Wednesday, February 2, 2011

How to Install a Network Printer in Windows 7?


How can I install a Network printer in Windows 7? A few days ago, I installed a Windows 7 7246 x86 operating system for my PC. After that I tried to add a network printer which had already connected to another Windows XP machine. I tried it several times but all my efforts failed and my Windows 7 PC could not share this HP Laser Jet 5100 Le printer with the Windows XP PC.
I was unable to open the setup program I installed from the driver setup disk because the system prompted that it had an unknown error. Since I could not install this driver, I copied its INF files from the disk and then began to add a network printer. Though my PC could automatically find out this device and install the driver, it was still unable to perform the connection. Then I downloaded and installed its official Windows Vista driver form the website, but the error went on. I tried some of the HP printer's universal drivers, but they still didn't work. Finally, I found the solution.
Here is my solution:
Step 1 Go to Start - Devices and Printers.
Step 2 Select Add a printer and then add a local printer.
Step 3 Select the item called Choose a printer port - Create a new port - local port.
Step 4 Behind Enter a port name input the IP address and the name of your network printer, for example, 192.168.1.10HplaserJ.2 or mypcprinter. Then click Next.
Step 5 You can select either Windows update or Hard disk to install printer driver. If you choose Windows update, Windows will install a driver for you automatically; if you choose Hard disk, insert the setup disk and follow its wizard to finish the installation.
Additionally, if you think it is a bother to find out the compatible driver in the above methods, you also can try some driver tools. The latest version of PC Driver Helper also can support Windows 7, and with the largest driver database in the industry it can automatically install the best printer driver for your Windows 7 machine.
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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Barcode Scanners and Barcode Printers


Almost every business, where great number of physical products are sold or moved daily, makes use of barcode labels and scanners. They allow these items to be tracked accurately, and help managers maintain the necessary stocks easily. The barcodes are represented by a number of vertical bars, where their thickness, number, and space between them is what carries the coded information. This information is read by barcode scanners, also called readers, sent to another device, typically a computer, and then transformed into a human-readable data with the help of a software program.
The bar code technology had seen great many changes in the past few years, which, along with the different needs of the different industries, has led to the development of different scanner types. They are divided into handheld and fix-mounted, laser and CCD, linear and omni-directional, and are capable of reading 1D (linear) or 2D (matrix) labels. The most basic, and general-purpose scanners are the ones that we typically see in the grocery stores, and these are simple, yet robust devices, capable of reading accurately barcode labels, and connecting via various interfaces to sophisticated POS systems. The scanners, which are used in the manufacturing plants or the large warehouses, come with different types o qualities and are typically more expensive. These scanners are almost always shock-proof, could withstand great number of drops from a sizable distance, and are designed for continuous and heavy-duty performance. They are almost always wireless as well, which allows the labels to be read from a greater distance and the data transmitted to hundreds of feet to the base. The base itself typically serves as a battery charger too and could operate with more than one scanner at a time.
The barcode printers also come in many different models, but they are usually direct thermal printers, which unlike the most popular computer printers do not use ink, but rather heat. They are divided into two categories: thermal transfer printers and direct thermal printers, and could range from the most affordable, portable ones to industrial printers, sold for thousands of dollars.
The competition amongst the different barcode scanners and printers manufacturers has led to better and sturdier products, as well as wide variety of models, from which the businesses can choose from Business Printing Solutions

Large Format Printers and Scanners - Their Many Uses


Wide format printers, impressive innovations in the digital printing business, have paved the way for the production of very large, even enormous prints without losing color, accuracy or quality. When coupled with a large format scanner, the number of ways such a printer can be utilized are nearly limitless.
These unique printers are specialized, most often found in profitable printing businesses and have the capacity to create prints from 17 inches in width to 100 inches depending on the model you choose. They can be used for many advertising and informational purposes like creating attractive promotional signage and banners, architectural and engineering plans, professional attractive banners made for special events and parties, materials for lectures, visual aids or other informational materials used in educational settings, and custom, oversized tri-fold brochures.
In addition, large format scanners can be used for preserving records of delicate artwork and historical documents, newspapers, blueprints and many other documents that standard size options can't accommodate. When used in conjunction with a high-quality printer, enlargement and enhancement of important details in scanned documents is easy. Also, it becomes possible to produce full size samples of graphic art as well as fine art giclee prints from scans of artwork.
Paper for large format printers, generally known as plotter paper, typically comes in rolls for greater compatibility. It is available in many different types. Basic papers such as universal bond are designed for line drawings, producing sharp line resolution and making low cost prints, and coated papers that come in matte for colorful, bright medium density images and high gloss photo paper that's great for visual presentations with a colored or graphic display. Some manufacturers also offer an "instant dry" gloss photo paper option that, as its name implies, dries faster while still producing a glossy finish. Many of these papers are quite reasonably priced and offer an array of options for economically printing everything from posters and photos to blueprints and other oversized documents.
Synthetic films designed for many kinds of outdoor and indoor signs are available for specified wide format printers and last longer than paper. Adhesive back films can be repositioned and are used to print logos, advertisements or decals which are then placed on cars, trucks and buses.
Wide format scanners are available in many different sizes and types as well. Most are sheet-fed, but some large flatbed units are also available to accommodate a greater range of items to be scanned. These scanners complement other wide format products and come in prices ranging from very low to very high depending on the capabilities and attributes, with color scanners being somewhat more expensive than black and white ones.
When purchasing a large format printer, copier or scanner, it is worth considering a used or refurbished option. Saving around 50% of the cost of buying new is possible; however your purchase will probably not come with a service contract or guarantee.

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Monday, January 31, 2011

Printers For All Kinds Of Labels Need Some Thought


In all kinds of businesses, barcode labels and laser print labels (LPLs) are used to store a lot of information for both the shop and the customer alike. Food processing and hardware shops all need the help of these little attachments to keep track of where the stock is and how much it has been priced at. Indeed, any shop or wholesaler which sells goods will need them and they come in several forms to suit the purpose that it is being used for.
LPLs are made on a machine which acts just like a photo copier. Since they can print out good images quickly they are used very often. By sending out streams of ions onto the print drum itself, the image becomes charged and it is this image which attracts the toner that we are all used to handling in the photocopy machines. You will find barcodes in just about every retail outlet which is much easier to use.
There are also the dot matrix varieties which make up images of tiny dots so that the eye does not see the gaps in between them. However, since the ribbons that are used in this process are extremely difficult to maintain, and because they cannot produce very small tags, these are not as popular for sure. If they are used to print bar codes too, the bleeding effect will certainly confuse any equipment set up to read the image.
The ink jet varieties were popular at one time and anyone who owns a computer has probably owned one of these too. However, they do tend to print at too slow a rate for commercial use and it is liable to get damaged easily by dust dirt and other factors depending on where it is kept.
All of these varieties will not print individual tags and it is this factor which makes it unsuitable for small jobs or discount tag necessities. Indeed, it is the thermal variety which is used when it comes to processing single and multiple sets of tags for any purpose.
Of course, whatever method is used to get these tags out, they must be compatible with point of sale machinery. Bar codes are specifically used so that the shop or outlet can keep track of the inventory whether it is in the warehouse, on the shop floor or through the till end of the shop. Since this also cuts down on manpower too, they have been utilized through many different industries to cut back on running costs.
The thermal variety also does not get phased by having to process all different kinds of data and will not slow the machine down. The resolution is great and it produces very high quality text and images too.
Although the thermal variety is more expensive than the other varieties, the cost of the supplies is relatively lower. There are no ribbons, ink or toners to use so the only add-on expense is the special paper which is used to produce the tags. These are great machines which bring a level of reliability to the process in general.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Business Card Printing Choices for The Digital Age


Even though much of the business and shopping activity has moved on the internet, people still shop locally, and physical business cards are still in use. What are the trends in business card printing in the modern digital age?
For one, business cards remain the first and likely very lasting impression of the contact with the person. As such, they need to convey the personality of the owner. That remains the main characteristic of a well-designed card. When you are working in a creative field, your card is a little window in your portfolio.
Regardless of your profession, the business card must also stand out from the crowd. You can achieve that through custom business card printing design. How? First, by placing your graphics and text judiciously. However, in this article we will focus on an equally outstanding way to differentiate your card, that is the material on which your card is printed.
We'll describe the following: Paper card with thick dye coating, Embossed paper card, Card printed on a transparency, and Plastic business card. Take your pick. But at least now you know what to look for when you visit your local printer or when you order your cards online.
1. Printing paper cards with thick dye coating
Did you know that you can achieve a highly glossy look by using a thick layer of dye for your lettering and image. Just think of the front and back pages of the magazines. The front and back pages are printed on paper, but the layer of paint or dye is so thick that the magazine cover becomes highly glossy, as if made of plastic.
2. Embossed paper printing
Embossing a paper card can add that special touch to it. If you are creative you can probably design an embossing mold yourself. Otherwise ask your printer what options does he offer.
3. Business card printed on a transparency
You can print transparencies using a regular ink-jet printer. Just to be sure check the user manual or call the manufacturer. Transparencies are clear, can be in different colors, and your transparent card will definitely stand out from the crowd.
4. Plastic business cards printing
We saved the best for last. Using modern plastic card printers, you can print ID cards in color on blank plastic cards, typically in the size of a credit card. Plastic cards are the most durable of all, they look glossy and attractive, and, guess what, noone else has them. They may cost as much as $0.30-$0.50 each but the WOW effect will be well worth the cost.
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Monday, January 24, 2011

Review on textile printers


Today we are talking about the Mimaki Tx2-1600, one of the many digital textile printers on the market that the team have had a good amount of experience with. There is a very brief description and history of textile printing available online at the Colour Museum.
In the old way, the image had to be divided into all the different colours that made it up, and each colour required a separate screen.  This means every color added to a textile design, the amount of labor and cost go up by that number - which can be a big limitation for independent designers who need to stick to a budget.
Years ago inkjet printing brought color printing to the masses, and now it's happening with digital fabric printing. Main differences? The printing is done with dyes not inks, and because the image is comprised of pixels, there is no limit to the amount of color. It's just like CMYK - four color process with options for four extra colors.
Before printing you've got to test your printer and the dyes. There are two different sides of dye cartridge slots to cater for the different kinds of fabrics available - fiber reactive dyes are best for cellulosic or plant based fibers such as cotton, rayon, linen or hemp. Acid dyes are best for protein based fibers like wool and silk and for synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester.
Next, specially coated and paper-backed fabric on a roll is placed at the foot of the printer between two plastic ends that support the roll. In order to make sure that the fabric is aligned evenly, the edge of the paper lines up with a triangle on the printer, detected by a laser that keeps things on track. This laser is adjusted by a switch on a box attached to the bottom of the printer. The fabric is then carefully pulled in an over-under fashion through 3 cylinders to maintain the tension and then fed through the top and clamped down.
Before you get anything put onto the fabric, it's important to run test and make sure that all of the nozzles are clear. You do this via several rounds of putting it through a cleaning setting - even a single lose fiber can clog a nozzle and ruin the print.
Now that you're sure your printing is perfect, you need an image file to print. As with any desktop inkjet printer, a variety of file types can be used, but tiffs give the best results. Fabric printers come with a software program for managing the printing queue, or if you prefer you can print straight from Photoshop. Using the Mimaki you can print 10 square meters an hour at 720dpi.
But the work isn't done yet. Next you need to lay it all out on a flat surface and peel off of the paper backing. The dye is also still only on the surface; it has not yet chemically bonded with the fibers. To make it bond, the fabric must be steamed between 120-140 degrees Celsius (250-280 degrees Farenheit) for 45 minutes to an hour depending on colors, fabric, and temperature.
Keep an eye out for any expansion to the services that include a digital fabric printer, and you too can take advantage of the technology!
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