deteriorating image on old Epson 900

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tobit
  • Start date Start date
T

Tobit

I've been using an Epson Stylus Colour 900 for a few years, for big
photographic reports, with good results. Recently I've noticed the image
deteriorating and becoming slightly more grainy. I've reprinted some images
from a year back and these are definately more grainy than when first
printed.

The only thing that has changed is the PC which is higher spec, but the
camera (Olympus E10) is the same, the software (Photoshop 6) is the same. I
have been using Jetec and some other lower spec cartrages, but have gone
back to Epson.

Any ideas would be welcome. - could the cheaper cartrages have messed up the
printer head ? I may have changed the printer cable - would this be an
issues ? Any similar experiences ?

Thanks

--
Tobit Curteis
___________

Cambridge
UK
 
Tobit said:
I've been using an Epson Stylus Colour 900 for a few years, for big
photographic reports, with good results. Recently I've noticed the
image deteriorating and becoming slightly more grainy. I've reprinted
some images from a year back and these are definately more grainy
than when first printed.
Click to expand...

1. check the printer driver settings - maybe you print in low
resolution now?
2. run the nozzle check and let us know the result.
3. try to print on another, better kind of paper designed for photo.

Best regards
Lukasz Spychalski
 
I've been using an Epson Stylus Colour 900 for a few years, for big
photographic reports, with good results. Recently I've noticed the image
deteriorating and becoming slightly more grainy. I've reprinted some images
from a year back and these are definately more grainy than when first
printed.

The only thing that has changed is the PC which is higher spec, but the
camera (Olympus E10) is the same, the software (Photoshop 6) is the same. I
have been using Jetec and some other lower spec cartrages, but have gone
back to Epson.

Any ideas would be welcome. - could the cheaper cartrages have messed up the
printer head ? I may have changed the printer cable - would this be an
issues ? Any similar experiences ?

Thanks
Click to expand...



I think what you are seing is all in your head..
 
Obviously when doing comparisons I kept the same variables and driver
settings for the originals and the tests

resolution 1440/ Epson photo paper/ nozzle check and clean

Is it possible that the print head has deteriorated and this would not show
in the diagnostics ? (I have noticed that, under magnificantion, there is a
slight scatter around printed text - even when done at 1440 on photo paper)

Tobit
 
So clean the head ?? Is there a good website with instructions for head
cleaning without trashing it ?

Tobit
 
So clean the head ?? Is there a good website with instructions for head
cleaning without trashing it ?

Tobit
Click to expand...



Heads can get a part clog and then they spray all over the place, I can see
that with mine, the step ladder test print from the black jets were not even
steps, after I removed the print head and soaked it in a little 2.mm/1/8" deep
Spray & Wipe, a thin Ammonia cleaning solution, ( a general purpose surface
cleaner) for 2 times 1 hour and then warm water for 1/2 hours, it prints
very clean steps now..
 
Is it possible that the print head has deteriorated and this would
not show in the diagnostics ? (I have noticed that, under
magnificantion, there is a slight scatter around printed text - even
when done at 1440 on photo paper)
Click to expand...

Yes - there is a possibility that some residues can cause dot misplacement
and/or ink spraying - as "puss" wrote. This can affect dot patterns making
them grainy.

There is one more issue: do you print unidirectionally (high-speed "off")?
If the printer prints bi-di there is a possibility that patterns printed in
one direction don't corelate with those printed in opposite direction and
the result is grainy. You can adjust this, but uni-di printing will be
always more accurate.

Best regards
Lukasz Spychalski
 
I have several friends that wore out their 900's. Yours could be showing
signs of old age.
 
Tobit said:
Obviously when doing comparisons I kept the same variables and driver
settings for the originals and the tests

resolution 1440/ Epson photo paper/ nozzle check and clean

Is it possible that the print head has deteriorated and this would not show
in the diagnostics ? (I have noticed that, under magnificantion, there is a
slight scatter around printed text - even when done at 1440 on
Click to expand...
photo paper)

The slight scatter suggests that the face of your printhead is dirty
and needs to be cleaned. You can do this by soaking some tissue in
Windex (in US) Windolene ( in UK) and place this over the felt pad
that sits under the printhead when parked. Getting this into the
correct position needs a little bit of work but it can be done.
Several soakings followed with some head cleaning cycles should
remove most of the dirt, restoring print quality.
--

..
--
Cheers,
Jonathan Lowe
whatever at antispam dot net
No email address given because of spam.
Antispam trap in place
 
Back
Top