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Troubleshooting print-quality issues - HP DesignJet T1700 Series

The following sections provide details for this topic.

General advice

This topic explains the concepts involved in this subject.

When you have any print-quality problem:

To achieve the best performance from your printer, use only genuine manufacturer's supplies and accessories, whose reliability and performance have been thoroughly tested to give trouble-free performance and best-quality prints. For details of recommended papers, see Order paper.
Make sure that the paper type selected in the front panel is the same as the paper type loaded into the printer (see View information about the paper). At the same time, check that the paper type has been calibrated. Also make sure that the paper type selected in your software is the same as the paper type loaded into the printer.

CAUTION:
If you have the wrong paper type selected, you could experience poor print quality and incorrect colors, and perhaps even damage to the printheads.
Check that you are using the most appropriate print-quality settings for your purposes (see Printing). You are likely to see lower print quality if you have moved the print-quality slider to the 'Speed' end of the scale, or set the custom quality level to Fast.
Check that your environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) are in the recommended range. See Environmental specifications.
Check that your ink cartridges and printheads have not passed their expiration dates: see Maintain the ink cartridges.

Line Quality Issue

This topic is giving the details and description of the subject.

Lines are too thick, too thin or missing

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front panel and in your software. See View information about the paper.
Check that you are using appropriate print-quality settings for your purposes (see Printing). Select the custom print-quality options in the driver dialog, and try turning on the Maximum detail option (if available). You may wish to reprint your job at this point in case the problem has been solved.
If the resolution of your image is greater than the printing resolution, you may notice a loss of line quality.
If lines are too thin or missing, print the Image Diagnostics Print. See Image Diagnostics Print.
If the problem remains, go to the front panel and tap , then Printhead alignment to align the printheads. See Align the printheads. After alignment, you may wish to reprint your job in case the problem has been solved.
Go to the front panel and tap , then perform paper advance calibration: see Recalibrate the paper advance.

If the problem persists despite all the above actions, contact your customer service representative for further support.

Lines appear stepped or jagged

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

If lines in your image appear stepped or jagged when printed:

The problem may be inherent in the image. Try to improve the image with the application you are using to edit it.
Check that you are using appropriate print-quality settings. See Printing.
Select the custom print-quality options in the driver dialog, and turn on the Maximum detail option (if available).

Lines print double or in the wrong colors

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

This problem can have various visible symptoms:

Colored lines are printed double, in different colors.
The borders of colored blocks are wrongly colored.

To correct this kind of problem:

Reseat the printheads by removing them and then reinserting them. See Remove a printhead and Insert a printhead.
Align the printheads. See Align the printheads.

Lines are discontinuous

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

If your lines are broken in the following way:

Check that you are using appropriate print-quality settings. See Printing.
Reseat the printheads by removing them and then reinserting them. See Remove a printhead and .
Align the printheads. See Align the printheads.

Lines are blurred

Humidity can cause ink to soak into the paper, making the lines blurred and fuzzy. Try the following:

Check that your environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) are suitable for high-quality printing. See Environmental specifications.
Check that the paper type selected in the front panel is the same as the paper type you are using. See View information about the paper.
Select the custom print-quality options, then select Best and More passes (if available). See High-quality printing.
Try changing to a heavier paper type, such as HP Heavyweight Coated Paper or HP Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.
Select a paper type that is slightly thinner than the paper you have loaded; this will cause the printer to use less ink. Here are some example paper types in ascending order of thickness: Plain Paper, Coated Paper, Heavyweight Coated Paper, Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.
If you are using glossy paper, try changing to a different type of glossy paper.
Align the printheads. See Align the printheads.

Line lengths are inaccurate

If you have measured your printed lines and find that the lengths are not sufficiently accurate for your purposes, you can try to improve line length accuracy in the following ways:

Print on HP Matte Film, for which your printer's line length accuracy is specified. See Functional specifications.

Polyester film is about ten times more dimensionally stable than paper. However, using film that is thinner or thicker than HP Matte Film will reduce line length accuracy.
Set the Print Quality slider to Quality.
Maintain the room at a steady temperature between 10 and 30℃ (50 and 86℉).
Load the roll of film and let it rest for five minutes before printing.
If you are still not satisfied, try recalibrating the paper advance. See Recalibrate the paper advance.

Image Quality Issue

This topic is giving the details and description of the subject.

Horizontal lines across the image (banding)

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

If your printed image suffers from added horizontal lines as shown (the color may vary):

Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front panel and in your software. See View information about the paper.
Check that you are using appropriate print-quality settings for your purposes (see Printing). In some cases, you can overcome a print-quality problem merely by selecting a higher print-quality level. For instance, if you have set the Print Quality slider to Speed, try setting it to Quality. If you change the print-quality settings, you may wish to reprint your job at this point in case the problem has been solved.
Print the Image Diagnostics Print and follow the instructions in Image Diagnostics Print, including printhead cleaning if recommended.
If the printheads are working correctly, go to the front panel and tap , then Paper advance calibration. Choose the paper source and then Paper advance calibration. See Recalibrate the paper advance.

If the problem persists despite all the above actions, contact your customer service representative for further support.

Horizontal lines at the end of a cut sheet print

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

This type of defect affects only the end of a print, within approximately 30 mm of the trailing edge of the paper. You may see some very thin horizontal lines across the print.

To avoid this problem:

Consider using larger margins around your image.
Print the Image Diagnostics Print. See Image Diagnostics Print.
Consider printing with roll paper.

Whole image is blurry or grainy

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front panel and in your software. See View information about the paper.
Check that you are printing on the correct side of the paper.
Check that you are using appropriate print-quality settings (see Printing). In some cases, you can overcome a print-quality problem merely by selecting a higher print-quality level. For instance, if you have set the Print Quality slider to Speed, try setting it to Quality. If you change the print-quality settings, you may wish to reprint your job at this point in case the problem has been solved.
Realign the printheads. See Align the printheads. After alignment, you may wish to reprint your job in case the problem has been solved.
Clean the printhead drop detector. See Clean the printhead drop detector.
Go to the front panel and tap , then Paper advance calibration. Choose the paper source and then Paper advance calibration. See Recalibrate the paper advance.

If the problem persists despite all the above actions, contact your customer service representative for further support.

Image is incomplete (clipped at the bottom)

This topic explains the concepts involved in this subject.

Did you tap before all the data were received by the printer? If so, you have ended the data transmission and will have to print the page again.
The I/O timeout setting may be too short. This setting determines how long the printer waits for the computer to send more data, before deciding that the job is finished. From the front panel, increase the I/O timeout setting to a longer period and then send the print again. Tap , then Connectivity > Network > I/O timeout.
There may be a communications problem between your computer and the printer. Check your USB or network cable.
Check to make sure that your software settings are correct for your current page size (for example, long-axis prints).
If you are using network software, make sure it has not timed out.

Image is clipped

Clipping normally indicates a discrepancy between the actual printable area on the loaded paper and the printable area as understood by your software.

You can often identify this kind of problem before printing by previewing your print (see Preview a print).

Check the actual printable area for the paper size you have loaded.

printable area = paper size - margins
Check what your software understands to be the printable area (which it may call "printing area" or "imageable area"). For example, some software applications assume standard printable areas that are larger than those used in this printer.
If you have defined a custom page size with very narrow margins, the printer may impose its own minimal margins, clipping your image slightly. You may want to consider using a larger paper size.
If your image contains its own margins, you may be able to print it successfully by using the Clip Contents by Margins option (see Select margin options).
If you are trying to print a very long image on a roll, check that your software is capable of printing an image of that size.
If you try to print an image larger than your software can handle, the bottom of the image may be clipped. To print the whole image, try these suggestions:
- Save the file in another format, such as TIFF or EPS, and open it with another application.
- Use a RIP to print the file.
You may have asked to rotate the page from portrait to landscape on a paper size that is not wide enough.
If necessary, reduce the size of the image or document in your software application, so it fits between the margins.

Some objects are missing from the printed image

This topic explains the concepts involved in this subject.

Large quantities of data may be necessary to print a high-quality large-format print job, and in some specific workflows there may be issues that can lead to some objects missing from the output. Here are some suggestions to help you to avoid this problem:

Select a smaller page size and scale to the desired final page size in the driver or in the front panel.
Save the file in another format, such as TIFF or EPS, and open it with another application.
Use HP Click software to print the file.
Use a RIP to print the file.
Try printing from a USB flash drive.
Reduce the resolution of bitmap images in your application software.
Select a lower print quality in order to reduce the resolution of the printed image.

Note:

If you are working under macOS, not all of these options are available.

These options are suggested for troubleshooting purposes and may adversely affect the final output quality or the time necessary to generate the print job. Therefore, they should be canceled if they do not help to solve the problem.

Edges of objects are stepped or not sharp

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

If edges of objects or lines appear to be poorly defined or lighter in density, and you have already set the print-quality slider to Quality in the driver dialog, select the custom print-quality options, and try setting the quality level to Normal. See Printing.
The issue may be related to orientation. Try rotating the image: you may find that the result looks better.

Edges of objects are darker than expected

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

If edges of objects seem darker than expected, and you have already set the print-quality slider to Quality in the driver dialog, select the custom print-quality options, and try setting the quality level to Normal. See Printing.
The issue may be related to orientation. Try rotating the image: you may find that the result looks better.

Image Diagnostics Print

The Image Diagnostics Print consists of patterns designed to highlight printhead reliability problems. It helps you to check the performance of the printheads that are currently installed in your printer, and whether any printhead suffers from clogging or other problems.

To print the Image Diagnostics Print:

Use the same paper type that you were using when you detected a problem.
Check that the selected paper type is the same as the paper type loaded into the printer. See View information about the paper.
At the printer's front panel, tap , then , then Print diagnostic image.

It takes about two minutes to print the Image Diagnostics Print.

The print is divided into two parts, both of which test printhead performance:

Part 1 (top) consists of rectangles of pure colors, one for each printhead. This part represents the print quality that you will get from each color.
Part 2 (bottom) consists of small dashes, one for each nozzle on each printhead. This part complements the first, and aims more specifically to detect how many faulty nozzles each printhead has.

Look carefully at the print. The names of the colors are shown above the rectangles and in the center of the patterns of dashes.

Z6 Image Diagnostics Print

Z9⁺ Image Diagnostics Print

Note:

If you use photographic paper, the matte black ink may come off when you touch the print.

First look at the upper part of the print (part 1). Each colored rectangle should be a uniform color without any horizontal lines across it.

Then look at the bottom part of the print (part 2). For each individual colored pattern, check that most of the dashes are present.

If you see horizontal lines in part 1 and also missing dashes in part 2 for the same color, the printhead responsible needs cleaning. However, if the rectangles look solid, do not worry about just a few missing dashes in part 2; these are acceptable because the printer can compensate for a few clogged nozzles.

Here is an example of a photo black printhead in a good state:

And here is an example of the same printhead in a bad state:

Image Diagnostics Print

To print the Image Diagnostics Print:

Use the same paper type that you were using when you detected a problem.
Check that the selected paper type is the same as the paper type loaded into the printer. See View information about the paper.
At the printer's front panel, tap , then , then Print diagnostic image.

It takes about two minutes to print the Image Diagnostics Print.

The print is divided into two parts, both of which test printhead performance:

Part 1 (top) consists of rectangles of pure colors, one for each printhead. This part represents the print quality that you will get from each color.
Part 2 (bottom) consists of small dashes, one for each nozzle on each printhead. This part complements the first, and aims more specifically to detect how many faulty nozzles each printhead has.

Look carefully at the print. The names of the colors are shown above the rectangles and in the center of the patterns of dashes.

First look at the upper part of the print (part 1). Each colored rectangle should be a uniform color without any horizontal lines across it.

Then look at the bottom part of the print (part 2). For each individual colored pattern, check that most of the dashes are present.

Here is an example of a gray printhead in a good state:

And here is an example of the same printhead in a bad state:

Corrective action

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

Clean any faulty printheads (see Clean the printheads). Then reprint the Image Diagnostics Print to see whether the problem has been solved.
If the problem remains, clean the printheads again, and reprint the Image Diagnostics Print to see whether the problem has been solved.
If the problem remains, consider cleaning your printheads manually (see Clean the printheads). You could also try reprinting your current print job, in case it now prints satisfactorily.
If the problem remains, try cleaning the printhead drop detector. The printer normally notifies you when this is necessary, but it may be worth trying even if the printer has not suggested it. See Clean the printhead drop detector.
If the problem still remains, replace any persistently faulty printheads (see Handling ink cartridges and printheads), or contact HP Support (see Contact HP Support).

Color Quality Issue

This topic is giving the details and description of the subject.

Vertical lines of different colors

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

If your print has vertical bands of different colors along it:

Try using thicker paper, choosing from the recommended paper types such as HP Heavyweight Coated Paper and HP Super Heavyweight Paper. See Order paper.
Try using higher print-quality settings (see Printing). For instance, if you have set the Print Quality slider to Speed, try setting it to Quality.

White spots on the print

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

You may notice white spots on the print. This is probably due to paper fibers, dust, or loose coating material. To avoid this problem:

Try cleaning the paper manually with a brush before printing, to remove any loose fibers or particles.
Always keep the cover of your printer closed, and avoid actions that may introduce dust into the printer, such as handling or cutting paper on the printer cover.
Protect your paper rolls and sheets by storing them in bags or boxes.

Colors are fading

If you print on instant-dry photo paper, your prints will fade rapidly. If you plan to display the prints for more than two weeks, you should laminate them to achieve longer life.

Alternatively, prints on swellable coated papers such as HP Universal Gloss Photo Paper or HP Universal Satin Photo Paper will fade much less rapidly.

Lamination can increase the life of prints on all paper types, depending on the type of lamination. For more information, consult your laminate provider.

Colors are inaccurate

If the colors of your print do not match your expectations, try the following:

Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front panel and in your software. See .
Tap , then , then Calibration Status to check the color calibration status. If the status is PENDING or OBSOLETE, you should perform color calibration: see Color calibration. If you have made any changes, you may wish to reprint your job in case the problem has been solved.
Check that you are printing on the correct side of the paper.
Check that you are using appropriate print-quality settings (see Printing). If you have selected the Speed or Fast options, you may not get the most accurate colors. If you change the print-quality settings, you may wish to reprint your job at this point in case the problem has been solved.
If you are using Application Color Management, check that the color profile you are using corresponds to the selected paper type and print-quality settings. If you have doubts about which color settings to use, see Color management.
If a grayscale image shows a color cast in some of the gray shadows, click Color > Grayscale in the driver.
If the problem consists of color differences between your print and your monitor, try calibrating your monitor. At this point, you may wish to reprint your job in case the problem has been solved.
Print the Image Diagnostics Print. See Image Diagnostics Print.

If the problem persists despite all the above actions, contact your customer service representative for further support.

Black horizontal lines on yellow background

This problem may be caused by storing the printer in a cold environment.

Go to the front panel and tap , then Clean printheads.

Paper Quality Issue

This topic is giving the details and description of the subject.

Black ink comes off when you touch the print

This problem may be caused by printing with matte black ink on glossy paper. The printer will not use matte black ink if it knows that the paper will not retain it. To be sure of avoiding matte black ink, you can select any paper type from the Photo Paper category.

Print is scuffed or scratched

The black ink pigment can be scuffed or scratched when touched by a finger, a pen or some other object. This is particularly noticeable on coated paper.

Glossy paper may be extremely sensitive to the basket or to anything else that it contacts soon after printing, depending on the amount of ink used and the environmental conditions at the time of printing.

To reduce the risk of scuffs and scratches:

Handle prints carefully.
Avoid stacking prints on top of each other.
Catch your prints as they are cut from the roll and do not let them fall into the basket. Alternatively, leave a sheet of paper in the basket so that freshly printed sheets do not make direct contact with the basket.
Try loading the paper in sensitive-paper mode: see Sensitive-paper mode (T1700dr only).

Paper is not flat

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

If the paper does not lie flat when it comes out of the printer, but has shallow waves in it, you are likely to see defects in the printed image, such as vertical stripes. This can happen when you use thin paper that becomes saturated with ink.

Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front panel and in your software. See View information about the paper.
Try changing to a thicker paper type, such as HP Heavyweight Coated Paper or HP Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.
Select a paper type that is slightly thinner than the paper you have loaded; this will cause the printer to use less ink. Here are some example paper types in ascending order of thickness: Plain Paper, Coated Paper, Heavyweight Coated Paper, Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.

Ink marks on the paper

This problem can occur for several different reasons.

Horizontal smears on the front of coated paper

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

If a lot of ink is used on plain or coated paper, the paper absorbs the ink quickly and expands. As the printheads move over the paper, the printheads may come into contact with the paper and smear the printed image. This problem is normally seen only on cut sheets of paper (not on roll paper).

Whenever you notice this problem, cancel the printing job immediately. Tap and also cancel the job from your computer application. Soaked paper can damage the printheads.

Try the following suggestions to avoid this problem:

Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front panel and in your software. See View information about the paper.
Use a recommended paper type (see Order paper) and the correct print settings.
If using sheet paper, try rotating the sheet 90 degrees. The orientation of the paper fibers may affect performance.
Try changing to a thicker paper type, such as HP Heavyweight Coated Paper and HP Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.
Select a paper type that is slightly thinner than the paper you have loaded; this will cause the printer to use less ink. Here are some example paper types in ascending order of thickness: Plain Paper, Coated Paper, Heavyweight Coated Paper, Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.
Try to increase the margins by relocating the image to the center of the page using your software application.

Ink marks on the back of the paper

Clean the platen with a soft cloth. Clean each rib separately without touching the foam between the ribs.

Horizontal smears on the front of coated paper

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

Whenever you notice this problem, cancel the printing job immediately. Tap and also cancel the job from your computer application. Soaked paper can damage the printheads.

Try the following suggestions to avoid this problem:

Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front panel and in your software. See View information about the paper.
Use a recommended paper type (see Order paper) and the correct print settings.
If using sheet paper, try rotating the sheet 90 degrees. The orientation of the paper fibers may affect performance.
Try changing to a thicker paper type, such as HP Heavyweight Coated Paper and HP Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.
Select a paper type that is slightly thinner than the paper you have loaded; this will cause the printer to use less ink. Here are some example paper types in ascending order of thickness: Plain Paper, Coated Paper, Heavyweight Coated Paper, Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.
Try to increase the margins by relocating the image to the center of the page using your software application.

Paper is not flat

The following steps provide the complete procedure for this topic.

Check that the paper type you have loaded corresponds to the paper type selected in the front panel and in your software. See View information about the paper.
Try changing to a thicker paper type, such as HP Heavyweight Coated Paper or HP Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.
Select a paper type that is slightly thinner than the paper you have loaded; this will cause the printer to use less ink. Here are some example paper types in ascending order of thickness: Plain Paper, Coated Paper, Heavyweight Coated Paper, Super Heavyweight Plus Matte Paper.

Print is scuffed or scratched

The black ink pigment can be scuffed or scratched when touched by a finger, a pen or some other object. This is particularly noticeable on coated paper.

To reduce the risk of scuffs and scratches:

Handle prints carefully.
Avoid stacking prints on top of each other.
Catch your prints as they are cut from the roll and do not let them fall into the basket. Alternatively, leave a sheet of paper in the basket so that freshly printed sheets do not make direct contact with the basket.
Try loading the paper in sensitive-paper mode: see Sensitive-paper mode (T1700dr only).

If you still have a problem

This topic explains the concepts involved in this subject.

If you still experience print-quality problems after applying the advice in this chapter, here are some further things that you can do:

Try using a higher print-quality option. See Printing.
Check the driver you are using to print with. If it is a non-HP driver, consult the driver vendor about the problem. You could also try using the correct HP driver, if feasible. The latest HP drivers can be downloaded from http://www.hp.com/go/T1700/drivers.
If you are using a non-HP RIP, its settings may be incorrect. See the documentation that came with the RIP.
Check that your printer's firmware is up to date. See Update the firmware.
Check that you have the right settings in your software application.

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