Digital BW, The Print

Do head strikes typically manifest only as ink catching on the edge
of the page? Because I am getting a strange, consistent 3 mm or so
splotch of dark ink in the same spot each time (about an inch in from
LR corner of 8.5 x 11) with my first box of Gold Silk on a new 3800.

I have had this happen when the paper has a slight bulge at the point you 
mention. Bending the paper by hand to eliminate this bulge solves the 
problem. Paper, inkjet or gelatin silver, almost always tends to curl inward 
toward the emulsion or coated side, which is why most head strikes are at 
the edge of the paper. Using Crane Museo Silver Rag, I almost always have to 
bend the paper in the opposite direction to avoid the more usual head 
strikes at the edge.



I know it's a pain to have to do this on every sheet but that is the only 
answer I have. Maybe someone else can offer advice on platen height or 
choice of paper feeds.



Olaf