Printer Blotches

[wilfredo]

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My Epson 3880 is delivering prints with black blotches when using the Photo Black ink, it seems to work fine with the Matt Black Ink.  I cleaned the printer heads but the problem persists.  Any recommendations?  Is it time for a visit to a repair facility?

 

Thanks!

 

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[01af]

I had exactly the same problem with my Epson Stylus Pro 3800. After much ado and the total waste of two black-ink cartridges, I eventually solved the issue through the purchase of an Epson SC-P800.

[Mark Pope]

I thought these printers used the same print head for either photo black or matt black inks.  I must admit I have never used the matt black on my Stylus 3800, which has just started to deposit little spots of ink on some prints.  I had put it down to the paper I was using being thicker that I had used previously.

This thread on Luminous landscape  is quite interesting.

[Jeff S]

Which feed are you using? Try the front feed if you haven't already; this gives a straighter feed path to avoid head strikes. Also check the platen gap.

 

Also, is your Photo Black ink fresh? Try shaking it (slowly, not vigorously).... or replace if not.

 

Sometimes certain papers are finicky with blacks. Are you using a gloss/ semi-gloss paper? Have you tried different papers to see if problems persist?

 

I trust that your clean cycles are producing perfect nozzle patterns.... have you used the print utility to run the detailed print pattern? Be sure the lines are fully clear from switching blacks. If all the above fails, you might try a flush using Jon Cone's product. And/or call Epson to discuss. Is it under warranty?

 

Jeff

[Luke_Miller]

I had exactly the same with my Epson R3000.  Reportedly Epson had a design issue with the damper assembly used during the black ink swap and if the problem occurs replacement of the assembly is needed.  I just replaced the printer.

[Jeff S]

Could be the same issue, and certainly worth investigating, but the R3000 was problematic, while the 3800 and 3880 have generally been much more reliable platforms based on all of my readings and discussions with dealers and reps (and anecdotally based on my 7 years with a 3800).

 

That said, the P800 is even better... so far.

 

Jeff

[Guest]

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I had an almost identical issue with a Kodak printer which I used just as a basic and cheap to run colour printer for small prints.A new print head cured the problem instantly and very cheaply. I have been using the Epson P 800 for over a year without any problems so far.

I bought this mainly due to the good reputation of the 3800/3880. The cost of a new print head on the Epson which is not user replaceable effectively scraps the printer. I believe that a recent addition to the Cannon range for up to A2 printing has a user replaceable print head.That feature would prompt me to consider the Cannon . However the P800 plus Image Print 10 is an incredible printer and hopefully will be good for some time.

[wlaidlaw]

I have just fired up my 3880 after it has been in Piezoflush winterisation and I have replaced the original Epson ink carts. I too have some black smears although nothing like as bad as Wilfredo's - see photo. I have been doing a bit of reading about this yesterday and it would seem that the usual cause is surplus ink on the drains to the replaceable service pack and/or ink, wet or encrusted on the wiper blade for the print heads. I have ordered a kit with a large bottle of stuff called Magic Bullet for cleaning both of these. If you Google for cleaning an Epson 3880 with Magic Bullet, you should be lead to a Youtube video, showing how to do it. I could not source any of this stuff in France (Amazon and another supplier were both out of stock), so as luck would have it, had to order it from somewhere just down the road from my UK house. Hopefully it will reach me in a week or so but may be longer (packet post from the UK to France can be very slow). 

 

You can also use this product for cleaning the print heads by soaking a pad and then manually pulling the print head over it. The (by now clean) wiper blade can then clean off the now softened ink off the print heads, when you re-connect the power. 

 

Wilson

 

 

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[wilfredo]

Thanks for the feedback.  Glad to see I'm not the only one with this issue.  This printer worked flawlessly for years.  I will try some of the suggestions offered here. It could be that since I don't print as much as I used to, the Photo Black ink is too old. I mostly print with Matt Black ink, no problem there.

[wilfredo]

Which feed are you using? Try the front feed if you haven't already; this gives a straighter feed path to avoid head strikes. Also check the platen gap.

 

Also, is your Photo Black ink fresh? Try shaking it (slowly, not vigorously).... or replace if not.

 

Sometimes certain papers are finicky with blacks. Are you using a gloss/ semi-gloss paper? Have you tried different papers to see if problems persist?

 

I trust that your clean cycles are producing perfect nozzle patterns.... have you used the print utility to run the detailed print pattern? Be sure the lines are fully clear from switching blacks. If all the above fails, you might try a flush using Jon Cone's product. And/or call Epson to discuss. Is it under warranty?

 

Jeff

 

 

I tried removing the cartridge and giving it a gentle shake, problem persists.  I'm getting blotches even with plain paper when printing a Mircosoft document.  It's no longer under warranty.  I'll search the web for Jon Cone's product.

[Guest]

http://www.specialistinks.com/clean-printheads.php

 

This www is useful for the Magic Bullet cleaning fluid and also general info and video instruction on printer maintenance. They also ship worldwide.

[wlaidlaw]

http://www.specialistinks.com/clean-printheads.php

 

This www is useful for the Magic Bullet cleaning fluid and also general info and video instruction on printer maintenance. They also ship worldwide.

 

That is who I have ordered my Magic Bullet 125ml kit from, for delivery to France. I think Joe Cone may do a similar product (not Piezoflush, which I leave in his refillable carts over winter, while I am back in the UK). I also note that my maintenance cart is nearly full. I have two spares for these, bought from Toner24.fr last year when they were on a BOGOF deal, so once I have flushed the head cleaning drains with Magic Bullet, I will change to a new maintenance cart. 

[wilfredo]

I ordered a cleaning kit from InkJetMall.com, and I will give that a go as a first step.  This video seems pretty straight forward.  I will keep you all posted.

[Jeff S]

I ordered a cleaning kit from InkJetMall.com, and I will give that a go as a first step.  This video seems pretty straight forward.  I will keep you all posted.

 

Yep, that's Jon Cone's company, and products.  You might also call them to discuss your issue....they're extremely knowledgeable about Epson printers and all their issues....and very friendly, too.

 

Jeff

[wlaidlaw]

What Dana at Piezography (Jon Cone) doesn't know about inkjet printers is probably not worth knowing. I was thinking of getting a P800 for the UK and had a long chat with her about third party carts for that printer. Apparently this printer is locked in the USA and using third party carts will result in problems. The EU insisted that the P800 was unlocked (after I was thinking of buying one) and Piezography now sell carts through their European outlets.  I could have used the Piezoflush to clean my 3880 instead of ordering Magic Bullet but Piezoflush is quite expensive in Europe and I have just enough left to top off my Piezography carts to winterise my 3880 this coming autumn. 

[Guest]

Hello Wilson

I am glad to see that your winterising of your French printer is working out well. I followed your post some time ago when you first developed the idea . If you decide to buy the Epson SC P800 I am sure you will be happy with it. I am using Image Print 10 which from my point of view has made my printing very easy. I had a minor problem which was solved by not connecting via USB and using a cat 5 ethernet cable.Epson told me at the photography show that the max USB cable they reccomend is I.80 metre so job done for less than £10. IP10 cost almost as much as the P800 but as a % of how much I have spent on Photography plus the benefits it has given me,it was money well spent.

Enjoy the summer.

[wlaidlaw]

The Magic Bullet printer cleaning kit arrived today for my Epson Stylus Pro 3880 A2 size photo printer. After I had followed the instructions, unlocked and centred the print head, I could then shine a torch in to asses the state of the head cleaning, head service and wiper area. I think only a good Scottish word can describe the state it was in. The whole area was totally CLARTED with black looking ink and ink residue. I am surprised that I was not getting much worse smears than I was. I have cleaned up the whole area including the wiper blade and the sponge next door to the blade, flushed through the drains and cleaned the seals round the drains. I then replaced the maintenance pack, as it was 95% full before I started flushing the drains and I had two new ones in stock. I also did the head cleaning job with a cleaning fluid soaked folded paper towel. A lot of surplus and caked on ink came off at that stage. I am delighted to be able to report that all is now drip and smear free.

 

The Magic Bullet kit is £31 (including P&P from UK to France) very well spent, as there is plenty of fluid for about another 4 or more cleans. An Epson Pro service call out in France, is a minimum of €120 plus whatever materials and parts they fit and additionally, if the visit takes over 30 minutes, a per 5 minutes extra labour charge. Apparently they always fit a new head and head service area, which is another €200. This all comes as one spare part and you cannot buy a service area without the print head and vice versa. In addition it takes about 15% of each ink cartridge to re-prime the head. Epson recommends fitting a new head and service area every year to the 3880 - nice work if you can get it!

 

I can thoroughly recommend the Magic Bullet kit. 

 

Wilson

 

PS For cleaning the wiper blade, a sensor swab is perfect. I will keep the next ones I use on sensors for future print cleaning jobs. 

[Jeff S]

Epson recommends fitting a new head and service area every year to the 3880 - nice work if you can get it!

 

That's nuts, assuming you're talking about fairly regular use... what's your source on that?

 

My 3800 performed flawlessly for 7 years and is now serving a local school photography program. Same head, normal maintenance....per manual.

 

Jeff

[wlaidlaw]

That's nuts, assuming you're talking about fairly regular use... what's your source on that?

 

My 3800 performed flawlessly for 7 years and is now serving a local school photography program. Same head, normal maintenance....per manual.

 

Jeff

 

Dana at Piezography. She said it might seem excessive but for people who are using the printer for a number of hours a day, it may be necessary. I know a number of people with 3880's who have called an Epson engineer in to do a service. A new print head and cleaning service area has been fitted (I suspect whether needed or not). 

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[Jeff S]

Well, using Epson inks, I could wait until my inks run down and buy either a new discounted or a refurbished printer (including a full ink set) for the same or less money than it would cost to replace the print head and buy all the inks.

 

Jeff