Why Epson ET-8500 DTF in High-Quality Printing is Worse than Normal Quality Printing?

Q&A:

Q: Why does my printer produce good color quality in normal settings but fails in high-quality mode, despite clear nozzle checks and a preference for using a white ink layer for underbase in high-quality printing?

A: Thanks for contacting us. We at BCH Technologies are grateful for your engagement and support, particularly with regard to our YouTube channel. Your feedback plays a crucial role in further developing our technical expertise.

The issue you're experiencing, where color prints well in normal quality but not in high quality, can indeed be perplexing, especially when nozzle checks appear clear. This problem is often a symptom of underlying issues with your printer's ink channels being partially clogged or have problem with ink supply (pressure). While it might seem counterintuitive, a partially clogged printhead can still allow ink to pass through in normal printing modes, where the printer operates at full throttle and covers a larger area with fewer passes.

However, switching to high-quality printing mode changes the dynamics. This mode is designed to make multiple passes over the same area, with each pass delivering ink more delicately to achieve higher resolution and detail. If nozzles are partially clogged, the reduced ink pressure and the necessity for precision in high-quality mode exacerbate the issue. Instead of covering up the problem, as would happen with fewer, more forceful passes, the high-quality mode highlights the deficiencies by failing to adequately apply ink during these multiple, precise passes.

Your specific mention of the white ink layer for the underbase being better in high-quality printing adds another layer to the puzzle. High-quality printing requires consistent and precise ink delivery, which is hampered by any ink pressure issues or partial clogs. The underbase layer, crucial for color vibrancy and print quality, suffers when the printer cannot maintain the necessary ink pressure and volume through all the nozzles.

To address this, consider the following steps:

1. Perform a thorough cleaning of the printhead. This might involve running the printer's built-in cleaning cycles several times.
2. If accessible, manually clean the printhead with a recommended cleaning solution.
3. Check for any issues related to ink pressure in your printer's system. This could involve examining the ink cartridges, the ink delivery system, and any replaceable filters or dampers.
4. Ensure that your printer's firmware is up to date, as software issues can sometimes contribute to printing anomalies.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. For instance, resolving a simple clog might involve advice on unclogging procedures. However, if the printer remained inactive during downtime, a comprehensive service for the ink system could be necessary. Situations like a "paper jam" can arise from hundreds of potential causes, and solving such an issue has become something of an in-office jest. Hence, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs.

We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it might take a few weeks before we can attend to your printer if you choose to drop it off or mail it to us. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed if you opt for mail-in or local drop-off services.

However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage. Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you once again for your inquiry. We’re here to support your continued journey in maintaining and optimizing your printer's performance.