Epson 1280 graphics unclear

[frazzled]

My Epson, purchased several years ago has never produced prints
remotely as clear and sharp as my cheap HP Inkjet. I have worked with
their tech support from time to time and the information and
suggestions they offered were interesting and informative but not
solutions. I don't use the printer for photos. It was chosen
because of its wider margins and supposedly superior overall print
quality. The problems with the unit have kept me using the little HP
however now I have projects that demand the capabilities of the Epson
and it is time to get it working or throw it away. The current project
uses several 19th c engravings which are nothing but sharp,
well-defined lines. The image produced by the Epson looks like it was
created with a worn-out rubber stamp or that the paper was over
printed with perfect registration. Also the ink from the Epson is so
heavy that it shows through to the other side of the page, another
problem that the HP did not have.

I have replaced the ink cartridges and double checked the alignment.
That seemed an obvious possible cause and it is not. I've spent no
fewer than 10 days experimenting with all the printer's settings, the
software's settings (Photoshop and InDesign) and the colour profiles
without success. I can see minor differences resulting from config
changes but nothing significant. The text is acceptable, a bit fatter
than on the HP, but acceptable; the images are the problem. I'm about
to take the whole thing to a print shop but I'd like to be able to do
this with the equipment I have which is reputed to do what I need.

I have Googled unsuccessfully for answers and in searching mostly what
I find are positive comments about this model. I'm stumped. Has anyone
had similar problems with this unit? Appropriate suggestions are
greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Gary]

My Epson, purchased several years ago has never produced prints
remotely as clear and sharp as my cheap HP Inkjet. I have worked with
their tech support from time to time and the information and
suggestions they offered were interesting and informative but not
solutions. I don't use the printer for photos. It was chosen
because of its wider margins and supposedly superior overall print
quality. The problems with the unit have kept me using the little HP
however now I have projects that demand the capabilities of the Epson
and it is time to get it working or throw it away. The current project
uses several 19th c engravings which are nothing but sharp,
well-defined lines. The image produced by the Epson looks like it was
created with a worn-out rubber stamp or that the paper was over
printed with perfect registration. Also the ink from the Epson is so
heavy that it shows through to the other side of the page, another
problem that the HP did not have.

I have replaced the ink cartridges and double checked the alignment.
That seemed an obvious possible cause and it is not. I've spent no
fewer than 10 days experimenting with all the printer's settings, the
software's settings (Photoshop and InDesign) and the colour profiles
without success. I can see minor differences resulting from config
changes but nothing significant. The text is acceptable, a bit fatter
than on the HP, but acceptable; the images are the problem. I'm about
to take the whole thing to a print shop but I'd like to be able to do
this with the equipment I have which is reputed to do what I need.

I have Googled unsuccessfully for answers and in searching mostly what
I find are positive comments about this model. I'm stumped. Has anyone
had similar problems with this unit? Appropriate suggestions are
greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I have found when I use Ulead's Photo explorer that came with a camera
it caused the best prints from my epson.

 

[Safetymom123]

What paper are you using? Is it Epson paper? That would make a difference.

 

[bmoag]

No desktop printer ever made by HP (or Canon) can match the output of a
properly used 1280.
Does the Epson Nozzle check utility print properly?
Can you print text properly with the 1280 using any kind of word processor?
Actually printing from Windows Notepad or other ASCII program would be a
better basic test of printer function with black ink output.
Can you print simple color graphics mixed with text? It is easy to create
such a document in any word processor.
If your 1280 cannot perform these tasks, which are independent of color
management, then there is probably something wrong with the printer
If you can print these things there is probably nothing wrong with the
printer but you may not understand how to use it properly.
The content of your posting suggests you do not use or may not understand
color management, a serious problem if one wants to see what the 1280 can
produce. Using the proper color management settings in Photoshop is not just
for adjusting color output to a specific paper type but also ink densities.
Optimizing black and white printing, as with engravings, may best be
accomplished by printing only with grayscale settings in Photoshop and in
the printer driver.
Epson inks do not bleed through normal paper. If you are trying to print
photo quality reproductions of etchings on ordinary paper this simply will
not work with any photoprinter, unless you have unusual technical and
aesthetic standards.
If you want to print on a matte type surface spring for Epson matte paper
and make sure your settings are proper in Photoshop.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

The most obvious questions are these:

1) WHAT PAPER are you using? Epson printers certainly do best with
coated inkjet paper, in your case, probably a matte photo quality paper.
In fact, they provide jet black razor sharp prints in line art if used
with these papers.

2) What resolution setting do you use in the driver

3) Do you set the printer driver to black ink only or are you printing
CMYK for black?

4) DI it ever print clearly on decent paper, and has it become worse

5) Can you send me two thing:

a) a nozzle check scanned at 300 dpi (only the nozzle check area on the
page, not the whole page, please), please send the whole check (all
colors), as a jpeg attachment, use a high to very high quality jpeg
position when you scan and convert the file.

b) a sample scan at 300 dpi also, and jpegged to high or very high
quality of the material you are reproducing (black and white engraving)
about 2" square

send both to: e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

The Epson drivers should allow for pin sharp graphics. Something is not
right here.

Art

 

[measekite]

No desktop printer ever made by HP (or Canon) can match the output of a
properly used 1280.

NO EPSON CAN MATCH THE OUTPUT, CONTRAST, BRILLIANCE OF A CANON.

 

[frazzled]

The most obvious questions are these:

1) WHAT PAPER are you using? Epson printers certainly do best with
coated inkjet paper, in your case, probably a matte photo quality paper.
In fact, they provide jet black razor sharp prints in line art if used
with these papers.

2) What resolution setting do you use in the driver

3) Do you set the printer driver to black ink only or are you printing
CMYK for black?

4) DI it ever print clearly on decent paper, and has it become worse

5) Can you send me two thing:

a) a nozzle check scanned at 300 dpi (only the nozzle check area on the
page, not the whole page, please), please send the whole check (all
colors), as a jpeg attachment, use a high to very high quality jpeg
position when you scan and convert the file.

b) a sample scan at 300 dpi also, and jpegged to high or very high
quality of the material you are reproducing (black and white engraving)
about 2" square

send both to: e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

Art

My Epson, purchased several years ago has never produced prints
remotely as clear and sharp as my cheap HP Inkjet.
[snip]

Ah Mr. Entlich, I sincerely hoped you might see fit to involve
yourself in my dilemma. Thank you. I'll assemble the answers and items
you request and send them along tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. I
earnestly hope your expertise may assist me in resolving this ongoing
and disappointing situation.

Grazie mille
distinti saluti