Large Format Printer Introduction
This is the content required for an introduction to our Large Format Printer - reading this does NOT replace the mandatory session with a tutor! It will make it a lot quicker though ;-)
If you are ready for this introduction, please reach out to the following tutors:
Let's begin! First off, make sure you have read the machine's wiki page and manual (German and English language manuals are linked on the machine's wiki page).
Safety
Personal protection: No specific personal protection equipment needed
| Dangers | Precautions |
|---|---|
 contains mercury |
In case the LCD Display is damaged: DO NOT touch. Contact a supervisor or one of the tutors. |
 The printer has a built-in cutter knife to automatically cut roll paper after the print is finished. |
DO NOT open the printer door whilst the printer is printing and for about 1 min after the print is finished.
Note: the cutting option can be disabled to prevent the print from falling onto the floor and to allow for manual cutting. |
| Paper Source set incorrectly | CHECK if paper-setting is set correctly to either SHEET or ROLL-PAPER. If SHEET is selected but you're printing on ROLL paper, this WILL unload the entire paper roll onto the floor! |
| Paper Type | DO NOT use paper that's only suitable for solvent-/alcohol-based inks (for example, most vinyl-, PVC-and transparent papers). Ink won't dry on those papers!
MAKE SURE that your paper is suitable for pigment type inks. Using the wrong type of paper may cause damage to the printhead and the printer. |
Visual "How to print" guide
Quick Reference PDF with Screenshots of Affinity Photo and printer driver settings. This does not replace the mandatory introduction with a tutor!
Suggested Reading
For the EPSON Stylus Pro 7800:
- The manual's paper handling pages are a must-read, really: p56 for roll paper and p64 for cut sheets
- load roll paper: p58-61
- remove roll paper: p62
- load sheet paper: p65
- load small cut sheet paper: p66
- load posterboard or any media thicker than 0.5 mm: p67-70
Demonstration
The tutor will show you these steps in detail:
- How to access the manual and especially the instructions for handling paper
- Structure and content of the Large Format Printer wiki page
- Explain paper types
- only use paper suitable for pigment inks
- never use paper for solvent-/alcohol-based inks (e.g. PVC); ink will not dry and can cause damage to the printer
- adjust drying time (may be necessary for certain media – read the paper manufacturer's information sheet for your paper)
- depending on paper type, the printer's built-in cutter may introduce paper dust inside the printer or blunt the cutter knife turn off the cutter function if you're using: fine art paper, vinyl, matte board or any other heavyweight paper
- Explain paper weight
- maximum paper weight so not to damage the printer and cutting knife (stay below 350 g/m2 to be on the safe side)
- do not print on cardboard, wood, etc; only use media suitable for pigment-ink inkjet printing
- suction level may need to be adjusted for heavy and lightweight papers
- Things that can damage the printer:
- NEVER manually move the printer head
- NEVER manually move the cutter knife
- NEVER pull the power plug whilst the printer is still turned on
- do not remove, change or replace inks yourself (contact a tutor or manager) – this can damage the ink cartridge seal, introduce air and cause nozzle damage
- always operate the printer via its interface
- Practical demonstration
- how to remove roll paper
- how to insert sheet paper
- how to insert roll paper
- use the correct paper setting ("sheet", "roll" or "roll + scissors")
- Practical demonstration and software workflow (with Affinity Photo) with roll paper:
- create a canvas size of 60 cm (full roll width) and the intended length (so not to waste paper)
- disable printer cutter function
- explain print dialogue options
- paper media type and size
- colour and quality settings
- colour profile as suggested by paper manufacturer
- do a small test print in vertical format (= more space for final print in the next step)
- manually rewind paper
- position final print to a blank area on the paper (move horizontally)
- cut print manually with scissors (= less paper dust inside the printer)
- Clean up after usage
- cover printer again to protect it from getting dusty
Waiting List
This introduction takes longer than many others and usually can't be done spontaneously during regular opening times. If you would like to receive it, please add yourself to >> this list << and we will find a good time once a few members are on it!
