Epson Artisan 835 - What are causing these microscopic line streaks?

[rajhlinux]

I've also included the printer's nozzle print check test page and alignment as well.
(Please note I did a test alignment twice and printed both sides of the paper, it is why there is a shadow overlay):

 

[rajhlinux]

I'm starting to think it could be a print head nozzle issue, although the nozzle test print shows everything is ok, but at the extreme precision realm, one nozzle is giving extra ink at a systematic pattern vertically. Not sure what is the best way to resolve this. Maybe I could try using different ink channels and fill it with black ink.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I'm using an L805 which is basically the Ecotank successor of the older R285 and additional combo models with this print mechanism - 6 colors and 1.5pl min droplet size. I don't have the RPM option anymore in the driver - only a 'high' quality, but this delivers as well 720dpi data to the printer as per indication in Qimage.

MY scan does not show any spikes , I would need to reduce the ink density a little bit since the dot gain is too high and almost covers up the gap between the tracks - but this is not the subject of discussion. You might need an ink with higher black density but reducing the contrast to reduce the dot gain.

https://www.farbenwerk.com/?a=1084&lang=eng

Farbenwerk proposes as well to fill all ink channels with black ink, but I don't have any experience with PCB layout printing

 

[PeterBJ]

I think the spikes may be caused by a media/ink incompatibility?

Transparency foil for inkjet printers have a coating similar to that used on photo paper. Using a Canon MP990 I printed the layout on 4"x6" photo paper with plain paper setting and photo paper setting. The plain paper setting causes pigment ink that is unsuitable for photo paper to be used and the photo paper setting caused photo black ink to be used.

The prints resulted in layouts size 48x83 mm. Is that the correct size?

Here is the print with pigment ink, note ragged or saw tooth edges:

And here is the print with photo black ink:

 

[The Hat]

Please try it again, here is the original PCB PDF file which I've attached to this post, scan it after printing since it would be very difficult to view by the eye without microscope

It was way past my bedtime, so I decided to wait till today to reply.
I printed them both on high quality photo paper on the best setting..
The first image is same size from the PDF..

The second is the PNG enlarged…

If this helps any ?..

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I did another print with my new T2100 - with 600dpi - and promised by Epson to print fine drawings etc .

This is the first print cropped - with a glossy pigment ink on a glossy paper - with the B/W settings in the driver, but no other attempt to optimize the print - paper coatings react differently and show a varying amount of ink spread as I have seen at various times.

Various attempts have been made but w/o success so far to recreate these spikes. I still think that there could be some interference of the graphics data as it moves from a PDF file , gets converted from a vector graphics to pixel graphics file with a particular dpi, the printer driver needs to interpolate those pixels to match the printer print resolution - 600 dpi for Canon - and to match the required print size - that's several conversions in a row. I would give another PDF reader a chance to test which allows you to specify the dpi for the output/pixel file generation.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

Can you try to print to another printer - to see if those spikes still are there or are gone in an otherwise identical environment .

 

[rajhlinux]

I'm using an L805 which is basically the Ecotank successor of the older R285 and additional combo models with this print mechanism - 6 colors and 1.5pl min droplet size. I don't have the RPM option anymore in the driver - only a 'high' quality, but this delivers as well 720dpi data to the printer as per indication in Qimage.

MY scan does not show any spikes , I would need to reduce the ink density a little bit since the dot gain is too high and almost covers up the gap between the tracks - but this is not the subject of discussion. You might need an ink with higher black density but reducing the contrast to reduce the dot gain.

View attachment 16525

https://www.farbenwerk.com/?a=1084&lang=eng

Farbenwerk proposes as well to fill all ink channels with black ink, but I don't have any experience with PCB layout printing

Thanks for the reply and test print, much obliged.

Someone on Facebook marketplace is offering an Epson P600 for $200, I plan on buying it and do a test print. I think the Epson's professional grade printers would be much more consistent at the micron level.

I've also bought two used Epson 1400 for $250 last week and haven't done any test prints on those yet...

 

[rajhlinux]

I think the spikes may be caused by a media/ink incompatibility?

Transparency foil for inkjet printers have a coating similar to that used on photo paper. Using a Canon MP990 I printed the layout on 4"x6" photo paper with plain paper setting and photo paper setting. The plain paper setting causes pigment ink that is unsuitable for photo paper to be used and the photo paper setting caused photo black ink to be used.

The prints resulted in layouts size 48x83 mm. Is that the correct size?

Here is the print with pigment ink, note ragged or saw tooth edges:

View attachment 16526

And here is the print with photo black ink:

View attachment 16527

Thanks for the reply.

Very impressive. The ongoing rave of rumors on Cannon printers for producing quality transparency negatives are real thanks to your test print. I was always skeptical about Canon print head tech. I do have a Canon IPX printer which I bought 7 years ago. I might simply buy Canon's professional grade printer since they are usually much cheaper than Epsons pro printers.

I generally like to use non-oem and specialized inks for these projects providing the highest Dmax. Not sure if Canon have any supported third-party specialized ink for top notch transparency negatives. They use thermal based print heads.

Your "photo black ink" test print is an "A" on my book and would definitely go to the next step in UV lithography. Nice clean print with no artifacts on the traces or in the gaps. However I would pay the extra money for something much more cleaner and sharp prints just for peace of mind and professionalism. I guess canon pro grade printers, have any recommendations on which printer is suited? Also if you don't mind me asking, what kind of Ink did you use?

 

[rajhlinux]

It was way past my bedtime, so I decided to wait till today to reply.
I printed them both on high quality photo paper on the best setting..
The first image is same size from the PDF..

View attachment 16528

The second is the PNG enlarged…

View attachment 16529
If this helps any ?..

Thanks for the reply.

Your test prints helps much in convincing of your setup.
Wow, very clean, sharp and opaque. A+
What kind of printer model and ink are you using?