small lines/streaks when printing photos

[kawliox]

Hi, i guess it is non specific printer or paper related so writing here.

I have bought a second hand Epson XP-8505, primary purpose to start printing own photos and learn the process, screen calibration etc.
I have now replaced all cartridges with brand new Epson original, as well as ran multiple cycles of head cleaning with special cleaning liquid cartridges. The test pages prints correctly but, in photos i see small lines. I am wandering what could be the fix for it, maybe any advice?
Have attached a few sample photos.

thanks for any insights!

 

[x64]

How does your nozzle pattern check look? All nozzles cleared?
If so, it seems all nozzles work great individually as shown on the test prints, but not when combining them together for a photo print.

It may be that some rows of nozzles are out of alignment, you can try the alignment tool from the driver. Although it is limited compared to the service adjustment program, it should be sufficient if there's no other hardware issues.

 

[thebestcpu]

Hi @kawliox

Are those actually ink stripes or scapes caused by rubbing up against the printer print head?

Here is an image of part of the nozzle check for your printer.
Each microstep down for each line needs to be straight and clean without significant feathering off that path for all 6 cartridges.

I also agree to try the alignment test as well.
If you need the manual for your printer and the details on maintenance, here is a link: https://www.manua.ls/epson/expression-photo-xp-8505/manual?p=1

If both come back clean and working and you still have lines, the print head may be striking the paper. Make sure you are using only the thickness of the photo paper that it supports. Too thick of photo paper will scrape up against the head.

If that is not the issue, the used printer may have had the head replaced improperly or something else out of alignment. I hope that one of the simple solutions above works for you
John Wheeler

 

[kawliox]

Hi @kawliox

Are those actually ink stripes or scapes caused by rubbing up against the printer print head?

Here is an image of part of the nozzle check for your printer.
Each microstep down for each line needs to be straight and clean without significant feathering off that path for all 6 cartridges.
View attachment 16985

I also agree to try the alignment test as well.
If you need the manual for your printer and the details on maintenance, here is a link: https://www.manua.ls/epson/expression-photo-xp-8505/manual?p=1

If both come back clean and working and you still have lines, the print head may be striking the paper. Make sure you are using only the thickness of the photo paper that it supports. Too thick of photo paper will scrape up against the head.

If that is not the issue, the used printer may have had the head replaced improperly or something else out of alignment. I hope that one of the simple solutions above works for you
John Wheeler

HI, here are the pics of nozzle check, for me looks totally fine, I did also both vertical and horizontal alignment, I use Epson 3 star 200g glossy paper for photos, so it should not be a thickness problem as well.
I have no knowledge about if this was ever serviced or fixed in any way.

I will try contacting local Epson support and see what they have to say, even though it is probably not worth it money wise.

 

[thebestcpu]

HI, here are the pics of nozzle check, for me looks totally fine, I did also both vertical and horizontal alignment, I use Epson 3 star 200g glossy paper for photos, so it should not be a thickness problem as well.
I have no knowledge about if this was ever serviced or fixed in any way.

I will try contacting local Epson support and see what they have to say, even though it is probably not worth it money wise.

Hi @kawliox
I think you should give the light magenta nozzle check another look and compare to the other colors
I stitched you two shots into one and you will notice that you should be getting a stairstep pattern with every nozzle and in the Light Magenta, you have straight to almost straight lines in all the areas I highlighted in green That means that those nozzles are probably printing off by ~1/2 to 1 nozzle width enough to cause the problem you have possibly. Thought is was worth mentioning.
John Wheeler

 

[kawliox]

you have a good eye my friend.

It really seems as magenta is the problem here. See the pic where lines in magenta and black are more pronounced.

I'll try to do the cleaning cycle and alignment again.

I also contacted local Epson, they said that printer is older than 7 years and they do not carry parts for 7 or older printers. Plus service will cost around 300 EUR, so really not worth

 

[x64]

Looking at that last image all your last picture, all your colours look bad, they all have lines in the printhead direction. To me it seems there is a paper feeding issue, and your printer might need PF adjustment or physical cleaning of the rollers.

If you want to go along with this printer, there are more things you can do yourself if you are up for it.

Although sometimes difficult to find, search for the adjustment program and service manual for your specific printer and print some test patterns there. In your case I would think the PF pattern would show some misalignment, but other parts might be misaligned too. In my last endeavour I had to adjust the angle of the printhead in order to get the PF adjusted properly.