Lines at swath boundary

Introduction

Swath boundary. Two adjoining swaths/passes of the printhead must be positioned without overlap (dark lines), or gap (white lines ).

Problem description		Cause	Action
OD lines occur at the swath boundary. OD of the lines usually varies over the print (from left to right or from line to line).	Usually worse during 1^st meter. The way it varies is useful in determining the cause of the problem. If the suggested solutions do not help.		Perform a media calibration.
May be accompanied by OD/Gloss differences between swaths (these are uniform within the swath), or even a generally reduced OD in case of a fixed, large paper step error.
Very sharp line(s), no OD variation over print and only for a single mono-colour (and its corresponding mixed colours)?		This is caused by a nozzle failure at swath boundary and not due to paper step.	Run maintenance + nozzle optimisation.
For some (fast) print mode-medium combinations gloss/OD swath boundary lines will always be present.	Independent from paper step errors, though paper step optimisation may reduce visibility.	Roll core gear is damaged or warn out. Order new and replace.	Manual optimisation of the paper step correction may reduce visibility, see Change the media settings. Switch to a slower print mode or a more robust strategy, see Select a print mode.

Follow the procedure below. You can stop at any time in the procedure when the problem is solved.

Clean the platen and buffer plate, see Clean the platen and Clean the buffer plate.
Check if the media quality is ok. If not, try a different media.
Check if the [Media thickness] setting in the RIP is correct.
Perform a media calibration. Calibrate the media. A media calibration will minimise the darker or lighter lines in 1st meter (40") of the print caused by the media step.
Make sure that the [Automatic advance correction] setting in the RIP is enabled. Use enhanced markers. Change the media settings.
When you are printing in [High quality] print mode, several print modes offer multiple print strategies, that may reduce specific artefacts. Change the [Print strategy] setting. Change the media settings.
Check the vacuum settings, see Change the media settings.
Perform manual or periodic maintenance with [Advanced automatic nozzle optimisation].
Select a higher quality print mode. Select a print mode.

When the problem is not solved, contact your application specialist or local Service representative.