PRO PRINTER MAINTENANCE

Keep print quality high and extend your printer’s life by following these simple steps

Keep print quality high and extend your printer’s life by following some simple steps

If there was ever a time when being able to produce quality photo prints at home was of great benefit, it is now. Many of us have basic photo printers available, and despite being incapable of the same level of detail as professional models, they can offer an affordable solution for general printing needs.

Regardless of the type and technical level of the printer in use, however, a similar maintenance procedure is necessary for the long-term upkeep of the unit. This includes ensuring that the ink-delivery system is kept free of dried pigment or foreign particles, the paper management features are clean and free from residues, and the overall internal and external workings are kept aligned and fully functional in the printer.

Here we’ll take a closer look at some of the most frequently overlooked steps in the maintenance of any photo printer, regardless of type or level.

HEAD CLEANING

While a commonly known maintenance procedure, many of us fail to perform head cleaning at the correct times. If you are using your printer often you may not have to use head cleaning as regularly, since ink is continuously moving. However, if you see colour shifts, notice lines running across your print, or have to leave your printer for a while, run a head clean before making a final print.

PRINTING FREQUENCY

With inkjet printers, continuous usage is a key factor in avoiding nozzle blockages. If a printer is left unused for extended periods and there is no ink passing through the print heads, ink residues can dry on the nozzles and prevent free ink flow in future. Never leave a printer for longer than a month without creating a test print to keep the system working.

CLEAN THE ROLLERS

An often-overlooked aspect of printer cleaning is the paper rollers, which move paper through the ink deposition system. Paper itself leaves behind dust, while surface coatings can deposit residues. To prevent build-ups of these, use an alcohol wipe to clean the roller surface. If possible use a paper-advance button to spin the rollers while gently holding a wipe on the roller surface.

INTERNAL ROLLER CLEANING

Many printers don’t have a dedicated paper-advance control, making cleaning of the entire roller surface tricky. A popular solution is to soak part of a sheet of plain paper with rubbing alcohol (the middle only, leaving the edges dry) and pass this through the printer a few times (from a blank document in Photoshop). This may have varying printers-pecific results, so always use caution.

HEAD ALIGNMENT CHECKS

Periodically run head-alignment tests, as micro-shifts can occur over time, creating lines and other associated aberrations on your prints. This can often be done from within the printer’s maintenance or settings menus, and ensures that each ink nozzle is correctly positioned for optimal results.

CARTRIDGE INSTALLATION

This may sound an obvious issue, but ensuring that ink cartridges are correctly prepared and inserted into your printer is critical. Be certain to remove tabs from ink distribution ports, which are often covered on new, unused units. Plastic coverings or remnants can become trapped in moving printer parts or prevent proper ink flow.