Problem with printing gradients and photographs of people (Docucolour series)

[Kimzi]

Yea, it could of course be software related.

Thats why I did think about profiles, do you use different profiles?

Could it be that you use one profile for the driver, and another for the Adobe program?

Thanks!

[OvernightPrint]

Yep, I have done color calibration via the server, as well as on Colorwise tools.

Yep, restart, clear server frequently.

Firmware would be Fiery 1.1

I heard from one of my technicians that this is quite a common problem, and that it's more of a software side problem. Any insights on this?

Thank you!

[Kimzi]

Heya!

Have you tried a color calibration with the Colorwise tools?

Tried clearing server?

What firmware version do you have?

Thanks!

[OvernightPrint]

I have tried converting to JPG, PDF, PSD and various different kinds of format, but the distortion still occurs frequently.

One thing I noticed though, is that the lower the resolution, the lower the chance of this occuring.

On ordinary printing resolution (300-400dpi), it almost always occurs in the case of some photographs such as the above sample.

[Kimzi]

Heya!

Now I can see the pictures, they didn't load at all before.

I'm not sure but it looks like it would have something to do with profiles.

If you save the file to PNG or something similar, and then try to print it from another program does the same distortion happen?

Thanks!

[OvernightPrint]

Thank you for the response! Are the pictures unloadable or is the resolution too low?

The image on the right depict how an ordinary print should look like.

The image on the left is a scanned copy of our printer's printout.
The 'flaky face' is not due to low resolution of the picture, but the result of a printer problem that we are currently facing.

[Kimzi]

Heya!

Sorry, but the pictures cannot be viewed.

Thanks!

[OvernightPrint]

Hi,

When printing gradients and photos of people using Photoshop + Fiery X12 + DC1250, most of them turned out as below (the left image). Weird 'veins' and grains appear on the skin. On the right is a comparison for proper print output.

I've consulted many specialists, some say it's due to loose machine parts, but it doesn't seem that way. When we play around with the image resolution and file format, sometimes the print output will return to normal again.

Any possible solutions or reasons for this problem?

Thanks in advance!