matte Ink & Photo Black--Epson 3800 problem

[Raymond Bleesz]

I just unpacked & set up the 3800 yesterday & went through (I thought) the pre-programing stuff, did some nose clearning prints, paper setup etc and set up the printer to Matte Ink with the Enhanced Matte Epson paper (exhibition) combo.

So I was ready to do my first print--I sent the command to "print" & then the Epson did a switch on me--it went from Matte to Photo black & commenced on the change (consuming large amt of ink of course) and printed in Photo Black before I realized it.

A mistake of course, not what I had planned, however, I'm now stuck trying to figure out how to get the Epson to change from Photo Blk to Matte & stay there.

In the manuel, I'm not "seeing or reading" anything on that--to make the change.

Please advise this newbbie--thank you---Raymond

PS:

Doing a print in Dektol for the first time in 1975 was less distressful

[Greg Miller]

I don't own a 3800 (I have a 4800), but I would guess that you need to set your paper type in the print dialogue window on your computer to the correct setting. I'm not sitting in front of my printing computer but I think "enhanced matte" is one of the available options. You probably have it set to one of the glossy or satin (luster) paper types which is what triggered the switch to photo black ink.

[Jon Shiu]

Hi, I think the confusion is the part about "exhibition". Exhibition Fiber Paper is a photo/glossy paper, so the printer will switch inks to that to print. You can select enhanced matte under "matte paper".

Jon

[PViapiano]

As above, most likely the paper setting.

On my wish list for the next 3800 driver: A warning dialogue that pops up on screen and says, "Do you really want to switch black inks?"

This is a must for Epson...are you listening?

[Jim Becia]

Raymond,

This was happening to me on a regular basis. Somewhere in your setup you have checked a preference for that printer and it is marked as a paper using the photo black. I'm not at the computer that is hooked up to my printer so I hope this is correct. Go to your control panel and click on your printer. After you have selected your printer, go to printing preferences and make sure the paper you have selected is the matte type paper. I think this will take care of the problem. I'll double check this later in the day. But as I recall, this solved my problem. You will have to make sure that if you want to then change to the photo black ink, you change your printing preference again. Hope this helps. Jim

[aphexafx]

As above, most likely the paper setting.

On my wish list for the next 3800 driver: A warning dialogue that pops up on screen and says, "Do you really want to switch black inks?"

This is a must for Epson...are you listening?

No kidding - we have this problem at school all the time because people are not well versed as to what they are doing.

Even better, ask this question at the printer LCD! And add a loud beep for good measure.

[keith english]

I just set up my "new" refurbished 3800 and had much worse problems. Apparantly all the heads were clogged when it was shipped. The ink acted like it charged, even though I thought it was much to fast, but the first head check prints were blank. It took a day of head cleanings to get ink to the heads. When I switched to PK for a test on ilford Gold Silk, the black ink did not print at all. It finally took a power cleaning to get all the heads printing. I was at the point of sending it back if that didn't work. Hope it stays ok. The first print on 8.5 x 11 silk also had a very prominant roller scuff mark in the center, not a pizza wheel, but scrubbing. Also head strikes. Raisng the platen to "wider" and the next print was beautiful using Eric Chan's custom profiles in photoshop. Don't know if anyone else has had this problem with refurbished Epsons. Not to mention the quircky paper feed problems and the front latch that doesn't work.

[sanking]

I agree 100%. The fact that the printer does the MK to PK or PK to MK change without a warning is one of the most irritating things I have found with this printer. You can have everything else correct, but if you choose a paper type that does not match the ink in use the 3800 will simply change the inks. And this costs quite a bit because when it is done the inks are flushed from the system, and I believe that inks other than PM and MK are involved, which if true makes the change even more expensive.

A simple warning in the software would be nice. Skeptics might suggest that Epson avoided the warning knowing that they would be rewarded with more ink sales.

Sandy King





As above, most likely the paper setting.

On my wish list for the next 3800 driver: A warning dialogue that pops up on screen and says, "Do you really want to switch black inks?"

This is a must for Epson...are you listening?

[Robert Oliver]

No kidding - we have this problem at school all the time because people are not well versed as to what they are doing.

Even better, ask this question at the printer LCD! And add a loud beep for good measure.



WHY WOULD EPSON DO THAT.... People would save tons of ink that way. Have you figured out how much that stuff is a gallon? Makes gas seem cheap.

I used have my high school students print with only matte surface papers, but I am switching to a lustre surface because I will save on ink changes.

[sanking]

Right, in another thread it was stated that the price of Epson ink is well over $2000 per gallon.

The problem of the switch over from PM to MK and vice versa is so obvious that any early testing of the printer should have informed the Epson folks to inset some type of warning system into the printer. The fact that there is no such warning absolutely supports your implications that the decision to not do so was deliberate because some suck-up a@s h&le anticipated the consequences.

Sandy



WHY WOULD EPSON DO THAT.... People would save tons of ink that way. Have you figured out how much that stuff is a gallon? Makes gas seem cheap.

I used have my high school students print with only matte surface papers, but I am switching to a lustre surface because I will save on ink changes.

[Jim Becia]

Guys,

Again, see post #5. The reason for this is actually very simple. I just double checked my notes and my setup on the computer that runs my 3800, 2200, and 9600. You have to go into your contro panel and make a choice on your "printing preferences." While it isn't the smartest move Epson has made, it is easy to work around this. Just make sure if you are switching inks, to also switch you printer preferences. I never understood this because both my 2200 and 9600 are both setup with photo black inks and I never had to change the preferences because it made no difference. With the 3800 it's different. If you want to stop wasting ink, make sure you change your printing preferences under that printer. Jim

[sanking]

Jim,

It is just not that simple. The point is that even if you have the preferences selected the 3800 will do a change form MK to PK "without" warning if you happen to do everything right but select a paper that is not compatible with the ink preference, or even choose a feeder that has a different preference.

What I would like would be a simple warning that says, "Printer about to change form PK to MK. If ok, select below. To abort check here." Given the fact that this ink change takes a long time, and costs a fair amount of money, there should be a warning like this but there is not.

Sandy King




Guys,

Again, see post #5. The reason for this is actually very simple. I just double checked my notes and my setup on the computer that runs my 3800, 2200, and 9600. You have to go into your contro panel and make a choice on your "printing preferences." While it isn't the smartest move Epson has made, it is easy to work around this. Just make sure if you are switching inks, to also switch you printer preferences. I never understood this because both my 2200 and 9600 are both setup with photo black inks and I never had to change the preferences because it made no difference. With the 3800 it's different. If you want to stop wasting ink, make sure you change your printing preferences under that printer. Jim

[Jim Becia]

Sandy,

Ever since I've changed my preferences according to the paper I'm using, I've not had any problem. (I had called Epson and complained about the exact problem here and that's where this info comes from.) It works for me and I no longer get surprised by the inks changing on me. Jim

[sanking]

Jim,

OK, I only want to use PK with my printer. How do I change my preferences so that the printer will only print with PK ink, and if I make a mistake somewhere along the line with paper feeder or paper type, the printer will warn me that a change is upcoming so that I can avoid it.

I have looked everywhere for a way to do this and have not found it. If you can give me specific directions I would be most appreciative.

Having owned this printer for about a year I basically know how to avoid the ink change PK>MK or MK>PK, but every now and then I make a mistake in page setup or paper type and it makes the change on it, with no warning.

Sandy



Sandy,

Ever since I've changed my preferences according to the paper I'm using, I've not had any problem. (I had called Epson and complained about the exact problem here and that's where this info comes from.) It works for me and I no longer get surprised by the inks changing on me. Jim

[Greg Miller]

It sounds like Jim is only using one paper. So his solution works for him. But for people who want to to print on both matte and glossy papers there is still a problem.

[sanking]

I don't know but I have not been able to locate any preference box that sets the ink. When you print with MAC and CS3 you have a print box where you can set and save print presets. For this you go to the print setting box and choose the type of paper you want. Certain papers are for PK, others for MK. If you set up a preset with a paper type that is meant for MK ink the printer will change from PK to MK if it is currently set for PM when you hit the final print selection. And vice-versa.

Perhaps PC users have different controls.

Sandy King




It sounds like Jim is only using one paper. So his solution works for him. But for people who want to to print on both matte and glossy papers there is still a problem.

[CantikFotos]

I'm looking at getting a 3800 in the next month or so........the best info I've been able to find regarding inks, profiles, drivers, etc is from Eric Chan's site. He also works for Adobe.

http://people.csail.mit.edu/ericchan/dp/Epson3800/index.html

[aphexafx]

Sandy, I was just going over the latest Epson printer features because, well, I'm a huge geek, and I noticed this bit:

"...And to further reduce switching errors, the user confirms the switching process from the front control panel..." in reference to black pigment (PK/MK) switching.

So, hopefully, they will step up and grandfather a software version of this into a future driver update for existing models! :) Oh well.

Cheers,.

[neil poulsen]

WHY WOULD EPSON DO THAT.... People would save tons of ink that way. Have you figured out how much that stuff is a gallon? Makes gas seem cheap.

I used have my high school students print with only matte surface papers, but I am switching to a lustre surface because I will save on ink changes.

Because every time one does this, EPSON MAKES MONEY!!! And, THEY LIKE THAT!!! This is the most shameless and shady aspect of their business in my view.

Another question: WHY CAN'T WE SELECTIVELY CLEAN ONE COLOR? Because, Epson wouldn't make as much money. Plus, they've been ruthless in driving out 3rd party ink suppliers.

As another example, Epson has a fluid that can be used to help clean heads. But, will they sell it to their peon customers? Not on your life! A repairman in Portland told me that Epson has strict rules against this. I think that Epson LIKES clogs. THEY MAKE MORE MONEY. If they've produced printers that clog less, I think that it's only because they fear their customers would switch brands, if they didn't.

Users have learned that, if one squirts a little Windex on the print head resting pad, it much reduces clogging. But because of the ammonia in Windex, there may be some question as to whether this is in the best long-term interest of the printer. Do you think they would market a fluid that would have the same effect without harming the printer? Well, it sure ain't on the counters!

I am the total cynic, when it comes to Epson's practices in this regard.