Epson 3880 Printing Issues

jpaulmoore
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Epson 3880 Printing Issues

Hello all,
My colors of late on my Epson 3880 are really flat and dull looking. I've done all of the nozzle check and head cleaning things and that hasn't helped. Epson support my email has been terrible. Here is my set up Mac OSX 12 (Monterey). I'm printing out of lightroom on Exhibition Fiber Paper. I'm using the latest printer driver too. Any suggestions on what to check for or try out?
Thanks,
J. Paul

Aug 17, 2023 at 02:57 PM

chez
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Epson 3880 Printing Issues

What’s changed. From my experience printing when things don’t look like they used to…the cause is something has changed. Figure out what’s different today than the last time you printed correctly and you’ll most likely find your issue.

You say you did the nozzle check…are all the colour lines solid?

Aug 17, 2023 at 03:41 PM

jpaulmoore
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Epson 3880 Printing Issues

Thanks for your suggestion. The Nozzle Check looks perfect. I print infrequently, so I need to try and figure out what has changed.
J. Paul

Aug 17, 2023 at 03:54 PM

dhlewis
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Epson 3880 Printing Issues

My first suggestion would be to download a couple of Keith Coppers printer test images from the Northlight images web site. He has them for color and B&W evaluation. Evaluate how they look and see if you can pick up one or more of the colors that are off. The Northlight images website has a wealth of information on printing.

Are you printing Matte or photo black ink? I know both icc profiles exist for Epson Exhibition fiber paper, make sure you select the correct one.

Also, I am assuming that you are calibrating your monitor?

Also PM me if you want some ink for your 3880, I have a couple new cartridges and a few partials from when I had a 3880. Free if you pay the shipping.

Aug 17, 2023 at 04:36 PM

jpaulmoore
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Epson 3880 Printing Issues

This is most helpful! Thanks for these tips!
Best,
J. Paul

Aug 17, 2023 at 05:01 PM

Peter Figen
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Epson 3880 Printing Issues

jpaulmoore wrote:
Hello all,
My colors of late on my Epson 3880 are really flat and dull looking. I've done all of the nozzle check and head cleaning things and that hasn't helped. Epson support my email has been terrible. Here is my set up Mac OSX 12 (Monterey). I'm printing out of lightroom on Exhibition Fiber Paper. I'm using the latest printer driver too. Any suggestions on what to check for or try out?
Thanks,
J. Paul

When things like this, it's usually something simple and usually something to do with color profiles and color management but sometimes it can also be something going on in a dot release of the OS and/or a similar dot release in the printing application.

What has changed since the last time you printed and printed correctly? Anything?

Next is also to carefully document your entire printing process and post it here to see if something jumps out to people reading this.

Second, or maybe not second would be to try test prints from Photoshop, Preview and Acrobat and see if they all print the same as Lr or if they're okay.

And, I'm going to assume that you know for a fact that you're using the correct profile for that paper and printer and that you're not using Printer Color Management by mistake.

Aug 17, 2023 at 11:50 PM

ilkka_nissila
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Epson 3880 Printing Issues

It sounds like a profiling issue. I am unfortunately not familiar with printing from Macs. However, in Windows one has to make sure of the following: chooses the right paper type in the printer driver dialog, select ICM is OFF in the printer driver, and in Photoshop set that Photoshop rather than the printer driver manages colors, and finally select the correct paper profile for that printer. After these, if the print head is not clogged up, it should match screen colours accurately provided that the display is calibrated.

The printer manual gives specific instructions that do work well at least in my experience.

I've been a happy user of the Pro 3880 for ten years now! Great printer.

Aug 18, 2023 at 03:22 AM

jpaulmoore
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Epson 3880 Printing Issues

Thanks so much for this additional information!
J. Paul

Aug 18, 2023 at 05:14 AM

jpaulmoore
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Epson 3880 Printing Issues

Thanks to all for these great responses. What a great forum!
J. Paul

Aug 18, 2023 at 05:30 AM


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