12 Things To Look For In Great Prints & Common Problems To Avoid

 

Most people evaluate a combination of elements to assess print quality. Find out what they are, how to get them, and how to avoid common mistakes in this new video.

7 Things To Look For In Great Prints & Great Artists Who Make Exceptions

Get The Digital Printing Quick Start Guide here.

Paper Won’t Feed

Problem
The paper won’t feed. It jams or feeds through without printing.

Solution
Make sure your paper is seated correctly in the printer.

MediaSetting_EF

Setting for Epson Exhibition Fiber Paper on Manual Rear.

MediaSetting_USFA

Setting for Epson UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper on Manual Rear.

Check your Paper Feed setting and if the problem persists, adjust the Platen Gap.

platengap

Thicker papers need to be fed with the Manual Rear option. Make sure you’re using it and you’ve specified this in the printer driver. You may still need to adjust the Platen Gap to a wider setting for thicker media (like Epson Exhibition Fiber Fine Art Paper). Many thicker papers will tend to jam when feeding them in bulk. You may need to feed them one at a time. Sometimes, you even need to give the paper a gentle nudge when the printer first feeds it.

Read more Printing Tips.
Learn more in my Fine Art Digital Printing Workshops.

Printer Power Cleaning Cycles

Problem
I cleaned the heads but they’re still clogged.

Solution Clean them again. The fourth time in a row initiates a power cleaning cycle.

printerutilities_nozzleclog

New Epson printers have anti-clogging coatings on the nozzles and initiate self-clean cycles automatically.
When power cleaning cycles don’t work you can humidify the heads (rest them no wet sponge for a while).
You’ll need to perform nozzle checks more often if you’re in a very dry environment (air conditioning dries) or you don’t use a printer for extended periods of time.

Read more Printing Tips.
Learn more in my Fine Art Digital Printing Workshops.

Light Micro-Banding

micro-banding_light

Problem
I’ve got white micro-banding in my print(s).

Solution
Check for nozzle clogs with the Printer Utility.

printerutilities_nozzleclog

Realign the print heads with the Printer Utilities.

printerutilities_printheadalignment

If the problem persists, adjust print speed slower with Advanced Media Control’s Paper Feed Adjustment.

PaperFeedAdjustment

In rare cases, the media feed speed can’t be adjusted with software adequately and that means it’s time to send a printer in for servicing.

Read more Printing Tips.
Learn more in my Fine Art Digital Printing Workshops.

Dark Micro-Banding

microbanding_dark

Problem
I’ve got dark micro-banding in my print(s).

Solution
Realign the print heads with the Printer Utility. If printing on High Speed, try printing with High Speed off.

printerutilitiesheadalign

If the problem persists, adjust print speed with Advanced Media Control’s Paper Feed Adjustment.

PaperFeedAdjustment

Dark micro-banding happens when lines of ink overlap each other. Imprecise head alignment is the most common problem. Less frequently, the speed media is feed through the printer is slightly off. In rare cases, the media feed speed can’t be adjusted with software adequately and that means it’s time to send a printer in for servicing.

Read more Printing Tips.
Learn more in my Fine Art Digital Printing Workshops.

Banding

AnarcticaV_2005_5banding

Problem
I’ve got broad linear banding in my print(s).

Solution
Make sure your data transfer from computer to printer is fast and uninterrupted.
Do use a fast connection like USB2 or Ethernet.
Don’t use a cord that too long – less than 12 feet.
Don’t tie up your computer up with tasks other than printing.
As this is a data transfer issue, it affects larger prints (more data) more than smaller prints (less data).

Don’t confuse this type of banding with micro-banding (small thin lines) or non-linear banding (in the file).

Read more Printing Tips.
Learn more in my Fine Art Digital Printing Workshops.

Delete & Reload Printer Driver

Problem
I sent a file to the printer but the printer won’t start.

Solution
Delete and reload the printer driver.
On a Mac, go to System Preferences, click Print&Fax, highlight the printer, check the – button, then check the +, click on the icon for your printer and check Add.

SystemPreferences

Print&Fax

DeleteDriver

Print&Fax_noprinter

AddPrinter

Remember to have your printer plugged in and turned on when you do this. Don’t confuse this with going to the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest driver.
Communication errors between the computer and printer happen frequently, most often when ink or paper type is changed, stalling the print queue. Deleting and reloading the printer driver is a simple solution that fixes it immediately.

Read more Printing Tips.
Learn more in my Fine Art Digital Printing Workshops.