Laser film for screen printing: laser printer transparency film in 8.5 x 11, 11 x 17 and 13 x 19 sheets
Acorn laser transparency film is heat-stabilized polyester made for toner. Run it through any laser printer and the positive comes out dry, opaque and ready to expose, no inkjet drying time and no ink cost. Three sheet sizes cover left-chest logos to full backs.
What is laser film for screen printing?
Laser film is a clear polyester transparency engineered to survive a laser printer's fuser without curling, and to hold toner as a dense black. Screen printers use it to print film positives: the black art blocks UV light during exposure so the design washes out of the emulsion. Laser film prints dry and is reusable; it costs less per positive than inkjet film and suits text, line art and spot color.
Acorn laser transparency film, three sizes
Pick the sheet by your printer's maximum paper size and the largest design you expose. All three are the same film; only the sheet size changes.
Laser Film Transparency 8.5 x 11 in Sheets
Acorn DAA-ALF8511Any office laser printer. Left-chest logos, labels, small spot-color jobs.
Laser Film Transparency 11 x 17 in Sheets
Acorn DAA-ALF8117Tabloid laser printers. Full-front prints and multi-up gang sheets.
Laser Film Transparency 13 x 19 in Sheets
Acorn DAA-ALF8319Wide-format laser printers. Full-back and oversized designs on one sheet.
Laser film vs inkjet film for screen printing positives
The two films are not interchangeable. Each one is built for the printer it goes through, and each has a job it does better.
Laser transparency film
Polyester with a toner-receptive surface that holds up to fuser heat. Prints on any laser printer, dry on exit.
- No dry time, no ink to buy
- Lowest cost per positive
- Durable toner image, reusable
- Best for text, logos, spot color and line art
- Opacity depends on toner density settings
Waterproof inkjet film
Microporous coating that absorbs pigment ink. Prints on inkjet printers with black pigment ink, then dries for a few minutes.
- Highest opacity for fine halftones and sim process
- Handles 13 x 19 and roll widths
- Needs pigment ink and a dry step
- Higher cost per sheet
- Must not go through a laser printer
| Specification | Laser film | Inkjet film |
|---|---|---|
| Printer | Laser, LED toner | Inkjet with pigment black |
| Image | Fused toner | Absorbed pigment ink |
| Dry time | None | 2 to 10 minutes |
| Opacity | Good; raise toner density for halftones | Excellent at high ink load |
| Best for | Text, logos, spot color, line art | Halftones, gradients, simulated process |
| Sizes stocked | 8.5 x 11, 11 x 17, 13 x 19 | Sheets and rolls |
| Reuse | Yes, store flat | Yes, keep dry |
How to print a film positive on laser film
Six steps from art file to exposed screen. Most problems with laser positives come from printer settings, not the film.
- Prepare the artConvert to 100% black, outline fonts, separate colors. Mirror only if your workflow exposes emulsion-side up.
- Load one sheetFeed from the bypass or manual tray, one sheet at a time, printable side toward the drum as the box indicates.
- Set the printerTransparency or thick media, maximum toner density, 600 dpi or higher, toner save and economy modes off.
- Print and inspectCheck on a light table. Blacks should be solid with no pinholes; reprint or apply a toner darkener if light shows.
- ExposeToner side to the emulsion, held tight with glass or vacuum, at your step-tested time.
- Store the positiveFlat in a clear sleeve, labeled, ready for reorders. Toner does not smudge once fused.
Laser film in the shop
Laser film problems and the usual fix
Blacks look gray on the light table
- Set toner density to maximum and switch off toner save
- Print at 600 dpi or higher from vector art
- Spray a toner darkener on dense halftones
- Double up two identical positives in register for the darkest result
Film curls, jams or wrinkles
- Use the bypass tray and the straightest paper path
- Choose the transparency or heavy media setting so the fuser slows
- Let the printer warm up before the first sheet
- Store unopened film flat and away from heat
Toner flakes or smears
- Confirm the film is laser-rated, not inkjet
- Print on the correct side; the box marks it
- Let the sheet cool before handling
- Clean the fuser if other media is also smearing
Laser film questions
Laser film is a clear or milky polyester transparency made to run through a laser printer. The toner forms the opaque black positive used to expose a screen. It is heat-stabilized so it does not curl or warp in the fuser, and the surface holds toner without flaking.
No. Inkjet film has an absorbent coating that melts or smears in a laser fuser and can damage the printer. Use film labeled for laser printers. The Acorn film on this page is sold in a laser-rated version; confirm the printer type before ordering.
Buckets of Ink stocks Acorn laser film in 8.5 x 11, 11 x 17 and 13 x 19 inch sheets. 8.5 x 11 fits any office laser printer; 11 x 17 and 13 x 19 need a tabloid or wide-format laser.
Set the printer to the heaviest toner density or a transparency media setting, turn off toner save, and print from a vector or 600 dpi raster file. For dense halftones, a toner-density spray such as a darkening agent can raise opacity; check the positive on a light table before exposing.
Laser film prints instantly with no dry time and costs less per sheet, which suits text, spot color and line work. Inkjet film with pigment black ink reaches higher opacity for fine halftones and simulated process. Many shops run both.
Start with the emulsion maker's time for film positives and shorten slightly if the positive is less opaque than inkjet. Run a step test: the first wedge that washes out clean without losing fine lines is your time.
Yes. Toner on laser film is durable; store positives flat in a sleeve away from heat and they can expose multiple screens. Wipe fingerprints with a dry microfiber cloth.
Buckets of Ink at 906 S Priest Dr #101 in Tempe stocks laser transparency film in three sizes for walk-in pickup Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and ships to all 50 states.
