In short, special secret, proprietary algorithms are needed to print in the first and last inch of the page on these printers. For the larger (3880 and above) printers, this code is built into the firmware of the printer, and so any software that drives the printer automatically has access to it. However for smaller Stylus Photo printers, the code is in the driver, and so only software that prints via the Epson driver can access it. This does not include QTR. Hence you get micro-banding on the first and last inch. How much will depend on the image. This post from Roy is a succinct summary:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/QuadtoneRIP/conversations/messages/12758
There are two solutions, other than buying a Pro printer:
1. Use larger leading and trailing margins.
2. Use some low-tack painters masking tape to tape on a "lead sheet". This requires you to define custom page sizes and position the image carefully, but it works a treat for me. I'm currently using a 140mm long lead sheet for an A4 page. The lead sheet probably needs to be white on the leading edge, i.e. not previously printed on
One odd thing about this approach is that I define a page size that tells QTR and the printer that I have also attached a matching trailing strip, so that I can centre the image on the "page". But I don't actually attach the trailing sheet, because they become detached and jam too easily. Despite this, I don't get banding in the last inch either. Simpling specifying a trailing strip but not attaching one is enough to fool either QTR or the printer into printing normally. Why this works puzzles me, but it does. I'll was about to post a question on this, and will do so shortly.
I'm not familiar with the 1440, and don't know whether any of this applies to it.
---In QuadtoneRIP@yahoogroups.com, <ascherjim@...> wrote :
I have for many years been printing with Quadtone RIP on my Epson 1440 at a (maximum?) dpi of 2880. I have just recently purchased from Epson a 1430 as a back-up printer. When printing initial test photos on the 1430 I noticed what is perhaps termed "laddering" (narrow lines) on about 10% of the edges (top and bottom in Portrait mode, left and right in Landscape mode) in the direction the print head moves. Thinking this was perhaps a problem with the new printer, I went over some reasonably extensive testing with an Epson tech rep on the phone and determined that the printer was working fine. He opined the problem might be with my printing software. I then ran another test print with QTR, but changed the dpi to 1440 -- and the print turned out fine. I do not understand (yet) all the relevant terminology, so I'd be most appreciative if someone would explain to me (1) the difference in meaning between the two dpi settings, (2) the possible reason for this difference between the two printers' outputs, and (3) what possible loss in quality I might experience by needing to use the 1440 dpi setting with the 1430 printer. Many thanks.