Mike Chaney's Tech Corner

I've used this printer for 5 years and have recently developed an intermittent problem with borderless 4 x 6 printing.  At times it leaves a blank non-printed area (about 1/8 inch) at the back edge or more recently the front and back of the print. The long dimension is fine. This will happen randomly in a batch of prints. If I reprint the same photos they will often print OK. I know they are cropped properly. Any insight into the cause of the problem would be appreciated. Anyone else have this problem?

I am using a PC with Windows XP Pro and Qimage Studio Edition. All other printing including CDs OK. I don't do larger borderless prints - so don't know if I would have trouble with them. I've resolved a lot of other issues with the printer and otherwise I'm very pleased with the prints.

Thanks for your help!

I had problems with my R800 and R1800.  IMO the paper feed mechanisms in those printers are problematic.  My R800 started doing what you describe and soon after it stopped printing altogether: it'd load and spit out two blank 4x6 sheets and then just die saying paper jam.  I looked it over but nothing obvious to fix so I just kicked it to the curb.  My R1800 lasted about the same amount of time (~2 years) and started just shredding and crumpling up pages when it tried to load the paper.  You might want to Google the problem you are having.  Maybe it (and the fix) are common.  For me, I just didn't have time to fool with it so I replaced the printers.

Mike

 Thanks for the response.
The areas that are blank at 1 or both ends of the 4x6 prints are actually cropped off. It appears that the printer starts printing too late or stops printing too early during receipt of image. If there is blank space at one edge,the print doesn't just run off the other end. Don't think this is a paper feed issue because paper always feeds properly-but could be.
 I might have to get another printer. I'd buy the 1900 but I believe the ink carts are even smaller than on the 800/1800. I'd get the 3800 except I'm concerned about gloss differential.

Too many choices!

Rebuttal
You do have enable overspray turned On?
I have my R1800 for almost 2 years, and every day is a pleasure to use it.
I realize the R1900 replaced it, but if anyone asked, I would heartily recommend the R1800... and the R1900 if it is as good.
BTW, I have a friend with the R1900 and I made a print with either printer, R1800 and R1900.
Cannot tell which printer did which print;
Of course, I use only Epson inks. I send my printer a birthday card on the right day. Valentine's day, box of candy.
I change the low ink cartridges before they sound like your 6 year old grandson sucking out the bottom of the milk shake glass with a straw.
...and many more.

Fred :)) :o

Hi,
I too have an Epson R800, now 3 years old, and have been very pleased with it. I regularly print 6x4's borderless without any problems.
Terry.

Hi
I think you have done very well to get five years out of your printer. The only problem Epson printers eventually have are paper feed ones, and once they start it's usually terminal - if you manage to fix this one there will another one along shortly.
Time for a new machine -  my R285 is superb at 6x4s.

Brian

That's basically how I feel.  My R800 did exactly the same thing at first: loaded the paper a little too far (or not far enough) and it would leave 1/4 inch or more not printed on a 4x6 borderless print.  Very soon after (only days), it couldn't feed the paper at all and would just load and spit out blank sheets and then error with a jam message.  I think the paper detector that determines if the paper has loaded and/or how far it has loaded was shot.  Cheaper to buy a new printer at that point than to try to fix parts.

Mike

Thanks for all responses.
After keeping it going for this long- cleaning pads with Windex to eliminate clogging, adding a waste ink tank etc- I thought I'd keep it going forever. Don't like to give up, but it's time.

So, is it still on life support or did you put 'er down?
 ;D

I'm still sticking with it. It's an intermittent problem. I'm not printing a lot now so I either reprint a couple if I have to or cut off the white edge. Not ideal but works for me since I've recently only been printing for friends and family.

I didn't see anyone here mention the cleaning sheets that come with many Epson papers.  Twice I've had problems with paper feed with my Epxon R1800 (which I love), and each time the problem was resolved by using a cleaning sheet and running it through the printer several times.  Certainly worth trying before you give up and throw out the printer.

I had never seen any cleaning sheets that come packed in the Epson paper I buy, so I just checked three packages. Two opened, and one newly arrived.
The new 5 Star Epson Premium Glossy has one.
The interesting thing is that when I check Epson's site, they have them for sale. They also have a list of six printer models that might be damaged from using the cleaning sheets... look like old models.
Then they show which printers that will play nicely with the cleaning sheet.

Works With

    * Epson Stylus Photo 1280
    * Epson Stylus Color 3000
    * Epson Stylus Pro 5000 (Printer & RIP)
    * Epson Stylus Pro 5000 Print Engine

Do you have any further information on this product?
There is no product warning in the paper box, and I have an R 1800 too (which I love), so I would assume that using that cleaner would be OK; or is it?

Fred
   

I've not read or seen anything in the instructions of my R800 (same inkset as R1800) about cleaning sheets and I've not had any particular problems with paper feed.
What do these cleaning sheets look like, the extra sheets in Epson packs just seem to be for protection?
Terry.

I found this, Platen Cleaner Spray - for Printer Rollers
http://www.marrutt.com/inkjet-cleaning.php
You spray a piece of paper to make your own cleaning sheet.
Terry.

Terry,
Seems as though I jumped the gun.
My package says that there's a cleaning sheet enclosed.
The instruction paper explains how to peel off the part to expose the adhesive and explains how to feed the page, and how to make the printer suck in a sheet and run it through (generically)
I expected that there would be a sheet enclosed.
There is none, and I opened the cellophane and spread all the printing paper sheets out to inspect.
So much for that....
You saw my previous post where Epson tells us what printers will work with the sheets?
This is what is packed in with my paper.

Fred

Fred/Terry,

I had a paper feed issue with my R1800 (still do actually) and the epson support recommended the Platen Cleaning sheets.  Here is the link http://epson.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12552 .  If the link doesn't work, the product code is S041150.  It didn't solve my problem though.  My R1800 (which I love also) will double/ghost print as well but mine sounds more like the gears jumping teeth when printing, happens about 80% of the time now.  I've tried different papers, changed to the thick paper setting which helped initially, ran through the service manual and tried things I could do without the epson diagnostic tools (o'scope, etc.).

Thanks,

Dave

Dave,
I really have no "issues" at all with my R 1800. Ir feeds paper perfectly as well as making luscious prints.
What caught my attention was the comment from the previous poster that we should try the cleaning sheets included.
I read the pamphlet that comes with the paper, and it indicated there was a cleaning sheet.
Your article says, "Platen Cleaning Sheets are included in packages of certain Epson Specialty Papers."
That seems to clarify, and also to make you think.... if the cleaning sheet is not in Premium Glossy and not in Luster, then perhaps the "specialty papers" have a greater amount of dust and residue that might require cleaning..
It says, use the cleaner paper after you finish the pack of paper.

Thanks for the help.
Fred