Streaking on my prints. No not a XXX post.. lol

[redline graphics]

Im using a mimaki jv3 160. Im getting streaking on the print, like there is dirt on the head dragging across buts its as clean as a whistle. Played with temp, thinking making its bunching up. Nothing. It seems to be always in the same areas too. And at the end of the print there is always droplets of black ink.... Any ideas??

 

[Malkin]

This happens to me when the print heads have built up lots of dirt and hair and require a manual cleaning.

 

[thewood]

The dots of ink at the left side of the photo are likely caused by a piece of fuzz (often from scrim banner material) on the printhead(s) that is wicking ink and depositing it in droplets when the carriage stops and moves back to the right.

The large smudges in the printed portions look like headstrikes.

A manual head cleaning is in order. Pay close attention the to back of the head(s).

 

[redline graphics]

update

changed heat settings up and down, still head strikes. and also at 360 x 540 its "blotting" down ink as shown in the pic. these issues now have been a 6 week issue, starting with a head replacement and gotten down hill. ive been subbing out jobs at a loss, frustration continues.

 

[thewood]

Well, it looks like the issues in your initial post have gone away (at least on the print shown here). What are you heat settings? The way the ink is pooling up on your most recent photo, I think you need to raise your pre- and print-temps. You also probably want to up your print-res. 360x540 may work for quickie banners, but you're not going to get high quality results at that resolution. Keep us updated on your progress.

 

[redline graphics]

i agree with what your saying, but whrn i apply more heat (even 30/30) the material begins to bunch up and then head strikes. and if i print higher resolution, the ink literally saturates the vinyl. almost dripping! even at this resolution 360 x 540 its printing heavy ink, but very blotchy. im stumped...

 

[J Hill Designs]

do you have slack in the roll, or is the media being tugged while feeding? that often causes media tunneling for me, which leads to the head swipes just like your first photo looks

 

[redline graphics]

I put in a piece of scrap and same thing happens. No tension of the vinyl at all... Is it miller time?????

 

[thewood]

What type of media are you printing, Redline? Buckling from heat at 30°C (86°F) is not likely. There is likely something else causing the media to buckle.

If you are laying down so much ink that it is puddling, there is something wrong with your profile.

Let us know what profile and media you are using.