hgm@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu (Hal G. Meeks) (06/17/89)
First, thanks to everyone who responded. Out of this I have a little bit of useful information to pass along. Replacement inks - I have addresses for two places that both carry alternate inks for inkjet printers: "Inky Dink" Comes in 3 size bottles, four colors. Software Sensations PO Box 2414 Beverly Hills, CA 90213 (213) 477-7523 Jet Black Ink Type 2101 Jet Technology 16 Pembroke Road Weston, MA 02193 (617) 239-8383 I have sent letters to both of these companies about pricing, etc. I had one respondant who suggested I use the primary colors from the Windsor-Newton line of Brillant Watercolours. He owns a Diablo C150, and reports no clogging problems. Since the 4020 is a later version of the same printer, with the addition of a flush mechanism for the ink jet heads, I am thinking of trying this. He stessed the point that these are watercolors, not the more common acrylic colors, and they may be harder to find. One additional thing to keep in mind is that like the 4020's own inks, they may not be terribly resistant to fading in sunlight. Briefly about thermal inks: There is a such a thing as thermally activated transfer inks, but they are evidently only being used in ribbons for impact printers. Go to a state fair to see this in action (Your Picture on a T-Shirt). I haven't given up on my search, but a quick glace hasn't turned anything up. More commonly seen is transfer paper, a plastic coated paper that melts on a surface. The ink from an impact printer fuses with the plastic. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that this would work well with inkjets, although it may be possible with a suitable material. After all, there is such a thing as transparencies for inkjets? One other possibly is some sort of photographic process, like what is used in screen printing. I know someone I can discuss this with, since I know very little about it. I need to think a little while on this one. Again, thanks for everyone's advice. Hope this helps. --hal -- --------------- hgm@ncsuvx.ncsu.edu "Things have changed, things will change, netoprhm@ncsuvm.bitnet and it breaks down." The Past Revisited 4/88