Z3100 Won't Print at 300 DPI

[Mark Lindquist]

Can anyone explain why the Z3100 won't print a 42"W x 60"L image at 300DPI?

I tried everything I know, actually even saving the image as a a level 10 jpeg, but it refused to print.
I've gotten into the habit of doing a print preview, because I've found that if it shows the preview, then it will always print.  When it won't print, it grinds and grinds, then just quits grinding and never shows the print preview window.

So changing the 42x60 image to 200 dpi - voila - no problem, prints just fine.

What's up with this?  Please explain, am I missing something, or is this just a limitation of the Z3100?

Don't get me wrong, I love this printer, couldn't be happier except with this frustrating quandary.

Thanks-

Mark

[Colorwave]

Hmmm . . . puzzling.  Have you tried smaller images at 300dpi?  I've printed quite a bit at that resolution, but don't think I've printed 42" x 60" at that high a resolution.  If it prints a section of the same file at that resolution you must have a file size issue, but it certainly shouldn't, huh?
-Ron H.

[Mark Lindquist]

Hmmm . . . puzzling.  Have you tried smaller images at 300dpi?  I've printed quite a bit at that resolution, but don't think I've printed 42" x 60" at that high a resolution.  If it prints a section of the same file at that resolution you must have a file size issue, but it certainly shouldn't, huh?
-Ron H.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214294\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

It prints smaller files at 300 dpi no problem.  When the larger files won't print, the only answer seems to decrease the resolution.  It works, but I don't think it should have to be this way.  That's why I'm asking-

Thanks-

Mark

[Roscolo]

Are you sure the issue is your printer? What are your system specs?

[Mark Lindquist]

Are you sure the issue is your printer? What are your system specs?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214310\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hmmm, I doubt it's my system... but here's my specs:

Mac OS X V 10.4.11
2 x 3GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
10 GB 667 Mhz DDR2 FB-Dimm Memory

Printing from CS3 Extended

The Z3100 is plain vanilla - connected via ethernet

We also have a Dual Dual with 8 gigs memory and it won't print the big prints at 300 dpi either.

Have you succesfully printed 42 x 60 at 300 dpi?

Thanks-
Mark

[Roscolo]

I've not printed 42x60. The largest prints I've done have been 32x40 at 400 dpi.

Do you get the same problem when connecting via USB?

[dkeyes]

When I print at 40x50, 300ppi my files take almost twice as long to spool as the same files at 270ppi. The same files proportionally reduce down to 30x36 at 360 and 400ppi respectively. I get the same problems (360 prints much faster than 400ppi). I thought it was just my older single processor G5 with 5mg ram, I'm also using ethernet. I'm not shure if it's file size or printer interpolating different ppi to native ppi in printer.

[rdonson]

Mark,

Are you printing from Photoshop?

edit: never mind I finally noticed the post that you're printing from CS3 Extended.

I wonder if CS3 is the limitation.

[Mark Lindquist]

I've not printed 42x60. The largest prints I've done have been 32x40 at 400 dpi.

Do you get the same problem when connecting via USB?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214456\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I don't connect via USB - the Z3100 is an it's own room where all the printer, printmaking gear is.

[Mark Lindquist]

When I print at 40x50, 300ppi my files take almost twice as long to spool as the same files at 270ppi. The same files proportionally reduce down to 30x36 at 360 and 400ppi respectively. I get the same problems (360 prints much faster than 400ppi). I thought it was just my older single processor G5 with 5mg ram, I'm also using ethernet. I'm not shure if it's file size or printer interpolating different ppi to native ppi in printer.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214461\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

hmmm, very interesting 270 DPI... I can't for the lif of me understand whay that would make a difference, but it almost sounds like "anything BUT 300 dpi for larger prints... whcih I find very weird.

Thanks-

[Mark Lindquist]

Mark,

Are you printing from Photoshop?

edit: never mind I finally noticed the post that you're printing from CS3 Extended.

I wonder if CS3 is the limitation.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214476\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Hi Ron - nice to hear from you-
Yeah I suppose it's possible that CS3 could be a limitation, but I'm guessing not.  I really don't want to spring for a RIP and they don't make Qimage for Mac (yet).  It's work around, work around I guess...

Best-  Mark

[rdonson]

Hi Mark,

What are the dimension of the image in pixels at 300 dpi?

I'm dismayed that you don't get any errors from the printer, print driver, preview or the OS when it fails.

edit:
Does the printer show "receiving" on the front panel?

Is there any chance the network is a factor?

[Mark Lindquist]

Hi Mark,

What are the dimension of the image in pixels at 300 dpi?

I'm dismayed that you don't get any errors from the printer, print driver, preview or the OS when it fails.

edit:
Does the printer show "receiving" on the front panel?

Is there any chance the network is a factor?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214508\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Actually the image is 41 x60 > 12300 x 18000 pixels (printed on 42W media).
I haven't checked to see if the printer says it is receiving during the initial phase - something I'll check next time.  Yeah I'm dismayed as well, but by changing to 200 dpi I was able to get the print out the door and it was gorgeous anyways...

[rdonson]

Actually the image is 41 x60 > 12300 x 18000 pixels (printed on 42W media).
I haven't checked to see if the printer says it is receiving during the initial phase - something I'll check next time.  Yeah I'm dismayed as well, but by changing to 200 dpi I was able to get the print out the door and it was gorgeous anyways...
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214530\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I'm not sure I remember why but I've been printing at 240 dpi instead of 300.  I've also not printed anything as large as 12300 x 18000.  

I haven't found CS3's limit yet but I do remember that Lightroom has a pixel limit of 10000 in either direction.  I'll keep on looking.

edit:  found a reference from Stephen Johnson when he was making prints with more than 30000 pixels on a side so its not a Photoshop limit.

[Roscolo]

I don't connect via USB - the Z3100 is an it's own room where all the printer, printmaking gear is.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214479\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

How are you connected to the printer? A cable direct from your computer to the printer or through some other devices? How long is the cable?

You need to get your computer close to your printer and connect via USB (use your laptop maybe) and see if you get the same problem.

I would also print from another application and see if you get the same problem.

I don't remember exactly, but I print very large and it seems early on I had a problem printing large files connected via ethernet and did not have those problems connected via USB.

I was / am using Windows XP Pro, 3GB RAM, Pentium dual E6600, Photoshop CS2

[Mark Lindquist]

I'm not sure I remember why but I've been printing at 240 dpi instead of 300.  I've also not printed anything as large as 12300 x 18000. 

I haven't found CS3's limit yet but I do remember that Lightroom has a pixel limit of 10000 in either direction.  I'll keep on looking.

edit:  found a reference from Stephen Johnson when he was making prints with more than 30000 pixels on a side so its not a Photoshop limit.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214532\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks Ron-

[Mark Lindquist]

How are you connected to the printer? A cable direct from your computer to the printer or through some other devices? How long is the cable?

You need to get your computer close to your printer and connect via USB (use your laptop maybe) and see if you get the same problem.

I would also print from another application and see if you get the same problem.

I don't remember exactly, but I print very large and it seems early on I had a problem printing large files connected via ethernet and did not have those problems connected via USB.

I was / am using Windows XP Pro, 3GB RAM, Pentium dual E6600, Photoshop CS2
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214534\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I guess it's possible, I'll try the USB at some point (inconvenient due to current setup - computer in one area, printer in another- different rooms).  Thanks for the input - much appreciated.

[rwheat]

Mark,
I cannot print longer than about 55inches from Photoshop CS3 when using the Best setting in the driver.  After doing some arithmetic and a lot of testing, I came up with the idea that Photoshop has a length limit of around 32000 pixels.  I print at 240dpi - but it seems to be tied to the driver - the Best setting is 600dpi as far as I know and 55inches at 600dpi is just about the limit.
My solution was to switch to QImage for printing the image.  So now whenever I need to layout multiple images or print longer, I use QImage.
HTH,
Richard.

[Mark Lindquist]

Mark,
I cannot print longer than about 55inches from Photoshop CS3 when using the Best setting in the driver.  After doing some arithmetic and a lot of testing, I came up with the idea that Photoshop has a length limit of around 32000 pixels.  I print at 240dpi - but it seems to be tied to the driver - the Best setting is 600dpi as far as I know and 55inches at 600dpi is just about the limit.
My solution was to switch to QImage for printing the image.  So now whenever I need to layout multiple images or print longer, I use QImage.
HTH,
Richard.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214717\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Yeah, I get it, unfortunately QImage is for PC/Windows only.  I'm running Mac OSX.
Thanks-

[Jack Flesher]

Yeah, I get it, unfortunately QImage is for PC/Windows only.  I'm running Mac OSX.
Thanks-
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=214754\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

FWIW, I run Q-Image on my Mac (OS-X Leopard 10.5.4) through Fusion with XP loaded -- this works perfectly...