Faint horizontal lines on prints - DNP DS620

[Ventmore]

Hi all.

We picked up a brand new DNP DS620 a few days ago to use for onsite printing at various events. After printing a good few images out to test it, I've noticed some faint horizontal lines across the photos.

They are are very faint, and the wife believes I'm just being picky, so I thought I'd ask in here to see if it's something that shouldn't be happening, or if I'm just expecting too much from the machine.

The lines are visible when printing with a gloss finish, but not when printing in matte. Also, if I use high quality rather than high speed, the lines pretty much disappear. They're most obvious on solid blocks of colour, but can be seen over the entire picture.

I've posted a few images. The lines can't be seen in the full version, but I posted it so you can get an idea of the scale. I've blacked the girl out as she's not my daughter, but it was the best print I had to show the problem.

All input appreciated, even if it is to tell me to stop being so picky!

[RogerC]

Could be a number of things....print head causing banding, media feed calibration not quite correct meaning the media is too fast/slow through the printer are the first I would look at. As for expecting too much? Look at the product from the customer's perspective.....if it is acceptable to sell then OK but honestly for me....no it's not. Banding makes a print look poor quality and won't do your reputation any good.

[Ventmore]

Thanks for the advice Roger.

In in my opinion, it's not good enough, but I can be extremely picky with things, and sometimes need a reality check. Glad it's not just me this time!

I've spoken to the retailer today. They had me print a test image, then print it again on media from a different box and then scan and send them the results. The lines showed on both. I'm just waiting to hear back from them on where to go next.

I'm hoping they'll be able to send me a replacement before they receive the other one back, and maybe just put a hold for the full value on my credit card, as the wife needs it for an event on Friday.

[webtrekker]

'Sublimatio,' as applied to photography is a world of difference from the dye sublimation commanly discussed in this forum It's a totally different process. Maybe you'd be better off asking in a photography forum. Just trying to be helpful.

[Ventmore]

Doh!...thanks mate......I appreciate the clarification.

Maybe I need a t-shirt like your profile pic!

'Sublimatio,' as applied to photography is a world of difference from the dye sublimation commanly discussed in this forum It's a totally different process. Maybe you'd be better off asking in a photography forum. Just trying to be helpful.

[RogerC]

Just had a look at the advertising for your printer.....(it is sublimation printer webtrekker so I reckon this is the right place to ask).....and it says:
DNP DS620 Digital Dye Sublimation Photo Printer is ideal for printing large quantities of professional quality photos in a timely and cost effective manner

....so IMO banding or anything less than a perfect print is not acceptable. It could be a paper feed calibration problem so check the profile is set for the correct paper. However IMO (and I've had a few banding issues over the years) it's either a feed calibration problem or a print head causing the problem. Either way with a new machine it is definitely not acceptable.

[Ventmore]

Thanks for looking further into this Roger.

I've checked all of the settings, and the media is definitely set up correctly.

I bought this particular machine as it has great reviews, and some even mentioned that they were more than happy with the results from the high speed setting, and in their opinion, prints from the 2 quality settings were almost indistinguishable unless viewed side by side.

I'll be calling customer services this morning to sort this out.

Just had a look at the advertising for your printer.....(it is sublimation printer webtrekker so I reckon this is the right place to ask).....and it says:
DNP DS620 Digital Dye Sublimation Photo Printer is ideal for printing large quantities of professional quality photos in a timely and cost effective manner

....so IMO banding or anything less than a perfect print is not acceptable. It could be a paper feed calibration problem so check the profile is set for the correct paper. However IMO (and I've had a few banding issues over the years) it's either a feed calibration problem or a print head causing the problem. Either way with a new machine it is definitely not acceptable.

[webtrekker]

It's a dye sublimation THERMAL RIBBON printer. It prints onto roll media and the inks are in the ribbon, not like the printers we are used to with liquid inks. Maybe some photographers in here would have some knowledge of this process but, as I said earlier, you'd be better off hitting photography forums for a better chance of resolving your issues.

vB_ID:4727

ds6204x6_1.jpg (38.83 KiB) Viewed 40 times

[RogerC]

[QUOTE=webtrekker;124760]It's a dye sublimation THERMAL RIBBON printer. It prints onto roll media and the inks are in the ribbon, not like the printers we are used to with liquid inks. Maybe some photographers in here would have some knowledge of this process but, as I said earlier, you'd be better off hitting photography forums for a better chance of resolving your issues.

[/QUOTE]

Excuse my not understanding....but why should photog's know any more about this printer than those on here when it's a banding issue with a sublimation printer?

[Ventmore]

Sorry guys...I didn't mean to cause any problems!

I've just spoke to the retailer, and they're exchanging the printer. They've also allowed me to order the new one to be delivered before the first one is picked up, so at least the wife will be sorted for Friday.

Thanks again for your input.