Epson R2800 started printing with purple/magenta cast recently

[Vejpitka]

About a year ago, I did some test prints with my Epson R2800 printer and Hahnemuhle PhotoRag Baryta papers (no OBA). I tried B/W prints in both Epson Advance B/W Mode and a color mode with Hahnemuhle published ICC profiles , both with the very same neutral B/W look.

Recently, my printer started to print with noticeable purple/magenta cast. So, I repeated the test prints and:

• The cast is noticeable especially in blue part (skies) and B/W prints.
• In Epson Advanced B/W mode, the cast is slightly less noticeable.
• In color mode with Hahnemuhle-provided ICC profile, the cast is really high.

I used the very same computer / system / programs / profile / software settings. I also used papers from several packages, some old ones and some entirely new. Of course, I did all nozzle check and cleaning head procedures, with no effect.

My only explanation for this is the problem is that the new ink cartridges are somehow bad, is it possible?

Please help,
Vejpitka

 

[Steve Bingham]

If you did a nozzle test print and the dots are all there, then the inks are too old. My first thought was nozzle clog . Check the date. Each package comes with a date on the package. Then remove the cartridges and slowly re-mix the ink with gentle rocking motion for 30 seconds. Then reinsert. It will take quite a few prints for the ink to go through the ink tubes. If you are using, or have ever used, 3rd party inks all bets are off!!!
--
Steve Bingham
http://www.dustylens.com
http://www.ghost-town-photography.com

 

[Vejpitka]

Steve, thanks for reply. All cartridges were made between 2010/04 and 2010/06, and I put them into the printer about a month ago. So I believe inks should be ok, since the advertised shelf life is 2 years (and 6 month after opening).

I have also already tried to re-mix the cartridges manually, but only the magenta ones. I will try them all and do some more prints to be sure it took effect.

EDIT: I use only original Epson inks.

 

[stormyboy]

I would suggest making your own printing profiles, if you have access to the equipment; or, pay to have some made. It costs about $30 in the US, not counting postage/shipping. I have an r2400 and the supplied profiles have never been very good on it.
Tom

 

[Vejpitka]

The problem is that the printing colors changed, probably after putting new ink cartridges. And i don't want to create printing profiles each time I replace a cartridge, or is it usual?. That is why I bought a high-quality printer and why I use high-quality papers, because I thought their characteristics would not change over time.

The printing profile downloaded from Hahnemuhle created specially for Epson R2880 were perfect, the outputs were visually very pleasing for me and matched the calibrated monitor images. However, something changed, and that's the problem .

 

[Petruska]

1. What OS, windows or MAC?

2. Using Epson OEM ink?

3. What photo editing software, PS, LR, Qimage, etc.?

4. Wha does your nozzle check look like?

5. What happens if you print with the printer managing colors (no ICC profiles used) in your phot editing software? Use one of the Media Types listed in the printer driver, Semi-gloss, etc. it won't mater much as pigments inks seem to print well on any types of papers without much fuss. Hopefully you have some Epson paper and use that setting.

A magenta color caste usually means you are double profiling somewhere.

Bob P.

 

[Vejpitka]

1. What OS, windows or MAC?

Windows

2. Using Epson OEM ink?

Yes, I use (and have ever used) only Epson OEM inks.

3. What photo editing software, PS, LR, Qimage, etc.?

Photoshop CS4

4. Wha does your nozzle check look like?

It looks perfectly fine (examined it with a magnifier).

5. What happens if you print with the printer managing colors (no ICC profiles used) in your phot editing software? Use one of the Media Types listed in the printer driver, Semi-gloss, etc. it won't mater much as pigments inks seem to print well on any types of papers without much fuss. Hopefully you have some Epson paper and use that setting.

Unfortunately, I don't have any Epson paper available now. However, with the same Hahnemuhle PhotoRag Baryta paper, I tried to convert the image into Adobe RGB, let the printer determine colors and chose Adobe RGB in the printer dialog. The results is the same - magenta/purple cast in B/W parts of the image.

A magenta color caste usually means you are double profiling somewhere.

Is it possible even if the cast is present using Adobe RGB / Advanced B/W settings in printer's dialog?

Bob P.

Vejpitka

 

[Petruska]

Download the DataColor standard test photo, it's the one with 16 small pics, it's in aRGB format, don't edit it at all, and print in PS with the printer manging colors.

In the printer properties setup, you should choose Standard, a paper type, Color, Automatic and choose Adobe RGB.

Report back...

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/downloadable_1/DL_page.html

Bob P.

 

[stormyboy]

Hmmm...did you just buy the current ink cartridges recently? Maybe they were stored in a non-optimal condition?

 

[Dennis Worrall]

Please excuse my ignorance, but when some cameras are reviewed in magazines or on DP review you often see the comment about the the images from it having strong purple or yellow fringing so I am now totally perplexed regarding this problem as I also get purple fringing on my prints which is only visible on my screen when I enlarge an image to 200% to check sharpness or for any spots that you cannot see at normal levels. This new problem is suprising to me and I am reading all the answers avidly in order to maybe correct my own fringing. Dennis.

 

[jtoolman]

That is often cause by inherent Optical Aberrations of your lens. Sadly you would have to spend a PREMIUM to get a lens with minimal aberrations. Specially Zoom Lenses. Single focal length prime lenses are much easier to correct for most optical problems. Large range zooms are not.

 

[Vejpitka]

This is totally different problem! I can create a new picture in Photoshop, fill it with neutral gray color and print - with a magenta/purple cast (even in Advanced B/W Mode). It has nothing to do with any lenses or cameras. I think now that the problem is with ink, I'm going to buy new cartridges and then see...

 

[MrScary]

Why don't you chose "Let Photoshop Manage Colors" you should a better print.
--
MrScary (DennisR)
Swansea, Wales. UK
http://russ4tography.com/
http://copernob.jalbum.net/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scarecrowdr

 

[Petruska]

the test results were the same. He also needs to use custom profiles with PS managing colors because he isn't using Epson papers.....

Bob P.

 

[Vejpitka]

Why don't you chose "Let Photoshop Manage Colors" you should a better print.
--
MrScary (DennisR)
Swansea, Wales. UK
http://russ4tography.com/
http://copernob.jalbum.net/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scarecrowdr

I did... You don't understand my problem - I use the same paper, same inks (just new cartridges), and the very same ICC profile for printing (with the "Photoshop Manages Color" choice), and the results started being different. I know that making a new icc profile would help, just don't want to recreate profiles each time I swap cartridges, since I do not have a spectrometer.

 

[Shaun Bell]

Sounds like you have a grip on colour management and your nozzles are clear... There's no way you should be getting that cast. Maybe try some other papers with it's corresponding profile. If you get the same thing, try re installing the print driver and update the printers firmware (not sure if you can do that on you particular model, on my larger Epson's you can). If that doesn't help, there's something wrong with your print head. Had something like this happen on an old Epson 4000. Take that with a grain of salt though. The head was shot, but the nozzle check was showing dead nozzles. Your problem seems a bit more perplexing.
--
http://www.paphotographics.com

 

[Steve Bingham]

If I was there in person, I feel sure I could solve the problem unless your printer is BROKEN . . . a long shot.

Please, keep us informed.
--
Steve Bingham
http://www.dustylens.com
http://www.ghost-town-photography.com