QTR-Quadtone RIP

I have been testing QTR for sometime now, on and off, and have
generally been very pleased with the tonality and quality of the
results. Unfortunately there is one problem that continues to
disappoint me and however hard I try and with all the possible
combinations I can think of, I have been unable to solve the problem.
I am using the Epson 2400, nozzles and alignment perfect, Windows XP Pro.
The problem is that I have very fine horizontal banding/white lines
(which are just noticeable to the naked eye) at the beginning and end
of the printed area, being between 1 and 2 cms deep and the full width
of an A4 or similar size page (I have not tested this with larger
prints).This problem is not detectable in any other part of the print
such as shadow areas.
I have now updated to V.2.5.0.3 and re-printed the file( Tiff, QTR
GrayLab) with my preferred settings:- Paper size as original and 100%
scaling, Sheet Feed, Matte, UCmk-EnhMatte curves 1 & 2, 1440x1440
super, Bi-directional, Ordered, but no change.Using any other matte
paper gives the same result.
Previously any combination of settings I may have used have not
eliminated the problem (and I think I tried them all, even thinking
drag and drop or select from File might make a difference!!).
For this new version I have not tested changing the resolution, speed,
or dithering as I am sure I will only repeat the problem at the cost
of ink, paper and time.
However, recently (this weekend) I printed an image area within an A4
leaving a white border of 3cms and this did not reproduce the banding!
A positive result finally, but one I am not prepared to use as a
compromise.
Possibly the one setting I have not tried is the manual front feed.
I am, however, able to print perfectly with ABW or with ICC profiles
through Photoshop.
I have yet to attempt to build my own profiles/curves with my Xrite
Pulse but at the moment this will be new ground for me and I would
really like to resolve this issue first.
I would really appreciate some help here.
Many thanks in advance,
Philip

For this new version I have not tested changing the resolution, speed,
or dithering as I am sure I will only repeat the problem at the cost
of ink, paper and time.



I don't know why you haven't tried unidirectional printing? This is
all I've ever used on several printers and have never experienced what
you describe. Switching out of bidirectional output is the first thing
I would have tried.


john

--- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "john dean" <deanwork2003@...> wrote:
>
> For this new version I have not tested changing the resolution, speed,
> or dithering as I am sure I will only repeat the problem at the cost
> of ink, paper and time.
> 
> 
> 
> I don't know why you haven't tried unidirectional printing? This is
> all I've ever used on several printers and have never experienced what
> you describe. Switching out of bidirectional output is the first thing
> I would have tried.
> 
> 
> john
>

Well  I have used both previously, as stated, but the result has
always been the same.
Although I have, today, changed over to glossy media, PK, I have just
tried unidirectional and there is no change, in fact it is more
pronounced. 
I understand that bidirectional was the higher quality setting and
believed this should have given the best result.
Any other thoughts?

Phil.

philip,

this sounds like maybe the paper is curling or lifting up at both ends. perhaps this may be 
the cause?

--- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "thephilipjon" <philipjon@...> wrote:

>
> However, recently (this weekend) I printed an image area within an A4
> leaving a white border of 3cms and this did not reproduce the banding!
>

--- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel" <dchow1961@...> wrote:
>
> philip,
> 
> this sounds like maybe the paper is curling or lifting up at both
ends. perhaps this may be 
> the cause?
> 
> --- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "thephilipjon" <philipjon@> wrote:
> >
> > However, recently (this weekend) I printed an image area within an A4
> > leaving a white border of 3cms and this did not reproduce the banding!
> >
>

Yes, I also  thought this may be a cause but I do not have the problem
when I use the Epson driver. Anyway I have used many types of paper of
various thicknesses and qualities and the problem is only with QTR.
 Philip

A very fine horizontal banding on my 2100 was one of the reasons I 
recently switched from 1440 dpi to 2880 dpi. But that banding was all 
over the print, not just locally....

Joost

But I think that is the point of what was being said.  QTR uses a 
different method (pattern?) for laying down the ink on the paper.  If 
your paper is curled at both ends it just might be that the QTR 
pattern is leaving faint lines, whereas the Epson driver, using a 
different pattern does not show the issue.  The R9 driver (from the 
old Cone Piezography days) had the same problems on some printer 
samples.

What paper are you using?  I can't remember your original post.  Have 
you tried other paper types/thicknesses?

--- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "thephilipjon" <philipjon@...> 
wrote:
>
> --- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel" <dchow1961@> wrote:
> >
> > philip,
> > 
> > this sounds like maybe the paper is curling or lifting up at both
> ends. perhaps this may be 
> > the cause?
> > 
> > --- In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, "thephilipjon" <philipjon@> 
wrote:
> > >
> > > However, recently (this weekend) I printed an image area within 
an A4
> > > leaving a white border of 3cms and this did not reproduce the 
banding!
> > >
> >
> 
> Yes, I also  thought this may be a cause but I do not have the 
problem
> when I use the Epson driver. Anyway I have used many types of paper 
of

> various thicknesses and qualities and the problem is only with QTR.
>  Philip
>

I'm also very interested in a suggestion to the banding issue, since
I'm  having the same problem.
I'm using version 2.5.0.1 and Epson R800.
Paper Hahnemuehle Fine Art Pearl - Bi-directional - 2880 dpi using
custom curves posted here by Matt Chapin 
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/QuadtoneRIP/message/3482

I print on a A5 size. The tonality is fine but I get a 2mm white
horizontal line, 2cm inside the edge of paper. Since the border is 1cm
thick the line is 1cm inside the printable area. I haven't tried to
print with wider boarder to see whether the banding is tranferred
inside the printable area.
Any suggestions?