Need help with HP z3100ps

[Walter_Kimmel]

I posted this on Fred Miranda's forum as well, and I hope that between this forum and that I will get some help.

Got my Z3100ps 24" a week ago, and upgraded to the new firmware and drivers. It was an all day affair, possibly because I chose the automatic-installing drivers and they didn't install right on my WIN XP machine. Also, the printer hung up while the firmware was being upgraded, but the second time it went OK.

I have many questions, but these 5 are a good start:

1) I have a roll of Epson Enhanced Matte, and profiled it as Photo Paper, Heavy Weight Matte. Does anybody have a better guess?

2) I also have a roll of Epson Premium Luster. However, deep in the Z3100 User Guide it says that the Z3100 cannot profile a textured glossy paper. I think the Luster is textured and glossy. Has anybody used it on the Z3100?

3) I bought the PS version of the Z3100, partly because of the so-called "embedded RIP." How do I access it when printing, either from CS3 or Qimage?

4) I can't find a way to save paper by printing two 11x16.5 images in portrait orientation other than combining them in one image in CS3. I should be able to "nest" them, but can't find that option when printing or doing the Page Setup.

5) I have graduate degrees, but I can't figure out how to print an 8" x 23" pano in landscape orientation... the Z3100 seems to print it vertically, wasting 16" x 23" of paper! There are so many places where you have to enter paper size, paper layout, orientation, etc, and somehow whenever I try, I blow it. I never had problems with Qimage and Epson printers. I know I just have to get used to the HP interface, but I need help!

[KoryGunnarsen]

1. Try Hahnemuehle Smooth Fine Art Paper. Will give the highest ink density.
2. You can profile a textured glossy paper. I successfully ran a calibration on Booksmart Fine Art Metal: Satin White which has a similar surface to Epson Luster (but the base is metal).
3. Use the HP Printer Utility to access the rip features.
4. You can't do that with this rip. A lot of rip's will not do that, well production ones will.
5. Just make a custom paper size with no margins and make sure the orientation is correct, is should give you a preview of it in the driver. If you use a sheet size it will factor in the margins.

Are you on a pc or mac?

[Walter_Kimmel]

Thanks, Kory:

I worked through many of the problems, and reverted to using Qimage as a front end for the printer driver. In Qimage, I can select any paper size, with the option of "Optimal Placement" of images. If 2 or more images will fit on the page, Qimage will place them most economically. You can then move them around manually if you choose.

The printer is willing to accept the Qimage pages. Qimage uses the paper profile I select.

I profiled and use the Epson Enhanced Matte and get very pleasing results, even the reds.

A new problem emerged: I can't get the 3" adaptors out of the cardboard roll! I read on the Luminous Lighthouse forum that some people remove one of the springs in each adaptor, but I am still hesitant to try that.

You said: " 3. Use the HP Printer Utility to access the rip features."

How do I do that, and how do I know if it is the RIP?

[KoryGunnarsen]

It came with the install cd when you installed it. It is limited when compared other rips, but much more advanced when compared with other fine art printers. Anytime you send a print it is going through the rip. It is just how you tell it what to do. It works very well when knowing when to apply cm and when to not.

The roll is very tight, I have not had to remove them myself. An easier way may be to sand down the inside of the roll, so you don't have to modify the roll holder. Just watch the dust getting inside the roll.

[Walter_Kimmel]

I finally got the 3" adaptors out with a broomstick and some gentle tapping. So I was able to load my Epson Premium Luster 260 and profile it. I'm also getting more comfortable with the interface as accessed through Qimage.

I can't believe how accurate the colors are, and how stunningly neutral the grays are.

After I find my two favorite papers, I'll probably get a 2nd spindle to make switching rolls easier.

[KoryGunnarsen]

Good luck with the HP. Our Z3100ps is excellent and is a great addition to the Epson and Canon printers. A little slower than the others.