Banding and blotchy prints on new P9500

[andres@nordicphotons.ee]

Hello

What is your experience so far with new Epson large format P 500 series printers and paper linearizations?
Looks to me that there are more issues compared to older models.
I have noticed print quality issues with normal and popular microporous 265g photo paper, 230g matte paper (similar to Enhanced Matte) and glossy canvas. All these medias have and are working perfect with other Epson and Canon printers.
On P9500 prints come out with banding and blotchy. Evenly coated areas have lighter blotches.
As i understand P 500 series machines are more similar to P10000/200000 machines.
Interestingly i noticed that Canson for example recommends to decrease density -15% for their Platine Fibre Rag.
Additionally i noticed lower black density on matte black papers compared to P8000.
Does anybody have seen and solved similar problems?

Thank You!

[JRSmit]

Please explain how you print, what platform Mac or W10 ,print application, print settings.

[andres@nordicphotons.ee]

It does not matter what platform. I tried from Photoshop Win 10 and Mac Catalina. Also from Mirage. It is clear that this is not related to any software. I have tried different media types too. For photo paper Luster 260, Semigloss and Semimatte. At the moment looks like for photo paper lowering density helps. Switching Black overcoat has also no effect. 

[Rand47]

It does not matter what platform. I tried from Photoshop Win 10 and Mac Catalina. Also from Mirage. It is clear that this is not related to any software. I have tried different media types too. For photo paper Luster 260, Semigloss and Semimatte. At the moment looks like for photo paper lowering density helps. Switching Black overcoat has also no effect.

Photos of problems to share?  Might help us help you.   Latest driver and firmware? 

I have the 7570 w/ latest firmware/driver.  I’ve printed on Epson Ultra Premium Luster, Epson Legacy Fibre, Epson Legacy Etching, Epson Legacy Platine, Epson Legacy Baryta, Ilford Gold Fibre Gloss, Canson Baryta Prestige, Canson Baryta Photographique II, and Hahnemühle William Turner  I’ve had no banding and no blotchiness.  On Epson Legacy Baryta, I do think I could lower the “color density” setting a bit, the ink load seems a bit high.

Rand

[andres@nordicphotons.ee]

Driver and firmware has been updated.
Here are photos of test prints.

[Rand47]

Driver and firmware has been updated.
Here are photos of test prints.

Wow, if the variation in the gray band is actual darker / lighter / darker and not just the lighting on the print doing that - that’s a problem!  Thanks for sharing.  I’ve seen nothing like this on my 7570.  Have you contacted Epson and shown them these results?

Rand

[Dnx]

What was the outcome on this issue?