Printers That Print Transparencies

Transparencies are sheets of plastic designed to be used on overhead projectors. While computerized presentations have largely replaced transparencies, doing things the "old" way has one key advantage: it is very easy to write on a transparency as you are projecting it, letting you highlight points, fill in information and have a more interactive presentation. Many different types of printers, including laser printers, copiers and inkjets can print on transparencies. You just need the right type of blank transparency media.

Multi-Purpose Transparency Film

Multi-purpose transparency film is designed to work in multiple different types of printers. This saves you from having to buy different supplies for different printers. Some transparency films can be used in inkjet printers, black-and-white laser printers and black-and-white copiers; others work in black-and-white and color copiers.

Device-Specific Films

Device-specific films have special coatings that make them work better on different printers. For example, a film designed for use with black-and-white copiers or laser printers has a coating that increases the opacity of the black toner. Films designed for color copiers are designed to allow light to pass through areas with toner more effectively. Inkjet films, on the other hand, have two surfaces: a smooth surface that passes through the printer and a coated rough surface that absorbs ink.

Transparency Films with Stripes

Some films have special sensing stripes that are removable paper strips attached to either the long or short end of the slide. Some printers and copiers use light to sense if a piece of paper is loaded and will not sense transparency film since it is clear; the sensing strip tells the printer's sensor it sees paper.

Paper-Backed and Thick Transparency Films

Some copiers have trouble feeding regular transparency films. Paper-backed films have a thin piece of paper attached to their backside that gives the copier's roller something to grab onto other than the smooth plastic. Extra thick films are made to withstand the high heat levels that some copiers' fuser assemblies generate. These occur in units that move slowly and take a long time to run the paper through the fuser and in units that use high-temperature fusers.