PCB printers... Inkjet or Laser?

[southernRoller7]

I know that when you are printing a pcb schem. you need to use a laser printer if you using magazine paper, but could I get away with an inkjet if I use the transparency sheets? My thinking is that since magazine are printed on injet you need a different kind of toner, but since there isnt anythin on the transparency, might an Inkjet work? Thanks.

[xtian]

The idea is that you can transfer laser toner from paper to your board using a solvent. You can't do that with ink.

[Kagliostro]

I've seen modified inkjet printers with which is possible to print directly on the copper of the PCB and then etch it

Like this one

http://techref.massmind.org/techref/pcb ... resist.htm

K

[ampgeek]

I have only done it with laser print out on photo paper. It works great with a little practice!

My understanding is that laser printer output is rich in plastic particles (50'ish%). Heating/pressurizing melts the plastic which wants to stick preferentially to the copper as opposed to the photopaper. Inkjet ouput is made up of particles (carbon primarily?) that won't melt/stick and doesn't transfer using the iron-on technique.

Cheers,
Dave O.

[M Fowler]

I only used clear sheets with toner printers for transfer.

[southernRoller7]

Thanks for the help guys. As luck would have it my school has a laser printer available for use too, in my barracks.