cut sheets. Ever since upgrading from my Epson 3000 to my new Epson 4900, I have had tons of "paper" misfeeds resulting in me having to take the back of the printer off and snatch the film out of it. I've never had any problems on my 3000, but this 4900 just doesn't like cut sheets I guess.

So....

I'm switching to roll film. I've never used it so I am a complete newb when it comes to it. I know nothing about the differences, other than the obvious.

Where do I buy it from (who has decent pricing?)

What do I need to do differently printer wise other than tell it to use the roll instead of the sheets?

What about cutting them? Do you do that with the printer?

I have exclusively used the Kimoto Silkjet SC4 17x22 film with great success. Should I stick to that, but in roll form?

Is there anything else I should know or are there any other questions I should be asking that I can't think of?


Please help a guy out. I'm tired of having to get up every 2 or 4 sheets and unjam the printer....to sit back down and have to do it again.


Thanks in advance,

Tyler

[JBLUE]

You will need to tell your Rip and the printer you are running rolls. On your 4900 just select Roll/ Cut on the paper type. If you have good results on the film you are using stick with it. If your printer is linearized you will need to recalibrate it again if you go to another manufacturer because they all dot gain a little differently. If your RIP allows you to nest the prints you will want to try that as well. Saves you film. You can also get creative on your layouts to save film too. If you are not doing a lot of over 13 in wide printing just get a 13" wide roll. I use a 17" but it will depend on your graphic sizes for the one you will want.

[GrafixxMan]

I use Accurip rip and photoshop software. I do 15" wide prints, so 17" wide film is a must.

I don't know what you mean by linearized???

Are you saying I can adjust how much "extra" film I waste with the roll film? I would like to stick to the same brand as I know it and it works well for me, I just want to get away from cut sheets.

[TCT]

There is a lot of places you can get the roll film from. Where are you located? It would make sense to get it from somewhere close to you. I'm sure we can all chime in with some places if we knew where you are at.

[GrafixxMan]

Louisville, Ky.

Thanks for the help

[JBLUE]

Linearizing your printer means you have tested you halftone percentages using a densitometer to adjust for the dot gain you get when your printer prints on the film itself. All inkjets experience dot gain when they print a halftone dot. Just how much depends on the settings and the type of film that you use. If you are just doing basic stuff it is not really needed.

As for the nesting and wasting film Accurip has a nesting function so that you can save film by grouping the films together when printing smaller graphics.

[dirkdiggler]

inkjetfilm.net, I have been using his film for 2 years in my 4900.  Works great and the price is right.  Call Cameron 678-643-3706.  Tell him dirkdiggler sent ya and the price will be even better.

[TCT]

Looks like Mr. Diggler there got you a good resource, I may even have to check them out!

Here is where we usually get ours:
http://atlasscreensupply.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_62_226&products_id=1161

[middletownink]

Tyler you read my mind!!  My 4900 was just delivered today. After the shock of the overall size I was thinking all the same questions!!  Thanks for all the great replys. very helpful!

[GrafixxMan]

Tyler you read my mind!!  My 4900 was just delivered today. After the shock of the overall size I was thinking all the same questions!!  Thanks for all the great replys. very helpful!

What's weird is in all my years of outputting with my 3000 (and cut sheets) I had ONE paper jam EVER!!!

Now, with this 4900, I might get a jam every other film on a 9 color job....or I may not have a single one on an output job. Unfortunately, that is very rare.
I don't know what the problem is and neither do the folks at Epson. The recommended going to the roll film as that what the printer is really design for (their words, not mine.)

I really have no idea why I get so many jams though. I have put a single sheet in, 20 and even 100. I take the cassette completely out and make sure everything is arrow straight???

Oh well, hopefully once I make the switch, it will be a thing of the past. I will always wonder why though on this high dollar new one and my old trusty 3000, once in 12 years!

[GrafixxMan]

Now I will say this.... One advantage to the cut sheet film is it comes with the same size paper "backer." That is nice IMHO to keep the films separate during storage. I always put one in between each film and roll them up and put them away.

What do you guys do for storage that use the roll film? Is it okay to just lay film on film once it's dry and after burning screens? Do you just roll them up with nothing in between each film and call it a day?

[TCT]

Now I will say this.... One advantage to the cut sheet film is it comes with the same size paper "backer." That is nice IMHO to keep the films separate during storage. I always put one in between each film and roll them up and put them away.

What do you guys do for storage that use the roll film? Is it okay to just lay film on film once it's dry and after burning screens? Do you just roll them up with nothing in between each film and call it a day?

We just lay the film on film and then into storage. I haven't experienced them coming out rolled or curved at all so there really hasn't been any issues. 

[vince79]

I just bought the Epson 4900 and are trying to use it with AccuRip and i'm trying to print on Chromaline AccuJet film.

I do have a couple of problems and maybe you could help me.

1. I can't manage to feed the film roll into the machine without having the error "Paper load error".
2. I cutted a piece of film in order to try it, and it's like the printer can't detect the film.
3. I tried with another film i had and it's printing, but i do have too much ink on the film.

So, i guess i have a couple of things to change in AccuRip and i can't manage to have the film accepted by the printer.

Thanks in advance for your help !!

Vincent

[TCT]

I just bought the Epson 4900 and are trying to use it with AccuRip and i'm trying to print on Chromaline AccuJet film.


1. I can't manage to feed the film roll into the machine without having the error "Paper load error".

Just had a similar issue yesterday, try cutting a fresh strip off the end of the roll so it is mostly straight, then just follow what the LCD says seems to fix it for us!