Anyone know what could be causing this?

[super_claret]

Hi all

My Epson 7900 has just started to print this strange banding at the start of every print...anyone know what might be the cause?  When I extend the canvas of each print in Photoshop, it fixes it!

Thanks in advance.

Mark

[mcbroomf]

Looks like one of the heads is a little blocked initially, but then clears.  I'd say a grey or black by the look of it as the colour seems OK but the band is just lighter.
I'd do a head/alignment check

[Paul2660]

If you are able to print a clean, normal nozzle check before the print, I don't believe this is a clog or head strike.  In my experience, on Epson, Clogs tend to create banding, not an entire swatch like that.  Also most times once clogged, the head will stay that way till you clean it, so the pattern should stay on the entire print.  This point to some type of data corruption, in the driver, but when you extend the canvas, the issue is happening on the blank space.

If it's a  corrupted driver, or print data feed and If you are windows based, I would uninstall, and re-install the driver.  Also does it only do this on canvas, or any type of media?  Try a sheet of standard paper, 8.5 x 11 photo paper, and print a solid color, blue, grey etc.  See if you still get this.  Also stop the print spooler from a command prompt, and wipe out everything in the spooler, then start up the spooler again. 

Also is only on this print, or all prints, as I have had an issue like this, but only on a certain print, and no matter what I did, I got a 1/8" wide band just about the same place as you are getting your band.  I could take the file and print on a friends printer, no problem. 

Paul

[super_claret]

Thanks for the replies.

I first noticed the problem while printing onto fine art media but with a different image.  This print is on photo satin and all nozzles are firing prior to printing.

I am using a Mac and Mirage RIP plugin for Photoshop.

[datro]

Look at your nozzle check very carefully, under magnification if possible.  I have seen this type of banding at the start and end of a print when there is a slightly deflected group of nozzles.  You may not see the deflected nozzle(s) unless you look very carefully.  Look for color dots that appear shifted to the right from where they should be. Sometimes they will even appear in the color pattern to the right and so you have to look carefully to see them.  If you see deflections like this, it is what is causing the banding.  It is most noticeable at the start and end of a print because of how the driver is laying down the ink at that point (carriage and paper movement).

If you see deflections, try paired color cleaning on the affected channels.  I have to report that in my case when this happened, it was the sign of a failed head.