Some Questions re Inkjet Printers
Sources:
Smart Computing February 2007, Nov 2006, Oct 2005 (pgs 101-110)
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/510
Kim Komando
Ink Jet vs. Laser
Often difficult to recognize difference just by looking
Laser printers work by what is called the Electro-Photo (EP) process, which creates an electrostatic version of the document to be printed, inks this latent image using powdered toner, and then transfers the inked image onto paper. For details: http://www.howstuffworks.com/laser-printer.htm
An inkjet printer is any printer that fires extremely small (between 10 and 30 dots per millimeter) droplets of ink onto paper to create an image. For details: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question163.htm
Ink Jet less costly initially but ink cost relatively high
Laser more costly initially (prices are now way down) but overall cost about the same
If you do lots of printing e.g. small office do not use color, buy a Laser
If you average or less printing go with the Ink Jet
Sometime two are better than one e.g. make a laser default for everyday printing and an inkjet for color photo prints
Features in printing Properties
You should get familiar with the different printing features on your printer because every printer type is different
Refer to manual as needed!
Start> Control Panel> Printers> you can view situation re all your printers> find one you desire then right click and go to Properties
You will now see a box with about seven or eight different tabs.
General tab: Full name and the model type of printer e.g. ours is HP DeskJet 5900 series, it's color capable and the, printing preferences and select print a test page
Sharing tab: used if you want to share your printer with another computer e.g. drivers needed, etc
Ports tab: check the port desired, add or delete a port, configure a port, etc
Advanced tab: more printing preferences e.g. when you want your printer available, spool your print documents, when you want the printing process to start, etc.
Color Management tab:
Set color options e.g. choose to have printer automatically print in color or manually, work with your color profiles.
Device Settings: work with paper tray setting it the way you want it, etc.
Services tab: align your print cartridges and clean them using the mouse button
Fine Tuning Your Printing Choices
File menu> Print
Examples of fine tuning:
By default All is selected but can be changed
Selection page: only what you highlight
Pages: very flexible
2 (only page 2)
2,5 (only pages 2 and 5)
2-4 (only pages 2 through 4)
1, 3-6 (only page 1 and pages 3 through 6)
6-2 (reverse order i.e. pages 6 through 2)
Printing sections (To do this, you have to work with a document that's been broken into sections by inserting section breaks).
Prophylaxis and basic troubleshooting
Make certain printer is ON
Read the user manual
Check the manufacturer s Web site e.g. Q & As, updates, drivers
Check cable connection i.e. USB or Parallel port
Check electrical plug in live outlet
Is it beeping
Make certain of ink supply
Update drivers as needed
Load paper properly
Check paper tray for paper and r/o jam
Use proper paper type
Do not mix paper types in same bin, keep moisture free
Print a test page as needed
Print from another application to compare
Check Page Setup and Print Options
Take care of the print heads (sprays the droplets of ink onto the paper)
Read instructions
Clean
Align as needed
Keep printer clean
Dirt, dust, and paper shreds can interfere
Use compressed air
If dusty environment, cover when not in use
When you have a paper jam use caution e.g. do not force paper out; use hatch at back of printer if present
Turn off printer when not in use; prevents drying of ink
Avoid buying compatible , refilled or remanufactured ink cartridges
Printing Photos www.smartcomputing.com/nov06resolutionchart
Need quality type printer e.g. borderless printing
Resolution of at least 300dpi
Use brand name inkjet photo paper and ink
Proper image resolution and print size
Maybe wiser to outsource e.g. www.smugmug.com
Potpourri of selected problems you might encounter
I send a document to the printer but nothing happens.
Check obvious first e.g. power, paper jam, etc
My printer stops working midway through a printing job
R/O paper jam
My document won t print and there is a light flashing on the printer.
Bad news: an error has occurred
Nature of problem may be determined by how many times the light blinks or consult printer utility; check manual re LED or similar info
There tiny, blurry smudges across my print
Clean print head manually or with use of utility
Use proper paper
Sheet of paper stuck in printer
Carefully remove then restart printer; consult manual for safe way
Printer feeds more than one sheet through at a time
Make certain paper is proper type of thickness
Increased humidity might be the cause so act accordingly
Rollers may need adjusting