Epson ET-8550 ink marks on edge of paper [RESOLVED]

[stevexoh]

Hi there,

I searched the forum but couldn't find this issue but can't be the only one who has had it.

I've had my ET-8550 for over a year now with no issue but I have recently started to get black ink marks on the edge of the paper. The marks appear to be excess ink and always appear on the left hand side as the paper comes out (Looking directly at the printer) and at the front and rear.

The ink appears irrelevant of the print I am doing.

I am using Permajet FBMatt 285 (which now epson say is not recommended but i have used without issue with their printers for many years).

I'm assuming part of the printer simply needs cleaning from excess ink but have been unable to resolve this myself.

Any experience of this or any ideas?

 

[stevexoh]

It seems I've resolved this. After cleaning rollers, print nozzle clean, epson support unhelpfulness...

...I noticed the batch of paper I have is ever so slightly curved on one edge which, I guess, means the print head was catching it. I flattened a few pieces and it seems to have resolved the issue and I'll send the rest of the batch back to the supplier.

I would have deleted this thread but don't seem to be able to and also others who are having the same issue might find this helpful.

 

[FocalCraft]

I've had a similar issue with same printer. Agree that any slight curve to paper seems to cause a problem. I have sometimes resolved by using the thick paper setting

 

[HCOInspired]

I'm about ready to pull my hair out. I tried straightening my paper, I've done all the cleaning methods and I get ink when printing 11x14 prints on satin photo paper (it's the only paper i've ever used). All of my 8x10 prints have zero issue. The print head is striking my paper at the end. I've also had to put something under the tray where the paper finishes after printing to lift it. That was a good fix for a long time but not with prints that have a white background. The printer just cant seem to handle this task.

 

[FocalCraft]

@HCOInspired have you tried setting thick paper as on, in the printer settings (on the printer itself)? I have found this setting resorts back to default when switched off so have too turn it back on when wanting to print on thick paper.

 

[HCOInspired]

Yes I have checked all of that , I only print with thick paper so the setting never changes on me. I did open up the rear paper slot today, i realized you cannot print borderless that way but after i ran a print through and went back to the rear paper feeder, I printed two successfully with no issue at all. I have no idea but I'lll take the good mojo for now. I run a printing business on Amazon and it's been stressing me out all week.

 

[tjreza]

You can lower the quality by 10% which has worked for me.. buy the side of the printhead has levers to adjust it. Hasn't done much for me though. You can also adjust the paper holder springs but there's no information how.

 

[HCOInspired]

Okay here is what I've learned over time and now I'm operating with zero smudges.
I print borderless 8x10 and 11x14. The overspray on the 8x10 is leaving a lot of ink that is affecting the edges of the 11x14. It pools up when doing high volume. It needs to be maintained daily by me to keep it clean.
Second problem is some of my prints only have printed artwork on the top and not the bottom. The simple fix was taking the image and flipping it upside down so that when the the print finishes, the ink weighs the paper down ever so slightly and doesnt come up and touch the print head when it returns to the right side.

 

[Elain]

I have the same issue. I have this printer for a bit over a year and I have no problem printing on 4*6”, 8 x 10” and 13*19 “ paper, but everytime I print 11*14”, the black ink will shows up on the edge of the paper. And I called epson support today and what they told me is switching to Epson paper…. I am using red river fine art paper btw.

For now I probably have to stop selling 11 x 14” print until I figure out the solution.

 

[CoachRMV]

Same for me! I am only having this issue with the 11x17 paper - inkjet cotton canvas 125# for prints of my illustrations. It seems to be OK with the same size Premium matt Finestra. The paper, even though not curled, is getting caught and black ink pools on the front corner edges (ruining my ability to put them into the frames I use). I ran all of the cleaning, did deep cleaning, went in and followed the directions to clean with the soapy water & cutips. It's not as bad, but it still is ruining my prints. Printer is about 1 year old. I don't print borderless, have tried different settings for paper and best or normal print quality. Any suggestions?

PS - just had an idea - I'm going to try stacking in several sheets into the rear feeder to see if it helps to keep the canvas from buckling upon entering the feeder. Will let you know if it works.

 

[Elain]

Okay I think I solved the problem. It's the paper! I examined all my paper very carefully the other day. My 11 x 14" paper are slightly curve on the edge! Luckily the paper I am using can be printed on both side. So I just flipped the paper over and no more back ink on the edge. And I also follow the instruction of how to clean the ink builds up on YouTube(Search Keith Cooper). Now all my prints are perfect! So if you have the same problem like I have, I will suggest you to try following steps, btw calling epson support is just useless and they just want you to switch to epson paper that's about it..

1. Clean the print head frequently if you are a heavy user.
2. Remember turn on the thick paper setting.
3. Check your paper, make sure it's flat, even a slightly curve may result the black ink on the edge. If your paper can be printed on both side, make sure the curve is like ^ when you feed the paper to the printer so the edge of the paper won't scratch the print head. Also make sure you store your paper in a proper container and environment.
4. Follow the instruction of Keith Copper on YouTube to clean up the ink build up.

Good luck!