5. Perform automatic media feed adjustments or manual, whichever works best with your
media. If the media tension is changed at any time, auto feed adjustment must be redone
(explained below)
6. Perform automatic print head alignments (explained below)
7. Be sure the custom media you created above is selected as the current media
When using custom media settings, be sure your RIP is NOT set to overwrite these values. This
process is different for each RIP, so if you are confused or do not know how to do this, check with
your RIP manufacturer. The full instructions are located in the User Guide on page 31‐36.
Setting the Best Print Head Gap or Platen Gap.
The first step in improving print quality on any Epson SureColor printer is to set the best platen gap
parameter for the specific media you are using. There are two considerations to make at this stage,
quality and reliability. The closer a print head is to the substrate surface the better the overall
quality. If the substrate gets too close to the print heads because of media buckling (caused by
reaction to heat or moisture) it can result in head strikes. Head strikes are not always as dramatic as
they sound. If you observe ‘flecks’ of ink across the printout (illustrated in the image below), it may
be due to incorrect Platen Gap setting.
To resolve head strikes across the
substrate surface, first increase the platen
gap setting in the Custom Media menu of
the printer control panel.
Thickness (mm) Gap
0.1 > 0.3
1.5
0.31 > 0.75
2.5
0.76 > 1.0
2.5
Type
Vinyl, Polyester
Banner, Canvas
Others
Setting the Best Media Heater Temperatures.
Setting the heat correctly for each media will have a large impact on the amount of banding. Many
media manufacturers include the recommended heater settings with their media or post this
information online. If these settings are not readily available here is a strategy to set the heater
temperatures. The overall objective is to set the heaters as LOW as possible while still assuring that
the print is dry when it emerges from the printer and when sitting on the after heater. Obviously,
the speed at which you print will have some impact so be sure to set the heater settings in the
fastest mode you plan to print at on a particular media. A good recommended starting point is 40
(pre), 40 (platen), and 50 (post). It is highly recommended that you keep the pre heater and the
platen heater at about the same settings as this will reduce the possibility of the media buckling and
causing head strikes.
