There are a lot of factors that can impact how well your transparency film prints. Below is a quick guide to help you get the highest quality prints from your Inkjet Transparency Film.
Step 1: Make sure your printer is compatible with transparency film
You’ll want to double-check your printer manual to make sure your printer can print on transparencies. The easiest way is to do a quick google search of “your printer name and manual“. Do a quick search on the manual PDF to see if it works with transparencies.
Step 2: Buy the correct transparency film for your needs
Once you know your printer can print on transparency film, you need to get there right type of transparency for your purposes. Transparency paper sheets cannot inherently be printed on. Specialty microporous coatings need to be applied in order for the ink to absorb and “stick” on the plastic sheets. As a result, there are different types of coatings and types of sheets that serve different purposes.
With Inkjet Transparency Film itself, there are also different types. We personally sell two different types because each is popular for different purposes.
One main difference is the coatings for laser and inkjet printers. These use completely different methods to print, so the coatings are incompatible with the wrong printer type. Make sure the transparency film you purchase is either “Laser Transparency Film” or “Inkjet Transparency Film”. Write-on transparency film does not typically have any coating at all, so will not work with any printers.
Our 100% Clear Inkjet Transparency Film is very popular amongst crafters. It can be used for floating ornaments for memorials or Christmas, faux stain glass windows, and many other purposes!
The reason is that it can be difficult to find clear transparency film, or to know if the film you are purchasing is clear or milky-colored. A lot of crafting projects require a clear film that you can see through better.
Our Waterproof Inkjet Transparency Film, on the other hand, has “thicker” more upgraded coating for ink absorption. This causes it to have a slightly milky and opaque color.
The benefits to this film, is that it will print deeper and darker blacks, which is ideal for screen printing and PCB printing as well. The darker blacks help prevent UV light from passing through the film, which helps burn a crisp image onto your silk screen. The other benefit to this film is that it will also print very vibrant colors as well.
So if you don’t need your film to be fully transparent, the screen printing inkjet transparency film could be a really great option for your needs!
Step 3: Find the Printable Side on Your Transparency Film
Sometimes it can be tricky to know which side of the transparency you can print on. Like photo paper, only one side will have the specialized coating for the ink absorption.
We always include labels that show “printable side face-up” on our packages so you know right away which side works. However, sometimes you can lose track of which side that is!
An easy way to double-check which side is NOT printable is if it fogs up with your breath. It’s as easy as that!
Step 4: Correctly Load the Film According to Your Printer’s Paper Tray
Every printer is different, so this is where the biggest chance for error occurs. To know whether you should place the printable side face-up or face-down in your printer, you’ll want to open up the paper tray and check for an icon that tells you which way to place it.
For example, it will likely look something like this:
If you print on the wrong side, the ink won’t absorb into the film. It will appear runny and will smear to the touch. If you use our film, you’ll know right away since our transparency film will dry right away when it prints.
Step 5: Use The Best Printer Settings
Your printer settings can make a huge difference on the quality of your print. If you’ve done everything else correct, this is the final step! The are the recommended printer settings to use:
- Quality: High/Best
- Saturation: High/Vivid
- Contrast: High
- Paper Type: Glossy Photo Paper
These settings will make sure, like when printing a photo, your printer outputs enough ink to get more vivid colors and deep blacks.
BONUS TIP: Keep your Transparency Film Stored in its Original Packaging
As transparency film gets exposed to the elements long-term, there is the potential that the coating can be affected. It can absorb tiny amounts of moisture from the air and you’ll want to keep it sealed up to avoid that.
Keeping your transparencies in the original packing will make sure it maintains the highest possible print quality long-term to meet your needs!
If you have any questions how to get the best quality prints, feel free to contact us and ask! We’re always happy to help.
If you purchased from us, then a HUGE thank you! We appreciate every customer! If you have problems with our sheets, reach out – we have a 100% money-back guarantee.
Now that you know how to get the best print results – go forth and create your amazing work! Please share with us if you do. It always makes our day to see your creations.
