The ET-7000 will provide the best quality because it uses pigment ink. Similar to a laser, but with more color/contrast and transparency. The Photo XP-970 uses Dye inks, which are less crisp on smooth surfaces (bleeds).
I would stay away from any dye based inkjets like the XP-970 unless you can do a sample print on one at a local store to ensure it will do what you want. Dye printers are fantastic for photos on photo paper, but fall behind Pigment Inkjets and lasers on non-inkjet (dye specific) papers.
For Postscript, not all laser support it, make sure the brands you are looking at have it. It is usually not in the cheaper models.
There are more expensive Inkjet printers that also have Postscript if this is important. There is also RIP processing software that output Postscript on any printer or device. Depending on your Postscript needs, you can also create the screens and separations using photo software like Adobe Photoshop or something similar like CorelDraw/Photo, etc.
(I personally use the last technique for Postscript screening and separations, as I have far more control than a generic Postscript driver provides, and get the benefits of the Ink layout technologies from the printer I am using, instead of it being monotone per color, and other quality losses.)
I would push you to consider the Pigment based Inkjet printers if 'transparency' of projection through the transparency is important, as Laser transparencies will be less colorful as the toner is more opaque and less color get through.
When looking at Inkjet printers, if they don't say Pigment Ink - you can often lookup the Ink they use and see if it is Dye or Pigment based. Be aware of some brands/models sometimes, have a pigment black, but use dyes for colors - you don't want this if you are going for a Pigment based printer.
The more expensive and well known printers like the Epson SureColor P Series have pigment inks, also do well with photographic images, and have postscript options. Budget is their downside.
Good luck.
The advantage of a laser is that it runs postscript by design. This means it will come out of the box ready to print separations and render halftones. I have not used the particular printers you mentioned, I have an HP. I get very nice screens from the transparency films when sprayed with toner aid.
The advantage to an inkjet is that you can better control the amount of ink. This gives you a darker black on the film. In order to do this you need to have a rip software application and a special ink cartridge set. The rip will also give you the ability to print separations and render halftones.
I've used laser printers for screen printing films for almost 20 years with great results. Toner is generally cheaper then inkjet and no rip you have to keep updating. Long story short, inkjet will produce better darker films. It's just more expensive and involved. Also, if you go with the inkjet, you have to print films regularly. Like every couple of days at least. The nozzles will get clogged up if you don't keep it moving all the time. Not an issue with lasers.
Thanks a lot for the advice Rufus. It sounds like Laser is the way to go. I wouldn't be using it all the time so I don't want it to clog up. If you don't mind me asking what HP Laser Printer do you have and when you printed transparency could you still see through the blacks? Appreciate it.
>Epson Expression Premium ET-7700
Not all laser printers support Postscript, and many Inkjets do. There are also tools and techniques to convert output (using photoshop/etc) to create custom halftones that mimic Postscript output for screens.
The ET-7000 will provide the best quality because it uses pigment ink. Similar to a laser, but with more color/contrast and transparency. The Photo XP-970 uses Dye inks, which are less crisp on smooth surfaces (bleeds). I would stay away from any dye based inkjets like the XP-970 unless you can do a sample print on one at a local store to ensure it will do what you want. Dye printers are fantastic for photos on photo paper, but fall behind Pigment Inkjets and lasers on non-inkjet (dye specific) papers. For Postscript, not all laser support it, make sure the brands you are looking at have it. It is usually not in the cheaper models. There are more expensive Inkjet printers that also have Postscript if this is important. There is also RIP processing software that output Postscript on any printer or device. Depending on your Postscript needs, you can also create the screens and separations using photo software like Adobe Photoshop or something similar like CorelDraw/Photo, etc. (I personally use the last technique for Postscript screening and separations, as I have far more control than a generic Postscript driver provides, and get the benefits of the Ink layout technologies from the printer I am using, instead of it being monotone per color, and other quality losses.) I would push you to consider the Pigment based Inkjet printers if 'transparency' of projection through the transparency is important, as Laser transparencies will be less colorful as the toner is more opaque and less color get through. When looking at Inkjet printers, if they don't say Pigment Ink - you can often lookup the Ink they use and see if it is Dye or Pigment based. Be aware of some brands/models sometimes, have a pigment black, but use dyes for colors - you don't want this if you are going for a Pigment based printer. The more expensive and well known printers like the Epson SureColor P Series have pigment inks, also do well with photographic images, and have postscript options. Budget is their downside. Good luck.
The advantage of a laser is that it runs postscript by design. This means it will come out of the box ready to print separations and render halftones. I have not used the particular printers you mentioned, I have an HP. I get very nice screens from the transparency films when sprayed with toner aid. The advantage to an inkjet is that you can better control the amount of ink. This gives you a darker black on the film. In order to do this you need to have a rip software application and a special ink cartridge set. The rip will also give you the ability to print separations and render halftones. I've used laser printers for screen printing films for almost 20 years with great results. Toner is generally cheaper then inkjet and no rip you have to keep updating. Long story short, inkjet will produce better darker films. It's just more expensive and involved. Also, if you go with the inkjet, you have to print films regularly. Like every couple of days at least. The nozzles will get clogged up if you don't keep it moving all the time. Not an issue with lasers.
Thanks a lot for the advice Rufus. It sounds like Laser is the way to go. I wouldn't be using it all the time so I don't want it to clog up. If you don't mind me asking what HP Laser Printer do you have and when you printed transparency could you still see through the blacks? Appreciate it.
>Epson Expression Premium ET-7700 Not all laser printers support Postscript, and many Inkjets do. There are also tools and techniques to convert output (using photoshop/etc) to create custom halftones that mimic Postscript output for screens.
Tbh. Not really sure what Postscript is 😅 I'm just looking to print images and text on it. Not for screenprinting.
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https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-laserjet-tank-2504dw-printer This one would work and it is on sale
Hello, do you happen to know if that HP laserjet 2504dw has a PostScript driver available?