I am getting some ink smears on prints off my Epson 4800. It is like some dark ink spots, especially along the edges. They are not major, but just enough to ruin a print. I am using Canson Platine, a 310 gsm roll paper (relatively thick).
Any suggestions? Max out the platten gap? Anything to clean?
I'd have to see a sample, Harley. Ink DROPS, or smears that look like printer head strikes along the paper edge? Head strikes are controlled by paper curl. If ink DROPS, you've got something else going on. Definitely increase the platen gap.
I get these occasionally with the 3800 - very occasionally, usually with something heavy in black. It isn't consistant enough for me to solve - I usually just do a deep cleaning (or whatever it is called), open the platten up a notch and increase the time between head passes.
How curly is your paper? Can you try to decurl it a little?
Is this a new phenomenon? If so, has anything about the temp/humidity of your printing area / paper storage area changed?
I've had something similar before (though mostly near the edges) with a 4800 and minimizing paper curl and increasing platen gap usually did the trick.
This is not a really new thing, but it seems a little worse lately. The paper has a very slight curl, but really not all that much. Although it is a baryta paper, it is a cotton rag that is coated. It is far, far less curly or rigid than something like Ilford Gold Fibre. It handles quite well, actually.
I will max out the platen gap and see if that helps.
I widened the platen gap and unchecked high speed. The first print came off clean. I am not sure which one worked or if it was a combo, but I saved those settings and will just use them in the future. If it works......
Troup, it happened some with other papers. I noticed it much more when I went to the stiffer baryta papers.
BTW, the Canson Platine is a beautiful paper. It reminds me a lot of Ilford Gold Silk, but far easier to deal with.
Discussion
9 repliesAny suggestions? Max out the platten gap? Anything to clean?
Thanks
http://people.csail.mit.edu/ericchan/dp/Epson3800/faq.html#headstrike
I get these occasionally with the 3800 - very occasionally, usually with something heavy in black. It isn't consistant enough for me to solve - I usually just do a deep cleaning (or whatever it is called), open the platten up a notch and increase the time between head passes.
Hope you solve it,
Alex
Is this a new phenomenon? If so, has anything about the temp/humidity of your printing area / paper storage area changed?
I've had something similar before (though mostly near the edges) with a 4800 and minimizing paper curl and increasing platen gap usually did the trick.
I will max out the platen gap and see if that helps.
Troup, it happened some with other papers. I noticed it much more when I went to the stiffer baryta papers.
BTW, the Canson Platine is a beautiful paper. It reminds me a lot of Ilford Gold Silk, but far easier to deal with.