hi there. i'm totally new to heat pressing so i hope you experts can help me.
when i started a couple of weeks ago, the designs i printed out from my epson inkjet printer were ok. a couple of days ago, whenever i print out designs, all the black colors have smudges on them. i was thinking there has got to be something wrong with my printer. so i did a couple of head cleans and a couple of nozzle checks. i then made a test print using ordinary paper and everything was ok. so i then loaded a light transfer paper, but to my dismay, all the black colors were again smudged. by the way, i forgot to mention my printer settings:
since i started a couple of weeks back, i've been using "epson matte" as the paper type. but now, whenever i use "epson matte" (or even epson glossy, or any other "epson" papers), smudges appear. only when i use "plain papers" as the paper type do i get a clean print out. so i thought i've solved my problem, but i discovered that the colors were not as vibrant when i use "plain papers" as my paper type in the printer settings.
i am now suspecting that it's not my printer that is the problem.....it's the transfer paper. i came to this conclusion because whenever i print on ordinary paper using "epson matte" as the paper type, the print outs are perfect. but whenever i print on the transfer paper itself using the very same settings, smudges appear.
As a general rule (with most inkjet printers) using the plain paper setting will render about 300 dpi ink on the paper....using a "best" or photographic setting will render about 600 dpi in on the paper.
In the case of transfer paper and ink, more is NOT better. The 600 dpi setting renders too much ink onto the paper.
Use the plain paper setting that renders 300 dpi of ink, and you will not have a problem with smearing.
Also, be sure to let your printed transfer dry before pressing it.
Epson inks do have some issues with color shifting...I'm not well versed enough on this to advise, but I'm sure another member will pick up where I left off, and help you out.
As a general rule (with most inkjet printers) using the plain paper setting will render about 300 dpi ink on the paper....using a "best" or photographic setting will render about 600 dpi in on the paper.
In the case of transfer paper and ink, more is NOT better. The 600 dpi setting renders too much ink onto the paper.
Use the plain paper setting that renders 300 dpi of ink, and you will not have a problem with smearing.
Also, be sure to let your printed transfer dry before pressing it.
Epson inks do have some issues with color shifting...I'm not well versed enough on this to advise, but I'm sure another member will pick up where I left off, and help you out.
Thanks for the response!
What puzzles me is I've been using Epson Matte as the paper type (and using "photo" and "photo enhancement") for a week and I didn't have any problems. But after a week or so, smears or smudges appeared in my print outs when I use the same settings. The only time I would get a good print out is when I use "plain papers". Would you have an idea what the best printer setting is when using JPSS? I'm currently not using JPSS, but would be purchasing a bunch tomorrow.
Use your plain paper setting for the JPSS. The Quality setting would be "Text" or "Text and Image" (sorry, I should have made that more clear in my original post). Just don't use "Photo" as your Quality setting.
I don't use my Epson very much (only for Opaque papers, not for lights)...I usually use my HP, so don't remember if the "Quality" setting on the Epson automatically changes when you change the paper setting. I just always have mine set at plain paper.
It's the "Quality" setting that determines the amount of ink rendered on the paper.
Use your plain paper setting for the JPSS. The Quality setting would be "Text" or "Text and Image" (sorry, I should have made that more clear in my original post). Just don't use "Photo" as your Quality setting.
I don't use my Epson very much (only for Opaque papers, not for lights)...I usually use my HP, so don't remember if the "Quality" setting on the Epson automatically changes when you change the paper setting. I just always have mine set at plain paper.
It's the "Quality" setting that determines the amount of ink rendered on the paper.
Colors would not appear as vibrant if I use "text" or "text and image", right? I mean not as vibrant as compared to using "photo" or "best photo".
So basically, I should set the printer this way:
Paper type - plain paper
Quality - text or text and image
(Should I use "photo enhancement"?)
I guess what I'm trying to achieve is the best possible quality/colors out of every print out.
Using "Photo Enhancement" is going to render more ink onto the paper. That's exactly what you DON'T want.
The "vibrancy" of the colors is a function of the "Color Management" area of your printer preferences. The color is the color....more ink will not change the color.
Have you tried pressing the transfer printed using the "plain paper" and "text" quality settings? If not, do a test press...and judge by the end result rather that what you're seeing on the transfer.
Using "Photo Enhancement" is going to render more ink onto the paper. That's exactly what you DON'T want.
The "vibrancy" of the colors is a function of the "Color Management" area of your printer preferences. The color is the color....more ink will not change the color.
Have you tried pressing the transfer printed using the "plain paper" and "text" quality settings? If not, do a test press...and judge by the end result rather that what you're seeing on the transfer.
Oh I see. I guess I'll be doing some tests later then. Correct me if I'm wrong, but here's what you are suggesting:
Paper type - plain paper
Quality - text or text and images
NOT use photo enhancement
Adjust colors using the color management feature of the printer.
Ink smudges 
