P800 Thick Media loading method

[cybis]

I'm experimenting loading media using the thick media loading method on my new P800 and I'm encountering an issue.

I like the idea that the thick media method offers a totally straight feeding path. Is it possible to load regular photo or fine-art paper by this method?

I have tried different paper sizes and thickness but I get the following issue. I'm following all the proper steps in the manual or on the printer screen (except, and maybe this is key, I may not be falling in the 1.2 to 1.5 mm thickness range.) After the paper or the board is loaded, there is supposed to be a message instructing to close the grey (front) manual feed tray. However, I never get the message. If I nevertheless close the tray, I get an error message asking to open the tray. Which means I can't then open the (black, front) output tray. I'm able to print with the grey manual feed tray open and the black output tray close, but then the media tends to catch the protruding guide on the grey tray and the media is not properly supporter on the output tray. (I'm encountering no issues with the fine art paper or sheet feeder method.)

Has anyone had any luck using the thick media loading method?

I've been on the phone with Epson support and they've told me to try different media. Before I go further, I was wondering if anyone had any insight with this. Thank you!

(BTW, what a fantastic B&W printer this is!)

[Mark D Segal]

You can only use the feeds that the driver offers for the Media Type you selected.

For flat front-loading thick/heavy media, do not close the FFA tray. Just load the media through the front feed and print. The media should emerge fine. I had no trouble with this process using BC Allure aluminium panels for the review article published on this website.

[cybis]

Thanks Mark. Glad to hear your printer behaves the same way as mine.

By FFA you mean the grey manual front feed tray, correct? The manual says it should be closed, which makes sense I think. So either the firmware or the manual is wrong, no?

The driver lets you override the default loading method for a paper to any other method.

[Mark D Segal]

It's been a while since I've done it, but I recall I also noticed a disconnect between the manual and the instructions on the LCD. Follow the LCD.

I don't know what OS and driver version you are using. I am on OSX El Capitan with the latest Epson driver for the P800. For this driver version, the options allowed for paper feed DO vary according to the Media Type selected. Generally it offers 2 options, but not always 2 and not always the same ones. It depends on the media.

[cybis]

Thanks Mark, I'll do that. (But I feel there is possibly a bug in the firmware... )

For what it's worth, windows driver here seems to allow me to choose any feeding method for any paper.

[Mark D Segal]

I can believe that - there are differences between Windows and OSX drivers for the same device.