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Numberplate solutions
Hi all 🙂
I want to add more to my repertoire and move into making numberplates – both legal (i’m aware of the dvla registration process already) and show plates. The majority of plates produced would be show plates anyway.
I am not equipped with any sort of printer, just a humble cutter. I’m certain i wouldnt be able to produce the sort of plates that i want to offer using just my cutter, and at present, i cant afford to invest in expensive print/cut equipment.
For a few months i’ve been looking into the LG/OKI systems. How do people rate this kit? The oki would/could also double up as a regular printer for home as well.
Or would there be a better alternative to this for me?
i see this system is available from several different suppliers, is there any that would be preferable over another?
Thanks,
Darren -
13 Replies
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Hello, we have the LG system, well 2 in fact! One for our I.O.W branch and one for our Essex branch. They have been successful. The kit itself is an OKI C5250 printer and software etc… It does the job well but there are rumours of the yellow plates fading after 2 years but i suppose they should be replaced in that time anyway. We have also done a couple of shows where we converted a horse trailor and sold them out of it with alot of interest. The help and support is good, we get it from Tennants UK or LG themselves. Our guy in Essex may be interested in selling one of our plate systems but not sure how that would stand with the help and support etc…
All in all we are happy with our choice. (mod-edit)Any questions, let me know!
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I saw a demo of the LG plates software and thought it was rather long winded, I didn’t see any part of the program that catered for show plates. How easy is the LG system software to use please?
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You don’t need special software if you know how to use your sign software.
This is a brilliant system for plates but try to get an old printer as the new 5600 printers give nothing but problems as they print too fast.
The old and new printers both print perfect if you set it to greyscale only so you only print black. But are not much good for GB Plates this is where the trouble starts. -
If you search the threads there are loads of posts on this subject. The OKI system really is the best. Yes, the older ones are better. Talk to Tennants, They are the best of the bunch.
Peter -
Hi
I’ve had a 5250 & now a 5600 and for color i would have the 5600 anytime. Been using it for 2 months with no real problemsKev
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Ive got the Oki 5800 and its been nothing but perfect, I dont use for numberplates but its an excellent printer
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quote Martin Oxenham:The old and new printers both print perfect if you set it to greyscale only so you only print black. But are not much good for GB Plates this is where the trouble starts.
could you expand on this please?
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i have the tennents rep coming over on monday 🙂
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When printing GB Plates we have to print several to get a decent blue without pink streaks in it. Believe me we have tried everything…Different percentages of colour, RGB, CMYK etc. If you only do standard plates then set the Oki software to greyscale so you are only printing in black and they then come out perfect every time.
In this mode you can print Honeycombe, 3d, Carbon fibre look. and put ghosting in the background, and all come out great.
Tennants are good to deal with so if you want the software then get it from them. -
Martin, try printing on labels 2 setting and let the down the end tray – both slow the print process and colour print is better.
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If your black is printing with pink streaks in it, I think it’s down to the print path being dirty or the black toner is running low. If it’s the latter, take out the black toner and gently shake it from side to side so you redistribute the toner across the bottom of the cartridge. It happens sometimes with the newer HP Colour Laser jets, although I don’t see it that much. I work with printers a lot. I had a similar problem with my Oki 5450, but mine had blue toner in the black prints! I stripped the printer down and cleaned everything, and then also realised my black toner was low.
If you get little white specks in your print, this is air born dust which has settled on the film. Run the film through a folded cotton cloth or tea towel, then load into the printer, works like a dream 🙂
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The pink fades are in the blue GB Badge not the black. And we do seem to get a lot of white spots like patches of dust burnt into the film. We never had this with the other two Oki printers on the same film. It prints perfect on paper.
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martin, do you use LG Software ? if you do ! you should upgrade to 5600 ver. there are additional settings in the xml driver files that fix most issues.
The 5600 does not like printing black on films as much as the older printers – it;s due to the new toner used – look better once fixed to plate.
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