Inkpress Transparency Oddity??

[rdbkorn]

I set out to print some negatives tonight using QTR on an Epson 3800. I've printed many negatives without incidence on both Pictorico and Arista transparency materials, and was using Inkpress transparency for the first time tonight. According to the package instructions, the printing surface is the rough side (easily distinguished by both touch and by the rounded edge at the top right corner of the material). So I loaded into the sheet holder of the 3800 with the notch top right, printed on the rough surface and had an unholy mess of wet ink come out the other end. I tried changing from 2800 to 1440 dpi, from matte paper to glossy, without success. I kept feeling both sides of the transparencies and confirmed that I had indeed printed on the rough side.

I then took a piece of Arista transparency film, printed on the rough side and it came out perfect, confirming everything ok with software and printer. So what to do - I tried the smooth side of the Inkpress. Lo and behold, the negative came out dry and looking the same as the Arista. Success, but on the wrong side of the film!

Has anyone else experienced this with the Inkpress film? Is it possible that the pebbling was put on one side during manufacturing, but the actual ink retention treatment was mistakenly coated on the opposite side? I'm baffled, but somewhat relieved that I'll be able to use the Inkpress.

Paul

 

[pschwart]

Inkpress is my regular OHP. I don't know about rough vs smooth -- I just moisten a fingertip and touch a corner of the film. If your finger sticks, that's the side to print on.

 

[rdbkorn]

Thanks, Philip!