I normally use a notebook to document my design work, with scribbled drawings between the text.
To improve those illustrations I experimented with screen captures printed with a label printer (I have a Brother QL-800).
The problem is that line drawings or graphs do not come out well, the lines are very thin and missing pixels.
IF it would work well it would be a great time saver and improvement in documentation.
Does anyone have experience printing this sort of stuff on a (thermal transfer) printer?
I looked at A6 size printers but they all seem to be photo printers; even if I could get them to print external .pgn and .jpg files,
the prices for photo paper and the ink cartridges would make it too expensive for regular use.
Any other ideas?
Jan
To improve those illustrations I experimented with screen captures printed with a label printer (I have a Brother QL-800).
The problem is that line drawings or graphs do not come out well, the lines are very thin and missing pixels.
IF it would work well it would be a great time saver and improvement in documentation.
Does anyone have experience printing this sort of stuff on a (thermal transfer) printer?
I looked at A6 size printers but they all seem to be photo printers; even if I could get them to print external .pgn and .jpg files,
the prices for photo paper and the ink cartridges would make it too expensive for regular use.
Any other ideas?
Jan
Thermal printers can print ascci characters, if the driver software allows, which you can choose by selection on your computer. Either a png to capture a screen shot or otherwise.
However, thermal paper is not long lasting and discolours quickly then fades.
I would and do use a laser printer for my documentation.
The prints last forever it would seem, and they do not fade in sunlight.
However, thermal paper is not long lasting and discolours quickly then fades.
I would and do use a laser printer for my documentation.
The prints last forever it would seem, and they do not fade in sunlight.
All good points Jon. The only disadvantage is that I then have to cut out the required pic and glue it in the notebook.
With the label printer, the labels are self sticking and perfect size.
In the meantime I found I can improve the printing of LTspice circuit snips by setting the linewidth to 2.
Jan
With the label printer, the labels are self sticking and perfect size.
In the meantime I found I can improve the printing of LTspice circuit snips by setting the linewidth to 2.
Jan
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You could try a laser printer using sheets of address labels and a template for your word-processing program. Those are peel-off self adhesive, and print just like everything else on a laser printer. But make sure if you do that that you use laser labels, because they must withstand the heat of the toner fixing process. It works really well. You can also make your own template, but that takes a bit of time. The label manufacturers have downloadable templates available for different word-processing programs.
If you don't use all the labels on a sheet, it's ok. The backing is fine to go through the printer. You also probably want to use manual feed, not the paper tray.
If you don't use all the labels on a sheet, it's ok. The backing is fine to go through the printer. You also probably want to use manual feed, not the paper tray.
Good idea. I may need a bit of up-front setup but probably worth it.
My printer can be set up to print on cards and envelopes, so same setup could be used for self-sticking labels.
Hmmm. Food for thought (and Google ;-).
Jan
ah memories coming back of trying to use the automatic label printer macros in word to do the xmas cards. Should be easy, but never was!
Aside: As I have never been good artistically I always am jealous of the drawings Linkwitz had on his website. I wish I could do my notebooks like that.
Aside: As I have never been good artistically I always am jealous of the drawings Linkwitz had on his website. I wish I could do my notebooks like that.
Ask in a stationery shop, or a printing supplies, self adhesive A4 sheets are a common item.
They work properly in laser printers.
Use a sharp cutter / scalpel, with a ruler, to make cuts.
You can ask for color laser printing, some services provide just that, A3, 4 color, with half cut (peel off), is 50 cents here. A4 is half that...
They work properly in laser printers.
Use a sharp cutter / scalpel, with a ruler, to make cuts.
You can ask for color laser printing, some services provide just that, A3, 4 color, with half cut (peel off), is 50 cents here. A4 is half that...
There are A4 sheets with 4 labels each, they would be perfect. But I have had issues with such sheets if they pass through a printer more than once or twice, they tend to curl up inside needing half a day to get them out and clean :-(
Jan
Jan
It's true that photo quality printers are costly to operate, but there are lines of business-oriented ink jet printers that have larger ink tanks and fewer colors (than a photo printer) that are more economical. Epson is one source.
I print to adhesive backed labels with my ink jet photo printers all the time and have had no issues with curling after multiple passes. I would think that pre-cut labels would be the way to go.
I am able to just drag a PNG or JPEG file directly into an Avery template (Word and Pages versions are available on their website), resize with the corners and then drag to position it within the pre-cut guide lines. I use a Mac, but it probably works the same on a PC.
Bruce
I print to adhesive backed labels with my ink jet photo printers all the time and have had no issues with curling after multiple passes. I would think that pre-cut labels would be the way to go.
I am able to just drag a PNG or JPEG file directly into an Avery template (Word and Pages versions are available on their website), resize with the corners and then drag to position it within the pre-cut guide lines. I use a Mac, but it probably works the same on a PC.
Bruce
check your local FedEx full service print shop. they may have some printing services that are unattainable to a home user.
I'm sure in your place you can buy all kinds of label sheets, 3x7, 4x10, 2x2, you name it. It's a commodity.
Jan
Hi Bruce, thanks for chiming in. I did look at the Epsons but I think they start at $1,200 ....
I don't want to spend that much!
Jan
Not exactly on topic, but I've been using PowerPoint for years for laying out chassis/enclosure. Print - draw - drill, with a remarquable precision, in spite of my museum-grade inkjet printer.
The EcoTank printers start at $279 (ET-2800) on the US website. If you give up the large tanks, the WorkForce line is nice and starts at only $79 (WF-2850) and goes to $360. I think these may all be all-in-one (print, scan, copy). The US Epson site is sometimes hard to navigate. What you see depends on where you go in. I was successful with For Work > Printers > Printers and all-in-ones.
I meant A4 size sheets, print, then cut, fully adhesive coated.
Labels are those where the excess paper has been removed, or a pattern cut, so as to be easier to peel off.
Both are commodity items, but getting to align a dot matrix printer for a few labels was a big pain.
I have a HP laser all in one as well now, the dot matrix is on stand by.
Laser printed labels, I don't bother too much, just e-mail the files to my print shops, one is a 2 minute walk from my house.
I tell them when I want it, it is ready on time, and the cost is reasonable.
There is another shop with ink sublimation printers, fade proof ink, expensive, but durable prints on quality photo paper, Mitsubishi or similar high end stuff.
Labels are those where the excess paper has been removed, or a pattern cut, so as to be easier to peel off.
Both are commodity items, but getting to align a dot matrix printer for a few labels was a big pain.
I have a HP laser all in one as well now, the dot matrix is on stand by.
Laser printed labels, I don't bother too much, just e-mail the files to my print shops, one is a 2 minute walk from my house.
I tell them when I want it, it is ready on time, and the cost is reasonable.
There is another shop with ink sublimation printers, fade proof ink, expensive, but durable prints on quality photo paper, Mitsubishi or similar high end stuff.
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Friend bought Epson / Canon all in one ink tank printer for 21,000 Rupees ($265 or so), the cheaper ones start about $200, it seems the print quality and ink quality is better on the more expensive series.
These are A4 size printers, A3 and larger are much more expensive.
These are A4 size printers, A3 and larger are much more expensive.
BTW Jan, I really like your idea. I too, keep hand written notebooks and lately have been including references to screen shot file numbers but this is clumsy at best and finding the file is not always as easy as it should be. 🙂
I found some A4 Avery adhesive labels, 4 to a page in my stash, and you can download the Word template from the Avery website. Works like a charm!
I will do some tests on my Samsung laserjet trying to start with the bottom row labels first, so as not to roll up the edges of the labels that are still there at the 2nd and 3rd pass.
Jan
I will do some tests on my Samsung laserjet trying to start with the bottom row labels first, so as not to roll up the edges of the labels that are still there at the 2nd and 3rd pass.
Jan