[comp.sys.ibm.pc] DeskJet+ opinions

marshall@alpha.ces.cwru.edu ( ) (02/08/90)

	In a previous posting, Dave Neff claimed that one weakness
of the DeskJet+ is its inability to print labels. Well, I'd just
like to add to that the statement that I have printed several pages
of labels quite easily on a HP DeskJet+. It was simple and straight-
foreward. 
	The DeskJet+ is a great printer. I'd recommend (sp?) it
heartily to anyone.

   -- Martin Marshall

Warning: this computer frequently posts without my information or consent. 
Anything you are reading here should be construed as opinions only of my 
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wg@cbnewsm.ATT.COM (Bill Gieske) (02/08/90)

In article <1990Feb7.174317.17736@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>, marshall@alpha.ces.cwru.edu ( ) writes:
> 
> 	In a previous posting, Dave Neff claimed that one weakness
> of the DeskJet+ is its inability to print labels. Well, I'd just
> like to add to that the statement that I have printed several pages
> of labels quite easily on a HP DeskJet+. It was simple and straight-
> foreward. 
I recall seeing 8 1/2 by 11 page format label sheets in the stationary store
a month ago that were specifically designed for laser printer use.  I would
include the DeskJet in this category.

But, given the water soluableness of the ink, I must confess some hesitency
in having DeskJet generated mailing addresses.  I just mailed over 900 class
reunion notices, each addressed by my DeskJet.  I had minor naggings as to
whether a few might fall victim to address washout.  Just hope it wsn't 
raining hard when the mail man delivered the mail!!

neff@hpvcfs1.HP.COM (Dave Neff) (02/09/90)

Regarding DeskJet+ and labels:

I was aware that certain labels do seem to work with the DeskJet+.
Its just that we did not design or test the printer for use with labels.
This means we did not check for problems like paper jam and paper pick.
Hence officially, we don't support the use of labels.  Some labels
can even "skoot off" the paper while printing, making an awful mess :-).

In a similar light, I have printed transparencies on PaintJet
transparency film (HP PN 51630Q) and the results are acceptable (but not
perfect) in my humble opinion.  However, the film is thicker than
recommended paper thickness and could have similar problems with jamming
and paper picking.  Hence officially, we don't support printing on
transparencies, even special ones.

Of course a lot of stuff will work that is not officially supported.
I just have to be very careful with statements I make on the net
about the DeskJet printers.  Even though I don't work in product
support, I am an HP employee who is very familiar with the DeskJet
printer, so am viewed as a "representative" of HP when I answer
questions about the DeskJet printers.

Dave Neff
neff@hpvcfs1.HP.COM

rick@NRC.COM (Rick Wagner) (02/14/90)

In article <9124@cbnewsm.ATT.COM> wg@cbnewsm.ATT.COM (Bill Gieske) writes:
>In article <1990Feb7.174317.17736@usenet.ins.cwru.edu>, marshall@alpha.ces.cwru.edu ( ) writes:
>> 
>> 	In a previous posting, Dave Neff claimed that one weakness
>> of the DeskJet+ is its inability to print labels. Well, I'd just
>> like to add to that the statement that I have printed several pages
>> of labels quite easily on a HP DeskJet+. It was simple and straight-
>> foreward. 
>I recall seeing 8 1/2 by 11 page format label sheets in the stationary store
>a month ago that were specifically designed for LASER printer use.  I would
                                                 ^^^^^
>include the DeskJet in this category.

In behavior and quality, yes.  But in the method of putting the image
on paper, no.  The laser printer uses a "hot process".  I'm not sure
on the exact details, but basically, the LP uses heat to bond the
toner to the paper.  The DJ use a liquid ink sprayed on to, and
absorbed by, the paper.  For most paper, there is little difference.
However with labels, you need to check them out.  Some are labeled (if
your lucky) saying "Not for cold process copiers".  These labels have
a waxy or plastic coating, which prevents the liquid ink from being
absorbed by the paper of the label.  This is not a problem for the
laser printer, because the heat which bonds (is this the "fusing"
step?) the toner to the paper, melts the coating enough to let the
image bond to it.

The first labels I tried in my DJ worked fine.  At the time, I was
unaware of the hot/cold process labels, so I did not look for anything
special; I just got lucky.  The second bunch of labels I tried failed
miserably.  After checking them out, I found that they were "Not for
cold process copiers".

I don't recall the brands of labels tried, but I think the ones that
failed were Avery, and the ones that worked were Dennison.  This makes
sense, since I seem to recall Dennison copiers as being cold process.
NOTE: I am not stating any opinion on the quality of Avery products,
just that the ones I used were not appropriate for the apllication I
used them in.

> 
>But, given the water soluableness of the ink, I must confess some hesitency 
>in having DeskJet generated mailing addresses.  I just mailed over 900 class 
>reunion notices, each addressed by my DeskJet.  I had minor naggings as to 
>whether a few might fall victim to address washout.  Just hope it wsn't 
>raining hard when the mail man delivered the mail!!

I have heard of people using artists fixative to prevent running of
the ink.  Anybody have any first hand experience?

	--rick

-- 
===============================================================================
Rick Wagner						Network Research Corp.
rick@nrc.com						2380 North Rose Ave.
(805) 485-2700	FAX: (805) 485-8204			Oxnard, CA 93030
Don't hate yourself in the morning; sleep til noon.

tmb@moscom.UUCP (Tom Bellucco) (02/23/90)

In article <1990Feb7.174317.17736@usenet.ins.cwru.edu> marshall@alpha.ces.cwru.edu ( ) writes:
>
>	In a previous posting, Dave Neff claimed that one weakness
>of the DeskJet+ is its inability to print labels. Well, I'd just
>like to add to that the statement that I have printed several pages
>of labels quite easily on a HP DeskJet+. It was simple and straight-
>foreward. 

I too have printed many labels -- but never a pin-fed label.  I used labels
formatted 12 rows of 3 labels each, the entire page the same size as a
8.5x11" piece of paper.

Remember, though, that if you wish to use these labels for mailing, it better
not be raining anywhere those labels end up!!!  Smudge smudge smudge.

-- 
 Tom Bellucco - moscom!tmb@cs.rochester.edu  or  {...}!rochester!moscom!tmb
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