Print Quality Problems (quality is correct on screen)

If your printout has a quality problem but the image looks fine on your computer screen, check the solutions in this section.

If the image also looks incorrect on screen, check for image quality problems.

Printout Has White or Dark Lines Across It

Printout Is Blurry or Smeared

Printout Is Faint or Has Gaps

Printout Is Grainy

Incorrect Colors in Printout

Note:
Store and display your photos properly for optimal quality and longevity.

Printout Has White or Dark Lines Across It

•	The print head nozzles may need cleaning.

•	Select a higher Quality Option or Print Quality and turn off High Speed mode in the Windows or Macintosh OS X 10.5 or 10.3 to 10.4 printer software.

•	Make sure the paper Type or Media Type setting matches the paper you loaded.

•	Make sure the printable side of the paper is face-down. It’s usually brighter or whiter.

•	The ink cartridges may need replacing.

•	With Macintosh OS X 10.5 or 10.3 to 10.4, try using Automatic mode.

•	Align the print head.

•	The printer won’t operate properly if it’s tilted or at an angle. Place it on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond the base in all directions.

Printout Is Blurry or Smeared

•	Make sure your paper isn’t damp or curled, or loaded face-up (the printable side should be face-down).

•	Make sure your paper meets the specifications.

•	Use Epson papers to ensure proper saturation and absorption of genuine Epson inks.

•	Align the print head.

•	Remove each sheet from the output tray as it is printed.

•	Avoid handling printouts on glossy paper for a few hours to allow the ink to set.

•	Turn off High Speed mode in the Windows or Macintosh OS X 10.5 or 10.3 to 10.4 printer software.

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If you are using double-sided paper and printing heavily saturated or dark images on the front side of the paper, you may notice that smudges or marks appear on the front when you print the second side. If one side of the paper will contain a lighter image or text, print that side first to eliminate marks or smudging.

•	If ink smears when you print on envelopes or other thick paper, select Envelope in your printer software (Windows) or select Thick paper and envelopes (Mac OS).

•	To clean the rollers inside the Artisan 800 Series, try making several copies without placing a document on the scanner glass. Adjust the Density setting to one level darker before you copy.

Printout Is Faint or Has Gaps

•	The print head nozzles may need cleaning.

•	The ink cartridges may be old or low on ink, and you may need to replace them.

•	Make sure the paper Type or Media Type setting matches the paper you loaded.

•	Make sure your paper isn’t damaged, old, dirty, or loaded face-up. If it is, reload a new stack of paper with the printable side down; it is usually brighter or whiter than the other side. For best results, use genuine Epson paper.

Printout Is Grainy

•	Make sure the printable side of the paper is face-down. It’s usually brighter or whiter.

•	Select a higher Quality Option or Print Quality, and turn off High Speed and Fast Economy or Economy mode in the Windows or Macintosh OS X 10.5 or 10.3 to 10.4 printer software.

•	Move the slider to Quality or select Best Photo for Quality Type (Windows) or Print Quality (Macintosh OS X 10.5 or 10.3 to 10.4). Remember that this setting increases print time.

•	Align the print head.

•	You may need to increase the image resolution or print in a smaller size; see your software documentation.

Incorrect Colors in Printout

•	Make sure your Windows or Macintosh OS X 10.5 or 10.3 to 10.4 printer software is not set to grayscale.

•	The print head nozzles may need cleaning.

•	The ink cartridges may be old or low on ink, and you may need to replace them.

•	Try turning off Fix Photo in the Windows printer software or on the Artisan 800 Series control panel.

•	With Macintosh OS X 10.5 or 10.3 to 10.4, try using Automatic mode.

•	Try changing the Gamma setting in your Windows or Macintosh printer software.

•	Your printed colors can never exactly match your on-screen colors. However, you can use a color management system to get as close as possible. Try using the ICM (Windows), ColorSync (Macintosh OS X 10.3 to 10.4), or Fix Photo (Macintosh OS X 10.5) setting.

•	For best results, use genuine Epson ink and paper.