StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I had this problem in the past, (and actually posted it in this section). At that time, running a Power Cleaning Cycle did the trick, and my prints matched the screen colors pretty well.

Now, after a period of non use, the prints again look like they are coverd with an opaque film, making the colors look very dull, and a bit muddy. I re calibrated my screen, cleaned the print heads, ran a power cleaning cycle, and even switched from letting Lr manage printing to allowing the printer to manage the printing. No luck.

I do have a number of ink cartridges that are way out of date. Is it possible that is the problem? Although, the color of my prints looked fine prior to the three week period of non use.

(I could not print for three weeks because I was out of town.)

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Steve

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Do the colors look muddy when comparing the same image print before the 3 week shutdown. Is it with the same paper? Here in Florida, it was cool three weeks ago and is now hot and high humidity. Humidity can affect the papers ability to absorb ink. [is your Epson dye or pigment?]

When I was using Epson I also had plugging problems. I used alcohol to refill a cartridge for the plugged color. Here is a reference in which the use of alcohol is discussed:
https://www.castleink.com/category/166/Clean-Your-Print-Heads.html

My life has been very busy and I have neglected my Canon TS9020 fro perhaps three months... bad! I ordered and received two new papers to try. To my relief, the printer performed perfectly. When the Epson died of "end of useful cycle" [later found that meant waste sponge was full], I researched and read that Canon Printers have a different head design different from Epson and much less likely to plug.

As a postscript, I always use third party inks.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Prior to the three week shutdown, the colors were perfect. (Or as close to perfect as I usually get.) I am using the same paper. Very little change in the weather.
Steve

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

The Epson 3880 uses 10 pigment inks. I would try taking each cartridge out and gently shaking it as the pigment may have settled to the bottom, then do one more nozzle cleaning before b buying new ink.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Good suggestion. I’ll give it a shot.
Steve

dadaist

That should do it!! If not, repeat the above again.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

Thanks for the tip. I tried this, but it did not work.
Steve

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

StevenG's last message was in May. It is now January. Did anything change, get resolved, or what?