Frequently Asked Questions

Some of my Duracoat refillable Cartridges and refills appear to be the wrong colour.

Some Duracoat products, in particular the process colours are manufactured with an anti static back coat to reduce dirt and grime getting into your print and also protects the print head from wear and tear.

When attempting to spool to an HS/GS 15 plotter, the plotter begins to plot but then stops at the first handshake
Description When attempting to spool to a Gerber HS/GS plotter, the plotter begins to plot but then stops at the first handshake. Furthermore, the plotter may make unusual noises and error light may illuminate. The first step is to isolate when exactly the problem can occur. Refer to technote entitled: "Buffer Overflow occurs when plotting to the Gerber HS\GS Plus series machines(machine stop cutting and starts beeping)". In there are some details about setting the FIFO buffer. Follow the instructions in that technote and see if the problem goes away.
  • If, after following instruction in previous tech note, the problem continues, turn off the spooler (in Cut>>Plotter Setup) then try plotting again.
  • If plotting without the spooler causes the problem to go away, the cause of the problem has been isolated.

    • Solution

    At this time a true solution is not known. It is known that the problem was introduced within the last two years. This technical note will be updated as more information and/or a solution becomes available.

    WORKAROUNDS:

  • One workaround is to avoid using the Spooler when plotting to the HS/GS plotter, until the problem is fixed.
  • Another workaround is to use an older version of the spooler which doesn't contain the problem. The spooler.exe file, version 1.2, dated April 21, 1998 has been found towork well (note to technician: this spooler version can be found on the 5.0 rev1 CD-ROM).This must be considered only a temporary solution because the spooler program has undergone many changes over the last two years. When the exact modification which caused the problem has been identified, a fix will be made and a new revision of spooler will be created and made available.
    • What should I do if I experience buffer overflow? (machine stops cutting & starts beeping)

    Description

    In some cases, it is possible to experience a buffer overflow when plotting to a Gerber Plus Series machine. The plotter will stop cutting and start to beep, signifying a buffer overflow problem. This problem can occur due to a "read-ahead" problem in the plotter (the computer attempts to send a chunk of data rather than a single byte, but is unable to). The amount of data that the computer will attempt to send into the buffer can be changed by the user, in Windows Control Panel.

    NOTE: IF the problem still persists after completing the solution steps as specified refer to technical note 'entitled: "buffer overflowbr>

    Solution

    The fix is to turn off the FIFO (First In First Out) buffers for the Serial port in use Proceed as follows - Open the Control Panel (found in START.. Settings) - Double-click the System Icon (a system properties window will appear) - Select the Device Manager tab - Double-click the Ports(COM & LPT) option then double-click on the applicable com port name (a properties dialog box will appear) - Select the Port Settings tab then click on the "Advanced" button - remove the checkmark from the "Use FIFO buffers.. " checkbox, then click on the OK button. - close the Control Panel - a restart of the computer may be required (so perform a computer restart to be on the safe side)

    When I bring in graphics from CorelDRAW!, letters with inside objects have a line through them?

    Description

    When importing text from CorelDRAW!, you may notice that some of the text has a 'connecting line' from the interior part of a letter to the exterior - only on letters that have a separate inside object (e.g. O, A, R).

    What is happening is that CorelDRAW! cannot handle 'pathed' text objects that are within other text objects. It must make a connecting line to the outside of the letter so that the inside object is recognized.

    Obviously, this causes problems when trying to cut lettering. You must Break Apart the text before exporting. When the text is broken apart, it will come in as a solid piece of text when Show Fills are on. All you need to do is re-select the objects in SignLab and do an Arrange...Make Path to make it look the way you want it to.

    What are the recommended hardware requirements to run Signlab software?

    Description

    Very often, the absolute minimum hardware requirements to run any particular software may be significantly less than the RECOMMENDED requirements to run the software. This is because it is quite often what the user does with the software that will determine the requirement. Signlab is no exception to this rule.

    The purpose of this document is to recommend a hardware configuration that fits the need according to the intended use.

    1. Intended use: Creating and editing VECTOR-based graphics. Outputting to a vinyl cutter or engraver or router. Minimum recommended hardware: Processor: PII 350 (or similar processor from any manufacturer) Memory: The minimum recommended for your operating system, plus about 32 MB (different operating systems recommend different amounts of memory) Video Card: The minimum necessary to draw the screen to the desktop area and colordepth that you require (generally 8MB is the minimum)
    2. Intended Use: Creating and editing and printing large RASTER-based (bitmapped) graphics. Minimum recommended hardware: Processor: PIII (or similar processor from any manufacturer) Memory: 128MB (the minimum amount of memory required may be much more than this, depending on the size of the raster graphics being loaded and/or the size of the graphics being output to the large-format printer). Video Card: The minimum necessary to draw the screen to the desktop area and colour depth that you require (generally 8MB is the minimum)
    How do I use Decal Mode?

    Description

    There is a new feature introduced into SignLab e6.1 rev 7 and later. The Decal Mode is a very useful feature which is similar to the repeats function, but more efficient in regards to processing time. The Decal Mode allows the user to easily duplicate objects in the Print and Cut State, but draws upon a feature in the printer for the processing efficiency.

    If you are using the Repeats function, the user is allowed to manipulate and move each object independently, because each object will be rasterized independently.

    If you are using Decal Mode, it is assumed that each object is equally spaced. The first row of objects are rasterized (or processed), and then the image data is duplicated within PhotoScript. This potentially saves a tremendous amount of time, depending on the type and quantity of data being rasterized.

    Decal Mode currently only works with Edge I and II printer drivers. The decal (the original graphic) must be less than 12 inches (if being printed at 300x300 dpi), or less than 6 inches (if being printed at 300x600 dpi).

    Solution

    Decal mode currently only works for the Edge I and II printer drivers within SignLab version e6.1, revisions 7 and later. (Production dates of March 28, 2003 and later). When in the Print and Cut State, place a check in the Decal Mode box. (Note that this will grey out several other options, since Decal Mode does not allow manipulation of the graphics that have been duplicated.) Click on the Repeats Setup button, located directly below the Decal Mode Checkbox. The Decal Setup dialog allows the user to enter the number of copies required, both horizontally and vertically, as well as the required spacing. The spacing will be uniformly applied to all copies. Click OK and the Preview screen will be updated with the new objects.

    Remember: Decal Mode will only work if the size of the original, starting graphic (AKA the decal) is less than 12 inches (if being printed at 300x300 dpi), or less than 6 inches (if being printed at 300x600 dpi). If the original graphic (the decal) is larger than 12" (or 6", depending on the resolution of the print data), then decal mode will not work and the repeats function will be used. The repeats function will rasterize each object independently.

    How do I print and cut from SignLab Crops (Clips)?

    Description

    When printing from SignLab e6.1 rev7, the image may be cropped or clipped when printed. The Bounding Box in Print and Cut Preview will not be correctly aligned, so the image also appears cropped or clipped in the Preview. New procedures were implemented for cropping and clipping in rev 7, so older files which contain objects that have been cropped/clipped and then grouped, will have problems being cropped/clipped in rev 7. This is only a problem for older files.

    Solution

    Simply ungroup the image (ALT-G), Select All (F3), and print again. The Preview Screen should correctly show the Bounding Box, and the image will print correctly.

    My plot jumps all over the place, moves the vinyl around and causes slippage

    Description

    One of the minor problems of most of the plotters currently being manufactured is that they rely on friction-feed technology to get the vinyl moving through the plotter. Compared to 'tractor' feed plotter (like the Gerber IV series), the slippage of position could be noticeable in only a couple of yards of plotting. Modern friction feed now can go a long ways before showing any noticeable slippage but it still happens. Slippage is exaggerated when the plotter moves the vinyl back and forth while plotting a couple of small sections at a time

    solution

    The Signlab program is designed to plot the images in the same order they were created. To make things easier, there is the "Sort" command in the Cut... Plot (or Plotting Defaults) dialog box (in the Options section) -- this allows you to set the motion of the plotter. Horizontal will attempt to cut all objects along the length of the plotter before moving up and getting the next row of objects. Vertical will attempt to cut all the objects across the width of the material before moving down the length of the material.

    When I re-install a driver, why won't my plotter work?

    Description

    When you reinstall a driver, the plotter driver will always be reset to the default port setting for the driver. If the default setting for the driver does not match the actual port that the plotter is connected to, you can expect to see a message such as 'Hardware not present', or the program may just lock up, or you may see a byte count but no action on the plotter.

    Solution

    Go to the Plotter Set-up dialog box and ensure that the "Port Location" area is set to the port that the plotter is connected to.

    I have printed Chromolux with fully oxidising inks but after 24 hours the ink has still not dried. Why is this?

    In our experience if the correct ink has been used slow drying is the result of too much water within the ink. This is usually caused by overdamping. The excess water cannot absorb into the sheet and is taken into the ink which retards the drying. Normally, the top sheet on the stack will by 'dry' because it is open to the air. However the sheets in the stack can take many days to dry fully. It is advisable to generate air flow between the sheets by airing the stacks. Overdamping can often occur when there is very little subject matter on the sheet and so the sheet has to carry a lot of damp. In these instances it is advisable to lay down a solid bar or bars on the sheet that can be printed but cut to waste at a later date.