Join the conversation. Share tips and solutions with fellow Online Labels users.
Welcome to our forum! If you are an existing Online Labels user please Sign In. If you are a new user please Register.
Post Reply
#1 Posted : 4/9/2020 1:27:49 PM(EST)
IllustrateChrissy

Rank: New User

Posts: 1
United States
Location: Massachusetts

Hello,

I am using the Weatherproof Polyester Laser (OL177LP) with an HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw Printer and I am having issues with the color and clarity of the images printing. They seem to be light, faded looking, and somewhat pixelated. I have tried using 'Label', and 'Heavyweight Glossy' paper settings, they both printed with the same light/faded, grainy look. It does not give me an option for print quality to be anything higher than 'normal'.

In the past I have been using the Weatherproof Matte Inkjet on an Epson ET2760 and have loved the results I've been able to achieve. I was hoping to have a similar look but with a more durable paper, as I've heard the bond with the laser printer is better than that of the inkjet.

Is there something I can do to get a higher quality print from the Weatherproof Laser?

Thank you for any and all help!
-Chrissy
#2 Posted : 4/10/2020 10:48:53 AM(EST)
Josh


Rank: OnlineLabels Rep

Posts: 895
United States

Was thanked: 84 time(s) in 78 post(s)
If you have extensive experience with a specific printer model and you've been happy with the print results there, it can sometimes be a little jarring moving to a different printer model. It's difficult to exactly replicate print performance between two different printer models, especially when moving from inkjet to laser or vice versa. With that being said, there are a few additional steps to try that may improve the print quality with the HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw.

It sounds like you're already using appropriate paper type settings for the weatherproof polyester laser material. I haven't used the HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw, but I have a couple similar HP models available and I've never felt the need to move up to the heavyweight designation when using this material. I typically stick to one of the standard photo or glossy material types, but labels or heavyweight glossy should definitely work as well.

There are a couple of more advanced troubleshooting techniques that you can use that may improve your print results. These are detailed in the manual for the printer model, which I've linked to below:

HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw Manual

You're going to want to take a look at the "Troubleshoot Print Quality" section that starts on page 105. There is a pretty expansive selection of troubleshooting methods detailed in this section, but based on your the feedback you've provided I'd recommend looking at:

- Calibrate the printer to align the colors (page 111)
- Print and interpret the print quality page (page 111-112)
- Check the EconoMode settings (page 112-113)
- Adjust print density (page 113)

The whole section is worth skimming through, as there may be some other suggestions that are applicable, but the topics listed above seem like they'd be the best to focus on initially.

I hope this helps. If you need any additional information please just let us know.
#3 Posted : 10/13/2021 4:43:09 PM(EST)
MidWestern Clipper

Rank: Member

Posts: 10
United States

Thanks: 1 times
I have the same paper and printer. I've played with a lot of settings, including heavy gloss.

The problem I have is the color scratches off easily. Each color will have a different degree of difficultly, black for example, a very light scratch will take it all off.

Visually I find matte 105g I think looks the best from this printer, but I need some durability.
The laminated vinyl paper is incredibly rugged, but gets ruined in the wet. This survives the wet just fine, but gets ruined if rubbed.

Edited by user Wednesday, October 13, 2021 5:13:07 PM(EST)  | Reason: Not specified

#4 Posted : 10/14/2021 9:01:29 AM(EST)
Josh


Rank: OnlineLabels Rep

Posts: 895
United States

Was thanked: 84 time(s) in 78 post(s)
Originally Posted by: MidWestern Clipper Go to Quoted Post
I have the same paper and printer. I've played with a lot of settings, including heavy gloss.

The problem I have is the color scratches off easily. Each color will have a different degree of difficultly, black for example, a very light scratch will take it all off.

Visually I find matte 105g I think looks the best from this printer, but I need some durability.
The laminated vinyl paper is incredibly rugged, but gets ruined in the wet. This survives the wet just fine, but gets ruined if rubbed.


I'm sorry to hear about the issue you're experiencing. Does your printer model have a paper type setting similar to HP Matte Photo 200g? I haven't had an opportunity to use the HP Color LaserJet Pro M454dw, but I have used the M452dn model which should be very similar functionally. When using the M452dn, I've had a ton of success using the HP Matte Photo 200g paper type setting with our weatherproof polyester material. It provides excellent color duplication and strong durability to abrasion. Performance can differ based on the design you're printing, as well as your end-use application, but I've always been very pleased with the results using that setting.

Some of the troubleshooting options listed from the manual in my original response may help improve your results as well. The EconoMode setting found on HP printers can result in loose toner that's easy to scratch away, especially when using specialty material types. If it's currently enabled, I'd definitely try disabling it. Reducing the print density could potentially help as well, since too much toner output can result in a weaker bond between the toner and the surface of the sheet.

I was able to locate your account in our system, and it seems that you've used our weatherproof polyester and white gloss laser materials in the past, but not the weatherproof vinyl. I do see that you recently placed an order for the weatherproof vinyl material that is currently in transit to you. The white gloss laser material is a glossy paper-based material. It's not weatherproof and not intended for direct contact with moisture. The weatherproof vinyl material is probably the most durable material option we offer for laser printing. It's commonly used for chemical drum labeling and carries BS5609 Section 2 compliance for long term maritime shipping applications.

I hope this helps. Please just let us know if you need any additional information.
Post Reply
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.