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Hi all. Maybe you can shed some light on this. I have just installed an Epson P900 to print on photo paper and also to produce my own DTP photogravures. Up till now I had my plates made for me in Spain.? I installed Print Tool, the Quadtone K3 Profiler and the QTR. As someone previously suggested in the group, I created a new media file based on the Epson matt paper, and edited the paper thickness and platen gap accordingly.? When I print through Print Tool and QTR Printer, the new media option I created is not available. It is only available in the Epson Print tool.
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So I selected A4 in the Print Tool using the Quad 900 QTP and selected the appropriate DTP curve (saved from the K3 profiler). I also selected Front Feed Poster Board. When I print, I am getting pizza line marks on the plate. (Photo and screenshots of the process attached).? When I tried using the Epson Print tool (instead of Print Tool) with the saved media file as media setting, I did not get the line marks but the inking looks a bit dense. I'm really at a loss. Am I missing something? Maybe the screenshots can help. I am not using a carrier but feeding the A4 plate directly into the printer.
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Is anyone going through the Epson Print dialog instead of Print Tool etc to print his plates? Would be great to know what the settings are?
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I would be grateful for any guidance anyone can provide. Unfortunately there are no workshops on the topic in Malta.?
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Thank you so much
?
best
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Joe
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Hi Joe - which kind of polymerplates are you using (Brand?)? If you only have one (Thats what I can see from your photo) broad soft white stripe, it is probably not pizza wheeling.
all the best
Stig
Stig Stasig
Rigensgade 5, kld.tv
DK-1316 Cph K
Denmark
+45 40115412
www.fotografix.dk
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Show quoted text
Den 30. jul. 2024 kl. 10.03 skrev Joe Smith <smithfoto59@...>:
[Edited Message Follows]
Hi all. Maybe you can shed some light on this. I have just installed an Epson P900 to print on photo paper and also to produce my own DTP photogravures. Up till now I had my plates made for me in Spain.? I installed Print Tool, the Quadtone K3 Profiler and the QTR. As someone previously suggested in the group, I created a new media file based on the Epson matt paper, and edited the paper thickness and platen gap accordingly.? When I print through Print Tool and QTR Printer, the new media option I created is not available. It is only available in the Epson Print tool.
?
So I selected A4 in the Print Tool using the Quad 900 QTP and selected the appropriate DTP curve (saved from the K3 profiler). I also selected Front Feed Poster Board. When I print, I am getting pizza line marks on the plate. (Photo and screenshots of the process attached).? When I tried using the Epson Print tool (instead of Print Tool) with the saved media file as media setting, I did not get the line marks but the inking looks a bit dense. I'm really at a loss. Am I missing something? Maybe the screenshots can help. I am not using a carrier but feeding the A4 plate directly into the printer.
?
Is anyone going through the Epson Print dialog instead of Print Tool etc to print his plates? Would be great to know what the settings are?
?
I would be grateful for any guidance anyone can provide. Unfortunately there are no workshops on the topic in Malta.?
?
Thank you so much
?
best
?
Joe
<IMG_3428.jpg><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.27.37.png><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.19.07.png><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.11.36.png><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.11.02.png>
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Hi Stig, thanks for your feedback.
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There is another line further down which seems to have light pizza marks. I have circled the lines in red.? I am using a box of plates that was
given to me by a colleague who stopped working on the process due to ill health. They seem to be Australian. Photos attached.
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I'm trying to source plates from Europe so if you have any suggestions, please do let me know.
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best
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Joe
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Hi Joe,
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I am joining this thread because I am having the same issue. I have my platen gap set to 4.5 and my dry time set to .5 through the epson media installer as others suggest, but still with no improvement. I have a P700, but I am printing in the same fashion as you, print tool with QTR DTP curve. I am using toyobo plates, I think it must be something in relation to the Surecolor printers and not the plate. Any help on this would be awesome!
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Hi Joe - sorry about the late reply. I still don't think it looks like pizza wheeling. If so, you would have much more and distinct lines. The golden color of the polymer indicates that it is probably the same polymer that Kodak used on their Jet Letterpress plates. They have now discontinued their factory in Japan, so it is not possible to buy them anymore. So in any case I would recommend you to use another brand.? I had similar problems when I worked with the Jet plates some years ago, and I found out that the stripes came when I removed the protective cover film. It was somehow glued to the plate in different areas and gave a crackling sound when removing the film.? Another problem with the Jets, was that the printing paper stuck to the light/white tone areas in the plate, if the paper wasn't blotted very carefully.?
If I were you I would buy some other plates:)
All the best
Stig
Stig Stasig
Rigensgade 5, kld.tv
DK-1316 Cph K
Denmark
+45 40115412
www.fotografix.dk
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Show quoted text
Den 30. jul. 2024 kl. 09.54 skrev Joe Smith <smithfoto59@...>:
[Edited Message Follows]
Hi all. Maybe you can shed some light on this. I have just installed an Epson P900 to print on photo paper and also to produce my own DTP photogravures. Up till now I had my plates made for me in Spain.? I installed Print Tool, the Quadtone K3 Profiler and the QTR. As someone previously suggested in the group, I created a new media file based on the Epson matt paper, and edited the paper thickness and platen gap accordingly.? When I print through Print Tool and QTR Printer, the new media option I created is not available. It is only available in the Epson Print tool.
?
So I selected A4 in the Print Tool using the Quad 900 QTP and selected the appropriate DTP curve (saved from the K3 profiler). I also selected Front Feed Poster Board. When I print, I am getting pizza line marks on the plate. (Photo and screenshots of the process attached).? When I tried using the Epson Print tool (instead of Print Tool) with the saved media file as media setting, I did not get the line marks but the inking looks a bit dense. I'm really at a loss. Am I missing something? Maybe the screenshots can help. I am not using a carrier but feeding the A4 plate directly into the printer.
?
I would be grateful for any guidance anyone can provide. Unfortunately there are no workshops on the topic in Malta.?
?
Thank you so much
?
best
?
Joe
<IMG_3428.jpg><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.27.37.png><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.19.07.png><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.11.36.png><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.11.02.png>
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Hi Stig
Thanks again for your feedback! From what I’ve gathered, also from other members on the group, apart from changing plates , I have to go via a plate carrier approach and not feed the plate directly into the printer. I’m looking at sourcingTorelief plates.?
So I will try that soon and?get back to you with (hopefully) positive feedback.?
Thanks again for all your help Stig.
Best
Joe Joseph P Smith MFA Digital Arts (Melit) MSWPP; FMPA; FBIPP; Hon. FMPS; ARPS; AFIAP Instagram: @smithfoto59 Facebook: Twitter: @smithjp59
Hi Joe - sorry about the late reply. I still don't think it looks like pizza wheeling. If so, you would have much more and distinct lines. The golden color of the polymer indicates that it is probably the same polymer that Kodak used on their Jet Letterpress plates. They have now discontinued their factory in Japan, so it is not possible to buy them anymore. So in any case I would recommend you to use another brand.? I had similar problems when I worked with the Jet plates some years ago, and I found out that the stripes came when I removed the protective cover film. It was somehow glued to the plate in different areas and gave a crackling sound when removing the film.? Another problem with the Jets, was that the printing paper stuck to the light/white tone areas in the plate, if the paper wasn't blotted very carefully.?
If I were you I would buy some other plates:)
All the best
Stig
Stig Stasig
,
DK-1316 Cph K
Denmark
+45 40115412
[Edited Message Follows]
Hi all. Maybe you can shed some light on this. I have just installed an Epson P900 to print on photo paper and also to produce my own DTP photogravures. Up till now I had my plates made for me in Spain.? I installed Print Tool, the Quadtone K3 Profiler and the QTR. As someone previously suggested in the group, I created a new media file based on the Epson matt paper, and edited the paper thickness and platen gap accordingly.? When I print through Print Tool and QTR Printer, the new media option I created is not available. It is only available in the Epson Print tool.
?
So I selected A4 in the Print Tool using the Quad 900 QTP and selected the appropriate DTP curve (saved from the K3 profiler). I also selected Front Feed Poster Board. When I print, I am getting pizza line marks on the plate. (Photo and screenshots of the process attached).? When I tried using the Epson Print tool (instead of Print Tool) with the saved media file as media setting, I did not get the line marks but the inking looks a bit dense. I'm really at a loss. Am I missing something? Maybe the screenshots can help. I am not using a carrier but feeding the A4 plate directly into the printer.
?
I would be grateful for any guidance anyone can provide. Unfortunately there are no workshops on the topic in Malta.?
?
Thank you so much
?
best
?
Joe
<IMG_3428.jpg><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.27.37.png><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.19.07.png><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.11.36.png><Screenshot 2024-07-30 at 09.11.02.png>
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I fashioned a carrier for the plate, hoping that this would solve the issue but I'm still getting the two horrid parallel lines down the plate. I'm at my wits end!
I printed the same image on thick poster board and there are no lines at all so it must be the plate I guess.? Next step is to try a different brand.
Ordering a couple of Torelief samples to try out. Will hopefully be back with good results.
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Thank you all for the support.
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Joe
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I use a Mac, QTR, Epson 3880, to print Toyoba KM73 plates for DTP printing.The Platen gap is at default. My comments are only based on using the 3880. The wheel that pulls the plate carrier through the front drawer is on the right on a 3880. In order to avoid any sort of wheel marks etc I made all my plate carriers A2 and the cut out for the plate is in the middle. In Print Tool I centre the image in the A2 size print window.
On the 3880 in the front drawer opening there is a bar with small black wheels about 45mm apart across the top. While these are above the thickness of the acceptable thickness for media I did manage once to get roller marks on a plate by not loading the carrier card level into the opening. I now pull out the trays that the printed carrier/plate will land on and these give a good guide to keeping the plate holder level when feeding it in.
I also have one cardinal rule, never touch the surface of a plate until its been completely processed and hardened off.
David
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Thank you so much for the info David.
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I also use a Mac. At first I fed the A4 plate directly into the printer. Then I made an A3 plate carrier for the A4 plate. The line marks are exactly in the same locations like when I fed the plate into the printer without a carrier. I'm thinking it could be a plate issue although I cannot see any lines when I peel off the protective plastic film.
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Will try a different brand of plates and see what happens.
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Joe?
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I’m having the same problem with my P900 - getting a deep gouge in the middle of the Toyota 93 plates.   ?
I bought my P900 in April and making plates worked well at first. Recently, I had to update the printer software settings - but I think the problem started even before then. I’m feeding the plates directly into the front-loading feeder on poster board without using a carrier sled. I’ve modified a profile from the Epson Media Installer (helped by another photogravure printmaker so I can’t recall how the settings were modified) and printing through Photoshop. I’m unable to continue with printmaking until this problem is solved and I’ve just begun trying to figure it out, so any help is very welcome. Thanks!
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Hi Cheryl
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From what I've gathered (and it seems to be working, or improving) the P900 needs some time to "settle in". I followed some advice from various members in this group and printed a few prints (using just a small percentage of ink to avoid wastage) on posterboard. This seems to help the rollers to settle in. The two lines are now nearly gone and I can barely see them on the plate. This is the last image I printed a couple of weeks ago. I need to print again and see if the issue returns. I would suggest you try this and see if there is improvement. I also think that the P900 would be happier with thinner plates. Hope this helps.
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Hi Cheryl,
I am using a P700 for DTP and have had the same issues. I’ve had my printer over a year, the first half of the year everything printed fine, and suddenly the line began appearing and wouldn’t cease. The only work around I’ve found is to create carriers with at least 1 inch margins. I don’t think there is any “settling in” that will correct the issue on my printer. The carrier keeps the rollers from hitting the plate directly because the carrier margins are slightly raised above the plate surface. I hope something helps!?
Best, Chloe
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On Sep 12, 2024, at 10:25?AM, Joe Smith <smithfoto59@...> wrote:
? Hi Cheryl
?
From what I've gathered (and it seems to be working, or improving) the P900 needs some time to "settle in". I followed some advice from various members in this group and printed a few prints (using just a small percentage of ink to avoid wastage) on posterboard. This seems to help the rollers to settle in. The two lines are now nearly gone and I can barely see them on the plate. This is the last image I printed a couple of weeks ago. I need to print again and see if the issue returns. I would suggest you try this and see if there is improvement. I also think that the P900 would be happier with thinner plates. Hope this helps.
<hands.jpg>
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Hi All. Now that the 2 tramlines have totally disappeared, I was faced with this new issue this morning. The last bit of the plate seems to overprint without ejecting.
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Any ideas, suggestions as to why this is happening? Maybe the platen gap in the media setting is too wide? It was 4.5 and I put it down to 3.5 but still getting the print overlap
in the final 1 cm of the plate.
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Thank you for any support you might offer.
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Joe
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This is a known issue with QTR when the image is too close the edge of the media. It can be mitigated by placing your plate (or digital negative material) on a larger piece of media so that you have at least a 1” gap between the end of the image and the edge of the media. A 1” border in other words.?
I regularly tape 8.5x11” pictorico to a 8.5”x14” piece of copier paper and set my paper to size to ‘legal’ to avoid this problem.
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On Sep 24, 2024, at 7:39?AM, Joe Smith via groups.io <smithfoto59@...> wrote:
Hi All. Now that the 2 tramlines have totally disappeared, I was faced with this new issue this morning. The last bit of the plate seems to overprint without ejecting.
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Any ideas, suggestions as to why this is happening? Maybe the platen gap in the media setting is too wide? It was 4.5 and I put it down to 3.5 but still getting the print overlap
in the final 1 cm of the plate.
?
Thank you for any support you might offer.
?
Joe
<IMG_3947.jpg>
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Thank you Clay. Will try that. Funny thing is that plates (DTP) printed fine before today. But yes, from what I've been reading in this group, seems that a carrier with a border is the way forward.
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Thanks again.
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Joe
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Hi Joe.
4 things you have to check/consider:
1; You have to create a Custom Paper Profile for the plates. Enhanced Matte Posterboard is approx 2 times as thick as your polymerplate. It is very important to print the test for Feed Adjustment - do that on the backside of an old plate - that will give you the right plate thickness - it will be much easier to read on the steel instead of the polymer - and it will save you an expensive plate. And you can easily remove the ink from the steelside and do it again if needed.
2: Your plates must be 100% ?flat - not curved or bend in any way- the same goes with the edges of the plate - no curly edges or corners.?
3: There must be no curves when the plates goes in or out of the printer - in the old days I had the Epson 4900 which I made support tables for in both ends of the printer - just 2 smooth plates mounted with 4 short adjustable IKEA legs - easy to make and level up and down. Now I use a P9000 with ramps mounted on top and buttom to make the plates go in a straight line all the way from loading to removing.
4: I have also had a lot of fun with the "Golden Plates" ?- the ones I had was Jet Letterpress. Some batches was OK and some batches had lines, stripes and/or noise. I could after to many tests hear from the cracking sound when I removed the cover film, if it was a good or a bad plate. All golden plates sucks - use another kind...
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Hi Stig, thank you so much. Yes I had created a custom paper profile specifically for DTP and the issue only happened once till now. As we speak I'm waiting for some 2 ply mounting board to come through the mail so that I can cut up a couple of carriers for smaller plates.
I have also?placed a cardboard box support the exact height of the paper slot at the back of the printer so that the paper remains level as much as possible. See attached photo. The exit tray of the P900 looks level enough.
I am now waiting for a UV exposure unit to arrive at my studio although the Maltese sunshine seems to do a good job! Now I will test some Toyobo K73 and K43 plates that I have received.
Thanks again for your input on this Stig. I will keep you posted.
Have a lovely festive season.
Joe
Joseph P Smith MFA Digital Arts (Melit) MSWPP; FMPA; FBIPP; Hon. FMPS; ARPS; AFIAP Instagram: @smithfoto59 Facebook: Twitter: @smithjp59
Hi Joe.
4 things you have to check/consider:
1; You have to create a Custom Paper Profile for the plates. Enhanced Matte Posterboard is approx 2 times as thick as your polymerplate. It is very important to print the test for Feed Adjustment - do that on the backside of an old plate - that will give you the right plate thickness - it will be much easier to read on the steel instead of the polymer - and it will save you an expensive plate. And you can easily remove the ink from the steelside and do it again if needed.
2: Your plates must be 100% ?flat - not curved or bend in any way- the same goes with the edges of the plate - no curly edges or corners.?
3: There must be no curves when the plates goes in or out of the printer - in the old days I had the Epson 4900 which I made support tables for in both ends of the printer - just 2 smooth plates mounted with 4 short adjustable IKEA legs - easy to make and level up and down. Now I use a P9000 with ramps mounted on top and buttom to make the plates go in a straight line all the way from loading to removing.
4: I have also had a lot of fun with the "Golden Plates" ?- the ones I had was Jet Letterpress. Some batches was OK and some batches had lines, stripes and/or noise. I could after to many tests hear from the cracking sound when I removed the cover film, if it was a good or a bad plate. All golden plates sucks - use another kind...
?
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Cheryl Hanna-Truscott
