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Why is my print doing this? fading
Hi all,
using an HP Z2100 designjet, aqueous.
recently it has begun to lose colour / fade as it near the end of the print, I wonder if the head is running out of ink?
only ever seems to be at the end of the print, smaller prints seem ok. this was A1.
regards,
Hugh
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13 Replies
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ps. it should be the nice brown on the left, not the redder brown to the right…
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have just run a 2nd print off and it’s done exactly the same!
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Hugh,, try a printhead test and check the solid colour boxes – we had an issue at the start of the prints colour was faded, it turned out to be a printhead misfiring, confirmed via test print.
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Don’t know if this is any help Hugh, but when I had a similar problem with my Cadet printer this was caused by a faulty damper. These have filters inside which clog up over time causing ink starvation. New dampers cured the problem. Don’t know if the HP printers have a similar set up or not
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Just remembered an issue with our old Z6100 that had a very similar problem
Check the ink cartridges, make sure none of the ink bags inside are leaking/burst.
This will obviously starve the printhead of ink over time, causing the print to fade! Doesn’t happen at the start due to the pump charging the printhead and tubes.
WARNING – if it is a faulty cartridge, you’ll need to replace the printhead at the same time too, I was told there’s a small butterfly valve inside that closes and will not reopen, so issue will continue, too us awhile to find this out… and a couple of printheads 👿
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As Phill has said Hugh, check the flow of ink to the dampers & that the dampers have ink in them, had this as well on my Mutoh & replacing the dampers solved the problem
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Don’t think there are dampers (like solvent machines) on HP aqueous printers, aren’t there built into the user changeable printheads?
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Thanks for the replies guys.. I’m running on a bulk system with this printer so the carts aren’t (shoudn’t be) a problem… they have the same little pump in the bottom of them as the originals.
I do have a little kit for drawing ink through the heads somewhere.. the heads contain around 10ml of ink I’m told, this is a maintained reservoir level.
I will try a head clean and do a full diagnostic again. going on hol on weds so not sure I can fix it before I go! I’ll speak to my local ink guy on monday as he seems pretty up on the actual systems.
thanks again,
Hugh -
Is it happening with all colours or just some of them Hugh, certainly sounds like ink starvation. My printer is aqueous but uses epson heads which is probably why mine has dampers. The head itself will act in the same way as a damper if it contains a small supply of ink.
I would certainly still check the ink lines while its running to see if you have a continuous flow of ink, might be that one or more of the little pumps in the cartridges has stopped or has a reduced flow, -
as a bit of an update..
I have drawn ink from the bottom of the bulk cart, removed the head and drawn through about 50ml of ink to ensure no air is in there, then pulled some 30ml of ink thought the head itself, hopefully properly recharging it.I need to do a bit more maintenance today but I think it’s pretty much sorted now.
Hugh
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I’m still having issues with this printer… the fading is still a pain – haven’t got to the bottom of it yet, heads all print at 95% or better,
now still having the issue with the prints just stopping short and spooling blank media to the end.. is there an HP support line that doesn’t cost a mint to call?
cheers,
Hugh -
Have you tried to get in touch with Stafford Cox? He is a genius when it comes to stuff like this Hugh
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Hi Reza,
I must be honest, I hadn’t thought to get in touch with Stafford as I figured he was more on the solvent side of things.I’ve been in touch with HP support and am just awaiting a reply from them (within 72hrs).
The fading is still an issue.
The sizing issue is partly sorted by saving as a 300dpi pdf at 25% and printing direct from the pdf "to fit" to the specified page size in the printing options, not ideal though as it reduces the quality on the finished item.HP just phoned, sent of test print scans etc. awaiting response..
If HP draw a blank I’ll give Stafford a shout.
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