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
Problem
The paper won’t feed. It jams or feeds through without printing.
Solution
Make sure your paper is seated correctly in the printer.
Setting for Epson Exhibition Fiber Paper on Manual Rear.
Setting for Epson UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper on Manual Rear.
Check your Paper Feed setting and if the problem persists, adjust the Platen Gap.
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.
Problem
The borders on my print aren’t equal.
Solution
Create a Custom Paper Size with equal borders.
Read more Printing Tips.
Learn more in my Fine Art Digital Printing Workshops.
Problem
My image printed off the edge of the paper.
Solution
Reset the Page Setup. Check paper size and orientation and borders.
If you’re using an unusual sheet size create a Custom Paper Size.
Read more Printing Tips.
Learn more in my Fine Art Digital Printing Workshops.
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.
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.
Problem
I’ve got white micro-banding in my print(s).
Solution
Check for nozzle clogs with the Printer Utility.
Realign the print heads with the Printer Utilities.
If the problem persists, adjust print speed slower with Advanced Media Control’s Paper Feed Adjustment.
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.
Problem
I’ve got colored micro-banding in my print(s).
Solution
Unclog the nozzles with the Printer Utility.
Colored micro-banding means one of the inkheads isn’t firing. It’s not always uniform.
Read more Printing Tips.
Learn more in my Fine Art Digital Printing Workshops.
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.
If the problem persists, adjust print speed with Advanced Media Control’s Paper Feed Adjustment.
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.
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.
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.
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.