I looking for a printer under $150.00 that can print on film with a enough quality to use for screen making. You know, a dark rich black that doesn't let light pass through. Thanks Ron
8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 14 you can get an Epson desktop inkjet printer and it will output films that will work great, with just the black ink used, or setting the output seps to rich-black or all-black may improve the density.... you can find those printers under $100 or even around the $50 range I think.
The problem is if you want 11 x 17 or 13 x 19 size capability, most of those inkjet printers will start around $150 or more.
I use an Epson Artisan 1430 which is about $300 retail, with default inks and can still be used for full-color printing.
The other option which can be much less, is to go completely film-less and don't use a printer.
You can find used or new LCD monitors that will work for digital exposure and usually much cheaper than $150, unless you want 4k resolution and a larger size panel.
I'm currently testing an old low-res monitor I picked up at a computer store used for only $10. A high-power metal halide bulb for exposure will be best for the digital method, but if you purchase a bulb and ballast separately it won't be very costly.
I think the costs are similar between the size capabilities you would want and considering actual exposure resolution capabilities, between an inkjet and an LCD panel, until you start going into larger sizes than 13 x 19, or you want those large sizes but with very high resolutions. It is an on-going development so as I continue into testing 4k monitors and 27" or larger panel sizes then certain costs and comparisons in quality can be made as opposed to inkjet and other methods.
The variables that will help clarify your question are the size you want to output and the resolution, obviously the result needs to work as intended to make good screens.
