Maintaining proper humidity is key to keeping your inkjet printer in top condition. A Hygrometer should be used to measure humidity levels and help keep your environment in an optimal humidity range.
- Low humidity: Arid conditions can cause ink to dry in the printhead, leading to clogged nozzles and inconsistent prints.
- High Humidity: Too much moisture can impact media and ink performance.
Keeping your environment between 40-60% humidity ensures smooth ink flow, reduces clogging issues, and generally enhances performance of your printer helping you achieve reliable, high-quality prints. Refer to the printer manufacturer's specifications for the best humidity level.
Humidity and InkJet Films
The optimal humidity level for printing inkjet films is between 40% and 60% relative humidity.
- Too Low (<40%) – Can cause static buildup, and films curling or becoming brittle.
- Too High (>60%) – May cause film emulsion to swell up, resulting in smudging and or dot gain as ink permeates between the swollen emulsion layer and polyester film. Excessive moisture absorption in films will lead to longer ink drying/curing times.
Humidity and Coated Screens
For coated screens, maintain 30 - 40% humidity for proper drying and stability. A dehumidifier in a screen room can help. A dehumidifier with an internal pump to remove water from the device and room is best. A dehumidifier with a removable tank is less desirable, as a sealed tank is best to prevent evaporation back into the environment.
- Too Low (<30%) – Uneven coating, premature exposure, and static buildup that attracts dust.
- Too High (>40%) – Causes soft, tacky emulsion, pinholes, and breakdown during printing.
Maintaining consistent humidity and temperature levels is essential for achieving optimal results. This stability ensures AccuRIP® delivers sharp prints, proper ink adhesion, and smoother workflow from printing to screen exposure, ultimately improving your success rate.
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