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VersaCamm Ink Splatter

Just wanted you guys to look over the picture below and let me know if you have any idea as to what causes the "splatter" when I print pure black (left alphabet, first image). We have had this problem for quite some time and we just work around it by printing a muted black (right side, first image). As you'll notice the splatter follows the print head from right-to-left and back during the printing process. Like I said before this has been going on for a while so the machine has been cleaned many times both internally and manually. When I asked Imprintables Warehouse about it in the beginning the only answer they had was static electricity. I have tried the machine in different rooms, under different conditions (humidity, temp., etc.) and nothing really changes. Sometimes it looks worse than others but it has never fully stopped. The test print is pretty clean but if you all would like to see one let me know and I'll run one when I get a chance. Finally, this happens across all media types (quick print, oracal, durasol, paper, banners) and profiles (some are worse than others). Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Roland VersaCamm 300 (2 yrs old) w/ factory eco inks...

 

- Josh

 

Tags: Ink, Misprint, Roland, Splatter, VersaCamm

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Permalink Reply by Butch on November 7, 2011 at 3:49pm

If Imprintables is saying it is static give this a try. Use a dryer sheet to wipe down the rollers and the unheated potion of the printer the media lays on when printing. If it is static this should remove it and give a good print.

On another note I've seen similar issues with a dirty encoder.

Permalink Reply by Josh Duncan on November 7, 2011 at 4:36pm
Butch, I've tried the dryer sheets 100 different ways with no real success but I'll give it another shot. They were actually the first/only suggestion from Imprintables! As for a dirty encoder strip, I really have no idea as to what that even is. I'm cutting some eco-film right now but I'll try the dryer sheets again and let you know what happens. Still doesn't explain why it only happens on the "rich black" and not on a muted black or other colors. Anyway, thanks for the response!
Permalink Reply by Butch on November 7, 2011 at 5:06pm
encoder strip is the clear strip running along the top of carriage rail it tells the head where to lay the ink - clean both sides with a swab and alcohol DO NOT USE CLEANING SOLVENT  if this does not work post a test print 
Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on November 7, 2011 at 5:17pm
Josh the sheets are not working for it is not static. Search this forum for some static shots and you will see the difference.So no more moving the machine, no more machine cleanings, and it is not your encoder strip. Those are vertical. So you ask what is it and I have a few ideas but you will need to send me a test print from function, cleaning, test print.  I also need your machine type - you state 300 but is it the v, i, or no letter. I will tell you it is more of a file issue. So are you using the correct profile for the media; are you using the correct color management in VW. Your results are similar when you are using max impact with a raster image and you are getting an over spray. so for raster images use prepress (less ink) and for vector images use max impact.  That is your start - send the pix of the test print. You need to do a history report to see how many shots you have on the head. 
Permalink Reply by John Brehm on November 7, 2011 at 5:52pm
Looks like the same problem I had. It ended up being the head.
Permalink Reply by Josh Duncan on November 7, 2011 at 6:27pm
Irving, I ran a test print before I left the office so I'll upload that in the morning. As for the model, it's just the 300 (no i or v)... was purchased just before the "i" (I think) was released. Anyway, yes I'm using the correct profile... 90ish percent of everything we do is in vector but we still mainly use PrePress (less splatter). Finally, I'll figure out the history bit tomorrow and note that when I upload the test print. Thanks again for everyone's help!
Permalink Reply by Roland R. Irish III on November 8, 2011 at 8:37am

Irving, sorry for hijacking this thread...but you mentioned using prepress for raster and max impact for vector. I never knew or heard about this, and 95% of my work is all vector. I've noticed colors are grainy (like solid brown or orange) and yet some of my files with photoshop images print out brilliant pure colors. Is this the missing link to getting crisp images?

Roland

Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on November 8, 2011 at 9:27am
Yes Roland -you need a quick lesson in color management with VW - I will see if I have anything written and send it off to you.  Cliff Notes- raster no define edge - needs less ink to stop missing - pre-press / vector - defined lines so blast with ink or max impact - now if you do a lot of tones or gradients and want them to be reached - in the VW color management area after hitting the main area ie prepress then hit properties and then for raster do perceptual. Do some testing on your own then hollah back.
Permalink Reply by Steven Jackson - Admin on November 8, 2011 at 9:38am
Max impact also shifts the saturation curves and expands colors into the Roland gamut which is greater than the standard CMYK range. If you are working with a raster image it tends to over saturate it and the colors will be off. Think of red cheeks now looking bloody, not too pleasing. Simple test, take a raster image that has good red in it and use max impact for color management - you should see what we are talking about. With 100% vector images it will punch up the colors and you can get more vibrant reds, blues etc. It does a very nice job with them. Also, if you havea white color in a raster image and use max impact, look for it to come out slightly grey as it will be pushed out saturation wise and be slightly off. It is very easy once you have seen it to identify a picture that was printed with max impact and is off.
Permalink Reply by CB Printer on November 8, 2011 at 1:25pm

Roland held an excellent webinar on color management. They did a great job at explaining the Max Impact, Sign & Display, and other settings as well as the difference between perceptual and colorimetric.  They explained how the printer was reading the information and translating it into CMYK and how that was affecting your color gamut.  

 

I would highly recommend contacting Roland to see if you can get access to any of their materials on the subject, because it was a really interesting and useful webinar.

Permalink Reply by CYW on November 8, 2011 at 1:42pm

There was a link I recently got to access the webinar achives, I'll see if I can dig it up

 

I attended that Webinar you're talking about, CB

It was interesting

Permalink Reply by CB Printer on November 8, 2011 at 1:53pm
I find their webinars to be a little hit or miss. But in this one they had a little animation showing how the printer renders RGB into CMYK via either perceptual or colorimetric, and it totally made it click for me. I like it when things click.

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