-
Setting up a print room for Versacamm ?
Having just moved I need to set up a print room for my new Versacamm and would appreciate any other owners advice or ideas.
Have a room a bit smaller than a single garage, and want to set it up as a dedicated printing room.
The printer is using ecosol inks, and I know Roland say there is no need for ventilation, but I would still like to put in an extractor fan or two. Seem to remember someone on here suggested putting it at floor level as the fumes would be heavier than air (?)
Also, what other things would you include ? I have a large desk / work table to go in already, as well as shelves and cupboards for materials and sundries etc…
Thanks
Mike -
7 Replies
-
Something to hang prints on if your doing a lot of printing. The solvents I think fall to the ground that’s why you want to hang them. Leaving them laid out flat doesn’t let it dry as properly I was told.
A cutting table to cut your prints to size.
That’s all about it. We’ve got a similar setup.
-
We actually just built a printing room for our machines because the addition of the new machines made additional ventilation a must. All solvent no eco-sol machines so it was getting pretty bad. Each machine has their own air purification system but because of the outgassing after the media is rolling up the fumes were still pretty bad. We couldnt cut holes into the block at floor level so we had to install some commercial fans on the drop-ceiling to stir the air up into the extraction vents. We have the (3) printers (2) plotters and the computer work stations in there as well as our print media. This way everything is at the same operating temps and the media is at the same temp as the machines it will be used on. A commercial dehumidifier also is being installed this week to keep the humidity at reasonable levels in there. The heaters and the centeral air seemed to create a little too much humidity and in order to keep our MCS and ICS warranties we had to comply to the all the guidelines. One thing you might want to do is look into different types of lighting since you are now going to be printing, you need to make sure your colors are going to be accurate.
-
Thanks for the replies, was planning on maybe setting up some sort of washing lines or similar to hang the prints from while they dry, so thats a good tip.
I can fit extractor fans into the wall easily enough, and the room does have a window, was just wondering on the best position for the fans. I guess that if the fumes fall to the floor, then having them at floor level would be best ?
One other thing, I need to get a new PC or laptop to run the printer as a dedicated server – anyone know what sort of specs would be needed as I dont want to spend to much on getting something I dont need, nor too little on getting something that wont be up to the job.
All the design work etc… will be done on a seperate PC, then just taken to the printer once ready to print out.
Ta
Mike -
Mike,
For a dedicated print server you have a few considerations.
The main one is hard drive storage depending on how long you want to keep your RIPS available. Depending on what your doing they can get fairly large. It’s always good to leave them in there for a week in case you need to reprint.
But any mid range processor with a 1gb of ram, SATA hard drive biggest you can get/afford will be fine. Keep your original art work somewhere you back up on a regular basis.
Cheers
Jason -
No carpet, vinyl or painted floor is best. Build room to allow enough room to hang prints for outgassing, if possible a laminating bench also. Ventilation definitely at floor level as solvents are heavier than air. Print operator to ideally be in another room with unobstructed view to printer (preferably a glass window or door). Air conditioner for constant temp and humidity. Daylight tubes in flouros to keep colours as close to natural as possible. Plenty of room on wall for colour charts of each product. A small box near entry with cotton gloves to limit contamination. A take up roll is a great investment also.
Cheers
-
No carpet, vinyl or painted floor is best. Build room to allow enough room to hang prints for outgassing, if possible a laminating bench also. Ventilation definitely at floor level as solvents are heavier than air. Print operator to ideally be in another room with unobstructed view to printer (preferably a glass window or door). Air conditioner for constant temp and humidity. Daylight tubes in flouros to keep colours as close to natural as possible. Plenty of room on wall for colour charts of each product. A small box near entry with cotton gloves to limit contamination. A take up roll is a great investment also.
Cheers
-
Thanks Brooke, some more things to think about there.
Log in to reply.