fastartist 1.5/fastrip 9.0 new featuresquick reference guide · using images that previously had a...

FastARTIST 1.5/FastRIP 9.0New Features Quick Reference Guide

November 1, 2006 Ver 1.9

As of October 2006, all FastARTIST users are eligible for the free 1.5 upgrade. Thisupgrade also includes FastRIP 9.0 upgrade as well. If you are installing FastARTIST1.0 at this time stop and contact U.S. Screen Print tech support to receive your freeupgrade, as this Quick Reference Guide contains the new 1.5 updates listed below.

U.S. Screen Print tech support:Support Department Hours

(480) 929-29377:00am - 8:00pm MST M - F9:00am –3:00pm Saturday

This Quick Reference Guide covers new features for the following applications:

FastARTIST 1.5 FastRIP 9.0

If you need further operational information please consultthe FastARTIST or FastRIP manual.

FastARTIST 1.5 Quick Reference –New Features

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Table of ContentsFastARTIST 1.5………………………………………………….5

FastARTIST Design Features……………………………… 5New bitmap features…………………………………………….. 5Using Bitmap Features with Vector Images…………………... 5Underbase Attribute Palette…………………………………......5Importing from PhotoShop……………………………………….6Creating a Transparent Background with Photoshop………... 6Transparent Images………………………………………….7Setting Transparent Images in FastARTIST………………….. 8Effect on print modes…………………………………………..... 8Clipping Changes……………………………………………..8Underbase Wizard - New Icons…………………………….9Underbase/Highlight Wizard……………………………………...10Getting a Preview in FastARTIST………………………….11

FastRIP 9.0……………………………………………………….13FastRIP Preview……………………………………………… 13Substrate Color……………………………………………….14Auto Head Cleaning………………………………………….14

Printing from Graphic Applications………………………..17Setting up the Image…………………………………………….. 17FastRIP Setup…………………………………………………….17Printing from Adobe Photoshop - Design Setup……………… 18Printing from Corel Draw –Design Setup……………………...20Printing from Adobe Illustrator –Design Setup……………..... 22

Print Modes……………………………………………………… 25Print Resolutions and Speed…………………………………….25CMYK Cartoon and Photo Print Modes……………………….. 25Underbase Print Modes………………………………………….26Windows Underbase…………………………………………….. 26

Multiple Queues –Option…………………………………….29Printer Pooling vs. Printer Echoing……………………......30Configuring a Queue for Printer Pooling……………………….30Configuring a Queue for Printer Echoing……………………… 31


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FastARTIST 1.5FastARTIST Design FeaturesThere are numerous small enhancements that have been made to FastARTIST 1.5 such as working with transparentimage backgrounds, new Underbase/Highlight Wizard options, and a vastly improved PDF import filter. Thefollowing is a quick reference that will help guide you through the new upgraded 1.5 features.

New bitmap features

Under the Bitmap menu, there is a new menu called Easy Color Adjustments. These are all 1 click wonders thatsimplify editing bitmap images for printing.

Easy Color Adjustments Clean up White–This will make pixels that are very close to white go to white. Clean up Black–This will make pixels that are very close to black go to black. Make lighter–Will make an image lighter. Make darker–Will make an image darker. Increase saturation–Will brighten up the image making it more colorful. Blur Image–This will blur the image. Sharpen Image–This will sharpen the image.

You can use an option repeatedly to give a stronger effect if it doesn’t give you what you want on the first click.

Please note that the full interactive versions of these controls are still available under the Image menu.

Using Bitmap Features with Vector Images

Vectored images can now use the same adjustments as the bitmap images located under the Bitmap menu.Tools such as Hue and Saturation will now transform the vectored image just the same as a bitmap.However, some of the bitmap tools/filters must first convert the vector object to a bitmap with a clippingpath in order to perform the adjustment. In this case you will be asked to enter a resolution used to createthe bitmap at.

User Note: Applying a blur can create a much more realistic gradient without any sharpness normallyassociated with vector gradients.

Underbase Attribute Palette

Currently FastARTIST 1.0 would not recognize bitmap or vector images that have transparent backgrounds.When importing an image with transparencies, FastARTIST would create a solid white background in place of thetransparencies. FastARTIST 1.5 is now able to import transparent background images maintaining the transparentstate. This means that if you apply the solid underbase feature to a bitmap that has a transparent background, thetransparent background will no longer get an underbase. The underbase will only apply to the graphic portionof the image and the transparent background will remain transparent. Underbase Attribute Palette applies toimages that are imported for other graphic programs.


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Importing from PhotoShop

For an image to import correctly into FastARTIST from Photoshop, it must be saved as a single layer PSD filewithout a background layer. By removing the background layer your image will then have a grey and whitechecker board background signifying transparency.

As there are many ways to convert the background of an image to transparent pixels in Photoshop;the following is a simple example.

Note: There are plenty of books available that teach more advanced methods of the followingprocess.

Creating a Transparent Background with Photoshop

To change the Red background of the following image to transparent, complete the following steps:1. Go to the Select menu–Click on Color Range2. With the Eye Dropper shown in the Color Range window below, click on the red background and

adjust the fuzziness to get the right selection. Click OK


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3. Go to the Select menu–Click on Inverse (shift + control + I) to invert the selection.4. Select Layer –New –Layer via copy (Control+J) and this will create a new layer with just the

selected pixels (no red background).5. Now you can simply delete the background layer and save as a PSD ready to import in to FastARTIST.

Note: Transparent images saved as TIF andPNG will import into FastARTIST 1.5.

Transparent Images

A new feature in FastARTIST 1.5 is to use transparent backgroundas a mask for the underbase wizard instead of having to have twoimages - one with a black background and one with white(necessary with FastARTIST 1.0). When using the underbasewizard with an image that contains transparent pixels, any areasthat are set as transparent will not get any underbase or highlightwhite.

These transparent images can be imported from Photoshop or thebackground color can be masked in FastARTIST to a transparentcolor within the bitmap edit state.


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Setting Transparent Images in FastARTIST

To set transparent backgrounds in FastARTIST double click on the image to enter the bitmap edit state.

Use the Eyedropper tool and click on the redbackground and then click on the Add Colorbutton in the Color Selection dialog and this willmake the Red the current color.

Note: The background color can be any color. Notjust red. For example it can be white, black, yellow,green, etc.

To make the red transparent click on the Eye icon next tothe selected color (this acts as a toggle switch so selectingit again will de active any transparent color).

Note: It is only possible to have one color set as transparent.

Effect on print modes

By using the transparent background approach, the Black-T print modes are no longer required. You canproduce the same desired effect by simply making black the transparent background in FastARTIST 1.5 and thenrunning the Underbase Wizard.

It is the intention to discontinue the Black-T print modes.

User Note: The transparent background approach not only makes it simpler for black t-shirts it provides acommon work flow for any color shirt/garment.

Clipping Changes

The Underbase Wizard Clip Path option that allowed you to create a clipping path based on white or black areasof an image in the underbase wizard has been removed. This feature was intended for images with well definedhard edges and when applied to images with soft edges, took too long to process and users would think theprogram had hung so it has been removed.


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Using images that previously had a clipping path applied still work, but you need to apply the clipping pathbefore running the wizard.

1. Go to the Transform menu –Select Contour Object to create the clipping path for an image inFastARTIST (Contour Object does exactly the same with bitmaps as the dialog in the underbasewizard used to do).

2. Select clip bitmap,3. Select Invert bitmap for black and leave unchecked for white4. Click on Cut inside bitmaps (located underneath apply)

a) The two buttons on the smart bar just left of the Corner Styles selectionsprovide the clipping options. Either the outside or both inside and outsidecan be selected by engaging or disengaging the buttons.

5. Select Apply

Note: When you import PSD, TIF, and Jpeg images with paths from Photoshop, you can choose to save and usesettings automatically for clipping.

Underbase Wizard - New Icons

Due to FastARTIST 1.5’s ability to import images with transparency, the dialog options have changed when using the Underbase/Highlight Wizard (this first option on the left below). You will notice that new optionshave been added in order to streamline the underbasing process. Creating the ideal underbase is a keycomponent to the quality of the print and as such we have added three new options.

The When selecting the Underbase Wizard you will now see a fly out with 4 options.

From left to right:1. Underbase/Highlight Wizard2. Heavy Underbase.3. Normal Underbase.4. Last Setting


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Underbase/Highlight WizardThe Underbase/Highlight Wizard, when selected, takesyou through a series of dialog boxes the same asFastARTIST 1.0 but with a few minor changes. TheClipping Path dialog box has been removed and aSave/Load Settings option has been added.

The option of Saving/Loading previous wizard settings isa new option allowing you to save or recallUnderbase/Highlight settings for future use. This willcome in handy if you are working with similar images orif you need to use the Underbase/Highlight Wizard forthe same image more than once.Underbase/Highlight Wizard Cont.

Please note the Save Settings button now located at thebottom left-hand corner of the dialog box.

All Underbase/Highlight Wizard settings will now be saved with an ubs extension.


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The next three icons are presets that can be run automatically and without having to go through all the dialogboxes are all 1 click wonders. The order from left to right is as follows.

Heavy Underbase WizardThe second (darker wizard) will give you a preset heavy underbase and highlight.

Normal Underbase WizardThe third will give you a Normal underbase and highlight.

Last Setting Underbase WizardThe forth Icon will automatically run the last setting you used when you run the full interactive wizard (firsticon).

Note: The three Wizard options listed above will not display any dialog boxesas with the Underbase/Highlight Wizard unless two bitmaps are selected (blackand white mask versions of an image). In which case you will see a singledialog asking you to identify which is the image with the black background andwhich is the one with the white.

Getting a Preview in FastARTIST

After Setting Transparent Images but before you run the underbase wizard, you can get a good preview inFastARTIST of what the final image will look like by setting the Page / Substrate color.

To do so, ensure you have Show Page Size on in the View menu and simply drag any color from your color paletteon to the page area and it will change it to that color.


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FastRIP 9.0FastRIP 9.0 is included as a free upgrade with FastARTIST 1.5. This new 9.0 upgrade features somenew exciting options such as the FastRIP Preview, a new Auto Head Cleaning Function, printingfrom other Windows graphic applications, and Queue/Echo modes for a multiple printer environment (SoldSeparately).

FastRIP PreviewThere are two types of previews now available within FastRIP, Thumbnail and a Full Image. To enablepreviews, go to Tools - Options–Preview Options and click on the Generate Thumbnail Views, you candisable this feature by un-checking this box.

Within the Preview Options dialog box below you can specify the resolution (quality) of your preview, pixeldepth of the preview, and a gamma adjustment for the overall brightness for your screen (increase to makelighter and decrease to make darker). We found a 1-bit 180dpi with a gamma of 0.7 to give a good roughpreview.

Note: Previews are generated as the job arrives in the queue, so this has to be enabled before you send a job toFastRIP in order to have a preview.

In the General tab you can specify the size of thumbnail icon displayed along side the job.


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As well as displaying a thumbnail along side the job name, you can display a bigger preview which you canzoom in and scroll around if you switch on Thumbnail View in the View menu (shown above).

Substrate ColorThe substrate column in a queue displays the color that this job is to be printed on, it gets this color fromthe Page/Substrate color in FastARTIST (See Getting a preview in FastARTIST).You can therefore sortjobs using shirt colors by clicking on the substrate column. This color will also be used as the defaultbackground color in the Raw data viewer.

The top right is a Zoom menu and a panel below will give you the details on the job being displayed.

Auto Head CleaningAnother one of the new features FastRIP 9.0 offers is the new Auto Head Cleaning function.One of the most common problems with printing white ink is that it has a tendency of cloggingthe print heads. The ink also needs to be stirred on a regular basis to keep from settling with inthe ink bottle. The new Auto Head Cleaning function now allows the T-Jet to perform headcleaning throughout the night which keeps the white ink from settling and or clogging the printheads. The advantage is that the T-Jet will be ready to print first thing in the morning requiringless maintenance.


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To setup the Auto Head Cleaning Open FastRIP and go to the Queue Menu - select Propertiesthen select Printer Status. The following window will now be shown.

Check the box to the left ofhead cleaning to activate. Nextselect the amount of time untilFastRIP is to perform the headcleaning (hour and minute).

Example: If you activate theHead Cleaning at 5pm (bychecking the Head Cleaningbox), FastRIP will perform ahead cleaning at 12am(midnight). Unless the box ischecked off, deactivating theAuto Head Cleaning, FastRIPwill perform another headcleaning at 7am. Please notethat the head cleanings willcontinue every 7 hours untilHead Cleaning is deactivated.

Now that you have selected thetime you either have the optionof performing a head cleaningimmediately or just click on theOK button to confirm yoursettings.

Important Note: The printerand computer must REMAINON (DO NOT SHUT OFF) forFastRIP to perform the AutoHead Cleaning. The computermonitor can be turned off however.

Waste Bottle Valve must remain in theOPEN Position, when using Auto HeadCleaning function.

Waste Bottle ValveYour new external Waste Bottle comes with a valve to protect against thepossibility of siphoning. This valve must remain in an OPEN positionwhenever the machine is POWERED ON. This also includes when the T-Jetis in a standby mode awaiting a new print job or if you have activated theAuto Head Cleaning function.

When the T-Jet is POWERED OFF (using the POWER button located on thecontrol panel), the waste bottle valve must be CLOSED. As the T-Jet ispowering down the print head will dock on the capping station and run apartial head cleaning to remove excess ink before completing the power downsequence. Wait until the T-Jet has turned itself off completely before closingthe valve.


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The following pictures identify the valves open and closed position.

Do not forget to open the valve before T-Jet operation.

Failure to OPEN Waste Bottle Valve during T-Jet operationmay cause serious damage to your T-Jet. If Waste BottleValve remains closed during a head cleaning, pressure inthe capping station will force the waste ink line tube todisconnect sending ink throughout the inside of yourmachine.

U.S. Screen Print is not liable for any property damage causedby ink and or ink siphoning. Please be sure to read andunderstand operating/maintenance procedures before T-Jetuse.


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Printing from Graphic ApplicationsOften times it is much easier to work for a graphic application that you are familiar with ratherthan having to take the time to learn a new program. That is why the new FastRIP 9.0 upgradenow offers the ability to print directly from graphic applications such as Adobe Photoshop,Adobe Illustrator, Corel Graphics Suite, etc. Please note that Windows is the only platform tosupport this process.

Currently FastARTIST has been the only application allowing you to setup your image forprinting an underbase, but now it is possible to do the same with your preferred graphicapplication. In just a few mouse clicks you will be able to setup your graphic and print toFastRIP regardless if you are printing to a white or dark color shirt.

Setting up the ImageWhen using a graphic application other than FastARTIST, images need to be setup before sending to printthrough FastRIP. In general, to create the underbase or to print areas of white in the image you will need to setthe white as a tint or slightly off 100% white. White areas that do not need an underbase or to print white inkwill be set as 255, 255, 255 for RGB (100% white). For example: If you wanted the white in a bitmap image toprint, the white areas must be set to a slight tint of white as 254 Red, 254 Green, 254 Blue (for RGB) and Cyan1, Magenta 1, Yellow 1, and Black 1 (for CMYK). FastRIP will process 100% white ink as transparent.

FastARTIST Advantage Tip:When using your own graphic application instead of FastARTIST, there are a few featuresFastARTIST offers that standard graphic applications do not. This is primarily becauseFastARTIST was designed to print images on garments whereas the others were not. Thefirst FastARTIST feature is the ability to print a second pass of highlight white. When othergraphic applications send a bitmap image to FastRIP, the only white that is applied isduring the underbase pass only. Where as an extra pass of highlight white can be setupusing the Highlight/Underbase Wizard in FastARTIST. The FastARTIST Highlight/Underbase Wizard also has three new 1 click Wizard options that completes the entireHighlight/Underbase function in just 1 click.

FastRIP SetupThe Fast T-Jet 2 printers will need to be added to Windows Printers. Open FastRIP. Go to Printers> ManagePrinters. Put a check mark under the Control Panel for the Fast T-Jet 2 driver. Click Close.


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Printing from Adobe Photoshop - Design SetupWhen designing in PhotoShop, pure white areas will not print an underbase (RGB 255,255,255 or CMYK0,0,0,0). To print white, set areas to a slight tint off white (RGB 254,254,254 or CMYK 1,1,1,1). If you want toknock a color out to the shirt then color the areas as pure white (RGB 255,255,255 or CMYK 1,1,1,1).The arrows in the following picture identifies that the “N” in California has been set to RGB 254,254,254, meaning that it will print white.

The arrows in the following example identifies that the background is set to RGB 255,255,255, making thebackground transparent when printing to FastRIP.


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Note: Color management needs to be turned off before sending the image to print. Color Management is foundin the Print with Preview window. Go to the File menu then to Print with Preview.

Printing - Adobe PhotoshopGo to the File menu - Print with Preview. Click Page Setup. Click Printer. In the Page Setup menu select theFast T-Jet 2 printer. Click Properties. Click Advanced. Set the Page Size. Go the Printer Features section. Bringthe Print Mode menu down to select the Color Print Mode. Bring the Underbase Mode menu down to selectthe Underbase Print Mode. Set the number of ink passes for underbase and color. Click OK in AdvancedOptions. In Document Properties set to Landscape or Portrait for Orientation. Click OK. Click Print.

The Underbase Print Mode to select will beImage Heavy or Normal Underbase. Refer tothe Print Mode section for more details on thedifferent Print Modes.


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Printing from Corel Draw –Design SetupWhen designing in Corel Draw, create areas not to print underbase with pure white (RGB 255,255,255 orCMYK 0,0,0,0). To print white, set the white areas to a slight tint of off white (RGB 254,254,254 or CMYK1,1,1,1). If you want to knock a color out to the shirt then set the color areas as pure white (RGB 255,255,255 orCMYK 0,0,0,0).

In the following example, the selected area is set to CMYK 1,1,1,1, which is recognized as white areas to printin FastRIP.

Note: When working with vectors solid spot colors, if you use named spot colors and use the spot color white.FastRIP will create a highlight white when it prints the color pass. This means that not only will an underbase beapplied but on the second pass (the color pass), white will be printed along with the color. In the example belowthe arrow is identifying the use of spot white.


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Solid Spot Colors - No GradientsGo to File - Print. On the General tab select the Fast T-Jet 2 printer. Click Properties. Click Advanced. Set thePage Size. Go the Printer Features section. Bring the Print Mode menu down to select the Color Print Mode.Bring the Underbase Mode menu down to select the Underbase Print Mode. Set the number of ink passes forunderbase and color. Click OK in Advanced Options. In Document Properties set to Landscape or Portrait forOrientation. Click OK. Click Print.

Note: Use the Underbase Print Mode to select how the underbase will be printed - Vector Heavy or NormalUnderbase. Refer to the Print Mode section for more details on the different Print Modes.

Gradients, Gradients with Solid Spot Colors, Bitmap with VectorsObjects

Go to File - Print. On the General tab select the Fast T-Jet 2 printer. Click Properties. Click Advanced. Set thePage Size. Go the Printer Features section. Bring the Print Mode menu down to select the Color Print Mode.Bring the Underbase Mode menu down to select the Underbase Print Mode. Set the number of ink passes forunderbase and color. Click OK in Advanced Options. In Document Properties set to Landscape or Portrait forOrientation. Click OK. Click Print.

Note: Use the Underbase Print Mode toselect how the underbase will be printed -Image Heavy or Normal Underbase. Refer tothe Print Mode section for more details on thedifferent Print Modes.


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Printing from Adobe Illustrator –Design SetupWhen designing in Adobe Illustrator, create the areas that are not to print underbase with pure white (RGB255,255,255 or CMYK 0,0,0,0). To print white, set the white areas to a slight tint of off white (RGB254,254,254 or CMYK 1,1,1,1). If you want to knock a color out to the shirt then color the areas as pure white(RGB 255,255,255 or CMYK 1,1,1,1).

The example below is identifying that the selected home plate is not a pure white (RGB 254,254,254), meaningthat the image will print white.

Note: When working with vectors solid spot colors, if you use named spot colors and use the spot color white.FastRIP will create a highlight white when it prints the color pass. This means that not only will an underbase beapplied but on the second pass (the color pass), white will be printed along with the color. In the example belowthe arrow is identifying the use of spot white.


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Solid Spot Colors - No GradientsGo to File - Print. Select the Fast T-Jet 2 printer under Printer menu. Click Setup. Click and highlight the FastT-Jet 2 printer. Click Preferences. Click Advanced. Set the Page Size. Go the Printer Features section. Bring thePrint Mode menu down to select the Color Print Mode. Bring the Underbase Mode menu down to select theUnderbase Print Mode. Set the number of ink passes for underbase and color. Click OK in Advanced Options.Set to Landscape or Portrait for Orientation. Click Print in the Print window. Click Print in Illustrator Printwindow.

Note: Use the Underbase Print Mode to select how the underbase will be printed - Vector Heavy or NormalUnderbase. Refer to the Print Mode section for more details on the different Print Modes.

Gradients, Gradients with Solid Spot Colors, Bitmap with VectorsObjects

Go to File - Print. Select the Fast T-Jet 2 printer under Printer menu. Click Setup. Click and highlight the FastT-Jet 2 printer. Click Preferences. Click Advanced. Set the Page Size. Go the Printer Features section. Bring thePrint Mode menu down to select the Color Print Mode. Bring the Underbase Mode menu down to select theUnderbase Print Mode. Set the number ofink passes for underbase and color. Click OKin Advanced Options. Set to Landscape orPortrait for Orientation. Click Print in thePrint window. Click Print in Illustrator Printwindow.

Note: Use the Underbase Print Mode toselect how the underbase will be printed -Image Heavy or Normal Underbase. Refer tothe Print Mode section for more details on thedifferent Print Modes.


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Print ModesPrint Resolutions and Speed

You will notice that each Print Mode has various resolutions. The resolution that you choose will not onlydetermine the print quality but the print speed as well. If you are going to use a low print resolution such as360dpi you will achieve a much faster print speed. This is due the fact that lower resolutions apply less ink dotsper inch (dpi) which allows the print head to move much faster, but may not offer the quality needed for printingphoto images. The print heads must also be perfectly aligned at this resolution or you will start to see banding inyour print. Banding is small horizontal lines that run across the entire image. For most images 306dpi will befine but depending on the graphic image you may want to increase the resolution.

If you intend to use higher print resolutions such as 720 or 1440, you will notice a decrease in speed but animprovement in print quality. Print quality and the amount of ink dispensed directly relates to the dpi (dots perinch). A higher dpi will increase print quality and amount of ink but at the same time slow down the print speed.We suggest a lower resolution for cartoon images and a higher resolution for photo images.

Print modes that contain “HS” (CMYK Cartoon 360 2 pass Standard HS) at the end are bi-directionalprint modes. This means that the print head will now print in both directions as compared to the standardunidirectional print mode that just prints in a single direction. Bi-directional print modes are twice as fast asunidirectional and will increase your print speed especially if using a higher resolution. You must be carefulnevertheless, to watch for banding/shadowing when using any bi-directional print mode as it absolutelynecessary that the print heads are perfectly aligned.

Important note:As FastRIP 9.0 now offers the ability to print from other Windows graphic applications, new print modeshave been developed to compliment version 9.0. In the previous FastRIP version 8.5, the print modesavailable were designed specifically for FastARTIST, due to the fact that FastARTIST was the onlyapplication that would print to FastRIP. FastRIP 9.0 offers new enhance print modes while achieving bettercolor accuracy for both FastRIP and Windows applications.

Customers have recently noticed that prints using the new enhanced print modes are coming out slightlydarker than the previous 8.5 print modes. In certain circumstances this may not be acceptable as weunderstand the need for print consistency. By downloading the Original FastARTIST Print Modes package(located on the FastARTIST Main Support Page–www.screenprinters.net) you will not only have accessto the new enhanced print modes but all the 8.5 print modes you have become accustom to. Please note thatthe Original Print Modes will only be available for use through FastARTIST.

CMYK Cartoon and Photo Print ModesThe Cartoon and Photo Print Modes will print the image in color when printing from FastARTIST or any othergraphic program. Two print mode options have been created to adjust the print characteristics based on theimage to be printed. If you are printing vectored graphics with spot color then use the Cartoon Print Modes, butif you are printing photo type bitmap images, use the Photo Print Modes.

The difference is, Cartoon Print Modes are design to lay down more ink with good color saturation, whereasPhoto Print Modes are design to lay down less ink with accurate colors. Cartoon Modes should be used for non-critical images and as such a lower dpi can be selected. Photographs, because of the image detail, need to betreated differently. When using Photo Print Modes, select a higher dpi to insure a good print quality.

CMYK Print modesCartoon

CMYK Cartoon 360 2 pass StandardCMYK Cartoon 360 2 pass Standard HSCMYK Cartoon 360 StandardCMYK Cartoon 360 Standard HSCMYK Cartoon 720 2 pass StandardCMYK Cartoon 720 2 pass Standard HSCMYK Cartoon 720 StandardCMYK Cartoon 720 Standard HSCMYK Cartoon 1440 StandardCMYK Cartoon 1440 Standard HS (Bi-directional)


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PhotoCMYK Photo 360 2 pass StandardCMYK Photo 360 2 pass Standard HS (Bi-directional)CMYK Photo 360 StandardCMYK Photo 360 Standard HS (Bi-directional)CMYK Photo 720 2 pass StandardCMYK Photo 720 2 pass Standard HS (Bi-directional)CMYK Photo 720 StandardCMYK Photo 720 Standard HS (Bi-directional)CMYK Photo 1440 StandardCMYK Photo 1440 Standard HS (Bi-directional)

Underbase Print ModesUnderbase Print Modes are selected when printing from the FastARTIST program only. With Cartoon andPhoto Print Modes in three different resolutions, you have the ability to select the proper print mode to matchyour graphic image. For dark shirts try using the 1440dpi print mode to achieve a stronger more consistentunderbase. This is due to the fact that the 1440 dpi resolution will dispense more ink at a slower speed creatingan extremely even coverage. If you are printing lighter colored shirts it may not be necessary to print such astrong underbase so the 720dpi or 360dpi mode may work better.

UnderbaseUnderbase Cartoon 360Underbase Cartoon 360 HS (Bi-directional)Underbase Cartoon 720Underbase Cartoon 720 HS (Bi-directional)Underbase Cartoon 1440Underbase Cartoon 1440 HS (Bi-directional)Underbase Photo 360Underbase Photo 360 HS (Bi-directional)Underbase Photo 720Underbase Photo 720 HS (Bi-directional)Underbase Photo 1440Underbase Photo 1440 HS (Bi-directional)

Windows UnderbaseThe following Windows Underbase print modes are selected when printing from graphic programs such asAdobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, or Adobe Illustrator. There are four print mode options: Image Heavy, ImageNormal, Vector Heavy, and Vector Normal each with different resolutions. Bi-directional is alsooffered for each print mode as well.

Select the Image mode when printing a bitmap/raster or gradient images. This also applies when printing agradient image in a Vector program. Anytime you have some sort of a gradient in any image regardless if theimage is mainly spot color, the Image mode must be used.

The Vector mode is to be selected when printing solid vector images. With the Vector mode you will be able toprint the white areas as a Highlight white on the color pass. This only happens if you use named spot colors andapply the named color white. The spot color white image area with a print white and is only available withvectors solid spot colors only.

Heavy and Normal Underbase change the intensity of the underbase. The Heavy Underbase modes use a presetheavy underbase applying more ink in dark and light areas then the Normal Underbase that applies less ink.Because underbasing is such a curtail part of the image quality, we recommend trying out the different printmodes to get a general understanding of the difference between each one.


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Windows Underbase360dpi Image Heavy underbase360dpi Image Heavy underbase HS (Bi-directional)360dpi Image Normal underbase360dpi Image Normal underbase HS (Bi-directional)360dpi Vector Heavy underbase360dpi Vector Heavy underbase HS (Bi-directional)360dpi Vector Normal underbase360dpi Vector Normal underbase HS (Bi-directional)720dpi Image Heavy underbase720dpi Image Heavy underbase HS (Bi-directional)720dpi Image Normal underbase720dpi Image Normal underbase HS (Bi-directional)720dpi Vector Heavy underbase720dpi Vector Heavy underbase HS (Bi-directional)720dpi Vector Normal underbase720dpi Vector Normal underbase HS1440dpi Image Heavy underbase1440dpi Image Heavy underbase HS1440dpi Image Normal underbase1440dpi Image Normal underbase HS1440dpi Vector Heavy underbase1440dpi Vector Heavy underbase HS1440dpi Vector Normal underbase1440dpi Vector Normal underbase HS


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Multiple Queues –OptionThere is now an option in FastRIP to support multiple Queue/Echo modes available for users with one ormore printer connected to FastRIP. As this feature in not a part of the standard upgrade, multiple Queue/Echois sold separately and can be purchased through your local dealer or directly from U.S. Screen Print & InkjetTechnology.

Multiple queues can be configured and used for a variety of different uses as you are not limit to the numberof queues that can be configured, but there are restrictions on the number of printers that can be driven at onetime.

With the multiple Queue feature, you will have a new option at the top of the Queue menu “Manage Queues”.

In the Queue Manager you can create (add) new Queues, delete existing queues and change theproperties on queues.

When you add (click on the +) a new queue, there is a simple wizard that will take you through the processof selecting the printer, Queue name, and port the printer is connected too. For example above we have twoqueues, both for the Fast T-Jet 2 (connected to a dummy port, NULL) and they are called White Shirts andBlack Shirts. Now you can print all the White T-Shirt jobs to the White Shirts queue and all the Black T-Shirt jobs to your Black Shirt queue.

Note: With multiple queues you need a queue for each printer driver as you can not support a T-Jet1 and a T-Jet2 from a single queue (each must have there own queue). Each Queue has its own set of properties just asthe single Queue in the original FastRIP did.

If you click on the control panel check box, the Queue will be added to your Windows control panel and youwill be able to access it from any application. It will install using the Queue name in the control panel.If printing from FastARTIST the printer and it queue is listed in FastRIP setup.


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When you have multiple queues, they can be accessed by clicking on there individual tabs and each queueon an individual basis can be started and stopped (just as before) and have its scheduling setup forprocessing. For example you might leave the Black Shirt queue on stop, leave the White Shirt queuerunning and output all the White shirt jobs and then change over. Jobs can be easily moved between queuesby right clicking on the job and you will see the menu options to move or copy the job to another queue.

You can setup different queues not just for different color shirts, but based on print modes being used such as360 vs 720 or Cartoon vs Photo. If you use the Queue properties feature you can then ensure the correct printmode is always used, regardless of what print mode is selected by the designer.

Different queues for Printer Pooling and Echoing can also be setup, so if you had two T-Jets, one queue couldmanage them using the pooling system and another queue the echoing system (see below for an explanation ofthese functions).

Printer Pooling vs. Printer EchoingIf you have multiple of the same printer (say 2 or more T-Jet 2’s), you can make use of the Printer Poolingand Echoing features. In both cases a single queue will be connected up to multiple printers (but they have tobe the same printer driver).

As each new job comes in, Printer Pooling will queue the job allocating it to the next available printer.Example: Job”A”arrives, is processed, and starts printing to T-Jet 1. Then Job”B” arrives and gets processed.Job”A”is still printing on T-Jet 1 so Job”B”starts printing on T-Jet 2.

With Printer Echoing the job will be output to both devices at the same time and the T-Jets don’t have to stay instep. So if you had two T-Jets and wanted to get 10 shirts done in a hurry, print 5 copies of your image withprinter echoing and you would get 5 copies on each T-Jet.

Configuring a Queue for Printer Pooling

To configure multiple printers in a queue for printer pooling, go to the queue properties and select the“Enable printer pooling” port for the queue.


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You can then configure a port for each printer that is connected (the first port is remembered from the initialsetting), using the remove button to remove a port (printer connection). When you have configured all theprinters, click on the close button and close the queue manager and you are now ready to use printer poolingfrom this queue.

All jobs in this queue will show the port for each job as Pooled Port until it starts to print. Then the port willchange to indicate which printer the job is being output on and this works in a simple first available system.

Configuring a Queue for Printer EchoingYou configure a queue for Printer Echoing by following the same procedure as for Printer Pooling. The onlydifference is that you select the Enable Printer Echoing check box in the bottom left of the port selectiondialog.

When jobs are printing using printer echoing the job in thequeue will expand and show an entry for each portselected. As all the printers may not print at the samespeed, the progress for each copy on each device isdisplayed in the copies column.

You can switch off printer pooling and echoing on a queueby simply going to the queue properties selecting a singleport for the printer. There can also be as many queues asyou like, so you can setup one queue for pooling andanother separate queue for echoing depending upon thejob requirements you are processing.

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