Same smudges / sheet slip on 3 HP printers?

Hello,

In my opinion, the source of your problem lies in the use of "Bristol"; the weight is too high, especially if the paper path is a crinkle... and I fear that the damage is done, it's quite difficult to go back...

The drive rollers must be too smooth, and the pressure springs are relaxed after passing this Bristol... Moreover, it must be rubbing under the inkjet nozzles of the cartridges... then it leaves deposits and moistens the rollers... which in turn leaves deposits on the next page... etc... etc... it's a vicious circle...

That's how I see the matter...

It would require a printer with a straight paper path (I don't know how it is on yours..??)

And also modify the springs to exert a bit more pressure on your Bristol... It’s possible that this pressure adjustment exists inside the printer... It's common and not mentioned...

And it's better to make the holes after printing, not before.

Instructive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ35P8eWKig

Yes, you can open another POST in the right Forum and clearly specify what you're looking for... Surely you're not the only one in this situation... You might find the miracle answer.

FINALLY THE SOLUTION!

Thank you for everything Jeannets, you saved us, my wallet, my sheets, and me! I will list your advice that I finally got to test!!

The solution found to the problem:

The printer itself:

• My printer is a HP PHOTO ENVY 6200 (the one for €99)

On the computer:

• Do not use large, bold, and black patterns / very dark colors
• First of all, save the document as a printable PDF! (with a CMYK color profile if offered, not RGB)
• It does not accept the sheet if I use custom dimensions, so you should select a format that is close (for me: 95 x 170 mm: "personal envelope"), otherwise, it will tell you that the "paper is exhausted"

Here is the video of the printing, you might see something that could explain the why and how, for example, I see that the little roller that moves the paper goes right through the perforated holes; I thought that the problem was there, but apparently not:

https://www.cjoint.com/c/LGDlU7IvwyQ

And here are images of the sheets that have been problematic until now:

So far no issues, I printed 10, I need to make many more, so we will see!

Damn, I think my message didn't go through:

PROBLEM SOLVED:

Thank you so much Jeannets for your help! Your advice helped to resolve everything!! I didn't have to try the sheet horizontally in the tray after all, nor the special 2-column layout. I will list the method below:

The original problem: Smudges when printing on both sides on small format sheets

The printer and the paper: HP ENVY PHOTO 6230 / 100gms perforated paper, 6 holes, 95x170 mm

On the computer:

• Do not use overly thick patterns with very dark colors. I had to print Chinese characters, the strokes were thick and the color was dark blue. I opted for a lighter color and finer lines.

• Save your document as print PDF, with CMYK color profile if offered, not RGB. Personally, I also applied a transparent background to my page, instead of a white background, but I imagine that doesn't change much.

• At the time of printing, choose a format that closely matches the dimensions of your sheet: I had prepared custom dimensions, but it didn't accept them (message "out of paper") but you can trick it by selecting "personal envelope" for a sheet of 95x170 mm, in my opinion HPs are not as fussy as Japanese brands.

Here is the printing video for the pros, maybe you will see a detail. I notice that the roller that moves the paper goes directly through the middle of the perforated holes:

https://www.cjoint.com/c/LGDlU7IvwyQ

And here is the result:

Thanks again so much! I'm saved!!

Thank you very much, I will keep this video precious!

Unfortunately, my mini cards are already punched, so I have no choice.. On the other hand, they are not made of Bristol! I actually won’t use Bristol anymore in this case, I really thought that nowadays, Bristol wouldn’t be an issue!

What bothers me is that this brand new printer has never been in contact with Bristol, only 3 sheets of supermarket A4 and 2 mini cards!!

I’m afraid to seem really silly, but I don’t know what a path is? I can’t find anything on the internet that helps me understand better.. maybe you’re talking about this?

I take this opportunity to ask experts: I’ve only had it for 3 days, so if I could change it, what would you recommend please? I mainly use somewhat special formats as you understood, I have a budget of 200-250€ but not much more..

OK, so nowadays there are several inkjet printers under €100... but we're not doing sales or promotions...

You should know the weight of your paper... even if it's not Bristol.. check the packaging or the invoice.

-- Look at your paper tray... it is just below the printed paper output... So necessarily, its path makes a 180° turn at the bottom of the tray to return to the output..., It should be that this path involves less gymnastics.

Here’s an example of a model that has its blank paper in the rear support with the output towards the front..

https://www.cdiscount.com/informatique/imprimantes-multifonction-fax/hp-hp-deskjet-2720-all-in-one-hp-deskjet-2720-all/f-10711-auc0194441901481.html

Another example Epson https://www.ncis-dz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/imprimante-epson-jet-dencre-couleur-l1300-tunsie.jpg

As for the rest of the features, it's up to you to decide... for example, the number of cartridges, etc...

My paper weighs 100 gms. I'm going to look at printers with the tray at the back, really hoping that these problems will stop. After 3 printers, it’s starting to get a bit repetitive.

Hello,

The 100 g paper should work... but...!!! The standard A4 paper is usually 80 g, so that’s your reference point... There are also the holes that can worsen the situation... maybe it would be wise to iron them out first...!!

This Epson XP-700 is good except for the paper movement... it seems to make a semi-circle to come back forward....

It's not always easy to meet all the criteria... You can make your list of features... including rear paper loading... this way the paper movement is less than a quarter of a circle... It’s less "stressful" for the paper, leading to less deformation in the fibers that will remain permanently...

You can visit sellers or big-box stores... and read the specifications on the paper... And not from the salespeople's mouths...! either they don’t know... or they’re clueless... or they mix up the information. No more comments.

it's good to have this notion of mutual aid... it's incredible the number of problems as varied as they are bothersome that exist, from the simplest to the most complicated... everything is useful.

Here's one that seems almost perfect to me, without being too expensive... the CANON TS 5351 around €85 at Boulanger

https://www.boulanger.com/ref/1177046

see the PDF manual here https://boulanger.scene7.com/is/content/Boulanger/4549292197914_f_0

it can be loaded from the front and the back... front 105g and back 300g, to be confirmed.

The only drawback I find is the single ink cartridge... one for color and the other for BLACK...

I prefer printers that have as many ink cartridges as there are basic colors... one black and three colors indigo, cyan, magenta each...

It's easier to manage individually. And if we want to switch to refillable cartridges, it's much more feasible later on...

In searching, there should be similar models in other brands...

OK... if possible, please take a good look at the model to see if everything matches well?? It's the A series (TS-6351A)

Yes, it seems perfect. It's true that searching by criteria is not easy... Comparison sites look at the brand and price, and the reader is unable to say exactly what this model of printer does... But well, I see that with method and endurance, it eventually pays off..

For the ink, the subscription is not always useful and often expensive in the long run... There are companies that sell empty and refillable cartridges... and also ink bottles for refilling **https://www.encre-phoenix.com/32-cartouches-rechargeables the chips are resettable without any specific tools, we can do about 10 times more for the price of one brand refill..

You need to choose the right ink if you are printing photos... and don't forget to order them on time.

So here is the process to do it differently, if that appeals to you.

-- You might want to check with HP, they might have an equivalent printer..??

-- For prints that are too dark compared to the screen, you need to adjust the Gamma coefficient.

-- For the Phoenix site, you'll need to wait until you have the actual cartridges for your new printer and note the code for each cartridge... Then, you can send an email to Phoenix, they might have it.. Or they might have another reference; they respond.

-- However, what you found on Amazon is not the same market, they sell "compatible cartridges," each time it is "empty."

While Phoenix sells refillable cartridges, with a chip that resets and ink bottles to refill your cartridges... When you're out, you refill and it starts up immediately... You can very well have a second set of already full cartridges, and you're good to go in the next few minutes... You can refill 6 to 10 times with the bottles.

I sent a message to Phoenix to get informed, I'll pass it on..

Only downside, it can be a bit messy, you need a corner to do this and wear clothes that don't care, I won't hide that.

According to my research, there were 3 Canon and 1 Epson that really met the criteria; the HPs with the rear tray are really basic from what I've seen (no WIFI, etc.) and often not very well-rated. I was also looking for those that were mainly sold by Boulanger, and there's nothing really interesting on the HP side.

Thank you for contacting Phoenix! I would certainly prefer to have bottles for 5 to 10 refills, it would be much cheaper. However, if it’s really messy, I'm renting and I really don’t want to stain the floor, haha, but I will watch some videos to see how to handle this kind of thing.

If I understood correctly, Phoenix sends the set of 5 cartridges, and I can then just buy, for example, one bottle of blue ink if I only need that color, is that right?

What bothers me about the cartridges from Amazon is that if I run out of blue, I have to buy the entire set of 5 again, even if it's only 26€. With Phoenix being the best option, I really hope their response will be positive!

Yes, you understood correctly. Let's wait for the answer for this one.

Finally, she's set up and since then I've done countless tests: she's very smart, to the point that she refuses to cooperate.

So there are 2 trays, the front tray takes the A5 (not the small format) and does double-sided printing despite the error message, but let's just say it's a return to square one since I hear the sheet make quite a turnaround..

The back tray, which interests me, won’t accept my A5. As for the small sheets, that's fine but double-sided printing is impossible.

I admit it's exhausting. She's really "too" perfect.. No matter what, she knows that my sheet doesn't match the specified format down to the millimeter. I should have asked to do a test on site instead of bringing a printer every week..

How I wish I had the skills to hack her and have her print those wretched pieces of paper for me! At this point, I think my case is hopeless, I'm really sorry to be wasting so much of your time, to the point that the subject has even drifted from the title..

Ah.. I sense a bit of disappointment... The time lost is not entirely wasted; it needs to be transformed into instructive time and experience.

-- So, is it the Canon of your dreams that you bought and tested at home.. the TS-6351A..??

-- So..?? Does the paper go askew and leave ink marks on this machine as well...??

-- It would also be logical for the seller to give you a demonstration in their store of everything you are looking for..

-- For me, your sheets in question should be able to go into the back tray...??

Of course, you could put it in a "Mask" to fit the correct format; but that can take a very long time depending on the number to print.

-- Yes, this is indeed that Canon. I believe it’s the best printer I’ve seen, too bad to have these problems!

-- No, unlike the new HP, the printing has no defects: nothing is misaligned and there are no smudges. I was starting to think it was the document that had an issue (png), but this confirms that it indeed comes from the HP printers.

-- That’s what my mother and I asked: "But of course, you’re going to test it yourself!" but nothing happened. The seller only talked to the adult and not to the 20-year-old young woman; I understand, it’s surely easier to sweet-talk a woman who knows nothing rather than a young girl who has a list of criteria. I don’t hold it against him, but the exchange was really limited to "But buy it! It’s highly rated and we only have good feedback" (that was for the HP). For the Canon, the seller wasn’t knowledgeable.

-- The sheets fit well in the rear tray; however, the A5 only fits if I leave the "auto detect type and size" settings, otherwise, I’m told to put it in the front tray. It’s after I made these settings that I was able to print double-sided even though there was an error message (which corresponds to the exclamation mark next to "Others" in photo 2):

The 95x170mm sheets fit, but it’s impossible to print double-sided. Here’s the process:

It’s not 10x15cm nor glossy paper, but I’ve tried many times to change to other formats and it doesn’t change anything; I always run into this message:

And finally this last message: I don’t have a choice, I select the first one: it prints, but not double-sided.

Yes, it's disappointing; this printer seems to be GOOD.

Salespeople in these big stores often behave like that... It must be said that young people with technical questions on a list (especially a woman..!!) annoy them... They don't want to waste time... But to sell... Anyway, it's also the system that leads us to this... In this case, you have to identify the array of salespeople... and address the oldest one.. (it doesn't always work) or go to the receptionist and ask to see an "expert"... It's good to have a technical question ready to start the conversation and then veer into what interests you... Alright, I'll stop here..

-- The A5 paper format corresponds to half a sheet of A4 size https://www.format-papier.fr/format-a5.html

It all depends on how you print it... Upright or sideways...???

In my opinion, a solution would be to print on A4 paper and then cut it in half to make your note/class sheets... you could load them from the back and achieve automatic double-sided printing even on 160gr.

But this manipulation requires having a guillotine to make a clean and nice cut after printing.

You can also do your perforations afterward, before or after cutting...

-- This new working method also requires adapting your layout in your word processing software...

There are also software programs that do desktop publishing and manage your layout like Scribus, which is free https://scribus.fr.uptodown.com/windows

and the tutorial https://www.icem-pedagogie-freinet.org/book/export/html/31165

So, you can write your text in Word or Abiword (free) https://www.commentcamarche.net/telecharger/bureautique/2319-abiword/

by copying and pasting if you've already written this work... The goal is to produce 2 A5 double-sided sheets after cutting.

The work with the mask is something else; it's an A4 folder that has an A5 cutout. You place the A5 paper in the mask and the mask in the printer's feeder, so it can go through... The problem is that it requires making the sheets one by one..

I'm still surprised that such a printer cannot take A5 directly... I have an old Epson that does; it also prints envelopes..https://www.epson.fr/fr_FR/support/sc/epson-stylus-dx8400/s/s677

And yet the oldest salespeople also know how to charm people of their generation, "I'm like you, I just want a phone for calls, here, take an iPhone 13 Pro."

Going back, even just to retrieve the defective HP, I think I'm going to turn this time to an Epson or a Brother. Those are the last two brands left for me. And this time, even though I think the salespeople are fed up with seeing us, we are going to ask for a demonstration again, insisting this time!

I hope the right one is in this list:

— Epson XP 4155 (probably only A4)

— Brother DCP-L2530DW (double-sided but which formats?)

— Brother MFC-J4540DW (double-sided but which formats?)

Of course, there's always the option of cutting A4 sheets, but I've spent the last 10 years doing that and it's a nightmare. When I discovered the existence of double-sided printers, I swore I wouldn't put myself through that again, too much time wasted cutting instead of reviewing and the wrist pain!

I don't know if I can afford to create a new post to ask if such a printer exists? I don't know since there are no promotions, but it would give me objective and honest opinions! Maybe someone here has one that can do all that..

Well... We have several stores (baker, Darty, Bureau Vallée), none do demonstrations and the first two couldn't find anything that met the criteria. The last one, at Bureau Vallée, offered me an Epson ET-2851 Ecotank.

It's expensive, but whatever, he wasn't at all worried about double-sided printing regardless of the format. When I got home, it was the same story, it refused: "double-sided printing is not available for this size."

So I'm just going to give up since I haven't slept well for a few nights (it may seem silly for a printer, I know, but I need it for my studies + the sellers treating us like idiots... it's getting to be too much..)

I don't really have a choice anymore, I'm going to have to take the family HP (6200) despite the smudges and crooked prints..