HP Designjet Z5200ps User Manual

							13 Troubleshooting print-quality issues
●General advice
●
Print quality troubleshooting wizard
●
Horizontal lines across the image (banding)
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The whole image is blurry or grainy
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The paper is not flat
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The print is scuffed or scratched
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Ink marks on the paper
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Vertical dotted or dashed lines on the print
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Vertical continuous lines on the print
●
Black ink comes off when you touch the print
●
Edges of objects are stepped or not sharp
●
Edges of objects are darker than expected
●
Bronzing
●
Horizontal lines at the end of a cut sheet print
●
Vertical lines of different colors
●
White spots on the print
●
Colors are inaccurate
●
The image is incomplete (clipped at the bottom)
●
The image is clipped
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Some objects are missing from the printed image
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Lines are too thick, too thin or missing
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Lines appear stepped or jagged
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Lines print double or in the wrong colors
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Lines are discontinuous
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Lines are blurred
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The Image Diagnostics Print
●
If you still have a problem
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							General advice
When you have any print-quality problem:
●To achieve the best performance from your printer, use only genuine manufacturers supplies
and accessories, whose reliability and performance have been thoroughly tested to give trouble-
free performance and best-quality prints. For details of recommended papers, see 
Order paper
on page 125.
●Make sure that the paper type selected in the front panel is the same as the paper type loaded
into the printer. To check this, use the View loaded paper key on the front panel. At the same
time, check that the paper type has been calibrated. Also make sure that the paper type selected
in your software is the same as the paper type loaded into the printer.
CAUTION:If you have the wrong paper type selected, you could experience poor print quality
and incorrect colors, and perhaps even damage to the printheads.
●Check that you are using the most appropriate print-quality settings for your purposes (see
Printing on page 43). You are likely to see lower print quality if you have moved the print-quality
slider to the Speed end of the scale, or set the custom quality level to Fast.
●Check that your environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) are in the recommended
range. See 
Environmental specifications on page 182.
●Check that your ink cartridges and printheads have not passed their expiration dates: see
Maintain the ink cartridges on page 120.
●Avoid touching the paper while printing is in progress.
Print quality troubleshooting wizard
The Print Quality Troubleshooting Wizard can help with the following problems:
●Horizontal lines across the image (banding)
●The whole image is blurry or grainy
●Lines are too thick, too thin or missing
●Colors are inaccurate
To start the wizard:
●From the HP Utility for Windows: go to the Support tab, and select Print quality
troubleshooting.
●From the HP Utility for Mac OS: select Print quality troubleshooting in the Support group.
●From the Mac OS Print dialog: go to the Services panel, select Device Maintenance, then
select Print quality troubleshooting from the list of maintenance tasks.
●From the Embedded Web Server: go to the Support tab, select Troubleshooting, then select
Print quality troubleshooting.
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							Alternatively, or if you have other print quality problems, you can continue reading this chapter.
Horizontal lines across the image (banding)
If your printed image suffers from added horizontal lines as shown (the color may vary):
1.Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front
panel and in your software. To check on the front panel, use the View loaded paper key.
2.Check that you are using appropriate print-quality settings for your purposes (see 
Printing
on page 43). In some cases, you can overcome a print-quality problem merely by selecting a
higher print-quality level. For instance, if you have set the Print Quality slider to Speed, try
setting it to Quality; if you have already set it to Quality, try selecting custom options and then
More Passes. If you change the print-quality settings, you may wish to reprint your job at this
point in case the problem has been solved.
3.Print the Image Diagnostics Print. See 
The Image Diagnostics Print on page 155.
4.If the printheads are working correctly, go to the front panel and press the View loaded paper
key to see the paper advance calibration status. If the status is RECOMMENDED, you should
perform paper advance calibration: see 
Recalibrate the paper advance on page 139.
If the problem persists despite all the above actions, contact your customer service representative for
further support.
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							The whole image is blurry or grainy
1.Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front
panel and in your software. To check on the front panel, use the View loaded paper key.
2.Check that you are printing on the correct side of the paper.
3.Check that you are using appropriate print-quality settings (see 
Printing on page 43). In some
cases, you can overcome a print-quality problem merely by selecting a higher print-quality level.
For instance, if you have set the Print Quality slider to Speed, try setting it to Quality; if you
have already set it to Quality, try selecting custom options and then More Passes. If you
change the print-quality settings, you may wish to reprint your job at this point in case the
problem has been solved.
4.Try aligning the printheads. See 
Align the printheads on page 164. After alignment, you may
wish to reprint your job in case the problem has been solved.
5.Go to the front panel and press the View loaded paper key to see the paper advance calibration
status. If the status is RECOMMENDED, you should perform paper advance calibration: see
Recalibrate the paper advance on page 139.
If the problem persists despite all the above actions, contact your customer service representative for
further support.
The paper is not flat
If the paper does not lie flat when it comes out of the printer, but has shallow waves in it, you are
likely to see defects in the printed image, such as vertical stripes. This can happen when you use thin
paper that becomes saturated with ink.
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							1.Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front
panel and in your software. To check on the front panel, use the View loaded paper key.
2.Try changing to a thicker paper type, such as HP Heavyweight Coated Paper, HP Super
Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper or thicker Digital Fine Art papers.
3.Select a paper type that is slightly thinner than the paper you have loaded; this will persuade the
printer to use less ink. Here are some example paper types in ascending order of thickness:
Plain Paper, Coated Paper, Heavyweight Coated Paper, Fine Art Paper, Super Heavyweight
Plus Matte Paper, Thick Fine Art Paper (>250 g/m²).
The print is scuffed or scratched
The black ink pigment can be scuffed or scratched when touched by a finger, a pen or some other
object. This is particularly noticeable on coated paper, matte proofing paper and fine art material.
Glossy paper may be extremely sensitive to the basket or to anything else that it contacts soon after
printing, depending on the amount of ink used and the environmental conditions at the time of
printing.
To reduce the risk of scuffs and scratches:
●Handle prints carefully.
●Avoid stacking prints on top of each other.
●Disable the automatic cutter before printing, so that the print will not fall into the basket. See
Turn the automatic cutter on and off on page 42. Alternatively, leave a sheet of paper in the
basket so that freshly printed sheets do not make direct contact with the basket.
Ink marks on the paper
This problem can occur for several different reasons.
Horizontal smears on the front of coated paper
If a lot of ink is used on plain or coated paper, the paper absorbs the ink quickly and expands. As the
printheads move over the paper, the printheads may come into contact with the paper and smear the
printed image. This problem is normally seen only on cut sheets of paper (not on roll paper).
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							Whenever you notice this problem, cancel the printing job immediately. Press the Cancel key and
also cancel the job from your computer application. Soaked paper can damage the printheads.
Try the following suggestions to avoid this problem:
1.Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front
panel and in your software. To check on the front panel, use the View loaded paper key.
2.Use a recommended paper type (see 
Order paper on page 125) and the correct print settings.
3.If using sheet paper, try rotating the sheet 90 degrees. The orientation of the paper fibers may
affect performance.
4.Try changing to a thicker paper type, such as HP Heavyweight Coated Paper, HP Super
Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper or thicker Digital Fine Art papers.
5.Select a paper type that is slightly thinner than the paper you have loaded; this will persuade the
printer to use less ink. Here are some example paper types in ascending order of thickness:
Plain Paper, Coated Paper, Heavyweight Coated Paper, Fine Art Paper, Super Heavyweight
Plus Matte Paper, Thick Fine Art Paper (>250 g/m²).
6.Try to increase the margins by relocating the image to the center of the page using your
software application.
7.If you are using a glossy or satin paper type, try changing the definition of the thickness of the
paper. In the HP Utility, go to the Color Center > Paper preset management > Change
printing properties. For custom papers that have been created with glossy or satin papers as a
base, it is possible to change the Paper thickness to Thick.
Ink marks on the back of the paper
This can happen after a lot of borderless printing, especially with non-standard paper sizes. Ink
residues on the platen are likely to mark the back of the paper.
Clean the platen with a soft cloth. Clean each rib separately without touching the foam between the
ribs.
Vertical dotted or dashed lines on the print
The starwheels that assist in moving the paper may in some cases leave small, regularly spaced
marks on the print.
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							First check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front
panel and in your software. To check on the front panel, use the View loaded paper key.
●Using the HP Utility for Windows, select Color Center > Paper Preset Management > Change
Printing Properties.
●Using the HP Utility for Mac OS, select HP Color Center > Paper Preset Management. Select
the paper type, then press the 
 button and select Change Printing Properties from the
popup menu.
Change the starwheels position from Down to Up. If the starwheels position was already Up, as it
normally is by default for glossy papers, try using a different paper type.
NOTE:We recommend keeping the starwheels in the Down position by default for all non-glossy
paper types, for better print quality and paper control; change to the Up position only if this problem
occurs.
Vertical continuous lines on the print
When loading a thick single sheet using the rear tray, the plastic rollers may in some cases leave
regular thick stripes on the print.
To avoid this, try loading this kind of sheet using the roll load path instead of the rear tray. You can
align the sheet with the help of the black hub of the spindle. Remember to specify that you are
loading a single sheet even if you are using the roll load path.
Black ink comes off when you touch the print
This problem may be caused by printing with matte black ink on glossy paper. The printer will not use
matte black ink if it knows that the paper will not retain it. To be sure of avoiding matte black ink, you
can select Photo Glossy Paper as the paper type (in the Photo Paper category).
Edges of objects are stepped or not sharp
If edges of objects or lines appear to be poorly defined or lighter in density, and you have already set
the print-quality slider to Quality in the driver dialog (Mac OS Print dialog), select the custom print-
quality options, and make sure that the More Passes and Maximum Detail options are turned off.
See 
Printing on page 43.
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							Edges of objects are darker than expected
If edges of objects seem darker than expected, and you have already set the print-quality slider to
Quality in the driver dialog (Mac OS Print dialog), select the custom print-quality options, and make
sure that the More Passes and Maximum Detail options are turned off. See 
Printing on page 43.
Bronzing
If you are printing on photo paper in grayscale, and you experience a gloss differential problem when
fluorescent light is directly reflected towards you from the print, producing bronzed reflections from
the ink, try one of the following:
●If using standard print quality options, ensure that the slider is set to Quality (see 
Select print
quality on page 45).
●Try selecting in the driver the Full set of inks option instead of Black and gray inks only.
●Display the print vertically or behind glass.
Horizontal lines at the end of a cut sheet print
This type of defect affects only the end of a print, within approximately 30 mm of the trailing edge of
the paper. You may see some very thin horizontal lines across the print.
To avoid this problem:
1.Print the Image Diagnostics Print. See 
The Image Diagnostics Print on page 155.
2.Consider printing with roll paper.
3.Consider using larger margins around your image.
Vertical lines of different colors
If your print has vertical bands of different colors along it:
1.Try using thicker paper, choosing from the recommended paper types such as HP Heavyweight
Coated Paper and HP Super Heavyweight Paper. See 
Order paper on page 125.
2.Try using higher print-quality settings (see 
Printing on page 43). For instance, if you have set the
Print Quality slider to Speed, try setting it to Quality; if you have already set it to Quality, try
selecting custom options and then More Passes.
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							White spots on the print
You may notice white spots on the print. This is probably due to paper fibers, dust or loose coating
material. To avoid this problem:
1.Try cleaning the paper manually with a brush before printing, to remove any loose fibers or
particles.
2.Always keep the cover of your printer closed.
3.Protect your paper rolls and sheets by storing them in bags or boxes.
Colors are inaccurate
If the colors of your print do not match your expectations, try the following:
1.Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front
panel and in your software. To check on the front panel, use the View loaded paper key. At the
same time, check the color calibration status. If the status is PENDING or OBSOLETE, you
should perform color calibration: see 
Color calibration on page 66. If you have made any
changes, you may wish to reprint your job in case the problem has been solved.
2.Check that you are printing on the correct side of the paper.
3.Check that you are using appropriate print-quality settings (see 
Printing on page 43). If you have
selected the Speed or Fast options, you may not get the most accurate colors. If you change the
print-quality settings, you may wish to reprint your job at this point in case the problem has been
solved.
4.If you are using application-managed colors, check that the color profile you are using
corresponds to the selected paper type. If you have doubts about which color settings to use,
see 
Color management on page 59. If you need to create a color profile, see Color profiling
on page 67.
5.If you select application-managed colors in your application and printer-managed colors in the
printer driver, your results will be wrong. You should manage colors in the application or in the
printer, but not in both.
6.If the problem consists of color differences between your print and your monitor, please follow
the instructions in the “How to calibrate your monitor” section of the HP Color Center. At this
point, you may wish to reprint your job in case the problem has been solved.
7.Print the Image Diagnostics Print. See 
The Image Diagnostics Print on page 155.
If the problem persists despite all the above actions, contact your customer service representative for
further support.
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							Color accuracy using EPS or PDF images in page layout applications
Page layout applications such as Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress do not support color
management of EPS, PDF or grayscale files.
If you have to use such files, try to ensure that the EPS, PDF or grayscale images are already in the
same color space that you intend to use later on in Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress. For instance, if
your final goal is to print the job in a press that follows the SWOP standard, convert the image into
SWOP when you create it.
The image is incomplete (clipped at the bottom)
●Did you press Cancel before all the data were received by the printer? If so, you have ended the
data transmission and will have to print the page again.
●The I/O timeout setting may be too short. This setting determines how long the printer waits for
the computer to send more data, before deciding that the job is finished. From the front panel,
increase the I/O timeout setting to a longer period and then send the print again. From the
Connectivity menu 
, select Advanced > Select I/O timeout.
●There may be a communications problem between your computer and the printer. Check your
USB or network cable.
●Check to make sure that your software settings are correct for your current page size (for
example, long-axis prints).
●If you are using network software, make sure it has not timed out.
The image is clipped
Clipping normally indicates a discrepancy between the actual printable area on the loaded paper and
the printable area as understood by your software. You can often identify this kind of problem before
printing by previewing your print (see 
Preview a print on page 50).
●Check the actual printable area for the paper size you have loaded.
printable area = paper size – margins
●Check what your software understands to be the printable area (which it may call printing area
or imageable area). For example, some software applications assume standard printable areas
that are larger than those used in this printer.
●If you have defined a custom page size with very narrow margins, the printer may impose its
own minimal margins, clipping your image slightly. You may want to consider using a larger
paper size, or borderless printing (see 
Select margins options on page 47).
●If your image contains its own margins, you may be able to print it successfully by using the Clip
Contents by Margins option (see 
Select margins options on page 47).
●If you are trying to print a very long image on a roll, check that your software is capable of
printing an image of that size.
●You may have asked to rotate the page from portrait to landscape on a paper size that is not
wide enough.
●If necessary, reduce the size of the image or document in your software application, so it fits
between the margins.
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