Canvas Prints on HP L25500

[Suz]

Hi Folks!

Just wanted to share, as it may help somebody. You never know!

I have had some success with printing on a Canvas Material I purchased at Lexjet. The brand is Fredrix - #109791.
This is not the bright white, but more of a natural color. It has printed very nicely on my HPL25500.

Also from Lexjet, I got a bucket of Sunset Coating, Satin. Says it Protects & Finishes Inkjet Prints. Well, the first time
I used it was over a year ago. When I rolled it on with a foam roller, it basically destroyed my print. So, I gave up on it.

I can print the canvas with some success, as mentioned. Just need to know what you all use if you have the same machine
that I have, which is the L25500. The inks are not as scratch resistant or resilient as the newer Latex printers.

So far, the only thing that has worked for me is Krylon Acrylic spray. I've tried Gloss and Matte. I like them both. But they are
not cheap. Purchased at Joann's, I wait til I get a 1/2 off coupon. Don't like that the stuff gets airborne when I use it, stinks up my
shop.

Anybody have luck using anything else?

Thanks much, hope this helps others.

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

Hi Folks!

Just wanted to share, as it may help somebody. You never know!

I have had some success with printing on a Canvas Material I purchased at Lexjet. The brand is Fredrix - #109791.
This is not the bright white, but more of a natural color. It has printed very nicely on my HPL25500.

We use a Neschen Pure color Monet Canvas. It's almost identical to a standard canvas you would buy to paint on. We use HP L360. Prints great with no white spots. Originally when we had L25500 we had a different canvas and some of the recessed areas of the canvas face wouldn't get ink on them. Which would leave little tiny white spots. This canvas does not have that issue.

Also from Lexjet, I got a bucket of Sunset Coating, Satin. Says it Protects & Finishes Inkjet Prints. Well, the first time
I used it was over a year ago. When I rolled it on with a foam roller, it basically destroyed my print. So, I gave up on it.

I think it's referring to a solvent inkjet print. If there is some alcohol base or solvent based chemical it will eat destroy the latex. Like pouring isopropyl on a print. You can get away with more harmful finishes when using solvent based printing. The ink adheres to the surface of the media more.

I can print the canvas with some success, as mentioned. Just need to know what you all use if you have the same machine
that I have, which is the L25500. The inks are not as scratch resistant or resilient as the newer Latex printers.

So far, the only thing that has worked for me is Krylon Acrylic spray. I've tried Gloss and Matte. I like them both. But they are
not cheap. Purchased at Joann's, I wait til I get a 1/2 off coupon. Don't like that the stuff gets airborne when I use it, stinks up my
shop.

Unfortunately I use krylon here too. Favorite company. For canvas though I use the Krylon UV Resistant clear. The canvas we use has a much longer lifespan then the inks we use. I have had a print int the office with minimal light protected with this for 4 years and zero issues so far. At one time it was in partial sun also and still no issues. The coating is not yellowed at all. It does leave a pretty thick coating though. I figured the UV would be better at protecting the ink fading as well as scratches and smudges. 1 Can for 1 Canvas Depending on size. It's still profitable. Especially if you frame the canvas.

Anybody have luck using anything else?

Thanks much, hope this helps others.

Just because I am interested what did the sunset coating actually do to the print. Distort the canvas, print started to bleed.

 

[Jackpine]

I would try a solvent clear over latex. I don't print with latex but solvent over your latex should be compatible.
I use Krylon Acrylic spray both Gloss and Matte and get mine at WalMart. It's the cheapest generally.
I use in on pigment prints from an Epson 7700.

 

[Desert_Signs]

I've used Clear Shield liquid laminate rolled on with great results. I usually use the semi gloss. Roll it on with a foam roller before stretching. Used it on canvas printed with an L25500, an Scitex FB910, FB500, Roland XC540 and an L360.

 

[Suz]

Hi BIG!

What happens is it bleeds. All the ink just swirls around like a wet watercolor painting.

They told me that I got a bad bad (first container) which was nice to know. I don't think the stuff even dried, it was pretty weird. Super strong odor, had to air out my shop.

Last container they sent out did the same thing! Not as strong a smell as the first bucket, I could actually deal with the smell. But exact same problem with the ink moving around. Oh, and it did dry, unlike the first bucket of stuff. Thank you for asking!

I was asked by the Rep if I had the right settings on my machine for drying temp., I'm sure I do. But he could not give me a profile, since I use Shiraz. Have asked for a profile before, but those only seem availble for people who use the popular software like Onyx and Flexi. Will probably have to pay for a profile to be made. However, I do have a profile that seems to work fine, but it's for a brand of Canvas used in England. They've got different products/ so I do my best guess on which one to use. Rauch Canvas, I think that's what I used. On the machine, I set it for Banner, which seems to work best.

Just because I am interested what did the sunset coating actually do to the print. Distort the canvas, print started to bleed.

 

[Suz]

Solvent

Jack,

Thank you for your input. Yeah, you would think solvent should work. However, if you hadn't read (re the HP L25500) about this yet, even alcohol rubbed onto a print from this machine with the Manufacturer's ink will rub off. People who use this machine and the Manufacturer's ink find this out. The inks are waterproof, so you can make outdoor banners that hold up. So, as long as you don't use anything other than water to clean a banner, you should be fine.

I do think solvent is likely the problem. Just wanted to find out what others know about this "Sunset" coating that Lexjet puts out. They push it so hard and swear by it. Maybe it works with the new HP Latex printers, but it ain't worki'n with mine.

Krylon works for me too though, as long as I spray the first coat lightly. It dries super fast, then I can do a second coat or additional coats over that. Glad to hear that you use the Krylon too! Yes, I think I did buy some at Walmart too one day and found it very affordable there. Thank you!

I would try a solvent clear over latex. I don't print with latex but solvent over your latex should be compatible.
I use Krylon Acrylic spray both Gloss and Matte and get mine at WalMart. It's the cheapest generally.
I use in on pigment prints from an Epson 7700.

 

[Suz]

D.S.

Thanks so much for the Clear Shield info., I had seen that one and thought I'd give it a try at some point. Great results and you have used it on prints off the L25500! OK, it's on my shopping list. Thank you!!! Hopefully I will get the same result as you. Have a great weekend!

I've used Clear Shield liquid laminate rolled on with great results. I usually use the semi gloss. Roll it on with a foam roller before stretching. Used it on canvas printed with an L25500, an Scitex FB910, FB500, Roland XC540 and an L360.

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

Hi BIG!

What happens is it bleeds. All the ink just swirls around like a wet watercolor painting.

They told me that I got a bad bad (first container) which was nice to know. I don't think the stuff even dried, it was pretty weird. Super strong odor, had to air out my shop.

Last container they sent out did the same thing! Not as strong a smell as the first bucket, I could actually deal with the smell. But exact same problem with the ink moving around. Oh, and it did dry, unlike the first bucket of stuff. Thank you for asking!

I was asked by the Rep if I had the right settings on my machine for drying temp., I'm sure I do. But he could not give me a profile, since I use Shiraz. Have asked for a profile before, but those only seem availble for people who use the popular software like Onyx and Flexi. Will probably have to pay for a profile to be made. However, I do have a profile that seems to work fine, but it's for a brand of Canvas used in England. They've got different products/ so I do my best guess on which one to use. Rauch Canvas, I think that's what I used. On the machine, I set it for Banner, which seems to work best.

You could always have them send you the flexi or onyx profiles and then have someone with the software load and check their settings. Mainly heat, passes , and ink content and that would give you a good starting point for your profile. The printer should still run the same regardless of RIP so the heat, passes and ink saturation you use in Shiraz should be very similar to Flexi for the same materials.

 

[greysquirrel]

a local screen printer can hit your prints with a flood varnish...comes in several finishes...then someone else can eat the odors...

 

[Suz]

a local screen printer can hit your prints with a flood varnish...comes in several finishes...then someone else can eat the odors...

? I am a screenprinter too. Don't care to go backwards. I mean there is a time and place for screenprinting. LOL.

 

[Suz]

You could always have them send you the flexi or onyx profiles and then have someone with the software load and check their settings. Mainly heat, passes , and ink content and that would give you a good starting point for your profile. The printer should still run the same regardless of RIP so the heat, passes and ink saturation you use in Shiraz should be very similar to Flexi for the same materials.

BIG,
Just wondering, when you had the L25500, did you do Canvas prints? If so, did you do coating and was it successful? Good suggestions above. May try that.

Also, Squirrel.... Thanks for your input. By the way, which Latex Printer have you got? Didn't see the model on your profile.
Thanks a bunch!

Side note: My Yellow/black printheads, slots #3 and #4 died a premature death last Friday. Got on phone with HP, since they were under warranty (til 10-7-16) they shipped out two new ones. Just got them and doing printhead alignment now. So glad they do send you replacements at no charge while under warranty. I've lost more than I should. Crazy.

Love this machine when it prints right. Takes a few head cleanings and ink before you know you have a bad print head.

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

BIG,
Just wondering, when you had the L25500, did you do Canvas prints? If so, did you do coating and was it successful? Good suggestions above. May try that.

Also, Squirrel.... Thanks for your input. By the way, which Latex Printer have you got? Didn't see the model on your profile.
Thanks a bunch!

Side note: My Yellow/black printheads, slots #3 and #4 died a premature death last Friday. Got on phone with HP, since they were under warranty (til 10-7-16) they shipped out two new ones. Just got them and doing printhead alignment now. So glad they do send you replacements at no charge while under warranty. I've lost more than I should. Crazy.

Love this machine when it prints right. Takes a few head cleanings and ink before you know you have a bad print head.

We did but I can't remember the mfg. of the canvas. We used the Krylon UV Clear. It has a very glossy finish but I liked the fact that it's a UV protectant also. Since the life of the ink in sun is 3 years max by itself.

 

[Brandon708]

I've had success with Frog Juice.

 

[Suz]

Hey BIG,

Thank you! I really respect your opinion. So glad you shared you used the Krylon too. Yes, UV Clear. Like it. There is a gloss finish, but there is also a matte. I have used both and like them both.

I'm really thinking if you had tried the product "Sunset" coating from Lexjet with the Canvas prints off the L25500, you would have found it attacked the ink. Even Alcohol wipes off those prints. You may remember discussions on this forum about that. Tim (Canada) cofirmed that on his L25500, I can say mine did the same. Alcohold rubbed on the print removed the ink.

Interesting fact about the Sunset Satin coating is that although it is water-based, it has some pretty nasty stuff in it. The nasty ingredient is Glycol ethers. I looked up Glycol ethers and learned that it is basically a new name for Butyl Cellusolve. Many of the old Screenprinters here will probably remember using that, perhaps if they did Inter-Layer Circuit Board work like I did, or other work that involved some prettty harsh cleaners. See below:

SUNSET SATIN COATING - MSDS found at Lexjet - DATASHEET
SECTION 2: Composition/Information on Ingredients CAS #
Chemical Name Percent TLV PEL 7732-18-5 Water 60-70% Not applicable Not applicable Proprietary Acrylic polymer 25 -35% Not established Not established Proprietary Mildewcide < 0.1% TWA: 2 mg/m3 TWA: 2 mg/m3 57-55-6 Propylene glycol < 0.1% Not established Not established Proprietary Glycol ethers 2.5 – 3.5% Not established Not established Proprietary Proprietary solvents < 0.2% Not established Not established SECTION 3: Hazards Identif

So, I am pretty sure that the Glycol ether is what's attacking my ink. Krylon works, so I will keep using it. I am sure it's got some doozy chemicals in it as well, but it works. So I keep the windows open and the air circulating when using Krylon.

We did but I can't remember the mfg. of the canvas. We used the Krylon UV Clear. It has a very glossy finish but I liked the fact that it's a UV protectant also. Since the life of the ink in sun is 3 years max by itself.

 

[Suz]

Brandon, Thankyou!
Great, Frog Juice, added to shopping list!
Gonna give that a try!

I've had success with Frog Juice.

 

[Suz]

BIG,

Something else about Glycol ethers (from Wikipedia)
Recent study suggests that occupational exposure to glycol ethers is related to low motile sperm count
I don't have to worry about that myself, but I bet it's not helpful for anybody's parts.
Thinking if I was a young man and wanted children, I might stay away from this stuff.

We did but I can't remember the mfg. of the canvas. We used the Krylon UV Clear. It has a very glossy finish but I liked the fact that it's a UV protectant also. Since the life of the ink in sun is 3 years max by itself.