Inkjet Printer Forum / Ink Jet Refill Forum / Printing on wood...

Inkjet Printer Forum / Ink Jet Refill Forum

Everything you need to know about inkjet printers, ink jet refills, and inkjet cartridges!

You are not logged in.

#1 03/29/2009 1:58:06 pm

Dodgy Geezer
InkJet Forum Newbie
Registered: 03/29/2009
Posts: 1

Printing on wood...

Hi,

I want to print model aircraft and boat plans straight onto balsa wood using an Epson RX700.

The RX700 has a CD/DVD printing capability, which works by mounting the disk in a long plastic slide about 4 inches wide and 15 inches long, which slides into a slot in the front of the machine. Then you use a CD Printing utility to specify the image to be printed, and away you go.

Unfortunately, the utility won't allow anything to be printed outside the disc boundary, and when I try to print an A4 page with the slide inserted it flags an error and says 'remove slide before printing'.

Does anyone know if you can print outside the disk boundary, and, ideally, if you can print on a sheet of balsa wood placed in the slot?

Offline

 

#2 03/30/2009 5:03:40 am

panos
InkJet Master
From: Greece
Registered: 04/14/2005
Posts: 440

Re: Printing on wood...

Why don't you use special paper for iron transfer ?

Offline

 

#3 04/02/2009 10:43:46 pm

vtjet
InkJet Forum Participator
Registered: 03/22/2009
Posts: 10

Re: Printing on wood...

I'm interested in the same thing, though I haven't bought a printer yet.

Using an iron-on requires a hot iron physical application of a second step and expensive transfer media.

The whole idea here is to have the printer apply the graphics and be done with it, for the cost of the ink alone.

So an answer to the question would be great. Thanks.


ps. One question I have is, is the limit of where it will print imposed by driver software running on the computer, or is it built in firmware in the printer?

If the former, then it may be possible to use an alternative driver -- I use Linux drivers for my printers, and I'm wondering if it would be possible to achieve something that way?

Last edited by vtjet (04/02/2009 10:47:35 pm)

Offline

 

#4 05/08/2009 7:42:09 am

EdwardM
InkJet Forum Participator
Registered: 03/25/2009
Posts: 20

Re: Printing on wood...

Just a suggestion:
One way I've found of keeping the kids amused (for about 10 minutes anyway..) is to let them create their own tattos which are printed onto special tattoo paper. The designs transfer to the skin using water only, and actually look quite impressive. It wears off in a few days (or will wash off cleanly if need be). Might be worth a try. If it transfers ok to wood, it would obviously need a coat of laquer or something to render it more permanent.

Best,
Ed.

Offline

 

#5 05/08/2009 11:01:09 am

Manuchau
InkJet Master
From: B.C. Canada
Registered: 05/25/2005
Posts: 524

Re: Printing on wood...

You also can print on clear plastic labels, then trim them to fit later. I would think that balsa wood is just too flimsy to run through a printer with a moving printhead. You might want to check out printers with a fixed printhead, which will be the next great leap forward in inkjet printing.
Check this out...I haven't been there for a while, but see the future now

http://www.memjet.com/


Canon ip3000, i9900,  ip6000,  i850, MP530,  ip5300

Offline

 

#6 06/25/2009 7:49:33 pm

bobertofalls
InkJet Forum Newbie
Registered: 06/25/2009
Posts: 5

Re: Printing on wood...

water transfer paper works I used it for motorbike graphics and lacquered over the top for an air brush finish to cut few corners

Offline

 

#7 06/25/2009 9:29:42 pm

websnail
InkJet Master
From: South Yorks, UK
Registered: 10/27/2005
Posts: 1713
Website

Re: Printing on wood...

I have heard of engineering types being able to re-engineer C84's or similar into a custom setup that handles things like printing directly onto material so wood would also be possible. However as I understand it, the level of technical competence required to resolve issues like case removal, custom feed mechanism, re-site-ing of sensors, etc... means you need an expert.

Doubtless there's someone out there who is a gifted amateur with time, money and patience to spare but it's a hell of a learning curve either way.


OctoInkjet: Waste ink kits, SquEasyFill refill kits, Image Specialists/KMP inks, etc.. | Waste Ink-lings - articles, resources, etc..
Printers: C84/6/8, D92, D120, R285/800/1900, iP4200/4300/4500/5200, MP500/830, HP-K550/850/5400/8600, L7780 Ink: Image Specialists, KMP

Offline

 

#8 11/05/2009 5:57:11 am

choco_late
InkJet Forum Participator
Registered: 11/04/2009
Posts: 22

Re: Printing on wood...

I think printing on clear plastic sticker will do the trick.  But if that were me, I'd paint whatever image or logo or text I'd want on my model airplane or boat.  That was how my grandfather, who was into the same hobby, did it years ago.

Offline

 

Board footer

Powered by PunBB
© Copyright 2002–2005 Rickard Andersson