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→General Procedure
|Has description=
|Has description=
|Has certification=https://georgefox.instructure.com/courses/1258
|Has certification=https://georgefox.instructure.com/courses/1258
|Has ace=Summer Martindale;Makerhub@georgefox.edu
|Has ace=Summer Martindale;martindales@georgefox.edu
|Has 2 ace=Levi Interian-Uc;linterianuc23@georgefox.edu
|Has ace=Levi Interian-Uc;linterianuc23@georgefox.edu
}}
}}
[[{{#show: {{FULLPAGENAME}}|?Has icon|link=none}}|140px|left|top|{{#show: {{FULLPAGENAME}}|?Has icondesc}}]]
[[{{#show: {{FULLPAGENAME}}|?Has icon|link=none}}|140px|left|top|{{#show: {{FULLPAGENAME}}|?Has icondesc}}]]
Serial Number: {{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Has serial number}}
Serial Number: {{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Has serial number}}
Ace: {{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Has ace.Has name}} ({{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Has ace.Has email address}});{{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Has 2 ace.Has name}} ({{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Has 2 ace.Has email address}}).
Ace: {{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Has ace.Has name}} ({{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Has ace.Has email address}}).
Location: {{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Is located in facility}}
Location: {{#show: {{PAGENAME}} |?Is located in facility}}
====Operation====
====Operation====
Almost any file type can be used as a graphic when using the vinyl printer but they all must be brought into Illustrator or Inkscape to add a cut line. Note that a vector file such as a .pdf will work the best. The cut line tells the printer to cut out the image that is being printed so it can be weeded properly before it is applied. There are many ways to create a cut line and it is up to the user to determine which process will be the easiest for their graphic. Once a cut line has been created, the file is saved as an .eps and then opened in Versaworks to finalize any print settings before performing the print. After the print is completed it should be left to dry for 20 minutes before being applied to another object.
Almost any file type can be used as a graphic when using the vinyl printer but they all must be brought into Illustrator or Inkscape to add a cut line. Note that a vector file such as a .pdf will work the best. The cut line tells the printer to cut out the image that is being printed so it can be weeded properly before it is applied. The cut lines will appear as red dotted lines. There are many ways to create a cut line and it is up to the user to determine which process will be the easiest for their graphic. Once a cut line has been created, the file is saved as an .eps and then opened in Versaworks to finalize any print settings before performing the print. After the print is completed it should be left to dry for 20 minutes before being applied to another object.
====Demonstration====
====Demonstration====
# The media guides are critical to keeping the vinyl in place while printing and must be adjusted to fit the width of the vinyl. Do so by sliding the left media guide to the edge of the vinyl piece. When doing this make sure the pinch roller is above a grit roller or the printer will NOT work. You may have to play with the piece orientation or width to make this possible.
# The media guides are critical to keeping the vinyl in place while printing and must be adjusted to fit the width of the vinyl. Do so by sliding the left media guide to the edge of the vinyl piece. When doing this make sure the pinch roller is above a grit roller or the printer will NOT work. You may have to play with the piece orientation or width to make this possible.
# Feed the vinyl through the printer from the back of machine so that it passes under the media clamps. The purpose of the media clamps is to keep the edges of the vinyl from interfering with the print head so this is an important piece to remember. Feel free to reference the image below. [[File:Vinyl Clamps.png|none|thumb|463x463px]]
# Feed the vinyl through the printer from the back of machine so that it passes under the media clamps. The purpose of the media clamps is to keep the edges of the vinyl from interfering with the print head so this is an important piece to remember. Feel free to reference the image below. [[File:Vinyl Clamps.png|none|thumb|463x463px]]
# Finish the loading process by pulling the loading lever forward and making sure the door is closed. If everything is done correctly the printer will move around the material a bit and then sit quietly. If there is beeping then something is not set up correctly.
# Finish the loading process by pulling the loading lever forward and making sure the door is closed. If everything is done correctly the printer will move around the material a bit and then sit quietly. If there is beeping then something is not set up correctly. If the door is not closed the print will not happen.
Preparing Graphics:
Preparing Graphics:
First, it is important to understand the differences between a vector and a raster when setting up graphics to be printed. Raster images use many colored pixels or individual building blocks to form a complete image. JPEGs, GIFs and PNGs are common raster image types. Almost all of the photos found on the web and in print catalogs are raster images. Because raster images are constructed using a fixed number of colored pixels, they can’t be dramatically resized without compromising their resolution. When stretched to fit a space they weren’t designed to fill, their pixels become visibly grainy and the image distorts. This is why altered photos may appear pixilated or low resolution. Further, because a raster image is composed of many tiny pieces it is difficult to distinguish one object from another within the image. Vector images, alternatively, allow for more flexibility. Constructed using mathematical formulas rather than individual colored blocks, vector file types such as SVG, EPS, AI and PDF* ['''why the "*" on PDF.?'''] are excellent for creating graphics that frequently require resizing. Also, each object within a vector file is assigned to a distinct layer within Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape which means an object can be moved, resized, and recolored without affecting the rest of the image. Having a graphic in vector format can be helpful because it is easy to remove the vinyl background from the graphic by adding a cut line around the object.
First, it is important to understand the differences between a vector and a raster when setting up graphics to be printed. Raster images use many colored pixels or individual building blocks to form a complete image. JPEGs, GIFs and PNGs are common raster image types. Almost all of the photos found on the web and in print catalogs are raster images. Because raster images are constructed using a fixed number of colored pixels, they can’t be dramatically resized without compromising their resolution. When stretched to fit a space they weren’t designed to fill, their pixels become visibly grainy and the image distorts. This is why altered photos may appear pixilated or low resolution. Further, because a raster image is composed of many tiny pieces it is difficult to distinguish one object from another within the image. Vector images, alternatively, allow for more flexibility. Constructed using mathematical formulas rather than individual colored blocks, vector file types such as SVG, EPS, AI and PDF are excellent for creating graphics that frequently require resizing. Also, each object within a vector file is assigned to a distinct layer within Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape which means an object can be moved, resized, and recolored without affecting the rest of the image. Having a graphic in vector format can be helpful because it is easy to remove the vinyl background from the graphic by adding a cut line around the object.
For Adobe Illustrator:
For Adobe Illustrator:
# Open the graphic in Illustrator 2017 and perform any desired editing. Most of the time nothing will need to be changed with the exception of converting a raster to a vector in order to add a cut line around a specific part of the graphic. To do this:
# Open the graphic in Illustrator 2017 and perform any desired editing. Most of the time nothing will need to be changed with the exception of converting a raster to a vector in order to add a cut line around a specific part of the graphic. To do this:
#*If your file is saved as an .eps you can just skip all these steps and just drag and drop. If not you will need to do the following to convert to a vector file.
#*To import a normal picture into Adobe Illustrator, do [File] > [Place] and then click and drag to the desired size.The graphic can then be converted to vectors by clicking [Object] >[Flatten Transparency].
#*To import a normal picture into Adobe Illustrator, do [File] > [Place] and then click and drag to the desired size.The graphic can then be converted to vectors by clicking [Object] >[Flatten Transparency].
#*Next, click on the image to bring up several options at the top of the screen and select the [Trace] function. When doing this make sure to select the [Expand] option. This will break the image up into components which can be edited individually.
#*Next, click on the image to bring up several options at the top of the screen and select the [Trace] function. When doing this make sure to select the [Expand] option. This will break the image up into components which can be edited individually.
#* Name the new swatch [CutContour]. Make sure to use the exact capitalization or it will not work properly.
#* Name the new swatch [CutContour]. Make sure to use the exact capitalization or it will not work properly.
#* Change the color type from [Process Color] to [Spot Color]
#* Change the color type from [Process Color] to [Spot Color]
#* Make sure that the color system is set to CMYK
#* Make sure that the color system is set to RGB
#* Drag the magenta bar (M) all the way up to 100 and make sure the other sliders are at 0.
#* Drag the red bar all the way up to 255 and make sure the other sliders are at 0.
#* Hit okay. At this point there should be a bright pink line surrounding the graphic and it is ready to be printed.
#* Hit okay. At this point there should be a bright red line surrounding the graphic and it is ready to be printed.
#Now that the graphic is ready, save it as an Adobe EPS file (.EPS) so it will be able to be printed in Versaworks.
#Now that the graphic is ready, save it as an Adobe EPS file (.EPS) so it will be able to be printed in Versaworks.
For Inkscape:
For Inkscape:
# Open the .eps file of the desired graphic. There are two different job queues that it can be put into but it doesn't matter which one is used if you are only printing one job. Note: The graphic will appear to be a low quality image in the preview window but this is just how the software operates.
# Open the .eps file of the desired graphic. There are two different job queues that it can be put into but it doesn't matter which one is used if you are only printing one job. Note: The graphic will appear to be a low quality image in the preview window but this is just how the software operates.
# Double click on the graphic to open a high definition preview of the image to check that everything is working properly. Sometimes the colors may not carry over properly so make sure they look good. If something looks off then there are some color settings that can be changed when saving the EPS file. Mainly, make sure that the cut line is indicated by a moving, dashed, red line surrounding image.
# Double click on the graphic to open a high definition preview of the image to check that everything is working properly. Sometimes the colors may not carry over properly so make sure they look good. If something looks off then there are some color settings that can be changed when saving the EPS file. Mainly, make sure that the cut line is indicated by a moving, dashed, red line surrounding image.
# Go throughout the different tabs on the far left and change anything that needs to be changed. This can be many things such as ink values, cutting or borders.
# You might want to change the orientation or other parameters before starting the print; to do this go to [Job] > [Job Settings].
# You might want to change the orientation or other parameters before starting the print; to do this go to [Job] > [Job Settings].
# Before you print, remember that the origin is rotated 180 degrees. So you will need to have your image on the TOP RIGHT if you want to print of the bottom left.
# Finally, right click on the desired file name in the job queue and hit print.
# Finally, right click on the desired file name in the job queue and hit print.
# After the cut is finished turn off the machine with the secondary power button but make sure to leave the main power switch on to prevent damage and wait 20 minutes before interacting with the graphic.
# After the cut is finished turn off the machine with the secondary power button but make sure to leave the main power switch on to prevent damage and wait 20 minutes before interacting with the graphic.
==Additional Functions==
While editing the image you will see 11 different tabs you can go under. Each of these has different ways to edit the image. Starting out, we are on the 'layout' tab. The next tab that we want to mess with is the 'color adjustment'. If your prints have colors that you don't want or a tint of a certain color, you can adjust the color to properly print your image.
[[File:Color.png|none|thumb|866x866px]]
The 'cut controls' tab can control the amount of passes, speed and force that the printer will perform. You most likely won't have to change anything unless you are using a different material to cut.
[[File:Cut.png|none|thumb|866x866px]]
The 'clip and tile' tab allows you to cut the image into different 'tiles' and have you image be split into multiple prints.
[[File:Clip.png|none|thumb|866x866px]]
These three tabs are the ones that you might need to use, if any.
Preparing for Transfers:
Preparing for Transfers:
Complete <strong>The Hub - {{PAGENAME}} Module</strong> at the link below to gain access to the {{PAGENAME}}. The Maker Hub Canvas course pertains to all facilities and equipment contained in the Maker Hub; simply complete the quizzes for the facilities/equipment you wish to use in the Maker Hub. Please email <span style="color:blue">makerhub@georgefox.edu</span> if you have any questions.
Complete <strong>The Hub - {{PAGENAME}} Module</strong> at the link below to gain access to the {{PAGENAME}}. The Maker Hub Canvas course pertains to all facilities and equipment contained in the Maker Hub; simply complete the quizzes for the facilities/equipment you wish to use in the Maker Hub. Please email <span style="color:blue">makerhub@georgefox.edu</span> if you have any questions.
[https://georgefox.instructure.com/enroll/G7CTPX Maker Hub Canvas Course]
[https://georgefox.instructure.com/enroll/R6RF69 Maker Hub Canvas Course]
==Troubleshooting==
==Troubleshooting==
*If for whatever reason the machine is being difficult, you can look in the upper left corner and the machine will most likely tell you what's wrong. Where it typically says 'Printer Ready' it might say what the issue with the printer is.
* [[File:Vinyl1.png|none|thumb|866x866px]]
* The most common issue is the printer beeping when trying to load a piece of material. To fix this, make sure the pinch roller is positioned above a grit roller by finding a new piece of vinyl or rotating/cutting down the current piece.
* The most common issue is the printer beeping when trying to load a piece of material. To fix this, make sure the pinch roller is positioned above a grit roller by finding a new piece of vinyl or rotating/cutting down the current piece.
* If there are globs, spots, or streaks of ink occurring during the printing process then it is time to manually clean the print head (see maintenance).
* If there are globs, spots, or streaks of ink occurring during the printing process then it is time to manually clean the print head (see maintenance).