HP (Hewlett-Packard) FB950 User Manual
Media Usage on the Scitex FB950 Printer
Notes for Users
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
Print Mode Considerations ................................................................................................................................... 5
Media Compatibility .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Flexible Media ................................................................................................................................................. 6
Rigid Media ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Details on Specific Media Types .......................................................................................................................... 8
Acrylic Sheet (Plexiglas® and other brand names) ......................................................................................... 8
Aluminum Composite Materials (Alumacorr®, Allumalite®, Dibond®, and other brand names) ....................... 9
Card Stock .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Clear Vinyl Sheet .......................................................................................................................................... 11
Corrugated Fiberboard .................................................................................................................................. 12
Fluted Polypropylene (Coroplast® and other brand names) ......................................................................... 13
Foam Board (Fome-Cor® and other brand names) ....................................................................................... 14
Foamed PVC (Sintra® and other brand names) ............................................................................................ 15
Glass ............................................................................................................................................................. 16
PETG – Clear ................................................................................................................................................ 17
Plywood and Medium Density Overlay (MDO) Plywood Materials ............................................................... 18
Polycarbonate Sheet (Lexan®, Makrolon®, Tuffak®)...................................................................................... 19
Polystyrene Sheet ......................................................................................................................................... 20
Polystyrene-Faced Foam Board (Gatorplast® and other brand names) ....................................................... 21
General Recommendations ................................................................................................................................ 22
Table Setup ................................................................................................................................................... 22
Media Feed ................................................................................................................................................... 22
Other Printer Configuration Notes ................................................................................................................. 23
Print Mode Selection ..................................................................................................................................... 24
Static Electricity ............................................................................................................................................. 24
Using the Straight-Through Media Path ............................................................................................................. 25
Loading Media .............................................................................................................................................. 25
Media Measurement Options ........................................................................................................................ 26
Edge-to-Edge Printing ........................................................................................................................................ 26
Loading Media for Edge-to-Edge Printing ..................................................................................................... 26
Overprinting .................................................................................................................................................. 27
Two-Sided Printing ............................................................................................................................................. 28
General Notes ............................................................................................................................................... 28
Loading Media for Two-Sided Printing .......................................................................................................... 28
Preparing Image for Two-Sided Printing ....................................................................................................... 28
Multiple Sheet Printing ....................................................................................................................................... 29
Margins ......................................................................................................................................................... 29
Uneven Rows ................................................................................................................................................ 29
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Introduction
This handbook contains a collection of techniques and recommendations for achieving best output
using the Straight-Through Paper Path (STPP) for rigid applications and the roll-to-roll web for flexible
applications on the HP Scitex FB950 printer. These instructions provide you with a general knowledge
of media handling, its characteristics and specific normal operation procedures. Your prerequisite
operation experience is recognized and it is not considered necessary to discuss basic operational
principles.
Instructions in this handbook provide the best operating instructions under most circumstances;
however they are not a substitute for sound judgment. Multiple situations or scenarios may require
modification of the procedures. Individual print results may vary. Additionally, users may discover more
tips and tricks to improve on their success with specific media types on this product.
The selected media types were tested with the following criteria:
Print Accuracy within 0.2% in both the scan and print axes
Repeatability of the print
Consistency of Image Quality
Use by a fully trained, moderately skilled operator
Print Mode Considerations
For the sake of this handbook, the primary purpose of Billboard Print Mode is for creating drafts or proof
prints. In certain instances it may be used to produce sellable output as long as the buyer and seller
understand that the viewable distance for output generated in Billboard Print Mode is greater than 100
feet (30 m). Billboard Print Mode is unable to utilize jet mapping features as there are insufficient
swaths to incorporate jet substitution. Printing in Billboard Print Mode with a single missing jet will result
in horizontal banding anomalies throughout the image. Printing in 600x300 Production Print Mode will
provide throughput equivalent to Billboard with the additional advantage of jet replacement.
A tradeoff for printing with 600x300 Print Modes is the reduced color gamut with lower resolution when
compared with 600x600 Print Modes.
When selecting a print mode to employ for a specific application it is important to take a few factors into
consideration: the level of throughput (speed) needed to complete the job, the viewing distance for the
application, and the type of application that is to be printed. If a certain print mode selected does not
generate the desired result, it may be necessary to select a higher quality print mode.
Media Compatibility
HP Scitex FB950 printers work better with some media than with others. The tables on the following
pages indicate certain media types that have been tested with the HP Scitex FB950 printers. There are
many different types of media available in the marketplace and this list captures several of the most
typical ones but at the same time this is not a complete list of all compatible media. See the following
sections of this document for important additional details on each rigid media type.
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Modes
damage.
Smooth
Banner Vinyl
All
Flexible Media
Printing with flexible material is possible with the optional Supply & Takeup Support System. Flexible
material should be tightly and evenly spooled onto 3-inch (7.62 cm) cores that do not exceed 98.5
inches (2.5 m) in width. The maximum diameter for the roll of media is 7.5 inches (19 cm).
For details on loading and printing on flexible media, please consult the HP Scitex FB950 User Manual,
Load and Print on Roll-Fed Media, p. 24. The User Manual may be downloaded for future reference
from http://www.hp.com/go/graphicarts.
••••
Depending on a variety of factors such as intended application, ink coverage, and individual media
characteristics, a series of user configurable adjustments may help to achieve the desired end
result. Such adjustments include printing in slower print modes, vacuum settings, slightly higher
head height than nominal (0.085 inches or 0.216 cm.) may be needed to prevent the carriage from
rubbing, and adjustment of RIP ink saturation levels, as representative examples.
Tests show reliable results with the following flexible media
Table 1 Flexible Media Compatibility shown with the following media:
Media Type Supported Print
Adhesive Backed
Vinyl
Blue Backed Solvent
Paper
Fabric All
Heavy Textile Limitations
High-density
Polyethylene (HDPE)
Perforated Window
Cling Vinyl
Satin Canvas Limitations Best text detail performance in 1200x600 and 600x600 print modes.
Scrim Banner Vinyl All
All
All
Limitations
Details
Susceptible to excessive stretching, may perform better when using a backing
material. Proper liner alignment is important to minimize bulging and headstrike
Little air passes through the media so reduced risk of ink dust dots on the media.
Best text detail performance in 1200x600 and 600x600 print modes.
Very susceptible to warping when exposed to the heat generated by the UV
lamps.
Larger holes required for best performance. Use color profile that delivers lightest
ink load.
Soft Plastic All
Solvent Gloss
Canvas
Solvent Matte Canvas All
UV Photobase All
All
Non-reinforced soft plastics are susceptible to excessive stretching, may perform
better when using a backing material. Proper liner alignment is important to
minimize bulging and headstrike damage.
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Media
Supported Print Modes
Details
and other brand names)
flute or smaller
Polystyrene Sheet
All Page 20
Rigid Media
One advantage of flatbed printers over platen printers is that the media drive system provides for a
more consistent advance rate. With the belt-fed system there is little need to perform media feed
calibrations when switching between media types or sizes. Printers that utilize a pinch roller/grit roller
drive mechanism are more sensitive to changes in size or weight, so media feed calibrations are
required when switching between media types.
Some media may be used only up to certain sizes or with certain print modes. For all media types and
sizes, sheet weight should not exceed the published specification for the printer of 125 lbs. (56.7 kg).
For materials between 50-250 lbs. (22-113 kg), choose Heavy when selecting weight in the Media
Wizard when to set the media belt drive motor and media advance interval.
Speed (print mode) limitations may be due either to weight restrictions, as the larger advance motions
do not work as well with the heavier weight materials and sizes, or because certain materials may
deform when subjected to sustained heat of the slower print modes.
Media tables should be level and coplanar to the flat surface of the media belt, appropriately and firmly
latched to the printer with the rollers oriented in such a fashion that they are in line with the print
direction. For printing on rigid media sheets greater than 12 feet (3.66 m) in length, a secondary set of
media tables should be attached to reduce the risk of headstrike damage.
For media with signs of warping or bowing that the vacuum table is unable to reduce, the hold down
rollers should be employed in conjunction with Warped Media Mode to reduce the risk of headstrike
damage.
Media size may impact results and certain sizes of media may not work as well with certain print modes.
The following table summarizes the maximum supported sizes per media type and points out which
media is likely to be inconsistent with certain print modes. Details can be found in the referred page.
Tests show reliable results with the following rigid media
Table 2 Rigid Media Compatibility shown with the following media:
Acrylic Sheet (Plexiglas® and other brand names) All Page 8
Aluminum Composite Materials (Alumacorr®, Allumalite®, Dibond®,
Card Stock All Page 10
Clear Vinyl Sheet All Page 11
Corrugated fiberboard (clayfaced, kraft paper, and bleached), C
Fluted polypropylene / corrugated plastic (Coroplast®, Interplast®,
etc.)
Foam board (Fome-Cor, Kappa, etc.) All Page 14
Foamed PVC (Sintra®, Komatex®, Celtec®, etc.) All Page 15
Limitations Page 9
All Page 12
Limitations Page 13
Glass Limitations Page 16
PETG – Clear All Page 17
Plywood / Medium Density Overlay (MDO) Plywood Limitations Page 18
Polycarbonate Sheet (Lexan®, Makrolon®, Tuffak®) All Page 19
Polystyrene-faced foam board (Gatorplast®, Gatorplast®, etc.) Limitations Page 21
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Details on Specific Media Types
Acrylic Sheet (Plexiglas® and other brand names)
Considerations
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Supported (
1200x600 600x600 600x300
HQ Prod BB HQ Prod BB HQ Prod BB
Recommendations for best results
Preparation
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Peel the protective film off one side. If firmly affixed to media, adhesive-backed protective films can
be left on the backside while printing. This type of film creates less static when removed but
without it material can slip causing problems with registration. Print on the side without any
lettering or graphics on the protective film to avoid transfer effect from printed areas.
••••
Wipe the media with an anti-static cloth or other device to remove static charge and possible
cutting remnants. Use only alcohol or approved plastic cleaner if needed.
) print modes and resolutions:
Printing
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These materials are heavy in larger sizes. Do not exceed the maximum weight stated in the
specifications. Flatness, size, smoothness, and weight will affect the consistency of media feed
through the printer.
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Depending on end-use application, ink adhesion may be an issue. Clean the media as directed
and use a color profile that has low ink saturation.
••••
Ink saturation and curing is best with Production or High Quality Modes in 600x600. If the
application calls for reverse printing the image will need to be flipped in the server or at the
application.
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Use Low or Medium lamp settings depending on the material’s tolerance to heat.
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These materials are usually heavy enough to lie flat, but it is important that there is a sufficient
level of vacuum to facilitate registration a setting of 5 should provide reasonable balance.
••••
Media may expand and contract during printing so a slightly higher head height than nominal
(0.085 inches or 0.216 cm.) may be needed to prevent the carriage from rubbing.
••••
Use Backlit or UV White Opaque Film color profiles, or generic dot gain model depending on
application.
••••
Media Feed Calibration is not necessary when switching between media types or when switching
between sizes.
Output Handling
••••
Take care when lifting sheets off the table as media, especially polycarbonate, may scratch. Use
clean, cotton gloves to avoid fingerprints.
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Aluminum Composite Materials (Alumacorr®, Allumalite®,
Dibond®, and other brand names)
Considerations
••••
Supported (
1200x600 600x600 600x300
HQ Prod BB HQ Prod BB HQ Prod BB
Recommendations for best results
Preparation
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Print on the side without any lettering or graphics on the protective film to avoid transfer effect from
printed areas. Clean well with lint-free cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol.
••••
Extra precautions should be taken when inspecting and selecting media for print applications. Nonflat materials or those with damaged corners and ends may induce printhead damage while
printing.
) print modes and resolutions:
Printing
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As this material is costly, it is best to run in Production or High Quality.
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This media has low dot gain so 600x600 is the best resolution, as it places the most ink.
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A head height higher than the standard 0.085 inches (2.16 cm) may be necessary to avoid
damaged or bowed edges that will interfere with the path of the carriage.
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Use Low or Medium UV lamp settings.
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This material is usually heavy enough to lie flat without any belt vacuum; if not properly handled
and stored, however the material can bow. The material should be shipped and stored flat. The
vacuum level has very little influence but a setting of 5 or higher is recommended. If the edges are
bent, they should be flattened before imaging.
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Use a Foamed PVC color profile or another generic equivalent.
Output Handling
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No special handling required.
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