Essential inkjet printer maintenance - head alignment is simple and improves printing quality

Printer head alignment isn't just something you [should] do when setting up a new printer. When and if you should re-visit it, to help keep your photo and art inkjet printer in tip-top condition.
Following on from my videos about cleaning and using nozzle checks, something to consider setting a reminder for.
00:00 Start
00:20 About alignment checks
00:55 Some examples
02:19 Which paper to use?
02:54 What is going on
03:22 Bidirectional or Unidirectional
03:55 Banding?
04:30 How often to do this?
06:40 Printer problems?
07:32 Regular adjustments or not
For more information, see any of my many printer reviews, listed at:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/p...
For a full categorised index of all my videos, see:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/k...
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[@andreigheorghe2709]

Everytime I see your videos, I want to print on and on, but sadly can't afford it for now. I love your videos

[@KeithCooper]

Hope it works out some time...

[@timothy790110]

I had to do a head alignment with the dreaded P900 just a few days ago. I was using the Epson satin canvas, it was taking it fine for 6 sheets. 7th sheet I thought "well finally they must have fixed the paper feed!" so feeling confident I hit print and didn't guard it. Came back 20 seconds later to a scrunched up canvas in the printer still trying to print, and ink everywhere. Its funny how these machines have all these fancy sensors but not one for "your substrate is destroying the printer". An alignment and a cleanup of rollers later and I was up and running like before. I learned my lesson, it needs to be guarded, and one sheet at a time. Even now it will take 2 sheets of watercolor radiant white. (Oh by the way. I got one of those pens for checking paper ph. I tested the epson poster board and 2 months later still "purple" , so tentatively acid free?)

[@KeithCooper]

Yes - there are only a few printers I've trusted to be left alone with sheet, and even then some sorts of media seem worse than others.

[@lynsmith1096]

Another good video Keith

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@jamesmgreen15]

Great tips...

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@robertmartin2898]

thanks for your help🙂

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - glad it's of interest

[@andrewf7824]

Hi Keith! Love your videos and you've helped me a lot with my new Epson - I accidentally printed on the wrong side of a 4x6 Epson Photo Glossy and wound up having to clean the pinwheels because i had some dots showing up on the next prints after that. That fixed the problem, but it was scary!!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - that sort of paper really makes a mess when that happens [yes, done that ;-) ]

[@rlast123]

Keith, thanks for bringing this topic. You explained the relation with the print head going left and right and the precize placement of the drops. Is there no relation with the paper advance system (which I thought it was)?

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks Yes, the paper advance system is part of this - just didn't want to get too technical ;-)

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

Thank you Kieth, is head alignment depending on paper thinkness/ quality setting or head height ajustment ?

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, but for most people, ignore that and just follow the screen instructions... ;-) If you know about such things, you are well above the level of familiarity I'm assuming for this video ;-) For basic tests, I'll normally use the paper as suggested in the printer manual, unless I'm creating media types or always use a specific paper, which is different from the defaults for the media setting I'm using. Once you start getting into the detailed stuff, it becomes very printer dependent.

[@zoekartaustralia]

Hi Keith, Thank you for your video. I was wondering if you could please help me locate a 'bi-directional head alignment'? Thank you in advance.

[@KeithCooper]

Depends on the printer - [not all specify the type of alignment] Have a look at the manual [sorry] - this will list the available options, usually in the maintenance section

[@gerardkelly8693]

Hi Keith could you recommend the best transparent sheets to print on my Epsom eco printer

[@KeithCooper]

Not really I'm afraid - I only ever tested one from a UK supplier just to see if it would work - not enough to make any firm suggestions.