Hp 8000s Print quality?

[dfritz08]

I'm doing some test printing and trying to figure out the best printing settings to get better quality and photo realistic prints from my 8000s...

I printed out a test of just solid colors from photoshop and the color match is fairly close (I know it wont print EXACTLY like whats on the screen for color), but what I got was pretty good

then I began to print a 50" x50" sign, i checked the print after a couple inches and was not pleased with the outcome so I stopped the print before wasting material.

I then printed the sign 10" x 10" on both my 8000s and my roland sp-300v (again I know the 2 printers are going to print a bit differently) but this is WAY off, not sure the picture I took will do justice, but it's not printing the brown or blue hues worth a damn... it looks more grayscale in the side by side...

is there an adjustment I can make? is it a software issue, or is it actually a physical issue with the printer? all 6 ink cartridges are 100% full but read between 5 -30%

 

[chafro]

You need to profile and make a ICC to match color of files. Online you might be able to find some, but nothing like your own.

You need a Spectrophotometer.

 

[dfritz08]

"Baxter, you know I don't speak Spanish"...

 

[dfritz08]

ok, did some searching and found ICC profiles from orafol, loaded the one for my material and there was no change at all, I have no idea how to make an ICC manually... any help?

 

[tbullo]

Sometimes we get images like that and they were set in RGB. Just change to CMYK and give it a try. If not test with profiles off and on and see the difference. Are you using the onyx that came with the 8000?

 

[dfritz08]

fixed issue... new issue

well... i worked late last night and got it figured out... I'm using Flexi Production Manager and there is a small dropdown menu that says, use color correction, use linear correction only , and no color correction... it was set on linear correction. Switched it to use color correction and selected the proper media profile and it printed right now...

NEW ISSUE---

I set the size of the print back to 50"x50" and set it to print, checked the color after it began printing and set my takeup reel, closed up shop and went home, got in this morning to see the color messed up on the print... it printed the proper colors for about 12" and then one (or more) of the colors dropped out completely. the brown wood grain printed bright green... i opened up the machine and i can see air in the ink tubes, I tried to run "Charge Ink Sys" but it wont run since my chips in my ink cartridges are bad and I can't find new ones... all ink cartridges have new ink bags in them as of a few days ago...

lost and needing direction...

 

[dfritz08]

i should clarify, i don't see air in the lines connected to the print head, there's air in the lines connecting to the capping station

 

[dfritz08]

printed a small test image (10x10") - printed fine

printed a test nozzle print pattern - printed fine

began full size print (50x50") - color drop out after approx 12"

printed test nozzle print pattern - more than 50% of the magenta lines were missing

ran strong print head recovery -

printed test nozzle pattern - still missing but a little better

ran strong print head recovery -

printed test nozzle pattern - got worse

 

[Hotspur]

Hp8000

These were known for similar issues back in the day - it's not ink starvation to the heads (you can actually starve them by doing too many cleans as you have seen)

It was often caused by the heads drying out on long print runs.

One fix was to turn on the printing gutter (sometimes called confidence strip) in your rip.

This is a set of CMYK lines running down the outside of your print - it forces the heads to spit a little ink from all the heads at the start and end of each pass.

Then the heads don't dry out if they are not needed for a while due to what colours are in the file.

 

[methogod]

yes, you always have to run the Media Stripe ON.

go into media reg, find media stripe setting, make sure its on. You may also have to turn it on in your RIP.

i have found this printer to work much better with onyx as more profiles are available but since your test print looks ok, i would say you rip is not making things easier for you.
Onyx 7.3 is older but should be a "free download" and work with the HP ONYX that came with your 8000s.

i would not recommend the printer for small photo prints. But at 36" plus its a decent printer if your not in a hurry or looking for anything the newer printers have.

i would check your lifetime meter, see if you need the PM KIT. includes the 6 primers, capping stations seals and the scan axis belt (tricky to install) but the others are not.