Problem print to CD/DVD on Epson XP-6100

[LiveNudeDann]

Hi all.

I regularly print to DVD and BluRay discs with my Epson XP-6100, but for the last few days, discs haven't been printing. It almost seems as if the disc tray is suddenly too far from the print head to reach. I'm printing using the included Epson Print CD software. The 'Test Prints' to plain paper work perfectly, and all other printing formats are working. I've tried a second disc tray in case the original somehow became warped, but this has had the same result, as has testing with different discs - brands, and both glossy and matte.

I've updated software to the latest, and reset printer settings and nothing has changed. Is this something anyone else has experienced and overcome?

 

[thebestcpu]

It might help forum members help you if you described in detail of took a picture of a disk that failed to print correctly. The description "seems as if the disc tray is suddenly too far from the print head to reach" could mean most anything on how it is failing to meet your needs.
Just a suggestion
John Wheeler

 

[LiveNudeDann]

Here is the original image from Epson Print CD:

Here is a scan of the test print on plain paper:

And finally, this is the best print I've been able to make, after trying several different brands and finishes of printable disc, and following Epson's advice to remove and re-install drivers and the print CD software:

 

[thebestcpu]

Great pictures that show the problem

Are you using original Epson OEM INK cartridges? Not all inks work with printing CD / DVDs?

John Wheeler

 

[The Hat]

And finally, this is the best print I've been able to make, after trying several different brands and finishes of printable disc, and following Epson's advice to remove and re-install drivers and the print CD software:

The question I’d be asking.. Are you sure the DVD has an inkjet printable surface..

Epson’s advice is a bit of a joke..

 

[PeterBJ]

Printable discs have a surface similar to that on photo paper. Does the printer work properly with photo paper?

 

[LiveNudeDann]

Thanks for the replies, all:

Are you using original Epson OEM INK cartridges? Not all inks work with printing CD / DVDs?

At the moment I am. In the past I've used other brands.

The question I’d be asking.. Are you sure the DVD has an inkjet printable surface..

Yes, this example I've included is one of the two usual brands I regularly print to disc on (I print on either matte or glossy discs depending on the label and content.) I bought a third brand of inkjet printable matte-surface discs and it printed with similar results.

Printable discs have a surface similar to that on photo paper. Does the printer work properly with photo paper?

Photo and other paper are printing perfectly (photo paper in particular has very good results with this printer.)


The only solution I've found so far has been to buy a second-hand Canon iP7260, which is printing well to the same discs as the one in the scan, but I'd prefer to get my 'permanent' printed working again.

 

[thebestcpu]

Hi @LiveNudeDann

It does not appear to be one of the basic issues. Since I don't own such a printer, this advice comes from what I have read and heard.

It is important that you are using the Epson CD/DVD software and when starting it, that the CD/DVD option is selected. This step causes the correct printing profile to use for the CD/DVD which is different than normal paper.

The CD/DVD is further away from the the printer head so it will be more sensitive for things to be slighly off. Cleaning the print head is suggested when you get blurry images as slight misdirection of the ink will cause this problem.

Similarly, the CD holder and the CD itself needs to be rock soild in place. Any movement/vibration will also cause blurring. I understand that the carrier is supposed to lock into place solidly when inserted

Lastly, if you can turn off bidirectional printing on that printer that might help as well. Here is link to the PDF manual for your printer: https://files.support.epson.com/docid/cpd5/cpd56653.pdf

On page 290 and 291 it talks about speeding up printing by making sure Fast mode is on (bidirectional printing). You want to make sure that option it turned off for better print alignment.

Not sure this solves your problem yet those are the steps I would take if I had your printer

John Wheeler

 

[PeterBJ]

I wonder if it is a software problem, caused by the driver or software becoming corrupted. So did you install other software or update Windows before the error happened? Even Microsoft has caused printer problems with a faulty update.

Maybe uninstalling the driver and software and reinstalling it could solve the problem? This trick sometimes works. If you have got another computer you could also try installing the driver and software on that.

 

[The Hat]

es, this example I've included is one of the two usual brands I regularly print to disc on (I print on either matte or glossy discs depending on the label and content.) I bought a third brand of inkjet printable matte-surface discs and it printed with similar results.

From what your describing it sounds like the print head is running far too high and the firing distance is causing the focus of the print to be blurry..

As to how you’d lower the height, I wouldn’t know because I don’t use Epson printers, so can’t help with that problem..