Laser printing of OHP transparency film

[Dorsetmike]

I want to laser print to OHP transparency film, but my printer does not have a specific Transparency setting.  Not wanting a fuser gummed up with melted Film I phoned OKI support, useless, all he could ask was "what is the weight" I tried explaining that a transparency would probably need a lower fuser temperature than paper (having spent ages pursuing the topic on Google) but all he did was repeat "what is the weight". I've also tried Acco the suppliers of the transparency, awaiting an email response from them.

Apart from weight settings from Light to ultra heavy the other settings are for Labels or Glossy plus some User options with no info on what or how to set them.

I'm tempted to use "Glossy" but the gummed up fuser vision ... ... ... 

[Railwaygun]

its the sight of a transparency heat-welded to the drum that you want to avoid! ( and the fuser)

use something like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/sheets-Copier-Overhead-Transparencies-anti-static/dp/B008OGN8L0

[Dorsetmike]

I've got Laser printer film, the printer is an OKI C531dn colour laser; I've printed OHP film on a previous colour laser, but that had a transparency setting option, what I'm after is an equivalent setting on this printer.

[Railwaygun]

The only reference I can find on the Oki site is this

Transparencies should be of the type designed for use in copiers and laser printers.
We strongly recommend Oki transparencies (Order No. 01074101). In particular, avoid office transparencies designed for use by hand with marker pens. These will melt in the fuser and cause damage.


I suggest that the pack of transparencies will specify a weight/M2 and hence you can set the paper / transparency weight in the App

Or ring Oki again and ask for settings for their sheets? Colour sheets seem to be fairly standard ( 0.10-0.13 mm thick) for a range of printers






http://www.okidata.com/documents/downloads/oki-media-guide.pdf

[Dorsetmike]

The transparency film is labelled for use with Laser printers, there is no weight quoted on the packaging nor on the info sheet in the package. Some printers have a transparency setting in the setting up menu, mine does not. I saw that info you posted when googling the subject yesterday, I don't consider it has  sufficient information. I've had problems with OKI Tech support before, I also print quite a few labels, there are two options for labels, when I asked what the difference was and which I should use they did not know what the difference was, they suspected it was weight but did not know for certain, nor could they suggest which was light weight and which heavy.

I taught electronic servicing both in the RAF and industry, I also was employed for a few years on repairing printers so I consider I am reasonably conversant with the subject. That is one of the reasons I am reluctant to just load the transparency and hit print without trying to find if there is a known correct setting which will not result in a ruined fuser drum. Wouldn't be surprised if a new toner unit turned out to be more expensive than a new printer!

[Railwaygun]

Try a copy shop?

[DELETED]

Must admit I learned how big xerox document centres worked back many years ago and some tulip, uneducated person put normal OHP film in the copier transparency box.  (Back in the day we used to print slides for each meeting!! -remember that!).  I learned how to strip a document centre and it helped explain how laser printers worked, how I removed a bonded plastic player off a diffuser without knackering the whole thing.

Pleasantly surprised someone is remembering laser type OHP film and if it was my machine I'd hope not to bugger it up.  However, I'd just try printing at the recommended levels or default settings first.

[Greybeema]

As an alternative to using OHP film - could you print on clear water slide decal paper, you can get a laser or Ink jet paper then apply that to your clear film? 

Might be safer.  I have the ink jet paper and have used it a couple of times.

I looked up craftycomputerpaper.com for this post but they re closed for stock taking...

[Dorsetmike]

Trying to place a decal the size of a coach side is one of the most frustrating things I have ever tried.  I've got a large pack of clear backed and white backed decal from USA at a fraction of the price charged by Craftycomputerpaper, and that cost included postage from USA.

My main moan is at OKI tech support not being able to give me information on one of their machines, and that not the first time either they couldn't tell me the difference between the settings "Labels 1" & "Labels 2" for label stock.

[Greybeema]

Shouldn't be too hard to place a decal of a coach side, and in someways easier than a vinyl as you can slide around once on.  You can float it onto a bed of wet Klear, work out to the ends then use Micro Sol & Set to get it to conform to the side.

[Dorsetmike]

Problem with that is 82 year old hand/eye coordination, already failed trying decals on Worsley Works kits before I turned 80, and it ain't improving. I can still manage numbering and lettering decals but anything larger is no longer an option.