[accessibleimage] Re: Questions about Swell paper and tactile graphics

Thanks, George,
Your information is very helpful! I'll be printing out your email and storing it with every pack of swell paper. 
Susie in Maryland


George Bell wrote:

Please bear in mind that devices such as the PIAF, TIE,
etc., use heat to raise the image on swell paper.

Most laser printers use heat to fuse the toner to the paper,
and so you are heading for potential disaster if you try to
photocopy on to swell paper.

The ONLY completely safe way to get an image on to swell
paper is with a "cold" ink jet printer.

Moreover, the ink jet's black ink needs to have a high
carbon content.  This carbon (black) content is usually only
produced from a black ink cartridge.  That is to say not
with a printer which uses three colours to produce black.

Additionally swell paper is in many ways like blotting paper
and so "bleeds".  Hence you usually need to reduce the
amount of ink put on the paper by at least reducing the
output to "Draft" quality.

This is akin to trying to use glossy photographic paper with
the printer's normal paper setting.  What you get is a very
wet surface that takes ages to dry (if at all) and smudges
at the slightest touch.

In short, it takes a degree of experimentation with various
ink jet printers to find the best results.

Does anyone have any solutions that work for them?

George W F Bell, Managing Director
Techno-Vision Systems Ltd
76 Bunting Road Ind. Est.
NORTHAMPTON, NN2 6EE
Tel: +44 (0)160 479 2777
Fax: +44 (0)160 479 2726
e-mail:  george@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Web: http://www.techno-vision.co.uk 




-----Original Message-----
From: accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:accessibleimage-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
pminyard@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 29 November 2006 21:46
To: accessibleimage@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accessibleimage] Re: Questions about Swell paper
and tactile graphics

RE: Swell paper and Laser Printers
I tried the swell paper (actually a plastic type sheet from
Reprographics), but spent quite some time dismantling my
laser printer
and cleaning out the melted plastic. Are you guys using a
non-plastic
composition paper and if so from whom do you but it? 
Phillip Minyard
Disability Services Coordinator
Student Disability Services
http://www.people.memphis.edu/~sds/
University of Memphis
110 Wilder Tower
Memphis, TN  38152-3520
Voice 678-2880 - fax 678-3070

Other related posts: