![epson 3880 printer only prints part of picture epson 3880 printer only prints part of picture](https://files.support.epson.com/htmldocs/pro38_/pro38_ug/images/hf34046u.gif)
"But" I have to admit to admit that I'm keeping an Epson 7800 alive with transplants and rubber bands (literally), so I may be way overboard on the resurrection thing.Īs a follow-up, I managed to resolve the issue with the Epson 3880 photo black missing from the prints. 4) Sal & Flbrit - Understood, but since I know it isn't a print head issue and the printer is lightly used I may spend a few more $$$ before I resign it to B&W use or a parts machine. I hesitate to go for changing the entire ink supply system (but thanks for the Compass micro link) since I've already changed the damper, which seemed the most logical given the issue, and the PK ink seems to be flowing through the feed system well enough to be dumped into the maintenance cartridge.
#Epson 3880 printer only prints part of picture full
I put in a new, full in cartridge when I began troubleshooting the issue and it's at about 28% full now, and about the correct weight for a 1/2 - 1/4 full cartridge. A nozzle check with PK shows a blank space where the PK pattern should be, and a nozzle check with MK shows a good MK pattern. 2) To Phil - It makes no difference (other than forcing an ink change cycle) if I select a profile for Matte or photo black, other than Matte black still works and Photo black doesn't. Thanks for all of the responses! 1) jpegman - I've looked at some of the posts on Inkjetmall regarding similar 3880 issues, but haven't directly put this question out there yet. Now I'm trying to decide between the Canon ipf 1000 or the Epson P800. A couple of days ago black ink started leaking on prints-a sure sign that my black ink channel switch has failed.Īfter a great 7-year run with this printer I'm not ready to put any more time or money into it. Bought a new PK cart and nothing changed. Sounds identical to what I've been dealing with the past couple of weeks with my 7-year old 3880. Before I turn this 3880 into a piezography printer, does anyone have an idea on what else I can do to restore photo black printing? As a side note, the printer ink level monitor sees the PK ink going somewhere, most likely into the maintenance tank. Matte black still works, although I have to go through the a couple of light head cleanings to get a clean nozzle check pattern if I switch between PK and MK to get it back. The upshot is that after replacing ink cartridges, putting in a $120 damper and wasting a LOT of ink (and a maint cartridge), I still can't get Photo black to work in a nozzle check or print. I put in the new damper, again verifying that the PK/MK motor and valve appear were working. After removal of the damper cover, I verified that the valve motor was working, switching the valve between PK and MK, but since the printer is no "spring chicken" in age, decided to be "proactive" (usually dangerous around here) and replace the damper unit that acts as a supply and pressure buffer to feed ink to the heads. The 3880 uses separate channels, but the same head for both Photo and Matte black inks, so I suspected that the PK/MK ink valve that makes the switch between the inks was bad, clogged or sticking somehow. I discovered that if I switched to Matte black and performed a couple of light head cleanings, Matte black would always print fine. I replaced the PK ink cartridge, which was showing only about 3% ink remaining at the time, and did both light head cleaning and then power cleaning (multiple times), but photo black was still missing. I recently decided to start some photo print work using the 3880 and discovered that photo black has disappeared from my prints. The program I wrote to exercise the printer failed a couple of months ago and I didn't bother fixing it for awhile, so no exercising of the 3880's heads and ink system. For the most part, I've run weekly jobs to it to print a small all-color proof sheet and avoid head clogs and other dry ink related issues. Hi, First some background: My Epson 3880 is about 6 years old, but since it's a "backup" printer, it's only printed about 1700 pages in it's life.