SP540i - banding

[Colin]

I'm not too concerned about this because it's just some short term decals that are going to be stuck on election signs, but I'm wondering why I'm getting some banding on this solid red; never before experienced. I've cleaned the heads twice, and there is no debris/lint anywhere.

Media: TruStock matte
Profile: MCVP: Matte Cal Vinyl (ESM)
Roland spot color
High Speed (360x720)
Direction: Bi-Directional
Preset: Sign & Display
Print temp: 38
Dry temp: 44

*No, this isn't mounted to coroplast, but it looks like it.

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

Why worry about it if it's for short term use

 

[Colin]

Why worry about it if it's for short term use

For future jobs that will matter.

 

[rushworks graphics]

colin try this>>>

mcvp(non rip) or mcvp
cmyk(v) w-pass
dither
nearest neighbor
uni-directional
600 head speed
max impact

 

[rushworks graphics]

if that does not work try>

mcvp
cmyk(v)-pass
dither
bi-linear
uni-directional
700 head speed
max impact

 

[Colin]

Both settings only improved it ever so slightly; still noticable.

I noticed that when I checked "Bi-Linear" I could not set the head speed to 700, it would go back to the default of 609.

 

[rushworks graphics]

try >>> pre-press us instead of sign and display, nearest neighbor, uni dir, 600 head speed

 

[Colin]

No change.

I wonder if it has something to do with the temp. Too hot maybe, and it's drying too fast? shrug

 

[Custom_Grafx]

Mine does that on some reds too... very annoying.

Try using a profile that has more passes, and one that has less passes. For some reason, on mine, the 8 pass does it, but the 6 and 12 pass doesn't... go figure.

 

[Custom_Grafx]

Wait, have you done a feed calibration?

 

[Colin]

Wait, have you done a feed calibration?

Yes, did that yesterday, along with all the test prints and settings. It's all good.

 

[rushworks graphics]

have my temp set at 38c print and 42c dry. also try the cmyk(v) w pass option(instead of cmyk(v) pass) and slow the head speed down to around 600.

 

[Colin]

...also try the cmyk(v) w pass option(instead of cmyk(v) pass) and slow the head speed down to around 600.

Those options are greyed-out for some reason.

 

[rushworks graphics]

depending on what you have your settings at they can be greyed out. try using the bi linear option then open up the cmyk box to see if you can then select the setting you need.

 

[Colin]

As we speak, I'm done with the job, but may get an order for more in the next day or two. I'd sure like figure this out though.

 

[messmedia]

I do not know if SP have feed calibration settings in it's menu? - My RS 640 have, and it is there to make banding disappear!
When it comes to high speed printing though - it helps, but banding is definitely there (only on highest speeds. eg generic vinyl 1 - highspeed).

Also, change in air humidity and temperature of enviroment matters, A LOT! So, if Your work enviroment changed lately, and You did not turn your conditioner/s on - it could influence the prints (actually, drying time) so U need to adjust/change print, dry temp, or both.

Slowing down printing can also help. Weather by printing on higher quality settings, or actualy slowing down speed of head-movement (there is an option in VersaWorks for it).

 

[Gino]

Out of curiosity..... is that TruStock matte an actual digital desired media ??

Or is it just some intermediate regular old vinyl ??​

 

[Colin]

It is a print media.

 

[splizaat]

Im surprised no one has even considered telling you to switch media all together. Print the same thing on another brand vinyl and see if it goes away....our printer bands on certain vinyl SOMETIMES even with the specific profile for that media...so we switch vinyl and it's gone. Some vinyl just sucks...

 

[Colin]

Im surprised no one has even considered telling you to switch media all together. Print the same thing on another brand vinyl and see if it goes away....our printer bands on certain vinyl SOMETIMES even with the specific profile for that media...so we switch vinyl and it's gone. Some vinyl just sucks...

I'll try that with all the same settings, but like I said in the O/P, I wasn't too concerned about this as it wasn't a job that mattered that much, but I wanted to know why, for future jobs which would matter. It is a cheap vinyl.