Banners printing S•L•O•W

[Tim Aucoin]

Okay, so I'm running a dozen banners on 16oz Gloss Scrim banner. They're 3' x 12'. I was supplied PDF files (1.2mb per file) and am dragging them into VersaWorks for printing. I don't have a specific profile for the scrim I'm running (BannerBrite 2), and am using a generic profile. Color looks great when it prints, but it's taking 2 hours per banner?? I'm running the Roland SP 540v. I'm running High Speed quality. Is this normal speed for this or am I missing a way to speed up printing? Oh, yeah... the graphic on the banner is full color images with text.
Any help/advice would be appreciated!

 

[ChiknNutz]

YIKES! That is excrutiating! On 95% of what we print I yield 64 SFPH, which is at 720x720x8-pass mode. I don't use VW, but Wasatch SoftRip and create my own profiles. I have made a 4-pass banner profile that yields approx. 165 SFPH, but it doesn't produce a deeply saturated print, but can be used on a lot of jobs. Based on what you are printing and the time taken, you are yielding only 18 SFPH. That is way too slow for most any banner jobs.

 

[southpawP8NTR]

Try semi-gloss grey glue profile, worked for me but a different brand of banner.

 

[WDP]

Try GCVP 360x720

 

[CS-SignSupply]

Also make sure that you are using bi-directional.... If set to uni-directional, start pulling your hair out.

 

[zmatalucci]

I use spvcb in Versaworks with good results

 

[ericmitchell29]

yes try a different profile. There is one banner setting that even at high speed runs really slow in versaworks. I'm not sure what the issue is with it but I have clicked on it before.

I also powered my 540 down and then restarted with a different profile. I'm assuming it was the profile that was the difference and not restarting the machine. Try both if one doesn't work for you.

Eric

 

[Tim Aucoin]

I'm trying GVCP right now.... then I'll try SPVCB if I see no improvement in speed. Thanks for all the tips guys! I'll let you know tomorrow how it all works out. I am running bi-directional. everything seems to be set... it has to be the profile!

 

[biggieg]

I ran a 4' x 16' banner a few weeks ago and it took less than an hour to print using Versaworks and the SP540.

 

[Replicator]

Try converting the PDF files to some other format . . . Like maybe the formats you usually print . . . Just Sayin' !

 

[Tim Aucoin]

Try converting the PDF files to some other format . . . Like maybe the formats you usually print . . . Just Sayin' !

Thanks Rep... I opened the PDF and saved it as EPS... this seems to have increased the printing speed somewhat. I should be able to get the balance completed today!

And thank you John for your help yesterday... that was above and beyond! One thing... I couldn't find anywhere in the SP 540v menu structure to turn off "periodic cleaning". At least there's nothing with that specific name. Maybe this is a feature in the newer VP model??

Thanks everyone for your input. I just took another order yesterday for 7 more good sized banners for an upcoming home show. The higher speed will definitely help this go smoother! :Big Laugh