Printing The Prime Pattern - ENCAD 212528-05 Quick Start Manual

NovaJet 500/630/700 Series Printer Quick Start Guide

Printing the prime pattern

Before printing and during printing, the printer wipes the ink cartridge jets at the
service station. This function is user selectable during printing or between prints.
Still, ink cartridge jets can become clogged, especially with prolonged exposure to
the air or with nonuse. Printing the Prime pattern helps to clear the jets and to
check that the ink cartridges fire properly. We recommend that you print the prim
pattern daily to ensure the best possible print quality.
The printer includes a feature called Open Jet Detection and Compensation. This
feature helps maintain optimal print quality and gives you the confidence to print
long, unattended jobs. During multi-pass printing, the printer will automatically
compensate for jets found to be electrically damaged. The only intervention
needed is to verify that there are no clogged jets and then choose which print
mode is most appropriate for your needs. This is done by printing the Prime test
pattern and then setting the print mode accordingly.
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To print the prime pattern
1 With media loaded, press Utility Menu/Prime.
A test pattern prints. It should be smooth with no obvious banding.
2 If the printed results are unsatisfactory, run the test several more
times to unclog the inkjet nozzles.
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To interpret the Prime test pattern
The test pattern consists of bands of color for each cartridge and a
sloping line. Within the Prime test pattern, each jet is represented
with a short horizontal line. Together, these short horizontal lines
form a "stair step" pattern. Clogged jets appear as missing or
misdirected lines in the "stair step" pattern. Electrically defective jets
appear as solid bars. Electrically defective jets can be automatically
compensated in certain modes. The print modes for which
compensation is available are shown clearly above the Prime.
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