Dumb Question - Print Modes

[CanuckSigns]

OK, after running a digital printer for 15 or so years, you would think I would know this one, but here it goes.

What is the meaning of the number before the resolution in a profile? for example in Onyx, I have 360@720x1440 6 pass, I understand the 720 & 1140 are the X & Y print resolutions, what does the 360 indicate?

Remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

 

[Solventinkjet]

The first number is what they call the, "Process Resolution." It has to do with the conversion of the print file data from contone (the digital data being processed) to halftone (the data the printer prints). Lower process resolution RIPs faster but will produce a lower quality print. Higher will RIP slower but produce higher quality print.

 

[Rhyno]

The 360 usually refers to the native resolution of the print head—basically the base DPI the nozzles are firing at. It’s like the foundation before the printer works its magic to hit the final resolution, like 720x1440 in this case. I used to wonder about this too when I started tweaking profiles on my setup, and it finally clicked when I dug into how the print heads actually function. It’s not super obvious unless you’re deep into it.

 

[Solventinkjet]

The 360 usually refers to the native resolution of the print head—basically the base DPI the nozzles are firing at. It’s like the foundation before the printer works its magic to hit the final resolution, like 720x1440 in this case. I used to wonder about this too when I started tweaking profiles on my setup, and it finally clicked when I dug into how the print heads actually function. It’s not super obvious unless you’re deep into it.

That was my first thought too but when I looked into it, it's actually specific to how Onyx processes the files and converts it to print data.

I don't know of any head that has a native resolution of 360 either. Usually when you see resolutions in multiples of 360, the head's native resolution is actually 180 but no one wants to print in 180 because it doesn't look good. Most likely CunuckSigns has an Epson based head which usually have 180 nozzle per channel except for their latest ones which have 300.