Baffled by printing science

[Jon_Eckersley]

Ok, I need some help here!

I'm looking to have a bezel for a space invaders pt II cab renovation project printed. I have the original, but it's in pretty bad condition. I'm planning on scanning this, and retouching it all in photoshop - no problem there.

I've been in touch with several printers in the UK - and have had 2 main responses. I haven't a clue out of the 2 which is a better option for me to take. This is where I need the help.

One would like to print this as a Lambda print with trannimount to the face to stick to the reverse of the perspex. They say that this is because the Lambda has the best longevity and is the best quality image. They'll also mount it to plexi for me.

They want the artwork at 100dpi.

The other printers say they will digitally print to vinyl in CMYK colours, but require 300dpi. These are 10% cheaper.


Are these 2 processes similar, or different? I've found out that Lambda is printer using lasers, but I have no idea what trannimount is (a search throws up nada).


Any help much appreciated!


Jon.

[mahuti]

The other print on vinyl you mention is much less descriptive than the lambda print.. there are lots of "digital" printers.

With lambda, it's basically a combination of digital laser printing & the photographic process. I would give them the file at 300 dpi, regardless of what they asked for. The Lambda process can handle it. 100 DPI is probably their minimum. Also, they're talking about adhering the print to the perspex, which is a nice feature.

The others, with the vinyl print, will leave you with something that you have to  adhere to the front of plexi (doing it to the reverse will be rather difficult. I don't really like vinyl prints.... I have one on my Defender, and I hat it every time I look at it. It was a bit cheaper, but I wish I had bought something a lot nicer.

[Jon_Eckersley]

Thanks a bunch for that, that's made my decision somewhat easier

Yeah, I know what you mean about the desription, but thats all I could really get out of him. I'm going to be getting samples from both of them, so I'll see the quality there too before I decide!

Either way, I'll be uploading the image to the vector repository when it's done (and hopefully to the actual mame bezels, as its horribly low res in places). Whether or not I'll have the time to vectorise it myself is a different matter though

Thanks again,

Jon.

[Ravage]

Hi
I'm interested in this "Lambda printing" process...

I've had vinyl reverse and stuck to perspex and it looked very grainy and poor.... This sounds a very interesting idea...

Right now I want to get a bezel and marquee made - being in the UK also, where was this place, or is lambda printing common?

Let us know how it looks

Regards
Rav

[mahuti]

It's not that uncommon. Basically it's a digital photographic print onto photo paper (usually)

You can also find it under the name "lightjet" printing.

I'd suggest calling around.

[Minwah]

I've had vinyl reverse and stuck to perspex and it looked very grainy and poor.... This sounds a very interesting idea...http://www.arcadecontrols.com/2004-giveaway.shtml

Same here, very grainy even on some of the solid colours.

I will possibly end up getting mine done from classicarcadegrafix - it's so much easier when people know & understant exactly what you want.  If anyone knows of somewhere in the UK which can offer the same service then please post!

[Ravage]

Ok, I've found a place that does lambda printing in the Uk.... I've submitted artwork, and subject to the prices not being earth-shattering I've ordered two pieces, so I'll report back here! God willing it'll be a awesome technique!

[Jon_Eckersley]

Heya guys,

I haven't actually got around to getting this printed (its now one of the final things to get finished, but for now, the original will do ).

If you would like me to drop you some correspondance emails, I can send you details of two companies, both similarly priced, in the UK.

Email me at jeckers@rare.co.uk if you're after it!


Jon.