Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: Panascape on July 05, 2007, 02:40:00 pm

Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 05, 2007, 02:40:00 pm
Has anyone managed to print a print that is longer than 2750mm on the z3100 from a windows platform?

I have just lost a huge print job because the windows drivers (Tried 2 x Windows XP and 1 x Windows Vista 32 machines) will all only print to a maximum length of 2750mm and not a mm longer.

If the print is longer the printer says receiving and processing data and never starts to print.

I intend taking this up with Barcelona tomorrow, but was just wondering if anyone else had tried this?

Thanks

Robert
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: rdonson on July 05, 2007, 02:50:35 pm
Quote
Has anyone managed to print a print that is longer than 2750mm on the z3100 from a windows platform?

I have just lost a huge print job because the windows drivers (Tried 2 x Windows XP and 1 x Windows Vista 32 machines) will all only print to a maximum length of 2750mm and not a mm longer.

If the print is longer the printer says receiving and processing data and never starts to print.

I intend taking this up with Barcelona tomorrow, but was just wondering if anyone else had tried this?

Thanks

Robert
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=126636\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Are you printing from Photoshop?  I've not run into any length limits if using Qimage unless the spool file craps out.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 05, 2007, 02:55:04 pm
Yes from Photoshop. But it is the size in the driver that seems to be the issue.

The problem occure even if most of the print is just white space from the driver.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: rdonson on July 05, 2007, 03:04:38 pm
Quote
Yes from Photoshop. But it is the size in the driver that seems to be the issue.

The problem occure even if most of the print is just white space from the driver.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=126640\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


HP lists max print length as 300 ft.  Its possible you've run into a Photoshop limit.  I'm assuming you're having Photoshop manage colors so its processing away before sending anything to the driver.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 05, 2007, 03:20:40 pm
Quote
HP lists max print length as 300 ft.  Its possible you've run into a Photoshop limit.  I'm assuming you're having Photoshop manage colors so its processing away before sending anything to the driver.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=126642\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I just printed the print on my epson from Photoshop and besides a smaller width it handles the length no problem.

Could anyone else possibly try this with a 44" z3100 on widows. No need to actually print the job, just see if the printer will start printing if the media size is longer than 2750mm or 2800mm.

Thanks
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: namartinnz on July 05, 2007, 05:12:08 pm
I think it may be an issue with your resolution or amount of pixels. I tried printing a 6m x 1m poster, but had to downsize the resolution from 150ppi to 125ppi. Worked perfectly using Qimage.

Neal
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 05, 2007, 05:59:26 pm
Thanks Neal, but I have printed 4m x 1m images to a 9800 with the windows driver and Photoshop before.

I guess Qimage may be doing something different in the way it process data but unfortunately that still doesn't help me as I don’t have it.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: rdonson on July 05, 2007, 06:38:07 pm
Quote
Thanks Neal, but I have printed 4m x 1m images to a 9800 with the windows driver and Photoshop before.

I guess Qimage may be doing something different in the way it process data but unfortunately that still doesn't help me as I don’t have it.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a] (http://index.php?act=findpost&pid=126668\")


You can download the free 30 day trial version [a href=\"http://www.ddisoftware.com/qimage/downloads.htm]here.[/url]
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: namartinnz on July 05, 2007, 10:31:12 pm
Robert

I'd definitely look at using Qimage if you have no luck with the HP driver. I haven't uses anything else in the last 6 years and it's never let me down. Saying that, it doesn't let HP off the hook with their driver issues and solve your particular dilemma.

Neal
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Jim Cole on July 05, 2007, 11:52:42 pm
On Windows XP SP2 and CS3 I have printed a 23x65" print at 300 dpi on a 44" Z3100. It's hanging in a Gallery now. However, this was printed on the previous generation firmware and driver and I have not tried the new driver and firmware.

Jim
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 06, 2007, 01:45:25 am
Quote
On Windows XP SP2 and CS3 I have printed a 23x65" print at 300 dpi on a 44" Z3100. It's hanging in a Gallery now. However, this was printed on the previous generation firmware and driver and I have not tried the new driver and firmware.

Jim
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=126733\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

 Hi Jim, it will print up to 108" no problem but will not go over that.

Robert
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Ernst Dinkla on July 06, 2007, 03:32:07 am
Quote
Hi Jim, it will print up to 108" no problem but will not go over that.

Robert
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=126787\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Qimage will make several print pages and stitch them seamlessly, that's the way it overcomes limitations other applications and the OS have. It is hard to say where the problem lies, could be the pixel limit in PS or a limit in the OS, or a spool limit.

Depending on the native resolution of the printer which varies between 180-720 PPI on an Epson and between 300-1200 PPI on the Z3100 you may hit the pixel limit without knowing it.

It is often easier to find a solution that works than to dig for why it doesn't work.


Ernst Dinkla

www.pigment-print.com
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 06, 2007, 01:19:53 pm
This has just been confirmed as a know issue. The max printable length is 2771.8 mm so while we wait fo rthe next driver relase, I assume we just tell our clients to go else where but to please come back to us when our printer actually works.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Fred Ragland on July 06, 2007, 01:38:36 pm
Quote
This has just been confirmed as a know issue. The max printable length is 2771.8 mm so while we wait fo rthe next driver relase, I assume we just tell our clients to go else where but to please come back to us when our printer actually works.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=126851\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Hmm. a little over 9 feet.  For me, that would be a 42 x 108+ inch print.  Haven't had to disappoint any clients yet, but we can dream, can't we?
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Recked on July 06, 2007, 02:02:47 pm
Hello,

Just my two cents but I agree totally with Panscape. It shows poor quality programming on HP's part and it can literally cost a small business what could be a major client and a large portion of their revenues.

Why would HP not think that anyone would want to print beyond that length to begin with? Is is some arbitrary number or is there a reason for it stopping there.

again just my two cents................
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: rdonson on July 06, 2007, 04:16:50 pm
Quote
Hello,

Just my two cents but I agree totally with Panscape. It shows poor quality programming on HP's part and it can literally cost a small business what could be a major client and a large portion of their revenues.

Why would HP not think that anyone would want to print beyond that length to begin with? Is is some arbitrary number or is there a reason for it stopping there.

again just my two cents................
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=126862\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

If you read the HP specs they intend for the printer to be able to handle up to 300'.  That's a football field.  I haven't seen any rolls that long though.

Yes, there are generally reasons for what appears as though it might be an arbitrary limit.  File size is generally at the top of the list.  Imagine the file size of a print 44" x 10' at 300 dpi.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 08, 2007, 08:04:54 am
Hi Ron,

Sorry I should have been more clear in saying HP has confirmed that this is another driver bug, not a file size or pixle limitation.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: rdonson on July 08, 2007, 09:41:03 am
Quote
Hi Ron,

Sorry I should have been more clear in saying HP has confirmed that this is another driver bug, not a file size or pixle limitation.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=127099\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks, Robert.  That list of driver bugs is piling up.  Hopefully they're working on a new release.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 08, 2007, 01:52:51 pm
Believe me it’s not only the list of driver problems that is piling up.

Additionally I have been informed that there are currently no plans to resolve the issue of print termination when ink runs out but rather as usual this will be carried over to the next printer.

The truth of the matter is has become blatantly obvious that we paid to become HP’s guinea pigs for the next generation of printer.

Robert
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: neil snape on July 09, 2007, 01:16:13 am
I have printed quite a few prints almost or at 3 metres on Mac BUT I had to reduce file size to 150 ppi or after + 1/2 hour of spooling the driver errored out. I didn't try on the PC. It is already frustrating enough to have to trouble shoot files that should print without problem. I am hoping that IP7 will be tweaked and profiles delivered as even though I have always preferred to use a driver for simple workflow, I need to print and spool files with no errors, no surprises.

If it's true that these printers cannot pause and continue a print job with a cartridge change , then the possibility to run unmanned production printing will have to be relegated to other printer makes that can.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: rdonson on July 09, 2007, 09:42:57 am
Quote
Believe me it’s not only the list of driver problems that is piling up.

Additionally I have been informed that there are currently no plans to resolve the issue of print termination when ink runs out but rather as usual this will be carried over to the next printer.

The truth of the matter is has become blatantly obvious that we paid to become HP’s guinea pigs for the next generation of printer.

Robert
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=127138\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Print termination means that no professional print shop will touch the printer for overnight unattended print jobs.  HP is hurting themselves badly.  I wonder if the Z6100 has this "feature" as well?

Yes, we're guinea pigs of a sort but the $1,000 rebate and free paper helped me deal with that.  

Still, its the most versatile printer I've used.  Every printer I've encountered, Epson, Canon and HP, have quirks that are annoying and at times aggravating.  We seem to optimize around the quirks/limitations we can live with.  Right now, for me, the HP Z3100 is my best choice.  There's no single printer that we can't find fault with at this time.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: dkeyes on July 10, 2007, 02:12:42 am
Quote
Hmm. a little over 9 feet.  For me, that would be a 42 x 108+ inch print.  Haven't had to disappoint any clients yet, but we can dream, can't we?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=126858\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
This is the same size limitation the Epson 9800 has (around 9' max) using photoshop CS2. I thought this was partly a photoshop bug/problem to fix? I would have assumed CS3 would have done that. Maybe it did for the Epson but not HP?
When running through a rip, the Epson has no limit but paper size. I would also assume that this is the same with HP.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 10, 2007, 03:29:42 am
I tested this to ensure that it wasn't CS2 as my epson prints over 2m without any problems.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Geoff Wittig on July 10, 2007, 09:28:35 am
Quote
Print termination means that no professional print shop will touch the printer for overnight unattended print jobs.  HP is hurting themselves badly.  I wonder if the Z6100 has this "feature" as well?

Yes, we're guinea pigs of a sort but the $1,000 rebate and free paper helped me deal with that. 

Still, its the most versatile printer I've used.  Every printer I've encountered, Epson, Canon and HP, have quirks that are annoying and at times aggravating.  We seem to optimize around the quirks/limitations we can live with.  Right now, for me, the HP Z3100 is my best choice.  There's no single printer that we can't find fault with at this time.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=127258\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Exactly! The first six months I owned my Epson 7600 it drove me crazy with poor color fidelity, limited gamut and the obnoxious matte/photo black issue. Once I got Bill Atkinson's profiles my results were much better, but the printer still had its quirks. The Z3100 isn't perfect, but the built-in capacity to profile 3rd party papers (at least to my satisfaction), the effortless black switching and absolutely fabulous black & white prints make it the best printer out there for my needs, and likely for the needs of most devoted amateurs & fine art printers.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: dkeyes on July 11, 2007, 02:11:42 am
I still think the problem lies with Photoshop as well. Has anyone printed an image over 108" at 300ppi on either Epson or HP printers? (not using a rip or Qimage) I suspect not, since I think there is definitely a pixel count limitation with CS2. It would be worth finding or getting a demo copy of CS3 to see if it works. A friend of mine had to buy a rip to print his large images (longer than 108") on his 9800 using CS2.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: Panascape on July 11, 2007, 05:01:14 am
MY Epson will print the same image from CS2 to 3m with no problems.
Title: Z3100 print length issue
Post by: dkeyes on July 13, 2007, 05:08:51 pm
Quote
MY Epson will print the same image from CS2 to 3m with no problems.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=127540\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I have never heard of someone printing longer than this on an Epson at a high (300ppi) resolution using Photoshop. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same for HP and Canon as well.

(update) So I just read the other thread which explains alot. Sounds like Epson should update their driver for the same reason as HP.