1 print problem down, 1 to go... any ideas? (i9100 banding)

[dphoto]

Hello all,

I'm still having some print problems with my i9100. I'm seeing some slight banding in my prints that I'm not seeing with a DeskJet 722C. Here is a scan of a print made using the i9100:

http://capitalcityphoto.com/tmp/Scan-i9100onCanonPaper.jpg

Here is a scan of a print made using the DeskJet:

http://capitalcityphoto.com/tmp/Scan-DeskJet722ConKodakPaper.jpg

Any ideas? The source image was printed at 300dpi on Canon Glossy Paper. Do I need a new print head attachment? I did a cleaning, but do I need to do a deep cleaning? I'm a little lost on this one.

As for the print problem solved... I was printing on Kodak paper, which I've tested in the past without issue, but for some reason this package of paper didn't produce good results. Here is a scan of a print using the i9100 on the Kodak paper. Yikes!

http://capitalcityphoto.com/tmp/Scan-i9100onKodakPaper.jpg

Thanks for reading, and if you have any ideas, please send them my way! :D

-Deva

[robertwgross]

On a different type of printer, I once had a subtle problem like that. I found that if I slowed the print speed in the printer driver, the problem was solved.

This is probably not a good description, but if the inkjet head is printing at maximum speed going in both directions (right and left across the page), then it isn't perfect. If you slow it down, the inkjet head is only printing right, and then doing a carriage return to the left again.

It's easy to try.

---Bob Gross---

[dphoto]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the reply and the suggestion. That seems like it *could* help. However, the driver for the i9100 doesn't allow that kind of request (as far as I can tell). The quality slider bar goes from "fast" to "fine". I'm already printing at the highest quality, i.e. slowest, so there doesn't seem to be anything else I can do. I tried printing in "quiet" mode, but that doesn't print any differently (it just feeds the paper in slower at the beginning).

The i9100 is definitely printing from left to right and right to left. I don't know how to change that. Anyone else know how or have any other ideas or suggestions?

Thanks again,
-Deva

[Hellashot]

I have a Canon i560 and found Epson paper to deliver best prints.

[dphoto]

Hi Hellashot,

Yeah, so far the Epson paper and Ilford paper I have look the best. However, the banding looks the same on all the papers. :( Oh well, not sure what to do at this point. From everything I've read on the net, this is not an easy problem to fix. The Epson paper is good, though. Far better than the Canon paper.

-Deva

[dhbailey]

Isn't there a print-head calibration part of the Canon printer driver? You should check that out (clicking on each MORE or ADVANCED button on each screen or dialog until you have exhausted the whole driver searching for it.

It seems to me as if it's just a printhead alignment problem and shouldn't be hard to resolve.

On my S9000 printer driver there is a Maintenance tab which has print-head cleaning and print-head alignment utilities. They have to be run every so often, usually when banding begins appearing. See if your printer driver has a similar set of utilities.

To get to that part of the printer driver, open the Printers folder on your computer, right-click on the entry for your printer and then click PROPERTIES.

Good luck.

[dphoto]

Hey David,

Thanks for the advice. I've been through all the tests... I've even done the ink consuming "deep clean", and nothing fixes the problem. When I run the print head alignment utilities, it's a bit confusing as to what I should be looking for. The grid patterns look OK... although the printer really can't print a straight line very well. But even after ajusting, it all looks the same. Maybe I should give a purposly bad adjustment and see if that makes the problem worse. Somehow these controls just don't seem to affect the slight banding that is occurring.

Thanks again for the input,
-Deva

[Lesmac]

I had a similar problem on my S9000 (same print head as yours), after searching the web what seemed for weeks, what worked for me was to rinse the print head thoroughly in water, and leave it soaking overnight. Then I left it for a full day to dry, and it worked. Apparently the banding can be caused by print head clogging, deep cleaning, print head alignment didn't solve the problem.
Other advise (that I've not tried), is to rinse the head in alchohol, or to blow through the individual colour nozzles with a syringe + rubber adapter.
Hope this helps

Les
http://lesmclean.photoblink.com/