Summary: This is the main page for the Piezography Technical Support site. Here you will find information on different ink sets and printing products, helpful tips, troubleshooting help, and a Frequently asked questions section.
You need to use special software to print Piezography K6 and K7 inks: Download QuadToneRIP HERE, if you have not yet downloaded it. People using Studioprint RIP do not need to use QuadToneRIP, but all other people with Piezography K6 and K7 inks must use QuadToneRIP.
New user, new ink set or new printer: START HERE, if you have just purchased a new ink set, new printer, or new piece of printing software, or even new operating system on your computer, refer to this section for help getting set up and printing black and white images.
Additional resources: This section contains a collection of useful information and resources of interest to both new and seasoned users of Piezography inks.
Frequently Asked Questions: This section contains answers to questions you may have about your inks printer, and printing.
This section contains new information. Check here frequently for updates.
New user, new ink set or new printer: this link provides information on the following topics:
· Installing a new ink set in your printer. Testing your printer before switching ink sets, removing old cartridges safely, “flushing” the printer of the old ink set.
· Preparing and using a PiezoFlow Continuous Inking System;
· Placing ink shades in the correct slots of a printer or printer cartridge;
· Switching from one tone to another in your printer;
· Using printing software or ICC profiles specifically designed for these inks (Piezography BW ICC/iQuads, QuadToneRIP, Studioprint RIP, Piezography BW plug-in/Pro24, Imageprint).
Additional resources: This section contains a listing of useful information and resources, of interest to both new and seasoned users of Piezography inks.
List of papers profiled for QuadToneRIP, using K6 and K7 inks: this document shows the current list of papers profiled for these ink sets, on all supported printers.
List of papers profiled for PiezoTone inks, using the Piezography BW ICC system: this document shows the current list of papers profiled for PiezoTone inks, on all supported printers.
Flush image: Printing a flush image helps remove residual color ink from your printer after changing cartridges. This is used mainly with desktop printers, but is also useful with large format printers, in conjunction with other flushing steps.
QuadToneRIP getting started guide: this document, in conjunction with the documentation that comes with QuadToneRIP, will allow you to set up your printer for use with K6/K7 inks.
Removing color cast from your prints: this document describes a procedure for cleaning the capping station sponge. This sponge can be responsible for retaining color ink from a previous ink set and redepositing it with the new monochromatic inks. Cleaning the sponge fixes this problem immediately, in most cases.
Gimp Drivers and Mac OS X: people using Piezography BW ICC profiles or iQuads ICC profiles must use a genuine Epson printer driver for best results. However, many Mac OS X versions come preloaded with third party, non-Epson, “Gimp” drivers. This document shows you how to determine if you have a Gimp driver, and if you do, how to remove it.
Print head cleaning tips: if you find that you have an incomplete nozzle check pattern, then follow the tips on this page to fix that. Technically, most of the problems that cause nozzles to not work are not caused by ink blockages, but by something else, such as blocked airflow into a cartridge.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
Q: How do I use the “Tone Blend” adjustment in QuadToneRIP with my Piezography K7 or K6 inks?
A: The answer is, you do not use the tone blend adjustment at all with K6 or K7 inks. The Piezography K6/K7 inks use all six or seven shades available at all times. There is nothing that can be adjusted to make an image warmer or cooler, because there isn’t room in a printer to have two complete ink sets installed, while still offering the smooth tonal response that is achieved with six or seven shades (densities) of ink.
When printing through QuadToneRIP, with Piezography K6/K7 inks, we suggest you choose the same curve twice, which will prevent the possibility of having a tone blend adjustment set partially to no curve (“None”).
Q: What are the QuadToneRIP settings for Sepia K6/K7 or Piezography K6/K7 SplitTone inks?
A: We have formulated our inks so that each shade number of ink has a specific density, regardless of which tone it is. Therefore, when you switch any shade of one tone of ink, with the same shade in another tone, you will still use the same QuadToneRIP curves.
Q: How do I load my bulk inks into a CIS?
A: If you have purchased a set of bulk inks from us, you should have received a piece of paper that explains which shade of ink goes into which cartridge, or into which part of a multi-channel cartridge. That information is repeated at the following web page, for all available ink sets and printer models: http://www.piezography.com/support/fill.htm#four_color_printers_piezotone. This web page contains tables showing the locations of ink in different printers. Look down the list until you find your printer model, ink set and printing system (if applicable).
Instructions on how to fill and install CIS kits are provided with the CIS. We cannot offer advice on how to use Niagara CIS systems; however, we do make and sell PiezoFlow systems and do support that product. Instructions for using a PiezoFlow are found here: http://www.piezography.com/support/piezoflow.htm.
Note about PiezoFlow units: if you are switching to K6 inks in a 1280 or 1290 printer, do not use PiezoFlow cartridges, as the sponges inside the cartridge can affect the printing. Instead, use a Niagara system, which has sponge-free cartridges.
Q: How do I store partially used flush or ink cartridges, removed from my printer?
A: In general, you should store ink cartridges in closed plastic bags, to contain any potential spillage of ink, and to slow down evaporation of the ink. It is not necessary to put tape over the outlet holes of most cartridges, because they have spring loaded valves, or rubber membranes, that seal shut when removed from the printer. The printer models with cartridges that should be taped, are the 860/1160, and the 1200. For these printers, cover the bottom holes with a piece of Scotch tape. Remove the tape before reinstalling the ink cartridges in your printer.
When previously used cartridges are out of the printer, you should store them in an upright position, so that the air vent holes are facing up. Again, place these cartridges in plastic bags and close the bags.
Try to use up opened ink cartridges within six months of starting to use them. For desktop printer cartridges that have vent holes, the contents of the cartridges start to dry once you pull the vent tab off. This is a slow process, but it does happen.
Q: I’m getting an incomplete nozzle check pattern on my desktop K7 printer, and I can’t fix it, no matter how many print head cleaning cycles I run. What’s wrong?!
A: Sometimes, when you pull a vent tab off the cartridge, a piece of the tab will stay on the vent hole. With the vent hole blocked, no amount of print head cleaning will open it. This link shows an easy way to unclog the vent hole: http://www.piezography.com/vent_tab.html
Q: Should I shake my ink cartridges?
A: We suggest you shake the cartridges gently, before you put them in the printer. Be careful not to shake them too vigorously, because you may dissolve air into the ink, which will create printing problems later on, as the air reaches the print heads.
Q: How do I install my ICC profiles on my computer?
A: Mac OS9. Drag the ICC profiles to your System Folder/ColorSync Profiles folder.
Mac OS X, install profiles in one of two locations. You may find that only one of the two locations allows you to access the profiles.
· Copy all of the ICC profiles to the Users/[your login user name]/Library/ColorSync/Profiles folder, or
· Copy all of the ICC profile files included in this archive to the Library/ColorSync/Profiles folder. Installing in this location requires the user to be an administrator of the system.
Windows 98SE/2000/XP: right click on the profile, and select “install profile.” The profile will copy itself into the following folders. After installing the profile, you may delete the profile from the location you installed it.
· Windows 98/2000: C:\\Windows\System\Color
· Windows XP: C:\\Windows\system32\spool\drivers\color
After installing your profiles, they may not show up in Photoshop until you either restart the program, or select the profile in the “proof setup” window.
You will find more information in the Piezography BW ICC Users’ Guide
Q: My nozzle check pattern gets worse with more and more print head cleaning cycles! What’s wrong?
A: If you find that successive print head cleaning cycles makes a nozzle check pattern look worse, or if you find that the nozzle check pattern gets better by letting a printer sit unused for several hours, then you may have a clogged sponge in your capping station. You will find out what this means, and how to fix it, at this location: http://www.piezography.com/support/printhead_cleaning_tips.htm#capping
Q: I installed K7 (or K6) inks for the first time, and I see a slight color tint in the images. Repeated cleaning cycles don’t seem to fix the problem. How can I fix this?
A: A small amount of residual color ink can show up, especially in channels printing the lightest shades (shade numbers 6 or 7) of Piezography inks. If you see this problem, and you can’t fix it with additional print head cleaning cycles, you may have residual color ink in your capping station sponge. The capping station is a small seal that presses against the print head when it’s not printing, to keep the print head from drying out. The cap is also used during cleaning cycles, and so the sponge in the capping station can become very saturated with ink. The sponge is porous and ink should drain out of it, but sometimes it doesn’t drain completely. A simple procedure that often works to fix this problem is to clean the sponge in the capping station with water or Windex. By putting liquid in the sponge, you will flush the excess ink out of it. Cleaning the cap also helps the ink buildup to drain more easily. You may find a procedure to clean the capping station at this link.
Q: I pulled the vent tab off my 2200 cartridge and a white piece of fabric came out. Is this bad?
A: Inside the cartridges for the 2100/2200 printers is a small piece of cloth which is designed to absorb a droplet of ink that may drip out when you pull on the tab. The fabric serves no purpose before you pull the tab, or after you pull the tab. If you see the fabric sticking out of the cartridge, you may either leave it alone, or you may separate the cartridge into its two halves, remove and discard the fabric, and then put the cartridge back together.
More information available at: http://www.piezography.com/vent_tab.html
Q: What settings do I use for my Piezography BW ICC profiles, now that I’ve upgraded to Photoshop CS2?
A: Please visit this link to see the settings you need to use to see the changes in settings for CS2.
Q: My 9000 or 9500 printer is rejecting my cartridges. What’s wrong?
A: These printer models contain features which, if turned on, will cause your printer to reject our cartridges. This link will explain how to disable these features: http://www.piezography.com/support/9000_9500_disable_key_patch_sensor.htm.
Q: My 7600, 9600 or 4800 printer is giving me a “Wrong Cartridge” message. What does this mean?
A: On these three models of printers, you may use either a “Matte Black” or “Photo Black” cartridge. The chips on the cartridges are different for the two black types, and if you put in a black cartridge, different than what the printer is currently set up for, you will see a “Wrong Cartridge” message. The ink change instructions for these printers describe how to install a set of inks with either a Matte or Photo Black cartridge, regardless of which type was previously installed. The instructions for the printers are located at the following web pages:
· 7600 or 9600 printer: http://www.piezography.com/support/7600_9600_ink_change.htm.
· 4800 printer: http://www.piezography.com/support/4800_ink_change.htm.
Q: Why is the level going down on the flush cartridge in the Photo Black slot of my 4000?
A: Even though you never use the flush cartridge for printing, the liquid in it is used up during the initial ink filling sequence, and also by running print head cleaning cycles, both automatic and manual. If you received a 110ml flush cartridge with your ink set, but all your ink cartridges are 220ml in volume, the Photo Black flush cartridge will become empty quickly. You will need to replace this cartridge with another photo black flush cartridge, or with another Photo Black cartridge you may have on hand, such as the Epson Photo Black cartridge in your printer originally. Again, the level in this cartridge will go down over time, but since you will not need to run another initial fill cycle, as you did with the first flush cartridge, the second and subsequent Photo Black cartridges will last much longer than the first.
Q: My printer is giving me a “Set Ink Crtg” message, and won’t let me print. What’s wrong?
A: You may see the “Set Ink Cartridge” message in large format printers that use chipped cartridges (4000, 4800, 7600, 9600). If your printer is displaying this message, it means either that one or more cartridges are not in their proper locations, or that the printer cannot read the chip on one or more cartridges.
If all of your cartridges are installed into their correct slots, and you see this message, try removing and reinstalling the cartridges in question. If the message persists, replace the cartridge with an Epson, or other cartridge of the same position, to verify that the message goes away. Reinstall the Piezography cartridge and see if the message goes away. If the reinstalled Piezography cartridge is no longer giving you an error message, you may continue printing. If the error message persists, please contact [email protected] for help.
Q: How does Split Tone printing with K7 (or K6) inks work?
A: A Split Tone K6 or K7 ink set consists of some cartridges of Neutral K6/K7, and some cartridges of Sepia K6/K7 ink. A common split tone configuration is to use NK7 inks for highlights, in shades 5, 6 and 7, and Sepia K7 inks for shadows, in shades 2, 3 and 4. Additionally there is a Shade 1 cartridge, which contains the same ink for both ink sets.
With K6 or K7 ink sets, the tonal range of the final print is determined by the tones of the cartridges you have in your printer, combined, to a lesser degree, to the tone of the paper you choose to print on. With our inks, there is no “Tone Blend” adjustment that can be made to make a print look cooler or warmer.
R1800/R800 cartridges have changed: we have begun to ship different R1800 cartridges from the originals. The old cartridges are black, and the new cartridges are transparent. The new style works as well as the older style. You may use mixture of both styles in your printer without problems.
Clear R1800/R800 and R2400 cartridges may be difficult install. The plastic tabs on the fronts of these cartridges must be pushed all the way forward in their holders. If they are not, the cartridge lid will not be able to latch closed, and could pop up during printing, hitting the printer. Additionally, you may have to push down on the lid with more force than usual, to make the lid shut completely. If you are still not able to close the cartridge lid securely, please contact tech support at [email protected].
Ink capacity of R1800/R800 and R2400: these cartridges hold more ink than an Epson cartridge. The chips on the cartridges, however, can only dispense the same volume of ink as an Epson cartridge, in order to remain compatible. As a result, you will see that some ink remains in the cartridge after the status monitor reads “empty.”
Ink Change instructions for the 7800 and 9800 printers: you can find instructions for installing Piezography K7 inks in these printers at the following web site: www.piezography.com/support/7800_9800_ink_change.htm.
Ink Change instructions for 10000 printers: you can find instructions for installing Piezography K6 inks in these printers at the following web site: www.piezography.com/support/10000_ink_change.htm.