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Tips and tricks

Introduction

In order to use the Colorado M-series in the best way possible it is advised to follow the below listed tips and tricks.

Subject

Tip

Follow step by step actions explained

Always follow the instruction given on the operator panel step by step in the specified order. For example: in case of error handling, operating the winder or performing maintenance actions.

Green light indicators

You can safely perform actions on the drawer or the ink unit, when the green light indicators on the drawer and near the ink bottles are on.

Handle with care

You do not have to use excessive force on any of the handles or levers of the Colorado M-series. You can easily push or pull the levers and handles to perform actions on the printer.

Automatic advance correction

Set [Automatic advance correction] to [normal] for printing modes [High Quality], [Specialty], [Matte High Quality], [Matte Specialty], [Backlit] or [Backlit Density]. The printer then automatically reads and optimizes the media step accuracy.

When you set [Automatic advance correction] to [enhanced], it may improve the media step accuracy more but it also prints black markers on the increased side margin of the media.

For textured media, you can set [Automatic advance correction] to [enhanced].

For more information, see Change the media settings.

Media step control

When you want to control the media steps and optimize the print quality you can:

  • Perform manual or periodic maintenance with [Automatic nozzle optimization]. The printer automatically optimizes the nozzles to improve media step accuracy.

  • Print roll to roll (wind your media).

  • Start with a white space ± 50 cm (19.7 inch), before you make your first print on a roll.

  • Print in [High quality ] print mode.

Media not rolled up evenly

Make sure media is always rolled up evenly on the core. Do not load media in the drawer that is not rolled up evenly (telescoping).

For more information, see Load a media roll (position 1).

Straight leading edge media

The leading edge of the media roll loaded in the drawer must be cut straight. Otherwise it is possible the printer does not detect the leading edge or can print on the platen.

For more information, see Load a media roll (position 1).

Tape leading edge straight

In case of winding, the leading edge of the media must be aligned and taped straight on the take-up roll core for best winding and printing quality. Tape first the center and then the sides.

For more information, see Print with or without winding.

Position media guides

When you wind without a tension bar, position the media guides against the media for best winding quality.

For more information, see Print and wind without a tension bar.

Print is not rolled up

When you have taped your print to the take-up roll but the roll winder has not wound up your print, move the media towards the printer to start the winder. Move the part of the print that is hanging just above the ground in front of the lower sensor towards the sensor. The printer then sees the media and will start winding automatically.

New media type

Always calibrate a new media type in order to optimize the print quality. Calibrate media of the same type with different media sizes for each size.

For more information, see Calibrate the media.

Printing on a larger media width

When you run out of media while printing you will get a media request message. When you want to finish your jobs you can also continue printing on a larger width media roll. Load the larger width media roll and select it, the printer will then continue printing on the larger media width.

NOTE

Note that you will always have to load the larger width media roll, even if it has already been loaded in the printer. In that case, the printer will only recognize the larger width and start printing on it when it is reloaded.

Media calibration

Perform media calibration from the empty leading edge of the media roll. So start calibration after you made a cut or when you start with a new roll. Do not perform media calibration when there is already a print on the roll.

For more information, see Calibrate the media.

Moist sensitive media

Take note that moist sensitive media will deform when lying on the print platen for some time.

Uncured ink pollution

Be aware of uncured ink on media or the printer. Do not remove uncured prints via the winder or drawer, but only via the top cover. Follow the referred procedure carefully.

For more information, see Clean pollution on the printer.