Artwork Clean-Up Process for A3 Thermal-Copier
NB: A4 model pictured in this example - process is the same for A3 model.
1. Open thermal carrier cover and place artwork inside facing upwards.
2. Tear, or cut, a piece of Clean-Up Paper from the roll, ensuring all the
design is covered.
Uncovered parts of the design will burn into the cover of the carrier
•
Clean-Up Paper should not stick out past edges of the carrier or it
•
may jam in the machine. Fold Clean-Up Paper at the outer edge of
the artwork and tuck back under design where required. Folds outside
the design area will not effect the clean-up process.
Use only Artwork Clean-Up Paper (product code S-155) as other types
•
of papers may stick to the design or not remove any excess carbon
3. Lower the lid of the carrier and prepare to pass through the machine
4. Set the machine to a speed setting of 5 (general setting)
Setting may vary depending on artwork type
•
5a Insert the carrier into the machine.
Continue to feed into the machine until AFTER the heat starts AND carrier
•
is grabbed - hesitation may cause the head of the carrier to melt
5b Support the top of the carrier with your hand as it comes out the back
of the machine
6. Open the lid of the carrier and remove the Clean-Up Paper/ Artwork
The artwork may now be slightly stuck to the paper - this is the excess
•
carbon sticking
If the Clean-Up Paper does not stick this is OK
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Excessive sticking is rare but may occur. This indicates heavy levels of
•
carbon in the design and may require an increase of speed (less heat)
or a second pass through machine on a new piece of Clean-Up Paper
7. Gently peel the Clean-Up Paper off the artwork
8. Scrunch the used piece of Clean-Up Paper so it can not be reused
Reuse will transfer carbon back to the paper
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9. Artwork is now prepared and ready to image a screen.
If artwork is not used within 5 minutes repeat this process as the
•
paper will begin to absorb moisture
Artwork for use with a Thermal-Copier MUST be carbon based, as it’s the carbon that reacts with
the heat the Thermal-Copier provides to melt the thermal fi lm on the ScreenMaster mesh.
Carbon based artwork is available in 3 main forms:
A Black & White Photocopy - not colour
1.
Black & White Computer Laser Print - not inkjet
2.
Hand drawn artwork with RISO carbon artwork pens
3.
Keys to Good Artwork
Use the same type of artwork [i.e. don’t mix photocopy and laser print]
1.
Eliminate all moisture in your artwork to avoid carbon lift off
2.
Remove excess carbon that may block the mesh
3.
Screens are imaged directly from the artwork you provide, so a small amount of time preparing
your artwork will help eliminate the 2 most common problems before they occur:
Moisture in the artwork
1.
Excess carbon in the design
2.
Either of these elements can cause carbon to lift off your artwork and block the mesh - a
problem that is quickly and easily solved by performing a quick Artwork Clean-Up just before
you image your screen.
Artwork
Preparation
Notes on Inkjet/ Bubble Jet Computer Prints
Inkjet (also called Bubble Jet) printers using liquid cartridges do not contain carbon and
are thus not suited for artwork.
If using Inkjet prints, take a photocopy and use the photocopy as your artwork.
Step 2
Step 5a
Step 7
Step 5b
Step 8
5
© 2008 NEHOC Australia Pty Ltd