Get Good Results With Varnish - Canon Arizona 1300 Series User Manual

Get Good Results with Varnish

Get Good Results with Varnish
Introduction
The application of varnish to a print produces some spectacular, and at times, surprising results
depending on the combination of design and media. To achieve a smooth high gloss, varnish
must be applied in heavy coats. To achieve good results with varnish, consider the following
principles and tools:
• Maintain a Clean Environment
• Keep the Printer Clean
• Prepare the Media Surface
• Consider Varnish in the Job Design
NOTE
Varnish does not require any special handling but, as with all inks, regular printhead
maintenance is important.
Maintain a Clean Environment
All inkjet printers are prone to image quality / jetting reliability issues when there is airborne dust
or other debris that can interfere with the jetting of ink from the printheads. The air quality within
the room is extremely important to the achievement of printed varnish images with minimal dust
contamination. It is also beneficial for maintaining the overall image quality and printhead jetting
reliability.
In the printer operating environment the amount of airborne particles can influence the final
varnish finish. Since the systems that condition and circulate the air can also circulate dust and
particles, keeping the printer clean enough to produce good gloss varnish finish may require
extra cleaning. If you use the Varnish option frequently, we recommend that you take steps to
minimize contaminants by isolating the printer from dusty conditions.
Some tips for minimizing airborne dust and debris contamination:
• Install a good ventilation system and diligently keep air filters clean.
• Avoid dusty areas – printer should not be located near routers, sanders, trimmers or other
machinery that generate airborne dust and debris.
• Do not install the printer on carpet or untreated concrete floor or other surfaces that can be a
source of dust.
• Avoid placing the printer near air vents.
• Frequently wet-mop the room floor.
Keep the Printer Clean
Since the printer has moving parts (e.g., fans, carriage, gantry etc.) it is important to keep these
parts clean and dust free to minimize the risk of circulating airborne dust and debris and
depositing it on the media. Follow these tips for keeping the printer clean:
• Keep the fan filters clean and replace as needed.
• Wipe the bottom of the carriage clean with a lint free cloth.
• Wipe (with a swab) the cut holes in the carriage pan around the printheads.
• Wipe the external parts of the printer with a damp lint-free cloth: the table, gantry, carriage
etc..
Prepare the Media Surface
Varnish can be successfully applied to most media. However, on some un-coated high-absorbent
media, the varnish can be "lost" to the surface and it will be hard to tell that anything was applied.
170 Chapter 9 - Manage a White Ink Workflow