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Intermittent problem printing on waterproof vinyl laser labels
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MartinsvilleSoapworks
#1 Posted : 8/18/2015 3:03:42 PM(EST)
MartinsvilleSoapworks

Rank: New User

Posts: 3
United States
Location: North Tonawanda, NY

Howdy!

I'm having an intermittent issue printing on the waterproof vinyl label stock for laser. Some days it works just fine, other days the print is faded and the colors are wonky. It is only the vinyl that is the problem, as you can see from the photo. The left side is plain paper; the right side is the vinyl. (Sorry the photo is blurry.)

print output comparison - plain paper on left, waterproof vinyl on right

I am using a HP Color LaserJet 4700 and I've run all the diagnostic tests I can and nothing is showing up. All the consumables have more than enough life left, so it's not the printer itself.

What's making me pull my hair out is that some days it prints just fine, and other days I am going through every setting possible trying to get it to print with no luck. Could it be the humidity?? I can't figure out why it works fine some days and not others. I can usually print fine using the "labels" setting on the printer and it will be fine.

Thanks!
Heather
Martinsville Soapworks
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Josh
#2 Posted : 8/19/2015 9:18:36 AM(EST)
Josh


Rank: OnlineLabels Rep

Posts: 895
United States

Was thanked: 84 time(s) in 78 post(s)
I'm sorry to hear about the problem that you've recently experienced when printing your labels. It's definitely a unique issue and I'll be happy to assist you in any way that I can. To try and pinpoint what could potentially be the root of the problem I'll need some additional information.

Is the issue only occurring on your most recent order of the weatherproof polyester material, or has it occurred across multiple orders? If you still have the original packaging, can you provide the lot numbers listed on the product label for the material that is exhibiting the issue?

What is your usual batch size for print jobs? Do the printing results vary from sheet to sheet? For instance, if you print a five sheet batch, do all five sheets come out looking identical?

Do you have access to another laser printer you can run a few test sheets in? If so, are the results the same regardless of the printer model being used?

On the faded sheets, are you able to scratch away the print easily with your fingernail?

When you are not using the label sheets how are they being stored?

Please provide any additional information that you can, and I'll be happy to investigate this issue for you.

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MartinsvilleSoapworks
#3 Posted : 8/19/2015 12:11:23 PM(EST)
MartinsvilleSoapworks

Rank: New User

Posts: 3
United States
Location: North Tonawanda, NY

Quote:
Is the issue only occurring on your most recent order of the weatherproof polyester material, or has it occurred across multiple orders? If you still have the original packaging, can you provide the lot numbers listed on the product label for the material that is exhibiting the issue?


I believe I may have but I am not 100% sure. This batch is lot # 1002398-41029121, which I purchased on 1/3/2015. They have only been printed on this printer, and I have less than 40 sheets left.

Quote:
What is your usual batch size for print jobs? Do the printing results vary from sheet to sheet? For instance, if you print a five sheet batch, do all five sheets come out looking identical?


With this particular stock, I will usually print between 1-5 sheets all the same. They will all either come out fine, or they come out wrong. It won't print fine and then stop working correctly. Yesterday I printed out four sheets and they were all light. Today I printed out one - since the store had been closed up overnight with the a/c on, just in case it really is a humidity issue - and the print results are the same.

Quote:
Do you have access to another laser printer you can run a few test sheets in? If so, are the results the same regardless of the printer model being used?


I don't here at my store but I do at home.

Quote:
On the faded sheets, are you able to scratch away the print easily with your fingernail?


No, it does appear to be properly fused to the sheets.

Quote:
When you are not using the label sheets how are they being stored?


I usually do have about 10 sheets sitting in a flat paper storage unit so I can grab them easily, and the rest is in the clamshell sitting above, all out of direct sunlight. This morning when I tried it again, I pulled a sheet right out the clamshell (because there wasn't any left out) and I still had the same results.

On a whim (and because I have an order that needs to go out) I printed the same document on the "clear gloss for laser" stock that I use for other products - and it printed just fine. Not sure if that information helps any.

I'm not even sure if there's anything that can be done about this, but I do appreciate your help! ^_^
Heather
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Josh
#4 Posted : 8/19/2015 1:00:47 PM(EST)
Josh


Rank: OnlineLabels Rep

Posts: 895
United States

Was thanked: 84 time(s) in 78 post(s)
Thank you so much for the detailed description of the problem. I checked into that specific lot number to see if any there were any similar issues reported, but there haven't been to this point. There are a couple of things worth trying though:

- You had mentioned using the Labels setting when printing on the material. Try experimenting with a few other material types, specifically ones like photo, glossy, or maybe even cardstock if that is an option on your printer model. Changing the material type setting should slightly adjust the fusing temperature, which could potentially improve the print results.

- If it isn't too much of a hassle, please try printing a few sheets using your laser printer at home. If the issue occurs there as well it could potentially help us narrow down a problem with the specific batch of labels that you received.

- I'm going to send you a bundle of sample sheets from a brand new production lot. Once they arrive, please test them out and then let us know if the performance is any different from what you are currently experiencing.

Hopefully these steps will bring us closer to resolving your issue. I'll make sure the samples are mailed out today, but if you have any additional questions in the meantime please just let me know.

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MartinsvilleSoapworks
#5 Posted : 8/19/2015 1:21:20 PM(EST)
MartinsvilleSoapworks

Rank: New User

Posts: 3
United States
Location: North Tonawanda, NY

Quote:
- You had mentioned using the Labels setting when printing on the material. Try experimenting with a few other material types, specifically ones like photo, glossy, or maybe even cardstock if that is an option on your printer model. Changing the material type setting should slightly adjust the fusing temperature, which could potentially improve the print results.


I have tried this with no difference in results. Thought I had mentioned it in my original post but I must have deleted it.

Thank you for sending out the label stock, it is greatly appreciated. I will do some test prints when I get home tonight, and again when the label stock arrives.

This is one of the many reasons I always recommend Online Labels. ^_^

H.
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