Changes

====Overview====

====Overview====

Almost any file type can be used as a graphic when using the vinyl printer but they all must be brought into Illustrator 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 in Illustrator 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 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 in Illustrator 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====

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 distinguish on 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 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 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 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 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.   

# 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:

#*Click anywhere on the work page to import the graphic.The graphic can then be converted to vectors by clicking [Object] >[Flatten Transparency].

#*Click anywhere on the work page to import the graphic.The graphic can then be converted to vectors by clicking [Object] >[Flatten Transparency].

#* Click on the color options to the left of the [Stroke] option and then click on [New Swatch] on the bottom edge of the box. A window will open up.   

#* Click on the color options to the left of the [Stroke] option and then click on [New Swatch] on the bottom edge of the box. A window will open up.   

#* 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 Colour]

#* 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 CMYK

#* Drag the magenta bar (M) all the way up to 100 and make sure the other sliders are at 0.

#* Drag the magenta bar (M) all the way up to 100 and make sure the other sliders are at 0.

# Make sure the material is loaded properly.

# Make sure the material is loaded properly.

# Open up Roland Versaworks. This can be found on the desktop and is where the printing is done from.  

# Open up Roland Versaworks. This can be found on the desktop and is where the printing is done from.  

# 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.

# 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].

==Safety==

==Safety==

* Never turn off the main power supply. The printer must routinely empty the print head to prevent it from clogging and it cannot do so without power.  

* Never turn off the main power supply. The printer must routinely empty the print head to prevent it from clogging and it cannot do so without power.  

* The printer will automatically pause if the front door is opened but the back is open. Keep hands and clothing away from the back of the printer to prevent pinching and tangling.   

* The printer will automatically pause if the front door is opened and the back is open. Keep hands and clothing away from the back of the printer to prevent pinching and tangling.   

* Sometimes vinyl scraps can be oddly shaped and can get wrinkled up when traveling through the media guides. Make sure the piece slides through easily before printing so this does not cause issues.   

* Sometimes vinyl scraps can be oddly shaped and can get wrinkled up when traveling through the media guides. Make sure the piece slides through easily before printing so this does not cause issues.   

* It is recommended that the machine get used about once a week to prevent issues such as nozzle clogging.       

* It is recommended that the machine get used about once a week to prevent issues such as nozzle clogging.       

==Troubleshooting==

==Troubleshooting==

* 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 position 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).  

* You may have issues with the vinyl being difficult to weed due to pieces sticking together. The heat transfer vinyl is more difficult to weed in general so some of this may be expected but one thing that will help is to increase the cutting force before printing. By default it is set to 50 gf but feel free to increase it if weeding is excessively difficult.  

* There may be issues with the vinyl being difficult to weed due to pieces sticking together. The heat transfer vinyl is more difficult to weed in general so some of this may be expected but one thing that will help is to increase the cutting force before printing. By default it is set to 50 gf but feel free to increase it if weeding is excessively difficult.  

==Maintenance==

==Maintenance==

====General maintenance====

====General maintenance====

Like any printer, this machine will periodically need to have its ink replaced. However, there are other tasks that should be completed to keep the printer fully functional. It is a precision machine which makes it great for performing detailed work but this also means that it must be kept free of dirt and grime. The print head must also be maintained both manually and automatically along with replacing cutting blades and print head wipers.  

Like any printer, this machine will periodically need to have its ink replaced. Additionally there are other tasks that should be completed to keep the printer fully functional.These include; keeping equipment free of dirt and grime, both manually and automatically maintaining the print head, and replacing cutting blades and print head wipers.  

====Specific Maintenance Tasks====

====Specific Maintenance Tasks====