Epson R1800 light banding

[marleywhite]

I am having problems with a new Epson 1800. I don't know if the problem
is just the way the printer works, or if there is some other
explanation. I have noticed faint banding accross prints on Epson
Premium glossy photo paper. It is not the same strong banding that
occurs whith a clogged print head. It is very fine, very close pale
lines that show up in areas of solid color and smooth gradations
(especially in cyan/blue/green tones). Its as if the ink dropplets are
not dithered enough and each pass of the print head can be seen. I have
checked the print heads, they are not clogged. I have done an
allignment, and it was fine. I am using the Epson premiul glossy icc
profile. I have printed using the photo setting, best photo, and photo
rpm; all with high speed off and gloss optimizer on. I have tried
printing from a different computer and the same thing occurs. The
problem is not nearly as noticable on plain paper or epson enhanced
matte paper (I may only be able to see it because i know to look for
it).

Is this just the limitations of the printer? Honestly the prints look
like they were done on an old, cheap inkjet. The fine line texture can
be seen clearly from a foot away.

Any suggestions on what could be the problem? Anyone experience the
same thing?

 

[Jan Alter]

Hi,

We've been using an R1800 since last June. I happened to use the Epson
Premium glossy paper a couple of weeks ago and haven't seen any banding
using the paper. Your description almost reminds me of checking the paper
thickness and making sure that the printer is set for a thinner paper to
avoid the banding. But I don't see any thickness lever on the printer, so no
adjustment necessary. Consider calling Epson and see what they recommend.
They may have another suggestion of something that a software adjustment
might correct from the book. From the settings you describe I would expect a
complete avoidence of banding because you are using best photo and have
turned high speed printing off.

 

[rafe b]

I am having problems with a new Epson 1800. I don't know if the problem
is just the way the printer works, or if there is some other
explanation. I have noticed faint banding accross prints on Epson

Is this just the limitations of the printer? Honestly the prints look
like they were done on an old, cheap inkjet. The fine line texture can
be seen clearly from a foot away.

Any suggestions on what could be the problem? Anyone experience the
same thing?

From all you're saying, it could well be a
bad printer. My R1800 is my sixth Epson printer
since 1998, and its output is amazing.

Here's a closeup of the R1800 output, from
a 4x6" print. The print was scanned at 2400
dpi. What's posted here is a section of that
scan, downsampled to 600 dpi:
<http://www.terrapinphoto.com/scott/test1.jpg>

Here's a small scan of the full frame:
<http://www.terrapinphoto.com/scott/overview.jpg>

No banding. None. If you're doing everything
right, then I suspect you have a bad printer.


rafe b
www.terrapinphoto.com

 

[bmoag]

In my three days experience with an r1800 I have been reprinting many of my
pictures with known qualites on a variety of Epson papers to get a feel for
this printer.
No banding. Pretty awesome results on Epson papers with their canned
profiles.
The pigment inks can have a tendency to what some call "bronzing" and I
wonder if this is what you are seeing: it is a surface effect that is more
prominent with glossy paper. Ambient temperature and humidity can affect
this. Allowing prints to dry properly before handling might be an issue for
you as well.
The nature of Epson print head and electronic design can lead to a problem
with fine lines of a particular color, generally cyan, being intermittently
laid down on paper. If this occurs it is bad news if the printer is out of
warranty and if that is what you have Epson should replace your printer. In
my past experience Epson has been very good with warranty issues. Those
frigging blue lines are the reason my 1280 is late and lamented.If I can't
get it repaired for a reasonable price I am going to bury it in the back
yard.

 

[Arthur Entlich]

This sounds like it may be deflected nozzles, which are caused by
partial clogs.

Do a nozzle check and look carefully to make sure each line is equally
about the previous line and the same amount below the following printed
segment.

If some are out of position, either too high or too low, this can lead
to subtle banding. Cleaning cycles can help, but an underhead cleaning
is usually better if that is the cause.

Art

 

[bmoag]

Hold the presses, I think I have seen what you are talking about:
On a dark, low contrast image that is mostly brown and black tones, printed
on regular Epson Glossy paper (Costco type) I see a regular pattern of very
fine tan lines across the entire image parallel to the travel pattern of the
print head.
I do not see these on any other image printed before or after on the same or
higher grade papers.
It does indeed look like the lines the original Epson 700 laid down (I still
have one!) routinely.
I have no explanation for this.
I am going to reprint the image on Epson Premium Glossy and see what
happens.
However, that will not be until much later tonight.
Stay tuned.

 

[measekite]

ARE YOU USING EPSON INK

 

[marleywhite]

Yes, I am using Epson ink. I will try more head cleanings and closely
checking the test pattern. All of the bars have been showing up, but it
could be that they are not equally above or below the previous segment.
How would i do an underhead cleaning?

With further investigation on the web, I think my problem is best
described as micro banding. I am using photoshop cs on a mac w/ 10.3.9.
Is there a possibility that this is the problem - something with the
driver?

Thank you all for the interest and help

 

[Jan Alter]

The latest driver is marked 8/05 so probably not that. I still think it's
worth the effort to give Epson a call.
I would be reluctant to do any underhead cleaning if you are getting a
decent nozzle check and the nozzle pattern appears regular; especially if
your machine is in warranty.
For your information though I have taken a 6" X 3/4' stainless steel
ruler, wrapped it in a rag, and soaked it in a solution of ammonia and
alcohol at the ratio of 10/90 %. First I would get the head out of park
position by going to cartridge change position and then pull the plug. I
have not done this with the R1800, and again I urge you to not do it if your
nozzle pattern looks good and you are getting all colors.

Jan Alter
(e-mail address removed)
or
(e-mail address removed)12.pa.us

 

[rafe b]

Yes, I am using Epson ink. I will try more head cleanings and closely
checking the test pattern. All of the bars have been showing up, but it
could be that they are not equally above or below the previous segment.
How would i do an underhead cleaning?

With further investigation on the web, I think my problem is best
described as micro banding. I am using photoshop cs on a mac w/ 10.3.9.
Is there a possibility that this is the problem - something with the
driver?

Thank you all for the interest and help

By all means, call Epson for help.
Their phone support is pretty good.

If you don't get the problem resolved
that way, and if the printer is new,
take it back or send it back to where
you bought it. If that's not possible,
(ie., beyond the store's return-as-new
period) then Epson will exchange yours
for a refurb.

Make absolutely sure you have a good
nozzle check. Check the bars with a
loupe or magnifying glass. The bars
need to all be present, and they need
to be straight, with no sign of ink
splatter or mis-aimed nozzles -- the
spacing between bars should be very
uniform.

Here's what a good nozzle check looks
like on the R1800:

<www.terrapinphoto.com/nozzles.jpg>

Err... I take that back -- there's one
magenta nozzle misfiring.

PS: I *always* have "High Speed" un-
checked when I print. Have you tried
that?


rafe b
www.terrapinphoto.com

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I would be surprised if the problem was the driver, or their would be
more reports of this.

More likely slightly diverted nozzles, or an out of alignment head
(either factory out of alignment or a setting that you can make yourself.

For information on underhead cleaning please contact me as follow:


e-printerhelp(at)mvps(dot)org

(at) = @
(dot) = .

and I will send you a manual which explains the process. No fee, no spam.

Art

 

[Arthur Entlich]

I would agree with Jan that printers under warranty should be taken up
with Epson, rather than doing any home repair processes.

Art

 

[Paul Furman]

Hold the presses, I think I have seen what you are talking about:
On a dark, low contrast image that is mostly brown and black tones, printed
on regular Epson Glossy paper (Costco type) I see a regular pattern of very
fine tan lines across the entire image parallel to the travel pattern of the
print head.
I do not see these on any other image printed before or after on the same or
higher grade papers.
It does indeed look like the lines the original Epson 700 laid down (I still
have one!) routinely.
I have no explanation for this.
I am going to reprint the image on Epson Premium Glossy and see what
happens.
However, that will not be until much later tonight.
Stay tuned.

I got some banding in my first prints off the R1800 with similar dark
greens & blacks & very gradual tones in the photo. It went away after a
while, it was only one image & I wasn't ready to blow ink on head
cleaning yet.

My old inexpensive C80 did this really bad when it was new & Epson
helped walk me through cleaning & alignment on the phone then they
shipped me a new printer & I put the old in that package. The new one
did it too but not as bad... that was a much cheaper printer. The new
one did fine on 'best photo' & continued to band at lesser settings.