AGFA W Class Operator's Manual page 18

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The second method would be to change the 'Print Control / Heat' menu
setting (selectable as 'Heat Setting' in most software programs). Increasing
this value causes more energy to be transferred to the media, resulting in a
darker image. If the image is too dark, reduce this value or increase the print
speed.
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The next method would be to change the 'Print Control / Print Speed' menu
setting (also selectable as 'Print Speed' in most software programs).
Changing the print speed changes the amount of time the media is under the
printhead. Slowing the speed allows more time and control for energy to be
transferred. Increasing the speed will increase throughput, but may require a
higher heat setting.
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The final method, providing only subtle contrast changes, would be to
change the 'Custom Adjustments / Darkness' menu setting.
You will find that printing barcodes and detailed images on less expensive direct
thermal and thermal transfer media at higher speeds can be tricky. At one heat
setting, the images will fade and at the next higher heat setting, the images will
bleed. This is because the reaction temperature of the media is so high that at
higher rates of speed, it cannot react fast enough. To print fine images at higher
speed, media with lower reaction or release temperatures are required. On the
slower end of the print rate settings, crisper images are possible because the
media is not being stretched beyond its limits.
The following table is intended for reference only (for specific application
information, consult your media specialist or a Datamax Media Representative).
Thermal Transfer
Media
Coated Paper, Uncoated Paper,
Tag Stock, Some Films, Some
Synthetics
Coated Paper, Glossy Paper,
Tag Stock,
Some Synthetics, Films
Synthetics, Films
*Values given in inches per second (IPS)
8
Ribbon Print
Type Speed*
Wax 2 - 8
Wax/Resin 2 - 8
Resin 4 - 6
Print Image
Energy Durability
Low Low
Medium High
High High
W-Class