Spacing from one document to the next...how to get it even.

[The Crofter]

The only reason for the error I can think of is the printer is not feeding correctly and that may be down to the paper in use. However to check this I would print out a grid pattern of say 1cm square and just check the spacing with a ruler. Naturally you need a graphics program to do this but by now you should have your trial copy of Corel downloaded. If not try the gimp, open source and free. Do you have word on the PC ?. There are also many graph paper printing programmes on the net so that is another option.

I note the pdf was created by illustrator cs3. Presume this is on the mac. Can you not just save the file again as a jpg and do a test print via xp windows explorer ?.

Have you tried any of the above ?

Also, what is the problem with the Mac & 1900 ?. I would have thought getting that sorted would be a priority.

[bez]

Because a roll doesn't have an exact 'edge' when loaded (and doesn't really need one as there's plenty of paper) it may not be as accurate as a single sheet. I've never precisely tested the results of the 7880 with roll paper but suspect it's not millimetre-perfect.

[userbak610]

The only reason for the error I can think of is the printer is not feeding correctly and that may be down to the paper in use. However to check this I would print out a grid pattern of say 1cm square and just check the spacing with a ruler. Naturally you need a graphics program to do this but by now you should have your trial copy of Corel downloaded. If not try the gimp, open source and free. Do you have word on the PC ?. There are also many graph paper printing programmes on the net so that is another option.

As stated before I can't do any of the above as the Windows PC does not have enough room to add ANY graphics programs to it, the only software on it is for my RIP station.

I note the pdf was created by illustrator cs3. Presume this is on the mac. Can you not just save the file again as a jpg and do a test print via xp windows explorer ?.

It doesn't matter what file type/program I save this as, I get the same results. The people that I got this template and printing press from claim to use the exact same template without any problems. All I have had on my end are problems and I was looking for a 3rd party to try to confirm if it's just on my end or not.

Also, what is the problem with the Mac & 1900 ?. I would have thought getting that sorted would be a priority.

This was stated in another thread. There is little support for the Mac and the R1900. When installed I have no printer utility. I suspect there are supposed to be options that I need to set within the printer utility to tell it that I am using roll fed paper, when I try to print it defaults to sheet and errors out. I have tried everything, new drivers, reinstall, resetting printer settings, etc. I contacted Epson and wouldn't you guess it, their answer was to do what I have already tried several times that didn't work...I swear tech support people never listen. Seems like only other people having this issue are on Snow Leopard, not me....I'm on 10.5.8!

And yes, getting the Mac sorted out is on my list. But right now I have jobs backing up that I MUST get out! So far I've been able to use the PC to at least print to, but since the registration marks are not spaced evenly it is causing me to use more sublimation paper then needed...but at least it works, where the Mac doesn't.


And I have to be honest, I am tired of going back the the manufacturer of my printing press for my questions. They seem a bit shady when it comes to things, and just keep telling me the same thing over and over again but using different words. They also had me using a color profile that was giving me issues, so I went around them and contacted the developer of the color profile, turns out the people that made the color profile don't even suggest to use it with roll feed (it too was giving me a paper size error, but on the PC). So I went back to the guy that 1st told me to use the color profile and he says...well don't use it, I don't! WTF, seriously this guy had me using something he doesn't even use, so why was he telling me I must use it with the system we have!?!?! So as you can see, I have decided to venture out away from this guy for my help with getting this all setup and going well.

[The Crofter]

This program is around 365KB and runs on xp.

http://download.cnet.com/Graph-Paper-Printer/3000-2064_4-10037453.html

If you xp hard drive is so full that you cannot add other software then you will have many operational problems. I would suggest clearing out unused stuff and give the xp machine room to breathe. Also run a utility such as CCleaner (free) to ensure no hidden issues.

Can you get the printer to someone elses pc and do another test ?.

[userbak610]

Can you get the printer to someone elses pc and do another test ?.

Been there, done that. I was testing this all on a laptop before I moved it to the desktop pc. I had the same spacing issues there too.

I did talk to the guy that we got our machine from. He still claims that he got this to work fine out of Corel. I had mentioned before that we weren't using Corel to him and he said he tested out of Acrobat...well today he said that he admits he never tried using anything other than Corel! So I sent him my files to test again and he is going to (once again) test on his end to see if he can figure out the spacing problem, if not it sounds like they may be sending someone out to get us set up and running *fingers crossed*.

[The Crofter]

Just another thought.

Can you create a new document (paper size) that is say 4x A4 pages tall, add your text as appropriate and then just print it as a single long document. It would take a little while to create a template but if you use guides as per your sample image replacing text would be quite easy.

[The Crofter]

Am I right in thinking that this is the problem ?. Printing doc 1 works correctly and the gap between test lines is as you want it. Printing doc 2 increases the gap between the second and third lines but does print the correct gap between lines 3 and 4 ?.

If the gap between lines 3 and 4 is not the same as lines 1 and 2 then you must have a feed problem with the printer.

If the gap between 2 and 3 is greater then this is almost certainly down to the printer, or software, adding possible line feeds, bottom margin etc. Can you measure the gap between documents and confirm it is the same each time.

If this is the problem and the gap is consistent then you should be able to adjust the document size to counteract this. Reduce the height by x mm and keep the test lines centered in the document. The next time you print there will be the additional feeds after the first doc but the text in doc 2 will arrive earlier keeping the line spacing correct. This will also apply to any additional docs.

spacing-1.jpg (20.75 KiB) Viewed 1811 times

[userbak610]

Yes Pat that is what happens.

Problem is that I have tried changing to various document sizes and still have the same effect.

I can't set the file up so that ALL are on a document...just not possible. This is for a lanyard machine and let's say I'm printing 10,000 individual lanyards...my document would just be too huge to do them all on one sheet.

I have a guy coming in tomorrow to upgrade my PC so hopefully I can get Corel up and running soon.

Thanks all for the suggestions and ideas. I'm going to play around with this for a bit the next few days and see if I can come up with something.

[userbak610]

Well, I finally got some time and someone to help me figure this mess out. Turns out if I decrease the image size a small amount, leave the file itself the same size (2.75x10) and then print border less (with minimum expansion), and adjust the page size to 2.82x10 within the printer setup that I can get my stepping consistent.

Quite a few steps to get there, but now that I know what I need to do, and the fact that my document size will be the same every time...I finally have it working!!!!

[The Crofter]

decrease the image size a small amount

?

[userbak610]

decrease the image size a small amount

?

Because the only way to get the spacing right/consistent was to print bordeless (which increases the overall size of the artwork).

[The Crofter]

Glad you have it sorted.