I wanted to start a thread for any Print Pro users. From what I've read on the forum, it seems there's a few of us out there. I should be getting our shirt order in within the next week, and will finally begin printing. I'm hoping that I won't run into many issues, but I know things don't usually run smoothly. Can any of you successful Print Pro users give us some useful tips on this software? I could really use all the help I can get about this software. Thank you in advance to anyone who has any pointers and advice.
When we first got our printer we used Print Pro. The software has it's pro's and con's just like anything else.
From what I remember, creating the white underbase manually was a pain. We also had to test print several times to try to reproduce the colors on the screen. After dialing it in, trying to reproduce the same print on a different day was a struggle, unless you have a great way to document exactly what technique and settings you used.
On the plus side, Print Pro did a pretty good job at printing smooth edges even with 72 dpi prints where Rip Pro needs a higher res.
This may not be what you want to hear but you should really bite the bullet and upgrade to Rip Pro v3 at least. We easily paid for the software in Ink / time savings from not having to do test prints and creating an underbase manually.
When we first got our printer we used Print Pro. The software has it's pro's and con's just like anything else.
From what I remember, creating the white underbase manually was a pain. We also had to test print several times to try to reproduce the colors on the screen. After dialing it in, trying to reproduce the same print on a different day was a struggle, unless you have a great way to document exactly what technique and settings you used.
On the plus side, Print Pro did a pretty good job at printing smooth edges even with 72 dpi prints where Rip Pro needs a higher res.
This may not be what you want to hear but you should really bite the bullet and upgrade to Rip Pro v3 at least. We easily paid for the software in Ink / time savings from not having to do test prints and creating an underbase manually.
Thanks for the reply Tomahawk. I was under the impression that Print Pro automatically printed the white underbase if you select "Black Media." Is this not true? I'm definitely thinking about just purchasing Rip Pro, but I'll have to use Print Pro at least until next month. Between that time, we have our first market, and I'm trying to learn everything about this software, so we can make shirts successfully before market. I have two weeks until we go.
It may be terminology, it will print the underbase automatically (if one exists). You must go into your photoshop file and create the white channel manually in order for Print Pro to find and print it.
In Rip Pro, this is truly automatic, just select your media type, White, Dark, Black and it will pick the proper underbase and print it based on your design.
It may be terminology, it will print the underbase automatically (if one exists). You must go into your photoshop file and create the white channel manually in order for Print Pro to find and print it.
In Rip Pro, this is truly automatic, just select your media type, White, Dark, Black and it will pick the proper underbase and print it based on your design.
Oh damn, this is all new to me. The instruction manual in Print Pro makes it sound like all you have to do is pick the media type, and the white underbase will be printed.
There was a DVD that came with the printer / Print Pro that shows how to manualy create the white channel in photoshop. I can send you a copy if you don't have it.. I haven't used Print Pro in about 2 years.
I use printpro, for white shirts we found the big key was the pretreatment, very big difference in color res and washiblilty, if you use a layer of pretreat we use the following settings:
color media: black
Printer Epson 2200
white base: 720x1440 x 1
color media: 720x720 x 1
I am doing this off the top of my head as I am not at the store right now. If this does not make sense to you let me know and I will write it down when I am at the store.
We are upgrading to the EZPRO ink system today so I will be playing with it today.
There was a DVD that came with the printer / Print Pro that shows how to manualy create the white channel in photoshop. I can send you a copy if you don't have it.. I haven't used Print Pro in about 2 years.
Hey thanks a ton Tomahawk. Really that is so gracious of you, but please do not worry about it. I'm really thinking that I'm going to have to get Print Pro.
I use printpro, for white shirts we found the big key was the pretreatment, very big difference in color res and washiblilty, if you use a layer of pretreat we use the following settings:
color media: black
Printer Epson 2200
white base: 720x1440 x 1
color media: 720x720 x 1
I am doing this off the top of my head as I am not at the store right now. If this does not make sense to you let me know and I will write it down when I am at the store.
We are upgrading to the EZPRO ink system today so I will be playing with it today.
Thanks Al! Have you had a pretty easy time using Print Pro or a pretty hard time? Do I have to make a white underbase manually? Congrats on the upgrade. We just got the Wims, and I think it's going to make things alot smoother. Oh, and I didn't know that you pretreat white shirts?? I thought that only Black shirts needed pretreatment.
whhooops I meant black shirts, we do not pretreat white shirts, sorry about that.
Ok let me see if I can type out the exact steps as I click back and forth here.
for BLACK shirts:
Pretreat (getting a nice even layer is key here)
Find art to be printed:
Click print set up under the file tab.
"Enviroment" click black media kiosk 2200.
Make sure your seleced port is the correct printer.
Then click properties:
type in margins.
Go to top tabs and click Device options:
click on "White Base"
Printing base: Black
res: 1440x720
Mirco: Microweave thru software
Print Direction: Uni
Dot size: (I just leave on) multi shot dot
Layers count 2
everything else i.e. banding, drytime etc I leave at 0.
hit: ok (only once)
Go back to properties, hit device options again, this time
Color data
Base black
res 720x720
micro: Microweave thru software
print direction: uni
dot: 6pl
layers count: 1
everything else:0
Then hit ok (twice)
I will try to post pics to show how it looks.
Hope this helps, again we only pretreat dark colors.
Also I learned the hard way that curing was an issue.
I cure the shirt at 345-350 degrees 3 times at 45 sec intervals, after each 45 sec cure I let the shirt cool for about 5 sec. then cure for another 45 sec etc.
I did a wash test after curing for 2 minutes and the ink started to just flake off.
I did it the 3 x 45 sec and have done several wash tests and not a problem, looks great
whhooops I meant black shirts, we do not pretreat white shirts, sorry about that.
Ok let me see if I can type out the exact steps as I click back and forth here.
for BLACK shirts:
Pretreat (getting a nice even layer is key here)
Find art to be printed:
Click print set up under the file tab.
"Enviroment" click black media kiosk 2200.
Make sure your seleced port is the correct printer.
Then click properties:
type in margins.
Go to top tabs and click Device options:
click on "White Base"
Printing base: Black
res: 1440x720
Mirco: Microweave thru software
Print Direction: Uni
Dot size: (I just leave on) multi shot dot
Layers count 2
everything else i.e. banding, drytime etc I leave at 0.
hit: ok (only once)
Go back to properties, hit device options again, this time
Color data
Base black
res 720x720
micro: Microweave thru software
print direction: uni
dot: 6pl
layers count: 1
everything else:0
Then hit ok (twice)
I will try to post pics to show how it looks.
Hope this helps, again we only pretreat dark colors.
Al25
Al, you are absolutely the man! If you have the time to post the pictures, I would be so greatful. There are hardly any Print Pro users out there, and the manual is not much help. Thank you for all your info.
Print Pro Users Out There? 
