Digital BW, The Print

Well, group, sad news. I was happily printing some postcards on my
R220, in black only mode, with an Eboni cart in the black position.
Suddenly I began to get paper load errors, telling me to close the
CD/DVD tray, etc. But I had never even used that feature. Then blank
sheets would spit out of the printer.

After a long session on Epson's help line, a very polite and patient
support person came to the conclusion that this stock, Avery 8387, is
too thick for this printer, even with the heavy weight options chosen.
He looked at other Epsons' specs and told me no Epson printer will
take that stock. (My HP 970 handles it fine, but I can't do BO
printing on that.)

Seems I may even have ruined the paper sensor, he tells me, although
ordinary weight paper seems ok. Guess I was pushing the limits of the
printer as far as paper thickness goes.

I did some searching here and one group member found that a 1/4" thick
piece of foam board placed behind the stack of paper solved his
problem - however it was for a higher end Epson, a 2200 or som such.

Ideas, anyone? And I just today placed a big order to MIS for some
bulk ink, chip resetter, empty spongeless cart, the whole works. :(

Would humidity be a factor - as it was printing.

gar

  -----Original Message-----
  From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of
paulmwhiting
  Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 6:28 PM
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
  Subject: [Digital BW] my initial success at BO printing has come to a sad
end


  Well, group, sad news. I was happily printing some postcards on my
  R220, in black only mode, with an Eboni cart in the black position.
  Suddenly I began to get paper load errors, telling me to close the
  CD/DVD tray, etc. But I had never even used that feature. Then blank
  sheets would spit out of the printer.

  After a long session on Epson's help line, a very polite and patient
  support person came to the conclusion that this stock, Avery 8387, is
  too thick for this printer, even with the heavy weight options chosen.
  He looked at other Epsons' specs and told me no Epson printer will
  take that stock. (My HP 970 handles it fine, but I can't do BO
  printing on that.)

  Seems I may even have ruined the paper sensor, he tells me, although
  ordinary weight paper seems ok. Guess I was pushing the limits of the
  printer as far as paper thickness goes.

  I did some searching here and one group member found that a 1/4" thick
  piece of foam board placed behind the stack of paper solved his
  problem - however it was for a higher end Epson, a 2200 or som such.

  Ideas, anyone? And I just today placed a big order to MIS for some
  bulk ink, chip resetter, empty spongeless cart, the whole works. :(



  


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> After a long session on Epson's help line, a very polite and patient
> support person came to the conclusion that this stock, Avery 8387, is
> too thick for this printer, even with the heavy weight options chosen.
> He looked at other Epsons' specs and told me no Epson printer will
> take that stock. (My HP 970 handles it fine, but I can't do BO
> printing on that.)
> 
> Seems I may even have ruined the paper sensor, he tells me, although
> ordinary weight paper seems ok. Guess I was pushing the limits of the
> printer as far as paper thickness goes.

I don't know, this seems odd to me.  My Epson 2200 easily handles (through
the rear slot) 300 or even 500 gsm paper and I can't imagine the 8387 card
stock is that thick.  So it is unlikely that "no Epson printer will take
that stock".  Does the Avery package state the gsm of the stock or its
thickness?

Was he specifically stating that no Epson printer can take the card stock
through the feeder on the top of the machine?  Perhaps that is what he meant
because depending on the thickness of the paper I definitely need to use the
rear (manual feed) slot.

Does the 220 have a manual paper feed slot?  If it can handle CDs, maybe it
does?  (Sorry I don't have this printer.)  You might want to try that if it
has one.

Paul

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Thanks, Gar, but I'm in So. Central Montana... dry as a bone here. In
fact, there's a 160,000 acre forest fire about 40 miles from here,
abetted by dry weather!

Good call, though, could be factor in some other climate, I'm sure.

Paul

> Would humidity be a factor - as it was printing.
> 
> gar

Epson consumer tech support is basically worthless. They just input
your question and read the response from a script. I'd be willing to
bet the person you talked to could not tell a 220 from a 2200 if the
labels were removed. The primary clue is that he told you NO Epson
printer could handle that stock. Most of us print on some very heavy
stock with Epson printers and have no problems. 

Turn the printer around and see all the little things that move and
trigger sensors in the paper feed area. It's all visible and not very
complex. Something has gone wrong there. There is a high probability
you can dignose the problem and correct. 

If you can't fix it, and it's under warranty, be persistent and get
them to do a replacement. 

Bob Michaels

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "paulmwhiting"
<paulmwhiting@...> wrote:

>
> Well, group, sad news. I was happily printing some postcards on my
> R220, in black only mode, with an Eboni cart in the black position.
> Suddenly I began to get paper load errors, telling me to close the
> CD/DVD tray, etc. But I had never even used that feature. Then blank
> sheets would spit out of the printer.
> 
> After a long session on Epson's help line, a very polite and patient
> support person came to the conclusion that this stock, Avery 8387, is
> too thick for this printer, even with the heavy weight options chosen.
> He looked at other Epsons' specs and told me no Epson printer will
> take that stock. (My HP 970 handles it fine, but I can't do BO
> printing on that.)
> 
> Seems I may even have ruined the paper sensor, he tells me, although
> ordinary weight paper seems ok. Guess I was pushing the limits of the
> printer as far as paper thickness goes.
> 
> I did some searching here and one group member found that a 1/4" thick
> piece of foam board placed behind the stack of paper solved his
> problem - however it was for a higher end Epson, a 2200 or som such.
> 
> Ideas, anyone? And I just today placed a big order to MIS for some
> bulk ink, chip resetter, empty spongeless cart, the whole works. :(
>

Thanks, Bob,

I can't seem to access much, it's pretty well sealed up. Tried
jiggling some levers and wheels, then tried printing again but no
luck. The paper feeds about an inch and a half, stop, the power light
flashes and then the paper light (center button) flashes and I get the
error message.  I suppose I could remove a panel back there, just a
few Phillips screws seem to be holding it in place.

And Paul, thanks for your thoughts, but this printer apparently does
not have a back feed slot. The only slot in the back is for the CD holder.

Thanks everyone, lots of good suggestions pouring in.

Paul

> Epson consumer tech support is basically worthless. They just input
> your question and read the response from a script. I'd be willing to
> bet the person you talked to could not tell a 220 from a 2200 if the
> labels were removed. The primary clue is that he told you NO Epson
> printer could handle that stock. Most of us print on some very heavy
> stock with Epson printers and have no problems. 
> 
> Turn the printer around and see all the little things that move and
> trigger sensors in the paper feed area. It's all visible and not very
> complex. Something has gone wrong there. There is a high probability
> you can dignose the problem and correct. 
> 
> If you can't fix it, and it's under warranty, be persistent and get
> them to do a replacement. 
> 
> Bob Michaels

Hello Paul,

>The paper feeds about an inch and a half, stop, the power 
>light flashes and then the paper light (center button) flashes 
>and I get the error message.  

This is not right.  I've been feeding mine thick paper for over a year
and no problems.  It's broken and will need replacing.


>I suppose I could remove a panel back there, just a
>few Phillips screws seem to be holding it in place.

Don't do that, they'll say you voided the warranty.  Just put the OEM
carts back in and return it.  These things happen, they are cheap
printers.


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm

Paul,

I have sometimes feeding problems too with the R220 because the paper (Konica) is a very glossy 300gm. Just bend up the side of the paper you head into the printer. I guess this kind of paper is the limits for this printer. I have a 4000 also and had never get this same problem.

Michel

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Bob,

> I don't know, this seems odd to me.  My Epson 2200 easily handles
(through
> the rear slot) 300 or even 500 gsm paper and I can't imagine the
8387 card
> stock is that thick.  So it is unlikely that "no Epson printer will take
> that stock".  Does the Avery package state the gsm of the stock or its
> thickness?

Forgot to respond to you on one point: no, the package does not state
the thickness. In fact, the service guy asked me the same question.
 
> Was he specifically stating that no Epson printer can take the card
stock
> through the feeder on the top of the machine?  Perhaps that is what
he meant
> because depending on the thickness of the paper I definitely need to
use the
> rear (manual feed) slot.

Amd no, I think he meant that in general no Epson printer could handle
this stock in any fashion. In fact, he said because I was using Avery
paper, a third party, the printer would not be under warranty!
 
> Does the 220 have a manual paper feed slot?  If it can handle CDs,
maybe it
> does?  (Sorry I don't have this printer.)  You might want to try
that if it
> has one.

No, it does not have a rear slot.

Thanks for your suggestions, however!

Paul

Hello Clayton,
 
> >I suppose I could remove a panel back there, just a
> >few Phillips screws seem to be holding it in place.
> 
> Don't do that, they'll say you voided the warranty.  Just put the OEM
> carts back in and return it.  These things happen, they are cheap
> printers.

Well, I'll try returning it. The service guy said because I was using
Avery, a third-party paper, that it would not be under warranty! Good
grief, Avery is not a fly-by-night outfit!

Thanks again, I hope this has a happy ending. I'm a convert to your BO
printing. They look great, even on this ordinary postcard stock (it's
quite white), and I love the simplicity of this approach.

Regards,

Paul

I'd bet the farm that using 3rd party papers does not void the Epson
warranty. I belive there are some very strong legal reasons relating
to "fair trade" involved here. 

Paul Roark is the expert here. Before he retired and became the b&w
ink  / print guru, he was significantly involved with these types of
situations. Maybe he will chime in.   

Like I previously said, Epson consumer tech support is close to
worthless. But they can authorize a warranty replacement. 

Bob

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "paulmwhiting"
<paulmwhiting@...> wrote:
 In fact, he said because I was using Avery paper, a third party, the
printer would not be under warranty!

That's very helpful to know, Bob, thanks. And yes, I hope Paul does
jump in here.

BTW, someone (I thought the msg was here but I can't find it)
suggested I log on to an Epson group... he also gave me the name of
the Epson guru over there. Do you know the name of that group?

Thanks again,

Paul

> I'd bet the farm that using 3rd party papers does not void the Epson
> warranty. I belive there are some very strong legal reasons relating
> to "fair trade" involved here. 
> 
> Paul Roark is the expert here. Before he retired and became the b&w
> ink  / print guru, he was significantly involved with these types of
> situations. Maybe he will chime in.   
> 
> Like I previously said, Epson consumer tech support is close to
> worthless. But they can authorize a warranty replacement. 
> 
> Bob
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "paulmwhiting"
> <paulmwhiting@> wrote:
>  In fact, he said because I was using Avery paper, a third party, the
> printer would not be under warranty!
>

I think you are looking for the Yahoo group "Epson_printers" and
probably Arthur Entlich. He seems to spend great time answering
questions about Epson printer problems. 

Bob 

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "paulmwhiting"
<paulmwhiting@...> wrote:

> BTW, someone (I thought the msg was here but I can't find it)
> suggested I log on to an Epson group... he also gave me the name of
> the Epson guru over there. Do you know the name of that group?
> 
> Thanks again,
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
> > I'd bet the farm that using 3rd party papers does not void the Epson
> > warranty. I belive there are some very strong legal reasons relating
> > to "fair trade" involved here. 
> > 
> > Paul Roark is the expert here. Before he retired and became the b&w
> > ink  / print guru, he was significantly involved with these types of
> > situations. Maybe he will chime in.   
> > 
> > Like I previously said, Epson consumer tech support is close to
> > worthless. But they can authorize a warranty replacement. 
> > 
> > Bob
> > 
> > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "paulmwhiting"
> > <paulmwhiting@> wrote:
> >  In fact, he said because I was using Avery paper, a third party, the
> > printer would not be under warranty!
> >
>

Yup, that's him... actually someone had told me that in a e-mail,
off-group, and that's why I didn't see it here. Thank you again!

Paul

> I think you are looking for the Yahoo group "Epson_printers" and
> probably Arthur Entlich. He seems to spend great time answering
> questions about Epson printer problems. 
> 
> Bob

> Well, I'll try returning it. The service 
> guy said because I was using Avery, a 
> third-party paper, that it would not be 
> under warranty! 

Hi Paul,

I don't post here often but your problem caught my interest because 
I use the same 2 printers. I've had thick stock feed problems as 
well on the 220 but found it's always when the paper has some 
curvature. Find a way to keep it straight and you shouldn't have 
difficulties. If that fails, the problem is definitely electronic or 
mechanical and it should be repaired.

The Epson claim that using third-party papers voids the warranty is 
B.S. However, when returning it to Epson for repair, I'd avoid 
revealing that in case you get another bozo who's been programmed to 
say the same thing. Just say it doesn't work and show your warranty 
info or receipt. End of story.

Good luck.

Tom



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "paulmwhiting" 
<paulmwhiting@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Clayton,
>  
> > >I suppose I could remove a panel back there, just a
> > >few Phillips screws seem to be holding it in place.
> > 
> > Don't do that, they'll say you voided the warranty.  Just put 
the OEM
> > carts back in and return it.  These things happen, they are cheap
> > printers.
> 
> Well, I'll try returning it. The service guy said because I was 
using
> Avery, a third-party paper, that it would not be under warranty! 
Good
> grief, Avery is not a fly-by-night outfit!
> 
> Thanks again, I hope this has a happy ending. I'm a convert to 
your BO
> printing. They look great, even on this ordinary postcard stock 
(it's

> quite white), and I love the simplicity of this approach.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Paul
>

Hello Clayton,

Did you notice the new thread I started, "Solution found: can now load postcard stock in R220"? Looks like this story has a happy ending, finally! Thanks for all your help,

Paul

Clayton Jones <cj@...> wrote:                                  Hello Paul,
 
 >The paper feeds about an inch and a half, stop, the power 
 >light flashes and then the paper light (center button) flashes 
 >and I get the error message.  
 
 This is not right.  I've been feeding mine thick paper for over a year
 and no problems.  It's broken and will need replacing.
 
 >I suppose I could remove a panel back there, just a
 >few Phillips screws seem to be holding it in place.
 
 Don't do that, they'll say you voided the warranty.  Just put the OEM
 carts back in and return it.  These things happen, they are cheap
 printers.
 
 Regards,
 Clayton
 
 Info on black and white digital printing at    
 http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm
 
 
     
                       

 		
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello Paul,

>Did you notice the new thread I started, "Solution found: can now 
>load postcard stock in R220"? Looks like this story has a happy 
>ending, finally! Thanks for all your help,

Yes, I see it, and you're welcome.  I'm glad you didn't have to get a
new printer, what a hassle that would have been.  I wonder what sort
of coating the Avery stock has?  You'd think they would know better.  

So...now you can concentrate on photography, right?


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm

> Hello Paul,
> 
> >Did you notice the new thread I started, "Solution found: can now 
> >load postcard stock in R220"? Looks like this story has a happy 
> >ending, finally! Thanks for all your help,
> 
> Yes, I see it, and you're welcome.  I'm glad you didn't have to get a
> new printer, what a hassle that would have been.  I wonder what sort
> of coating the Avery stock has?  You'd think they would know better.  
> 
> So...now you can concentrate on photography, right?

Hi Clayton,

I really don't know what that coating is, but Art Entlich over in the
Epson printer group says he's seen this problem before, with Avery
stock used on Epson printers. So he was not at all surprised, and
urged me to write to Avery about the experience I had. I'll do that.

Yes, on to photography!

Regards,

Paul