Awesome Transparency Film for PCB Fab.

[Baronski of Boise]

I wanted to share this with the forum.
Through trial and error I have found a most excellent Transparency film for Ink Jet printers.
Apollo Quick Dry Transparency Film for Ink Jet printers. Office Depot #521312.
First I tried Laser Jet prints using my printer at work. I found the final output to be lacking in quality and precision.
I then purchased this product at one of my local Office Depot stores.
Pay attention or pay more, as the On-Line price for 50 sheets is $30. However, they wanted $66 In-Store. They sold it to me for the On-Line price as they could not understand why there was a difference in price.

I have a Canon Ink Jet printer at home. The first two copies came out crisp and clear. Then after 5 minutes bled out very bad as I had accidently printed on the Glossy side.

After testing the print on the textured matte side, I finally got a perfectly crisp circuit transparency. I let these dry overnight even though the package is labeled Quick Dry.
I still printed two copied to overlay for the exposure, they match exactly.

Also my printer did not have a setting for transparency film, so I used the Matte Photo setting to achieve the desired output quality.

If you are looking to fab your own PC Boards for your crossover designs, I highly recommend this product.

Apollo Quick Dry Universal Inkjet Transparency Film Box Of 50 by Office Depot & OfficeMax

 

[Mooly]

Always interesting to know of these products.

I use Jetstar transparency film with an Epson printer and get first class results. I do alter the printer settings though,

Paper type: EPSON MATTE,
Quality: BEST PHOTO

Brightness ZERO (have used -25 and was O.K.
Contrast +25
Hi-speed enabled
Edge smoothing enabled
All other settings disabled

 

[eriksquires]

Well that's pretty interesting. I've been thinking of getting a desktop CNC for PCB and driver cut outs.

Is there a quick list of steps, or supplies?

Best,


Erik

 

[xrk971]

I used to do a similar thing for making silk screen photoresist negatives. If you have access to a standard thermal laser printer or even print to bond paper then go to Kinko's and copy to transparency it will do a great job too. Don't have to buy $30 pack then if just a few sheets.