Horizontal White Lines on Portrait Color Print From ET-8550

Sony Corleone

Sony Corleone

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I bought an Epson ET-8550. I am using plain paper to test it and Epson something or other luster paper for actual prints. I have run two prints on good paper. I have done horizontal and vertical alignments. I have run nozzle checks and a nozzle clean. I am getting thin white lines about one inch apart on an 8 x10 photo, and AI thought this was a horizontal alignment issue.
 
Could be blocked ink nozzle(s), are you sure the nozzle checks you printed are 100%, no tiny missing lines?

Are you running in photo quality/normal and not high speed print?

I don't have an Epson, but if you're able to post an image of the print it may help us help you, doesn't need to show the whole print just a corner or worst section.
 
All my old Epson printers used to do this (XP-600,810,4105). I always put it down to either using third party ink or just not using them much. Can't say whether either of those are true though. My quick fix was always banging out a couple of high quality prints on decent paper until the lines disappeared...until they didn't, then the printer was replaced.
 
As it is a new printer I doubt it would be a blocked head, could be faulty though.
As above do a few prints and see if it resolves itself, if not seek replacement.
 
I just cranked out a print, and it's not good. It's better than good. It's gorgeous.

It turns out this printer, for all the sophistication of the machinery, does not have the greatest native software. The printer basically sets itself up, until you get to the point where you need to use it, and then Epson abandons you and lets you cope with the software settings in Windows, your photo software, and Epson's mess.

I was printing too fast. Naturally, there is a setting in the software that says "Click This to Slow Down for High Quality." NO THERE ISN'T. There's a box that says something like "Bidirectional Printing." You uncheck it, and the printer works. Now it takes about three years to print a photo, but the quality is perfect.
 
Sony Corleone said:
I just cranked out a print, and it's not good. It's better than good. It's gorgeous.

It turns out this printer, for all the sophistication of the machinery, does not have the greatest native software. The printer basically sets itself up, until you get to the point where you need to use it, and then Epson abandons you and lets you cope with the software settings in Windows, your photo software, and Epson's mess.

I was printing too fast. Naturally, there is a setting in the software that says "Click This to Slow Down for High Quality." NO THERE ISN'T. There's a box that says something like "Bidirectional Printing." You uncheck it, and the printer works. Now it takes about three years to print a photo, but the quality is perfect.
Click to expand...
Have you tried Epson’s EPL software? Gets the most out of the printer and simple to use.
 
Sony Corleone said:
I just cranked out a print, and it's not good. It's better than good. It's gorgeous.

It turns out this printer, for all the sophistication of the machinery, does not have the greatest native software. The printer basically sets itself up, until you get to the point where you need to use it, and then Epson abandons you and lets you cope with the software settings in Windows, your photo software, and Epson's mess.

I was printing too fast. Naturally, there is a setting in the software that says "Click This to Slow Down for High Quality." NO THERE ISN'T. There's a box that says something like "Bidirectional Printing." You uncheck it, and the printer works. Now it takes about three years to print a photo, but the quality is perfect.
Click to expand...
I am pleased that you have sorted out the issues with your / Epson's software.
 
Stephen L said:
Have you tried Epson’s EPL software? Gets the most out of the printer and simple to use.
Click to expand...
If that's Epson Photo + Tool, I have it. Didn't help. I don't know what else it does, though.
 
Sony Corleone said:
If that's Epson Photo + Tool, I have it. Didn't help. I don't know what else it does, though.
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No, EPL is a different programme. It manages profiles better than the o/s can, and produces great mono prints.
 
I thought I downloaded everything on the site, but I will make sure I get that. Thanks.
 
Sony Corleone said:
I thought I downloaded everything on the site, but I will make sure I get that. Thanks.
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PS the 8550 isn’t on the supported list, but it does work. That’s probably why you couldn’t find it if you were onthe downloads for 8550 page.you have togo direct.
 
That seems consistent with the software support Epson has provided so far.
 
Stephen L said:
Have you tried Epson’s EPL software? Gets the most out of the printer and simple to use.
Click to expand...
Yes, Epson Print Layout is a far better driver for my ET-8550 than anything else I've found so far! It's just a bit annoying to have to (effectively) export an image from C1Pro (using Edit With...) rather than just printing directly from C1Pro, but EPL is so much better it's worth it.
 
ChrisR said:
Yes, Epson Print Layout is a far better driver for my ET-8550 than anything else I've found so far! It's just a bit annoying to have to (effectively) export an image from C1Pro (using Edit With...) rather than just printing directly from C1Pro, but EPL is so much better it's worth it.
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It (EPL) works as a plug in for Photoshop and I assume Light Room but have not tried, it only because I am not a fan of Light Room.

That won't help C1Pro users but may be useful to others.
 
zx9 said:
It (EPL) works as a plug in for Photoshop and I assume Light Room but have not tried, it only because I am not a fan of Light Room.

That won't help C1Pro users but may be useful to others.
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They say that it has a plug-in for Lr, and indeed one is installed. However, I have never managed to get it to work. Instead I use the “open with” fuction, which is good enough for me.
 
zx9 said:
In PS on a Mac it is File: Automate: Epson Print Layout which launches EPL and opens the image.
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Yes, I know. I was saying it doesn’t work in Lightroom.
 
Stephen L said:
Yes, I know. I was saying it doesn’t work in Lightroom.
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You need to set EPL as an external editor in Preferances : External Editor

On setting up the custom editor you get to set out put resolution , edit with changes made in LRC ( or not ?) and if to save a version.

It works, I just set it up and as ever I am reminded that I am just not a light room person.
 
zx9 said:
You need to set EPL as an external editor in Preferances : External Editor

On setting up the custom editor you get to set out put resolution , edit with changes made in LRC ( or not ?) and if to save a version.

It works, I just set it up and as ever I am reminded that I am just not a light room person.
Click to expand...
Yes, that is how I am doing it now. But EPL had installed a plug-in, which as I said does not work, hence I am using the same method you described.
 
Sony Corleone said:
I bought an Epson ET-8550. I am using plain paper to test it and Epson something or other luster paper for actual prints. I have run two prints on good paper. I have done horizontal and vertical alignments. I have run nozzle checks and a nozzle clean. I am getting thin white lines about one inch apart on an 8 x10 photo, and AI thought this was a horizontal alignment issue.
Click to expand...
I'm glad you've got it sorted out. I recently had a similar issue with bands across the image - it was because I'd left it on the matt paper setting and I was using plain paper - as like you, it was just a test image. It was solved if I actually used matt paper, or else if I used plain paper and set it to plain paper - who'd have thought :oops: :$ :ROFLMAO:
 
I think Epson needs to put the same kind of work into explaining the printing process that they put into designing the printer and helping people get it set up and connected.
 
Bebop said:
I'm glad you've got it sorted out. I recently had a similar issue with bands across the image - it was because I'd left it on the matt paper setting and I was using plain paper - as like you, it was just a test image. It was solved if I actually used matt paper, or else if I used plain paper and set it to plain paper - who'd have thought :oops: :$ :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
I don't touch the paper settings actually on the printer - with the exception of setting it to thick paper, which helps the feed if I'm doing a panorama print (I've just left it permanently at that). I rely on the software, be it Lightroom or, now more usually, EPL to sort it out. Which it does. I think the settings on the printer are for eg photo-copying, or maybe printing from a memory card. That's assuming I know what I'm talking about, which is a moot point. :p
 
Stephen L said:
I don't touch the paper settings actually on the printer - with the exception of setting it to thick paper, which helps the feed if I'm doing a panorama print (I've just left it permanently at that). I rely on the software, be it Lightroom or, now more usually, EPL to sort it out. Which it does. I think the settings on the printer are for eg photo-copying, or maybe printing from a memory card. That's assuming I know what I'm talking about, which is a moot point. :p
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Well it caught me out. I still got the lines after running the print head check and cleaning it. I then read the manual, and in troubleshooting it said to check it was the correct setting for the paper type. When you load the paper tray, you confirm the type of paper you put in it - perhaps if it is left on matt it's not a problem. This was at odds with what I was telling it in my software. I was using an icc profile I'd set up - but I would imagine that should only affect the colour rendering.
 
Bebop said:
Well it caught me out. I still got the lines after running the print head check and cleaning it. I then read the manual, and in troubleshooting it said to check it was the correct setting for the paper type. When you load the paper tray, you confirm the type of paper you put in it - perhaps if it is left on matt it's not a problem. This was at odds with what I was telling it in my software. I was using an icc profile I'd set up - but I would imagine that should only affect the colour rendering.
Click to expand...
Strange. I might be imagining it but I thought there was an option to turn off the warning you received. But I certainly do not get prompted to choose a paper type, nor even size. As a matter of interest, are you using it on a Mac? If so make sure you’re not using the Airprint driver. According to Keith Cooper on his YouTube videos the Airprint driver auses no end of trouble.
 
Stephen L said:
Strange. I might be imagining it but I thought there was an option to turn off the warning you received. But I certainly do not get prompted to choose a paper type, nor even size. As a matter of interest, are you using it on a Mac? If so make sure you’re not using the Airprint driver. According to Keith Cooper on his YouTube videos the Airprint driver auses no end of trouble.
Click to expand...
I am on a Mac and I am not using the Air print driver - I've actually labelled it 'not air print' as the air print one did give me some issues.

It wasn't a warning, but when I pull the tray out to replace the paper, the screen on the printer itself wants me to confirm the paper I have put in. I could ignore it, in which case it defaults to what was last chosen. Does yours not give this message on the screen when you replace the paper?

Edit: I'd be grateful if you could pull your paper tray out and push it back in again and see if a paper selection screen pops up. No need to try printing anything.
 
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Bebop said:
I am on a Mac and I am not using the Air print driver - I've actually labelled it 'not air print' as the air print one did give me some issues.

It wasn't a warning, but when I pull the tray out to replace the paper, the screen on the printer itself wants me to confirm the paper I have put in. I could ignore it, in which case it defaults to what was last chosen. Does yours not give this message on the screen when you replace the paper?

Edit: I'd be grateful if you could pull your paper tray out and push it back in again and see if a paper selection screen pops up. No need to try printing anything.
Click to expand...
Ah, I see what you mean. Yes, it does ask me to confirm what paper I’m loading. I’ve always ignored this as I only ever have plain A4 in there for conventional “office-type” printing. I never get prompted if I load paper in the rear slot. Sorry for any confusion.
 
Stephen L said:
Ah, I see what you mean. Yes, it does ask me to confirm what paper I’m loading. I’ve always ignored this as I only ever have plain A4 in there for conventional “office-type” printing. I never get prompted if I load paper in the rear slot. Sorry for any confusion.
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Ahh! Our confusion makes sense! I have been using A4 paper for photos and putting it into the tray. I've not yet used the rear slot. I still have my Canon Pro 1 which I have been using for more serious prints. The ET-8550 was great for producing calendars. I may retire the Pro 1 soon.
 
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