How to get good image quality. Seiko I Infotech IP-5610

How to get good image quality

This section provides suggestions for a customer to get better image quality from the printer. Resolve the issue based on the symptom.

Note

When several Resolutions are described, they are described in the order of most effective ones. It is recommended to implement the Resolution at the top first and confirm the effect on the improvement. (But, it is not necessary to implement all of the Resolutions.)

Light print

Symptom/Possible Cause

The operating environment is out of the printer specification.

The media selection does not matched.

Resolution

Raise the room temperature to higher than 15°C

(recommended temperature : 20 to 25°C)so that the printer sufficiently warms up.

Confirm the selection of the media used is correct

( P.3-21 )

White lines on the print

5

Basic image [ Cause ]

The media advance is not properly adjusted.

[ Reference ]

When the color stripe is printed, white lines appears on all colors.

[ Cause ]

The lost print of Print head

[ Reference ]

When the color stripe is printed, white lines appears on all colors.

[ Cause ]

Matching with the media is not good. / The ink dries fast.

5-15

5-16

Symptom/Possible Cause

The media advance is not properly adjusted.

[Suggestions for media advance value]

( P.5-22)

Clogged Nozzles

Resolution

(1) Print in the image improvement [MEDIUM] or

[HIGH]. ( P.3-34 )

(2) Print the media advance adjustment pattern and adjust the media advance value. ( P.4-28 )

(3) Change the pressure force using the Pressure roller up/down lever. ( P.2-34 )

(4) Print the media advance adjustment pattern again and adjust the media advance value.( P.4-28 )

(5) Print in the uni-direction print mode. ( P.3-26 )

(6) Print in the print mode [QUALITY]. ( P.3-25 )

(1) Check that there is no dust on the platen, if any, remove it. ( P.4-15 )

(2) Perform the regular maintenance.( P.4-3 )

(3) Implement (NORMAL ALL). ( P.4-19 )

After this, run the nozzle print and confirm that the lost print is improved. ( P.4-8 )

(4) Clean the surface of Print head ( P.5-23 )

After this, run the nozzle print and confirm that the lost print is improved.( P.4-8 )

Matching with the media is not good. / The ink dries fast.

- By adding the color stripe when printing, the incidence of clogged nozzles will be reduced. ( P.3-31 )

(1) Print the media advance adjustment pattern and adjust the media advance value. ( P.4-28 )

- [Suggestions for media advance value]

( P.5-22 )

(2) Raise the heater temperature. ( P.2-41 )

(3) Print in the print mode [QUALITY] ( P.3-25 )

(4) Print in the uni-direction printing. ( P.3-26 )

(5) Print in the print mode [DENSITY] ( P.3-25 )

(6) Print using the known good media that has been used in the past

q How to get good image quality

Dark lines on the print

Basic image [ Cause ]

The area around the Print head is stained

[ Cause ]

Different order of ink blowing due to bi-direction printing

* Black lines in the lateral direction * Black lines in the vertical direction

[ Cause ]

- The media advance is

[ Cause ]

- Ink does not penetrate not properly adjusted.

into the media due to its

- The ink dries slowly.

surface condition.

- The small error of the ink droplet position on the media.

Symptom/Possible Cause

The area around the Print head is stained.

Different order of ink layering due to bi-direction printing

Resolution

(1) Clean the surface of Carriage base.

( P.4-16 )

(2) Clean the Head guard ( P.4-17 )

(3) Raise the height of Print head. ( P.2-44 )

(1) Print in the image improvement [MEDIUM] or

[HIGH]. ( P.3-34 )

(2) Print in the uni-direction print. ( P.3-26 )

(3) Print in the print mode [QUALITY].

( P.3-25 )

The media advance is not well adjusted.

[Suggestions for media advance value]

( P.5-22)

The ink dries slowly.

(1) Print in the image improvement [MEDIUM] or

[HIGH]. ( P.3-34 )

(2) Print the media advance adjustment pattern and adjust the media advance value. ( P.4-28 )

(3) Change the pressure force using the Pressure roller up/down lever. ( P.2-34 )

(4) Once again, print the media advance adjustment pattern and adjust the media advance value.

( P.4-28 )

(5) Print in the uni-direction printing. ( P.3-26 )

(6) Print in the print mode [QUALITY]. ( P.3-25 )

(1) Raise the heater temperature. ( P.2-41 )

(2) Print in the uni-direction printing. ( P.3-26 )

(3) Print in the print mode [QUALITY]. ( P.3-25 )

Dark lines in the vertical direction (1) Print in the image gradient [HIGHLIGHT2].

( P.3-31 )

5

5-17

Stain on the print

5-18

Basic image

Symptom/Possible Cause

Ink spray

Ink drooling

Print head scratched by media

(wrinkled media)

[ Cause ]

Ink spray

[ Cause ]

Ink drooling

[ Cause ]

Print head scratched by media (wrinkled media)

Resolution

(1) Print in the image gradient [HIGHLIGHT1] or

[HIGHLIGHT2].( P.3-31 )

(2) Check the height (low) of the Print head.

( P.2-44 )

(3) Perform the regular maintenance. ( P.4-3 )

(4) Run the cleaning (NORMAL ALL). ( P.4-19 )

(5) Check the environment temperature.

(recommended temperature 20 to 25°C)

(6) Replace the media with a media that has been used up to now.

(1) Check that no wrinkles or rising exists on the media or that the media is slantingly set. Set the media again. ( P.2-7 )

(2) Check the height (high) of the Print head.

( P.2-44 )

(3) Run the Print head cleaning (NORMAL ALL).

( P.4-19 )

(4) Perform the regular maintenance. ( P.4-3 )

(5) Clean the Print head surface. ( P.5-23 )

(1) Load the media again. ( P.2-7 )

(2) Raise the height of the Print head. ( P.2-44 )

(3) Raise the heater temperature. ( P.2-41 )

(4) Replace the media. ( P.2-7 )

(5) Reduce the environment humidity. (The media may soak resulting in wrinkle.)

(6) Check that the head securing screws are not loosened.

( P.2-44 )

q How to get good image quality

Bleeding on the print

Basic image [ Cause ]

The ink dries slowly. / Too much ink

[ Cause ]

Shift of the Print head position / Shift of the Print head bi-direction position

Symptom/Possible Cause Resolution

The ink dries slowly. / Too much ink (1) Raise the heater temperature. ( P.2-41 )

(2) Print in the image gradient [HIGHLIGHT1] or

[HIGHLIGHT2].( P.3-31 )

(3) When printing in the print mode [DENSITY], change it to [QUALITY]. ( P.3-25 )

(4) When printing in the [BI-DRECTION] print mode, change it to [UNI-DIRECTION]. ( P.3-26 )

Shift of the Print head position /

Shift of the Print head bi-direction position (horizontal ghosting)

(1) Adjust the Print head position. ( P.4-39 )

(2) Adjust the bi-direction of Print head. ( P.4-34 )

The lost print occurs at the start of printing.

Symptom/Possible Cause

Out of the operating temperature and humidity range

Resolution

Use the printer within the operating temperature and humidity range. ( P.1-3 )

5

5-19

5-20

Vertical lines at the edge of print

Basic image [ Cause ]

On the platen, the contact of left edge of media to the media edge guard locates near the vacuum hole.

Symptom/Possible Cause

When the edge of media under the edge guard is near the vacuum hole on the platen, ink is drawn through the clearance between media and edge guard that may cause Vertical lines .

[ Cause ]

On the platen, the contact of right edge of media to the media edge guard locates near the vacuum hole.

Resolution

(1) Shift the media so that the contact of edge of media on the platen to the media edge guard does not locate near the vacuum.

( P.2-7 )

Media

Media

Example of media position when the vertical lines appears

Example (1) of the shift of media position when the vertical lines appears

Example (2) of the shift of media position when the vertical lines appears

Platen

* Shift the media so that the vacuum hole does not come within this range.

Media edge guard

Vacuum hole

q How to get good image quality

Banding different at right and left appears on the print.

Basic image [ Cause ]

The media is slantingly advanced.

Symptom/Possible Cause

The media is slantingly advanced.

Skew (winding slippage) example

Media

Sag example

Media

Resolution

(1) Check that the media on the roll is straight. If is not , replace it .

Bad example

Printer

Media

Printer

Good example

Media

Flange

Media

Bad example

Good example

Flange

Media

(2) Check that the media is traveling straight off the roll. If not, adjust the position of the flange holder or shift the media right or left by raising the Pressure roller up/down lever to set the media vertically. In addition, when using the take-up reel unit, adjust the position of flange at the take-up side or re-set the media. ( P.2-7 )

(3) Confirm that the media is loaded straight against the flange. If not, set the media again so that it is straight. ( P.2-7 )

(4) Confirm that the flange is not loose. Re-tighten the knob of the flange.

Flange

Note

If the media with the flange installed is stood on end, the media alignment on the roll will become the source of a possible problem.

Media

Flange

5

5-21

5-22

Suggestions for media advance value

The changes mentioned below can cause media advance value to vary.

Condition

¢ Variation of media condition

Depending on (1) type of media, width and roll length and (2) change of roll diameter as used, the appropriate media advance value varies.

¢ When changing the takeup mode of the winding equipment, the appropriate media advance value varies.

¢ When changing the print mode, the appropriate media advance value will vary.

¢ The appropriate media advance value differs in the Print heads of each color.

¢ The correct media advance value differs between right and left sides of media.

¢ When media is easy to adhere to the paper guide like banner.

Hint

In addition to the factors mentioned to the left, even if the media type is same, non-uniformed manufacturing can cause the media advance to vary.

Therefore, when replacing a roll, setting the media advance value must be performed.

( P.4-28 )

When setting to [loose winding], the appropriate media advance value is greater than [tension winding]. ( P.3-28 )

The greater the number of passes is, the greater the correct media advance value will be.

( P.3-25 )

Normally, it is recommended to set the averaged value of 4 colors. However, set the important color suitable for print data.

Normally, it is recommended to set the averaged value of right and left values. However, set the important position suitable for print data as a top priority.

It is recommended that you set the media advance correction value by printing the media advance correction pattern and then make adjustment while changing the correction value during printing of an actual image.

After setting the media advance value determined from the media advance adjustment pattern, it is possible to improve image quality further by adjusting the media advance

( value while printing.

P.4-32 [Change during online printing])

q How to get good image quality

¢ Cleaning of Print head surface

When clogged nozzles is not solved after performing print head cleaning, the print head surface may be contaminating the print. Clean using the following procedure.

Note

As many fine nozzles are arranged precisely on the Print head surface, cleaning may risk to damage the Print head. Therefore, follow the procedure in

[How to get good image quality ] ( P.5-15), and perform the cleaning.

1

Set the printer to the offline. Press key to display the PH.MAIN MENU.

h REWIND f PH.REC

FORM FEEDi

PH.MAINg

2

Press key to enter in the PH.MAIN

MENU. Then, the cap cleaning menu is displayed.

#CAP CLEANING

>

3

Select [RESEAT PRINTHEAD] using key and press key.

#RESEAT PRINTHEAD

>

4

When the confirmation menu is displayed, press key.

Then, the carriage moves.

#RESEAT PRINTHEAD

* OK ?

CARRIAGE MOVING

PLEASE WAIT

5 Open the Front cover and then the Maintenance cover.

5

5-23

5-24

6

While checking visually, wipe the Print head surface back and forth lightly with a

OPEN COVER

RESEAT PRINTHEAD

Cleaning swab soaked with cap cleaning liquid.

After finishing the cleaning, close the Maintenance cover and the Front cover.

The Print head automatically returns to the original position.

Print head surface Cleaning swab

Note

Do not leave the Print heads away from the Capping unit unnecessarily.

The Print heads can dry out, causing additional problems.

When wiping the Print head surface, be careful for cap cleaning liquid not to enter in your eyes and mouth.