Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <dfaprinting@...> wrote:
>
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "dlruckus" 
> <dlruckus@> wrote:
> It is my understanding that the 7/9000 series machines do have a 
> variable drop, but nothing with hard proof, there is nothing in the 
> service manuals about this. My RIP lists normal and micro drop sizes, 
> but I have never tried to compare the two drops. I always run it as 
> micro dot. The 1520 was also in that unclear realm, and I know I saw a 
> big difference between regular driver prints, and the cheapo Epson RIP, 
> not sure if that was drop size or just a better dither.
> 
> The biggest problem with those older machines was the dot gain. 
> Changing to some of the modern inks make a huge difference in the dot 
> size on most papers. Too bad UV cure technology doesn't work with these 
> print heads. Current drop sizes for the UV cure machines are much 
> larger than even those old Epson printers, and running at around a high 
> of 600dpi.
>

Virtually all the printers can produce multiple drop sizes, but not on the same print.
The variable dot printers refer to selecting 1 of 3 dot sizes on each and every dot.
Simply whether you send 1 bit or 2 bits per dot determines the variable capability.
The 7000 ... 9500 documentation pretty explicitly states one dot size at a time.
(not that docs are perfect, but there are multiple references that all agree).

One interesting thing though is that the "micro dot" reference that was in the x000
docs was removed on the x500 printer docs.

Greg, if you have a RIP that allows selecting either "micro" or "normal" it would be
nice to know if that makes any difference on your 7000.

Thanks,
Roy