Inkjet -vs- Laser? DIY -vs- Buy?

[lopat08865]

Has anybody had their designs inkjet printed onto photo gloss labels? (or vinyl?)

I'm about to order 100 sheets of 1" labels from onlinelabels to do just that.

I considered having either Jason or Lynbark do these up for me, and based on what I learn here I may still do that.

But I have designed a chip label set that uses several photos, alot of finely detailed graphics and fontwork, and lots of bold, saturated colors.

I have test printed my designs to photo glossy paper on my inkjet and I'm VERY happy with the results.

I'm afraid that a laser printer -- ANY laser printer -- would not be able to match the sharpness and vividness that I've achieved off my inkjet.

But before I take on the challenge of doing this myself, I'd really love to hear opinions from the experts here.

Thanks!

[phatlad]

Is that a memorial to someone? Taking a wild stab, since it's been a decade since I've had latin, but it looks like born 1974 and died 2005. Or am I way off?

[PocketRocket]

I only use vinyls with a laser printer. But if it is photographic detail that you're after, you'll do better with an ink-jet, especially if you want glossy. Just be aware that you're only dealing with a print area that is about 7/8" on a 1" label, so you probably don't want to end up with a lot of small details that might require a magnifying glass. And you'll also want to use some sort of glossy spray to protect your printing before applying the labels to your chips.

Originally Posted by lopat08865

Has anybody had their designs inkjet printed onto photo gloss labels? (or vinyl?)

I'm about to order 100 sheets of 1" labels from onlinelabels to do just that.

I considered having either Jason or Lynbark do these up for me, and based on what I learn here I may still do that.

But I have designed a chip label set that uses several photos, alot of finely detailed graphics and fontwork, and lots of bold, saturated colors.

I have test printed my designs to photo glossy paper on my inkjet and I'm VERY happy with the results.

I'm afraid that a laser printer -- ANY laser printer -- would not be able to match the sharpness and vividness that I've achieved off my inkjet.

But before I take on the challenge of doing this myself, I'd really love to hear opinions from the experts here.

Thanks!

[Cin0s3]

Also be sure to get plenty of extra sheets and toner as getting them lined up on an inkjet will be a bear, I would tak to pocketrocket about his vinyl labels it would probably save you alot.

[KYBill]

here, get thia and you should be fine.

http://www.ikon.com/products/Copiers...on_CLC5100.asp

[littlebu]

I am about half way finished with printing my labels on my inkjet. Getting them to line up is the hardest and most frusterating part. If I had it to do over again I would have paid someone else to print them.

[lopat08865]

Hey Jason, thanks for the advice. I printed my designs at work on a laser and like PocketRocket says -- thanks to you also -- I just don't think I can get the look I'm after without an inkjet. I'll probably kick myself for not going the tried and true way of using a pro like you, but I've put so much time into this between getting fonts, images, learning Photoshop, etc., it just wouldn't feel right compromising at the end. Hope it's not a mistake.

Between you and PocketRocket, which label do you think I should get from onlinelabel.com? The photogloss inkjet or the weatherproof inkjet (is the weatheproof one the vinyl you mention?, & didn't I read somewhere it's now discontinued in favor of poly?).

I'm gonna order 100 sheets which is like 500% waste so I should be ok on stock. How many inkcarts do you think I might need? I figure 20 sheets is like 20 8x10 color photos, no?

I'll get one of the Krylon products too. Which do you think will work best on a glossy sheet? Would the glossy spray make it too glossy, or conversely would the matte spray defeat the hole look?

[lopat08865]

I am about half way finished with printing my labels on my inkjet. Getting them to line up is the hardest and most frusterating part. If I had it to do over again I would have paid someone else to print them.

What was your waste factor? How long did it take to do a single 63-label sheet and how many inkcarts did you go through? Also, can I ask if you tested registration beforehand?

I printed several passes of a page containing 63 1" circles on my inkjet, and when I light-tabled it to the actual label my tolerance seemed at least as good as what I've seen on chip samples people have posted. By giving myself 1/10" clear inside and 1/10" bleed outside I'm hoping I'll be ok. I figure once it grabs the sheet, creep and skew should be no more or less than on a laser, no? It's just gonna take a whole lot longer.

[lopat08865]

Is that a memorial to someone? Taking a wild stab, since it's been a decade since I've had latin, but it looks like born 1974 and died 2005. Or am I way off?

Good guess, but no, not yet...lol!

I'm one of four 47 yr old guys that started doing a Boys Weekend back when we were 16. Thirty years later we "discovered" HoldEm, and in this our 31st annual get together I'm working up this custom chipset as a gift to the guy who hosts us. He just bought and remodeled a vacation home which they named "Lucky Enough".

So, is my Latin correct? SATIS FELICIS = LUCKY ENOUGH? Take a crack at the rest, but when I'm done I'll post the flip of that chip which is in English

[PocketRocket]

With the tolerences on the manual feed trays on lasers, you could run into a bear of a time lining them up as well . It doesn't take much more than a few thousandths of an inch for a 1" label with a .875 image area to start looking off-center. One needs to be able to expect those variations. Realistically, if you look at enough casino chips, you'll probably find a good number where the inlays appear to be printed off-center, though it's more likely that the die-cut was off-center after printing. Taking a chip that many are familiar with and fond of here, the Trademark Paulsons, if you examine the inlays carefully, you'll often find the inlay to be off center and it's easily noticable with the ring of text along the outer area of the inlay.

Insofar as labels, while I do print some for friends and a couple of local stores with small orders, I'm afraid I really don't have the time to do it commercially as a web business right now (and hope not to unless another dot-bomb hits the area ) Additionally, the vinyl labels from Consolidated/Online can be a bear to separate from the backing sheet sometimes without taking the backing sheet off with the label (the die cut often cuts right into the backing sheet.)

Originally Posted by Cin0s3

Also be sure to get plenty of extra sheets and toner as getting them lined up on an inkjet will be a bear, I would tak to pocketrocket about his vinyl labels it would probably save you alot.