Epson dropping magenta spots on prints

The other day I ran a nozzle check, and upon seeing substantial issues, I ran a head cleaning (I told the printer to do it). Thereafter I printed a couple of small prints (4x6 inch borderless). Both came out with a couple of obvious blobs of magenta (or light magenta) ink on the surfaces. The blobs were maybe 1/16th inch (1.5 mm) diameter. They were in different places on each print.

This is an Epson R280 that I recently bought used. Supposedly it was new, but clearly it was open-box, and the ink cartridges had been installed. These cartridges could conceivably be eight years old, but we live in a humid area. The software says they are full. Initially I printed a couple of 8.5x11 inch prints (roughly A4), and they came out fine. It was a couple of days later that I had this problem.

So the age of the ink cartridges is one issue. But I'm wondering:

(1) After running a head cleaning, should I run a nozzle check or something else to clean / clear out excess ink?

(2) I ran the nozzle checks on plain photocopier paper, but probably forgot to tell the printer is was plain paper instead of photo paper, which I had set as the default. Could this cause problems?

(3) Is there some other routine cleaning of excess / built-up ink that I should perform?

(4) Is there anything else you can think of or recommend?

Yes, I realize this is an old and basic printer. But it is small and I can put it up when not in use. There does not appear to be anything comparable new, or indeed newer than the Epson Artisan 50 of 2009. I'm playing around to learn about color management and the effects of various procedures and settings.

Thanks!

I have and still use and elderly R280. Photo print quality is excellent with Epson photo paper. It will develop a nozzle clog if it sits unused for longer than about one week, but a head cleaning fixes the problem. The old carts could be the problem. I would run a couple of clean cycles and then at least several of the nozzle check prints to see if the problem clears. I also believe there is a more extensive print test page, but it is not available through the print driver. You should get good results by having the printer control the color with rather basic settings. I believe "color controls" on the advanced settings page and HQ photo on the main page. Other settings are less accurate overall if I remember. I have Lightroom control the color so I am bit rusty on printer controlling the output. No printers like this seem to be made now. They are either all in one types or larger format photo printers designed for enthusiasts or pros.

Greg

Greg, thanks for the suggestions.

It will develop a nozzle clog if it sits unused for longer than about one week ....

Ugh, are you serious? Or do you live in a very dry place? Because one of the reasons I thought this would be a good printer for me to learn with is that its dye inks would let me go a month without printing and then start up just fine.

You should get good results by having the printer control the color with rather basic settings. I believe "color controls" on the advanced settings page and HQ photo on the main page. Other settings are less accurate overall if I remember. I have Lightroom control the color so I am bit rusty on printer controlling the output.

Part of the point of this was for me to learn about color management. Am I correct in thinking that if I choose ICM (I think that's what it's called) and then check the no corrections box or whatever, and then in DxO Optics Pro or Lightroom I use or convert to the profile for the particular printer and paper, that should provide the most accurate color?

Please tell me whether this seems right: this is how I set the Epson R280 printer for what I think gives me a color-managed workflow:



From the Main tab I have PhotoEnhance unchecked, Quality Option on Best Photo, and Paper Options -> Type set appropriately.

Thanks!

Probably not related to this incident, but borderless printing does slop ink around the innards, and sooner or later prints come out with ink smears.

These small Epson dye printers in my experience here in the UK can be left sitting around unused for a few weeks and still produce perfect nozzle check when then asked. Agree with previous poster that borderless printing will eventually lead to a build up of ink in the innards.

HI, I have a problem with the Epson SC 800. After changing the Black from matt to glossy, there are now scuff marks and what looks like green ink gunk deposited right at the beginning (top) of each print. It looks like there must some deposits on the printhead from a hundert or so matt prints on Hahnemühle paper.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Can I manually clean the printhead? Running the printhead program did not eliminate the problem.

Thanks for any input !

Jacqueline

NAwlins Contrarian said:

Please tell me whether this seems right: this is how I set the Epson R280 printer for what I think gives me a color-managed workflow:

From the Main tab I have PhotoEnhance unchecked, Quality Option on Best Photo, and Paper Options -> Type set appropriately.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Part (actually most) of your described issue (in my opinion) is caused from printing Borderless. Printing Borderless requires the printer to "dump" the over spray (on both sides of the paper) down into the printer. Except the Borderless comment, your settings appear to be OK

My opinion is why I never print Borderless with any of my Epson Printers.

I could offer other suggestions (to help with this) but will wait until reading all comments since someone may already have offered help.

--
Vernon...

Jacqueline H said:

Can I manually clean the printhead?

Click to expand...

Yes. Track down Youtube videos on cleaning a printer by a veteran of this forum, Jose Rodriguez aka jtoolman.

Jacqueline H said:

HI, I have a problem with the Epson SC 800. After changing the Black from matt to glossy, there are now scuff marks and what looks like green ink gunk deposited right at the beginning (top) of each print. It looks like there must some deposits on the printhead from a hundert or so matt prints on Hahnemühle paper.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Can I manually clean the printhead? Running the printhead program did not eliminate the problem.

Thanks for any input !

Jacqueline

Click to expand...

All of my printers are Epson and use Pigment inks. Three R800, one R1800, and one 3880. The latest (3880) has never had a clogged print head or other issues plus NO initiated Head Cleanings in over 3 years of usage --so-- NO corrective actions required..

I help control the ink build up on he print head plus "pooling of ink" on the pads at the extreme left side of the (other printers) printing unit. I use soft cloth (or tissue) to "blot -- pick up" as needed -- the Pooling of ink on left side.

I clean the print heads by: selecting/pressing change cartridge button in order to move the print head from the Parked position. Then, turn OFF the AC Power to printer. This now allows moving the Print Head unit freely. Use one (full size) Paper Towel, fold it several times to be narrow enough to fit under the print head unit. Move the Print Head unit to the left and slip the folded paper towel under the print head unit. Hold the towel in position (I use an ink pin pressed on the towel) and move the print head unit to the right to be approximately at mid point of the folded towel. Using household Windex in a syringe and "squirt" on towel on both sides of print head unit.

Next, Holding the towel in a fixed position (as discussed) and move the print head unit in BOTH directions several times in order to loosen (and remove) dried and partially dried ink (gunk) from the print head. Now, move print head unit to the left and (use tweezers) to remove the "soiled" folded towel -- place in waste basket.

NOTE: best cleaning is to allow time for the print head unit to set (several minutes) over the Windex coated area of the folded towel -- between movements left and right.

Just yesterday, I had not used the R1800 for longer than normal. I printed my usual Nozzle Check and it was perfect, however; the first 13 x 19 Photo printed had areas of ink smears which ruined it. I performed the above cleaning and printed five more 13 x 19 photos without this issue.

Thanks, I'm glad to receive your opinions on this.