Epson 3800 scratching prints

Raul_Sanchez · #1 11-13-2007, 09:16 AM

Hi,

I have a new Epson 3800. So far I have printed about 400 prints, 13x19 and 81/2 X 11. The printer works great but once in a while it scratches the print and it always happens in dark areas. Any of you know the reason for this? Does this happen to you 3800 users?

Thanks,

Raul.

KoryGunnarsen · #2 11-13-2007, 11:15 AM

What do the scratches look like? It could be head strikes, what kind of paper is it? Did you try increasing the platen gap? Maybe the default auto setting needs an exact number. Is this really thick paper?

Raul_Sanchez · #3 11-13-2007, 04:04 PM

It has happened with paper of different thicknesses. Las time it happened with Epson's Enhanced Matte Paper, which is not thick. I have tried increasing the plate gap but it still happens. The scratches look like if a cat had done it with its claws. The affected area is about 1/2 inch wide by 1/2 inch long. It only happens occasionally. Because of the scratches you can see the paper where there should be ink. It only seems to happen in areas with a lot of black.

Raul.

KoryGunnarsen · #4 11-13-2007, 06:43 PM

It sounds like head strikes. What could be happening is too much ink swells the paper too much and it expands slightly. The platen gap should help a little. What media setting are you using? The media setting will give you less or more ink when you need it (along with some other settings), but also will affect the icc profile you are using. Enhanced matte does not have a very large d-max so it may swell more that most other matte papers. What kind of papers do you use? Not just the thickness will affect this problem. Substituting Innova Smooth Cotton or Hahnemuehle Photo Rag 308, for the enhanced matte may yield better results if the ink swelling is the problem. Try with high speed off, and possibly increase the head pass drying time. How many prints out of 400 has it scratched?

Raul_Sanchez · #5 11-13-2007, 08:53 PM

It also happens with Moab Entrada Fine Art paper. So far those are the two papers I have used. What you say about the d-max and swelling makes sense to me. I've noticed that this printer swells the paper more than my previous R1800 (I never had this issue with it).
I never print with high speed on, but I have to try to increase the head pass drying time (what is that?). Out of 400 I might have seen the scratches in 3 or 4 prints. The profiles I use are the one that came with the printer (for the Epson paper) and for the Entrada Moab I got it from their website. The media settings I use are Enhanced Matte Paper for the Enhanced Matte and Watercolor Paper-Radiant White for the Moab Entrada (following Moab's recommendations).

Raul.

KoryGunnarsen · #6 11-14-2007, 03:08 PM

The head pass drying time will just put down ink and wait longer to put the next layer down. This may help let it dry so you can avoid scuffing.

If only a few out of 400 are scratched I would not worry. Sometimes this just happens. Just to clarify: they are sheet papers right? Sometimes the roll may be curled enough to lift the paper to hit the head. Is it very humid where you are? That will also affect how fast the ink dries.

The Enhanced Matte media setting will yield a better black than the Radiant White setting. A custom icc profile will help limit the ink density so it does not lay down too much, as the case is here. Your printer may be slightly different and be putting down a little too much black. The profile will control all of this. Good luck.

Raul_Sanchez · #7 11-15-2007, 02:30 PM

Thank you for your help Kory.

Yes, they are sheet papers and it is pretty dry here in DC this time of year.

Just to clarify I use Radian White media setting with Moab paper, not with Enhance Matte. Do you mean that I'll get better blacks with the Moab paper if I use Enhanced Matte media setting?