HP Designjet T7100 User Manual

DESIGNJET T7100 and
T7100 Monochrome printer series

Using your printer

© 2010 Hewlett-Packard Development
Company, L.P.

1st edition

Legal notices

The information contained in this document
is subject to change without notice. The only
warranties for HP products and services are
set forth in the express warranty statements
accompanying such products and services.
Nothing contained in other sections different
from the express warranty should be
construed as constituting an additional
warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical
and editorial errors or omissions contained
herein.

Trademarks

Adobe®, Acrobat®, Adobe Photoshop®,
and PostScript® are trademarks of Adobe
Systems Incorporated.

Microsoft® and Windows® are U.S.
registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.

PANTONE®* is *Pantone, Inc.'s check­standard trademark for color.

Table of contents

1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1

Safety precautions .................................................................................................................... 2

Product models ........................................................................................................................ 2

Using this guide ....................................................................................................................... 3

The printer’s main features ........................................................................................................ 4

The printer’s main components ................................................................................................... 4

The Embedded Web Server’s main components ........................................................................... 9

The HP Utility’s main features ................................................................................................... 10

The printer’s internal prints ...................................................................................................... 10

Turn the printer on and off ....................................................................................................... 11

2 Connectivity and software instructions ............................................................................ 12

Choose which connection method to use ................................................................................... 13

Connect to a network (Windows) ............................................................................................. 13

Connect directly to a computer (Windows) ................................................................................ 14

Uninstall the printer driver (Windows) ....................................................................................... 14

Connect to a network (Mac OS) ............................................................................................... 14

Connect directly to a computer (Mac OS) ................................................................................. 17

Uninstall the printer software (Mac OS) ..................................................................................... 18

3 Personalize the printer .................................................................................................... 20

Change the language of the front-panel display ......................................................................... 21

Access the HP Utility ............................................................................................................... 21

Access the Embedded Web Server ........................................................................................... 21

Change the language of the HP Utility ...................................................................................... 22

Change the language of the Embedded Web Server .................................................................. 22

Change the sleep mode setting ................................................................................................ 22

Turn the buzzer on and off ...................................................................................................... 22

Change the front-panel display contrast .................................................................................... 22

Change the units of measurement ............................................................................................. 23

Configure network settings ...................................................................................................... 23

Change the graphic language setting ....................................................................................... 24

Paper suitability options .......................................................................................................... 25

4 Handle the paper ........................................................................................................... 26

Overview .............................................................................................................................. 27

Load a roll into the printer ....................................................................................................... 30

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Unload a roll from the printer .................................................................................................. 34

View information about the paper ............................................................................................ 35

Perform paper advance calibration .......................................................................................... 35

Download paper presets ......................................................................................................... 37

Cancel the drying time ............................................................................................................ 37

Change the drying time .......................................................................................................... 37

Printing paper info ................................................................................................................. 38

Feed and cut the paper ........................................................................................................... 38

Store the paper ...................................................................................................................... 39

Order paper .......................................................................................................................... 39

5 Handle the ink system .................................................................................................... 44

Ink system components ............................................................................................................ 45

Ink system tips ....................................................................................................................... 47

Work with ink system components ............................................................................................ 48

Order ink supplies .................................................................................................................. 67

6 Use of multiple rolls ........................................................................................................ 69

The uses of a multiroll printer ................................................................................................... 70

How the printer allocates jobs to paper rolls .............................................................................. 70

7 Use of the stacker ........................................................................................................... 72

Install the stacker .................................................................................................................... 73

Uninstall the stacker ................................................................................................................ 73

Using paper with the stacker ................................................................................................... 73

Stacker messages ................................................................................................................... 74

Change the temperature ......................................................................................................... 74

Change paper rolls while using the stacker ............................................................................... 74

Clean the exterior of the stacker ............................................................................................... 74

Clean the stacker rollers .......................................................................................................... 75

Move or store the stacker ........................................................................................................ 75

8 Print options ................................................................................................................... 77

Create a print job .................................................................................................................. 78

Select print quality .................................................................................................................. 79

Print a draft ........................................................................................................................... 80

High-quality printing ............................................................................................................... 81

Select paper size ................................................................................................................... 82

Select margins options ............................................................................................................ 83

Print on loaded paper ............................................................................................................. 84

Rescale a print ....................................................................................................................... 84

Preview a print ...................................................................................................................... 85

Print 16-bit color images ......................................................................................................... 85

Change the treatment of overlapping lines ................................................................................ 86

Print crop lines ....................................................................................................................... 86

Rotate an image .................................................................................................................... 86

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Print in gray shades ................................................................................................................ 88

Use paper economically ......................................................................................................... 88

Nest jobs to save paper .......................................................................................................... 89

Use ink economically .............................................................................................................. 91

Roll protection ....................................................................................................................... 91

Unattended printing/overnight printing ..................................................................................... 91

9 Color management ......................................................................................................... 93

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 94

How colors are represented .................................................................................................... 94

A summary of the color management process ............................................................................ 94

Color calibration .................................................................................................................... 94

Color management from printer drivers ..................................................................................... 96

Color management from printer drivers (PostScript) .................................................................... 99

Color management from the Embedded Web Server ................................................................ 101

Color management from the front panel .................................................................................. 103

10 Job queue management ............................................................................................. 105

Embedded Web Server job queue page ................................................................................. 106

Job preview ......................................................................................................................... 106

Turn off the job queue ........................................................................................................... 107

Select when to print a job in the queue ................................................................................... 107

Identify a job in the queue ..................................................................................................... 107

Prioritize a job in the queue .................................................................................................. 108

Delete a job from the queue .................................................................................................. 108

Reprint or copy a job in the queue ......................................................................................... 108

Job status messages .............................................................................................................. 108

11 Retrieve printer usage information ............................................................................. 110

Get printer accounting information ......................................................................................... 111

Check printer usage statistics ................................................................................................. 111

Check ink and paper usage for a job ..................................................................................... 111

12 Practical printing examples ........................................................................................ 113

Overview ............................................................................................................................ 114

Print a draft for revision with the correct scale .......................................................................... 114

Print a project ...................................................................................................................... 116

Print a presentation .............................................................................................................. 127

Print and scale from Microsoft Office ...................................................................................... 132

13 Maintain the printer .................................................................................................... 139

Clean the exterior of the printer ............................................................................................. 140

Clean the platen .................................................................................................................. 140

Clean the paper-advance sensor window ................................................................................ 142

Lubricate the printhead carriage ............................................................................................ 142

Maintain the ink cartridges .................................................................................................... 143

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Perform preventive maintenance ............................................................................................ 143

Move or store the printer ....................................................................................................... 144

Update the printer firmware .................................................................................................. 144

Secure disk erase ................................................................................................................. 145

14 Accessories ................................................................................................................. 146

Order accessories ................................................................................................................ 146

15 Troubleshoot print-quality issues ................................................................................ 147

General advice .................................................................................................................... 148

Troubleshooting tools ............................................................................................................ 148

Lines are too thick, too thin or missing .................................................................................... 149

Lines appear stepped or jagged ............................................................................................ 150

Lines print double or in the wrong colors ................................................................................. 150

Lines are discontinuous ......................................................................................................... 151

Lines are blurred .................................................................................................................. 151

Line lengths are inaccurate .................................................................................................... 152

The whole image is blurry or grainy ....................................................................................... 153

The paper is not flat ............................................................................................................. 153

The print is scuffed or scratched ............................................................................................. 154

Ink marks on the paper ......................................................................................................... 154

Black ink comes off when you touch the print ........................................................................... 155

Vertical lines of different colors .............................................................................................. 155

White spots on the print ........................................................................................................ 156

Colors are inaccurate ........................................................................................................... 156

The output is completely blank ............................................................................................... 158

The output contains only a partial print ................................................................................... 158

The image is clipped ............................................................................................................ 159

The image is in one portion of the printing area ....................................................................... 159

The image is unexpectedly rotated ......................................................................................... 160

The print is a mirror image of the original ............................................................................... 160

The print is distorted or unintelligible ...................................................................................... 160

One image overlays another on the same print ........................................................................ 160

Pen settings seem to have no effect ......................................................................................... 160

The image has a wood-grain appearance (aeroworms) ............................................................ 161

16 Troubleshoot paper issues .......................................................................................... 162

The paper has jammed ......................................................................................................... 162

Prints do not stack correctly in the bin ..................................................................................... 163

17 Troubleshoot ink-system issues ................................................................................... 164

Cannot insert an ink cartridge ............................................................................................... 165

Cannot insert a printhead ...................................................................................................... 165

Cannot insert the maintenance cartridge ................................................................................. 165

Front panel recommends reseating or replacing a printhead ...................................................... 165

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18 Troubleshoot stacker issues ........................................................................................ 166

Paper scrolling ..................................................................................................................... 167

The trailing edge of the paper curling up ................................................................................ 167

The paper is not completely ejected ........................................................................................ 167

The front panel displays that the stacker is disconnected ........................................................... 168

19 Troubleshoot other issues ........................................................................................... 169

The printer is not printing ...................................................................................................... 170

A job has not been printed .................................................................................................... 170

The software application slows down or stalls while generating the print job ............................... 170

The printer seems slow .......................................................................................................... 171

Communication failures between computer and printer ............................................................. 171

Cannot access the Embedded Web Server .............................................................................. 172

“Out-of-memory” error message ............................................................................................. 172

The platen rollers squeak ....................................................................................................... 173

Cannot access the HP Utility .................................................................................................. 175

Print job canceled and purged when held for preview .............................................................. 175

Printer alerts ........................................................................................................................ 175

20 Get help ..................................................................................................................... 177

Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 178

HP Professional Services ....................................................................................................... 178

HP Instant Support ................................................................................................................ 179

HP Proactive Support ............................................................................................................ 179

Customer Self Repair ............................................................................................................ 179

HP Customer Care ............................................................................................................... 180

HP Designjet Online ............................................................................................................. 183

Other sources of information ................................................................................................. 184

Appendix A Front-panel menus ....................................................................................... 185

Paper menu ......................................................................................................................... 186

Job management menu ......................................................................................................... 187

Ink menu ............................................................................................................................. 188

Setup menu ......................................................................................................................... 189

Image quality maintenance menu ........................................................................................... 192

Connectivity menu ................................................................................................................ 193

Internal prints menu .............................................................................................................. 194

Information menu ................................................................................................................. 195

Appendix B Front-panel error messages .......................................................................... 196

Appendix C Printer specifications ..................................................................................... 200

Functional specifications ....................................................................................................... 201

Physical specifications .......................................................................................................... 202

Memory specifications .......................................................................................................... 203

Power specifications ............................................................................................................. 203

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Environmental specifications .................................................................................................. 203

Acoustic specifications .......................................................................................................... 203

Glossary ........................................................................................................................... 204

Index ............................................................................................................................... 206

viii ENWW

1 Introduction

Safety precautions

●

Product models

●

Using this guide

●

The printer’s main features

●

The printer’s main components

●

The Embedded Web Server’s main components

●

The HP Utility’s main features

●

The printer’s internal prints

●

Introduction

Turn the printer on and off

●

ENWW 1

Introduction

Safety precautions

The following precautions ensure the correct use of the printer and prevent printer damage. Use these
precautions at all times.

Use the power supply voltage that is specified on the nameplate. To avoid overloading the

●

printer's electrical outlet, do not use the outlet for multiple devices.

Make sure that the printer is well-grounded. Failure to ground the printer can result in electrical

●

shock, fire, and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference.

Do not disassemble or repair the printer yourself, unless authorized by HP (see

●

Repair on page 179). Contact your local HP Service Representative for service. See HP Customer
Care on page 180.

Use only the electrical cord that HP supplied with the printer. Do not damage, cut, or repair the

●

power cord. A damaged power cord creates a risk of fire and electric shock. Replace a damaged
power cord with an HP-approved power cord.

Do not allow metal or liquids (except those used in HP Cleaning Kits) to touch the internal parts of

●

the printer. Doing so can cause fire, electric shock, or other serious hazards.

Turn off the printer and unplug the power cable from the power outlet in any of the following

●

cases:

When you place your hands inside the printer

◦

If smoke or an unusual smell emanates from the printer

◦

If the printer is making an unusual noise that does not occur during normal operation

◦

If a piece of metal or a liquid (not part of cleaning and maintenance routines) touches

◦

internal parts of the printer

During an electrical (thunder or lightning) storm

◦

During a power failure

◦

Customer Self

Product models

This guide covers the following product models, normally referring to them by their short names for
brevity.

Full name Short name Part numbers

HP Designjet T7100 T7100 CQ105A, CQ106A

HP Designjet T7100 with PostScript upgrade T7100ps CQ105A, CQ106A + CQ745A

HP Designjet T7100 Monochrome T7100 Mono CQ101A, CQ102A

HP Designjet T7100 Monochrome with PostScript
upgrade

2 Chapter 1 Introduction ENWW

T7100ps Mono CQ101A, CQ102A + CQ745A

Using this guide

The HP Start-up Kit DVD includes this guide, which is the most complete source of information about this
product, and is organized into the following chapters.

Introduction

This chapter provides a brief introduction to the printer and its documentation for new users.

Use and maintenance

These chapters help you carry out normal printer procedures and include the following topics:

Connectivity and software instructions on page 12

●

Personalize the printer on page 20

●

Handle the paper on page 26

●

Handle the ink system on page 44

●

Print options on page 77

●

Color management on page 93

●

Practical printing examples on page 113

●

Maintain the printer on page 139

●

Troubleshooting

Introduction

These chapters help you solve problems that might occur while printing and include the following
topics:

Troubleshoot print-quality issues on page 147

●

Troubleshoot ink-system issues on page 164

●

Troubleshoot paper issues on page 162

●

Troubleshoot other issues on page 169

●

Support

This chapter describes the various sources of information and help you can consult.

Get help on page 177

●

Appendices

The appendices contain reference information on various aspects of your printer.

Front-panel menus on page 185

●

Front-panel error messages on page 196

●

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Printer specifications on page 200

●

Using this guide

3

Introduction

Glossary

This chapter contains definitions of printing and HP terms that are used in this documentation.

Index

In addition to the table of contents, an alphabetical index is included to help you to find topics quickly.

Warnings and Cautions

Symbols are used in this manual to ensure the proper use of the printer and to prevent printer damage.
Follow the instructions that are marked with these symbols.

WARNING! Failure to follow the guidelines that are marked with this symbol could result in serious

personal injury or death.

CAUTION: Failure to follow the guidelines that are marked with this symbol could result in minor

personal injury or damage to the product.

The printer’s main features

Your printer is a color inkjet printer designed for printing high-quality images on paper up to 1067 mm
(42 in) wide. Some major features of the printer are shown below:

Print resolution of up to 2400 × 1200 optimized dots per inch (dpi) from a 1200 × 1200 dpi

●

input, when using photo paper, the Best print-quality option, and the Maximum resolution
for the photo paper option

Two rolls (three rolls in some configurations) loaded at once provide automatic, fast and easy

●

switching between different rolls, or long runs of unattended printing

A six-ink system in the 7100 and a two-ink system in the 7100 Mono printer

●

Accurate and consistent color reproduction with automatic color calibration in the 7100 printer

●

Two black printheads enable the printer to print grayscale jobs fast with unusually good quality.

●

Paper flexibility and automatic easy load, including information and presets that are available at

●

the front panel or remotely

High productivity features such as job previewing, nesting and autorotate

●

EconoMode for printing economically

●

Ink and paper usage accounting for different types of print

●

Manage your printer remotely using the Embedded Web Server (see

●

main components on page 9) or the HP Utility (see The HP Utility’s main features
on page 10)

The Embedded Web Server’s

The printer’s main components

The following views illustrate the main components of the HP Designjet T7100 printer.

WARNING! Do not try to disassemble, repair or manipulate the roll door or the rear door. Your

fingers or hand may become trapped.

4 Chapter 1 Introduction ENWW

Front view

Introduction

Ink cartridge

1.

Platen

2.

Printhead

3.

Printhead carriage

4.

Front panel

5.

Maintenance cartridge

6.

Right hub

7.

Roll support

8.

HP Smart Roll-Loading System

9.

Paper feed brake

10.

Bin/Basket

11.

Roll door

12.

Left hub

13.

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The printer’s main components

5

Introduction

Rear view

Rear door handle

1.

Power switch and socket

2.

Sockets for communication cables and optional accessories

3.

The bin/basket

6 Chapter 1 Introduction ENWW

The bin/basket is provided to store finished prints. It can be used in several different ways.

To stack A0 or E paper sizes only, supported by wire loops. For this purpose, the top handles

●

should be up and the bottom handles should be down.

To stack A1 or D paper sizes only, supported by wire loops. For this purpose, the top handles

●

should be down; the bottom handles are irrelevant.

To hold mixed paper sizes in the basket at the bottom. For this purpose, the top and bottom

●

handles should be up.

Before stacking A0/E or A1/D paper sizes, ensure that the bin/basket is correctly positioned below the
paper output: push it up against the printer until it comes to a definite stop.

The bin/basket has wheels and can easily be moved around when detached from the printer.

The front pockets may be used to store core adaptors and printer documentation.

The front panel

Your printer's front panel is located on the front of the printer, on the right-hand side. It has the
following important functions:

It is used to perform certain operations, such as loading and unloading paper

●

Introduction

It displays up-to-date information about the status of the printer, the ink cartridges, the printheads,

●

the maintenance cartridge, the paper, the print jobs, and other parts and processes

It gives guidance on using the printer

●

It displays warning and error messages, when appropriate, with audible alerts to call attention

●

It can be used to change the values of printer settings and the operation of the printer

●

NOTE: Settings in the Embedded Web Server or in the printer driver override front panel

settings.

The front panel has the following components, starting with the four direct-access keys:

ENWW

Paper loading key starts the paper loading process: see

1.

View information key. By pressing this key repeatedly, you can see information about the loaded

2.

papers, the ink levels, the printer's connection to the computer and the printhead status. See

Printing paper info on page 38.

Pause printing key pauses printing after finishing the current page. Press the key again to restart

3.

printing. This can be useful, for instance, when you want to change or load a roll of a different
paper type.

Load a roll into the printer on page 30.

The printer’s main components

7

Introduction

Form feed and cut key: see

4.

Front-panel display displays errors, warnings and information on using your printer.

5.

Back key: To go to the previous step in a procedure or interaction. To go to the upper level, or

6.

leave the option in the menu, or when given an option.

Menu key: Press to return to the main menu of the front-panel display. If you are already on the

7.

main menu it will display the status screen.

Down key: To go down in a menu or option, or to decrease a value, for example when

8.

configuring the front-panel display contrast or the IP address.

Power key: To turn the printer off or on, it also has a light to indicate the printer's status. If the

9.

power key light is off the printer is off. If the power key light is blinking green, the printer is
starting up. If the power key light is green on, the printer is on. If the power key light is amber on,
the printer is in standby. If the power key light is blinking amber, the printer needs attention.

Cancel key: To abort a procedure or interaction.

10.

Up key: To go up in a menu or option, or to increase a value, for example when configuring the

11.

front-panel display contrast or the IP address.

OK key: To confirm an action while in a procedure or interaction. To enter in a submenu in the

12.

menu. To select a value when given an option. If the status screen is displayed, this key takes you
to the main menu.

Feed and cut the paper on page 38.

Status light: Indicates the printer's status. If the Status light is solid green, the printer is ready. If it is

13.

flashing green, the printer is busy. If it is solid amber, there is a system error. If it is flashing
amber, the printer needs attention.

To highlight an item in the front-panel display, press the Up or Down key until the item is highlighted.

To select an item in the front-panel display, first highlight it and then press the OK key.

When this guide shows a series of front-panel display items like this: Item1 > Item2 > Item3, it
means that you should select Item1, then select Item2, then select Item3.

For detailed information on the front-panel menus, see

For an annotated list of front-panel error messages, see

Information about specific uses of the front panel can be found throughout this guide.

Printer software

The following software is provided with your printer:

HP-GL/2 printer driver for Windows operating systems

●

PostScript printer driver for Windows, Linux and Mac OS operating systems (with the PostScript

●

upgrade)

Front-panel menus on page 185.

Front-panel error messages on page 196.

HP Utility (see

●

The Embedded Web Server, which runs in the printer and enables you to use a Web browser on

●

any computer to check the ink levels and the printer status (see

components on page 9)

TIP: See http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/index.html if you are using Linux.

8 Chapter 1 Introduction ENWW

The HP Utility’s main features on page 10)

The Embedded Web Server’s main

The Embedded Web Server’s main components

The Embedded Web Server is a Web server running inside the printer. Users can obtain printer
information, manage settings and presets, and troubleshoot problems through the Embedded Web
Server. It also allows service engineers to retrieve internal information that helps diagnose printer
problems.

Access the Embedded Web Server remotely by using an ordinary Web browser running on any
computer. Its features and functionality are organized within three tabs. Buttons near the top of each
tabs page provide access to online help and supplies reordering.

Main tab

The Main tab provides information about the following items:

Print jobs and managing the print queue

●

Supplies status

●

Paper and ink usage and accounting

●

PANTONE©* emulation

●

Setup tab

Introduction

The Setup tab includes options to complete these tasks:

Define printer, network and security settings

●

Send accounting reports and notifications of warnings and errors through email

●

Update firmware

●

Upload paper presets

●

Set the date and time

●

Support tab

The Support tab contains options to complete these funtions:

Use the Embedded Web Server Print Quality Troubleshooting wizard to help resolve some of the

●

most common print quality issues

Browse helpful information from a variety of sources

●

Access HP Designjet links for technical support with your printer, driver and accessories

●

Access service support pages that show current and historical data on the usage of your printer

●

Troubleshoot image-quality

●

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The Embedded Web Server’s main components

9

Introduction

The HP Utility’s main features

The HP Utility provides an easy-to-use interface that allows the user to manage and access various
printer features and functionality.

Manage the printer, including single-point color control with the HP Color Center.

●

Gain access to the online HP Knowledge Center.

●

View the status of the ink cartridges, the printheads and the paper.

●

Manage, install, and create International Color Consortium (ICC) profiles (with the PostScript

●

upgrade only).

Access and use embedded profiles (with the PostScript upgrade only).

●

Update the printer's firmware. See

●

Calibrate the printer and display.

●

Change various printer settings (on the Settings tab).

●

Configure network settings

●

Update the printer firmware on page 144.

The printer’s internal prints

The internal prints provide various kinds of information about your printer. You can request these prints
from the front panel without using a computer.

Before requesting any internal print, make sure that paper is loaded and that the Ready message
appears on the front-panel display.

To print an internal print, select the

print that you want.

The following internal prints are available:

Demo: shows some of the capabilities of the printer

●

Menu map: shows details of all the front-panel menus

●

icon, Internal prints, and then select the type of internal

Configuration: shows all the current front-panel settings

●

Usage report: shows estimates of the total number of prints, number of prints by paper type,

●

number of prints by print-quality option, and total amount of ink used per color. The accuracy of
these estimates is not guaranteed.

HP-GL/2 palette: shows the color or grayscale definitions in the currently-selected color palette

●

PostScript font list: lists the PostScript fonts that are installed in the printer (with the PostScript

●

upgrade only)

Service information: provides information that service engineers require

●

10 Chapter 1 Introduction ENWW

Turn the printer on and off

TIP: The printer can be left powered on without wasting energy. Leaving it on improves response time

and overall system reliability. When the printer has not been used for a certain period of time (the
default time is determined by Energy Star), it saves power by going into sleep mode. However, any
interaction with the printer's front-panel display, or sending a new job to print, returns it to active mode,
and it can resume printing immediately. To change the sleep mode time, see

setting on page 22.

NOTE: In sleep mode, the printer performs maintenance service to the printheads from time-to-time.

This avoids long preparation times after long idle periods. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to
leave the printer powered on or in sleep mode to avoid wasting ink and time.

The printer has three levels of power consumption.

Plugged in: the power cord is plugged into the back of the printer

●

Switched on: the switch at the back of the printer is in the on position

●

Powered on: the Power key on the front panel shows a green light

●

If you wish to turn the printer on or off or reset the printer, the normal and recommended method is to
use the Power key on the front panel.

Change the sleep mode

Introduction

However, if you plan to store the printer indefinitely or the Power key does not seem to work, you are
recommended to power it off using the Power key, and then also switch off the power switch at the
rear.

To turn it back on, use the power switch at the rear.

When the printer is powered back on, it takes about three minutes to initialize and check and prepare
the printheads. Preparing the printheads takes about one minute and 15 seconds. However, if the
printer has been off for six weeks or more, preparing the printheads could take up to 45 minutes.

ENWW

Turn the printer on and off

11

2 Connectivity and software

Connectivity

instructions

Choose which connection method to use

●

Connect to a network (Windows)

●

Connect directly to a computer (Windows)

●

Uninstall the printer driver (Windows)

●

Connect to a network (Mac OS)

●

Connect directly to a computer (Mac OS)

●

Uninstall the printer software (Mac OS)

●

12 Chapter 2 Connectivity and software instructions ENWW

Choose which connection method to use

The following methods can be used to connect your printer.

Connection type Speed Cable length Other factors

Gigabit Ethernet Very fast; varies according to

network traffic

Jetdirect print server (optional
accessory)

USB 2.0 (optional accessory) Very fast Short: 5 m (16 ft)

Moderate; varies according
to network traffic

Long: 100 m (328 ft) Requires extra equipment

Long: 100 m (328 ft) Requires extra equipment

NOTE: The speed of any network connection depends on all components used in the network, which

may include network interface cards, hubs, routers, switches and cables. If any one of these
components is not capable of high-speed operation, you will find that you have a low-speed
connection. The speed of your network connection can also be affected by the total amount of traffic
from other devices on the network.

NOTE: There are various possible ways of connecting the printer to a network, but only one of them

can be active at a time; with the exception of the Jetdirect print server, which can be active at the same
time as one other network connection.

Connect to a network (Windows)

(switches).

(switches).

Useful for wireless or
AppleTalk connection, and
for Novell printing.

Connectivity

Once the network cable is connected and the printer is powered up, it automatically obtains an IP
address. You need to perform the following steps to configure the printer in the network:

1.

Go to your printer's front panel and select the Connectivity menu icon

, then Gigabit

Ethernet or Jetdirect EIO, then View configuration.

Note the IP address of your printer.

2.

Insert the HP Start-Up Kit DVD into your computer. If the DVD does not autorun, run the

3.

setup.exe program in the root folder of the DVD.

4. Press the Software Installation button.

5. Press the Express Network Install button.

The configuration program will look for printers connected to your network. When the search has

6.

finished, a list of printers will be displayed. Identify your printer by its IP address and select it from
the list.

If your printer does not appear in the list, select Help me find my network printer and click
Next. In the next screen, give the IP address of your printer.

ENWW

Choose which connection method to use

13

Connect directly to a computer (Windows)

Connectivity

You can connect your printer directly to a computer without going through a network, by using the
printer's USB 2.0 socket.

1. Do not connect the computer to the printer yet. You must first install the printer driver

software on the computer, as follows.

Insert the HP Start-Up Kit DVD into your DVD drive. If the DVD does not autorun, run the

2.

setup.exe program in the root folder of the DVD.

3. Press the Software Installation button.

4. Press the Custom Install button.

Follow the instructions on your screen to set up the printer. The following notes will help you to

5.

understand the screens and make appropriate choices.

You may see a message warning that the installer will have to communicate through the

●

Windows Firewall to search for printers on the network. As you intend to set up a direct
connection, select Continue installation without searching the network and click
Next.

●

When asked how the printer is connected, choose USB cable.

When prompted to do so, connect your computer to the printer, using a USB cable. Ensure

●

that the printer is switched on.

Uninstall the printer driver (Windows)

Insert the HP Start-Up Kit DVD into your DVD drive. If the DVD does not autorun, run the

1.

setup.exe program in the root folder of the DVD.

2. Press the Software Installation button.

3. Press the Modify Installation button, and follow the instructions on your screen to uninstall the

printer driver.

Connect to a network (Mac OS)

You can connect your printer to a network under Mac OS by using the following methods:

Bonjour

●

TCP/IP

●

NOTE: The printer does not support AppleTalk.

Before you begin, check your equipment:

The printer should be set up and on.

●

The Ethernet hub or router should be on and functioning correctly.

●

All computers on the network should be on and connected to the network.

●

The printer should be connected to the network.

●

14 Chapter 2 Connectivity and software instructions ENWW

Now you can proceed to install the printer software and connect your printer.

Bonjour connection

1.

Go to your printer's front panel and select the Connectivity menu icon

Ethernet or Jetdirect EIO, then View configuration. Note the mDNS service name of your
printer.

Insert the HP Start-up Kit DVD into your DVD drive.

2.

Open the DVD icon on your desktop.

3.

4. Open the Mac OS X HP Designjet Installer icon.

, then Gigabit

Connectivity

5. Follow the instructions on your screen. You are recommended to use the Easy Install option.

The printer software is installed, including the printer driver and the HP Utility.

6.

When the software has been installed, the HP Printer Setup Assistant starts automatically, to set up

7.

a connection to your printer. Follow the instructions on your screen.

When you reach the Select Printer screen, look for your printer's mDNS service name (which you

8.

noted in step

1) in the Printer Name column.

ENWW

Connect to a network (Mac OS)

15

Connectivity

TCP/IP connection

If you find the right printer name, scroll sideways to see the Connection Type column, and

●

check that it shows Bonjour. Then highlight that line. Otherwise, continue searching further
down the list.

●

If you cannot find your printer name with a Bonjour connection type, check the box My
printer is not in the list.

Click Continue.

Continue following the instructions on the screen. When you reach the Printer Queue Created

9.

screen, click Quit to exit, or Create New Queue if you want to connect another printer to the
network.

When the HP Printer Setup Assistant has finished, you can remove the DVD from the DVD drive.

10.

If the printer driver is already installed, the HP Printer Setup Assistant can be run at any time from the
DVD.

1.

Go to your printer's front panel and select the Connectivity menu icon

Ethernet or Jetdirect EIO, then View configuration.

Note the URL of your printer.

2.

Insert the HP Start-up Kit DVD into your DVD drive.

3.

Open the DVD icon on your desktop.

4.

, then Gigabit

16 Chapter 2 Connectivity and software instructions ENWW

5. Open the Mac OS X HP Designjet Installer icon.

6. Follow the instructions on your screen. You are recommended to use the Easy Install option.

The printer software is installed, including the printer driver and the HP Utility.

7.

When the software has been installed, the HP Printer Setup Assistant starts automatically, to set up

8.

a connection to your printer. Follow the instructions on your screen.

When you reach the Select Printer screen, look for your printer's URL (which you noted in step

9.

in the Printer Name column.

If you find the right printer name, scroll sideways to see the Connection Type column, and

●

check that it shows IP Printing. Then highlight that line. Otherwise, continue searching
further down the list.

●

If you cannot find your printer name with an IP Printing connection type, check the box My
printer is not in the list.

Click Continue.

Continue following the instructions on the screen. When you reach the Printer Queue Created

10.

screen, click Quit to exit, or Create New Queue if you want to connect another printer to the
network.

When the HP Printer Setup Assistant has finished, you can remove the DVD from the DVD drive.

11.

If the printer driver is already installed, the HP Printer Setup Assistant can be run at any time from the
DVD.

Connect directly to a computer (Mac OS)

You can connect your printer directly to a computer without going through a network, by using the
printer's built-in USB 2.0 socket.

1)

Connectivity

Make sure the printer is either turned off or disconnected from the computer.

1.

Insert the HP Start-up Kit DVD into your DVD drive.

2.

Open the DVD icon on your desktop.

3.

4. Open the Mac OS X HP Designjet Installer icon.

5. Follow the instructions on your screen. You are recommended to use the Easy Install option.

ENWW

Connect directly to a computer (Mac OS)

17

Connectivity

The printer software is installed, including the printer driver and the HP Utility.

6.

When the software has been installed, the HP Printer Setup Assistant starts automatically, to set up

7.

a connection to your printer.

Make sure that the printer is turned on and connected to the computer with a certified USB cable.

8.

NOTE: The use of non-certified USB cables can lead to connectivity problems. Only cables

certified by the USB Implementor's Forum (

9. In the HP Printer Setup Assistant, click Continue.

In the list of printers that appears, select the entry that uses the connection type USB, and click

10.

Continue.

The following screen displays information about your printer's installation, where the name of the

11.

printer can be modified. Make any changes you wish to make, and click Continue.

12. Your printer is now connected. In the Printer Queue Created screen, click Quit to exit, or Create

New Queue if you want to connect another printer.

When the HP Printer Setup Assistant has finished, you can remove the DVD from the DVD drive.

13.

If the printer driver is already installed, the HP Printer Setup Assistant can be run at any time from the
DVD.

http://www.usb.org/) should be used with this printer.

Sharing the printer

If your computer is connected to a network, you can make your directly connected printer available to
other computers on the same network.

Double-click the System Preferences icon on the Dock menu bar on your desktop.

1.

2. Go to Sharing, select Printer Sharing, and then check the printer(s) that you want to share.

Your printer now automatically appears in the list of shared printers displayed by any other

3.

computer running Mac OS and connected to your local network.

Any other people wishing to share your printer must install the printer software on their own computers.

Anyone sharing your printer will be able to send print jobs, but will not be able to receive information
from the printer—which affects printer alerts, printer status reports, paper management, printer
administration and troubleshooting.

You may find that sharing your directly connected printer with other users will slow down your
computer unacceptably.

TIP: The best way to share the printer over a network is to connect the printer not to any computer,

but to the network. See

Connect to a network (Mac OS) on page 14.

Uninstall the printer software (Mac OS)

Insert the HP Start-up Kit DVD into your DVD drive.

1.

Open the DVD icon on your desktop.

2.

3. Open the Mac OS X HP Designjet Uninstaller, and follow the instructions on your screen to

uninstall the printer software.

18 Chapter 2 Connectivity and software instructions ENWW

To delete the print queue:

1. From the system preferences, select the Print & Fax dialog.

2. Select the name of the printer and click the – button.

Connectivity

ENWW

Uninstall the printer software (Mac OS)

19

3 Personalize the printer

Change the language of the front-panel display

●

Access the HP Utility

●

Access the Embedded Web Server

●

Change the language of the HP Utility

●

Change the language of the Embedded Web Server

●

Change the sleep mode setting

●

Personal settings

Turn the buzzer on and off

●

Change the front-panel display contrast

●

Change the units of measurement

●

Configure network settings

●

Change the graphic language setting

●

Paper suitability options

●

20 Chapter 3 Personalize the printer ENWW

Change the language of the front-panel display

There are two possible ways to change the language of the front-panel menus and messages.

●

If you can understand the current front-panel display language, select the Setup menu icon

then Front panel options > Select language.

If you cannot understand the current front-panel display language, start with the printer powered

●

off. At the front panel, press the OK key and hold it down. While holding the OK key down, press
the Power key and hold it down. Continue to hold down both keys until the green light on the right
side of the front-panel display starts flashing, and then release both keys. You can expect a delay
of about one second. If the green light starts flashing without any delay, you may need to start
again.

Whichever method you used, the language selection menu should now appear on the front-panel
display. Highlight your preferred language with the Up and Down keys, then press the OK key.

When you have selected your preferred language, turn off the printer with the Power key and then turn
it on again. The front panel will appear in the selected language.

Access the HP Utility

The HP Utility enables you to manage your printer from a computer with a USB, TCP/IP or Jetdirect
connection.

●

Under Windows, start the HP Utility from your desktop shortcut or from Start > All Programs
> Hewlett-Packard > HP Utility > HP Utility. This launches the HP Utility, showing the
printers installed on your computer.

,

●

Under Mac OS, launch the HP Utility from your dock shortcut or by selecting STARTUP_DISK >
Library > Printers > hp > Utilities > HP Utility. This launches the HP Utility, showing the

printers installed on your computer.

When you select your printer in the left pane, everything that appears in the right pane is specific
to that printer.

If you have followed these instructions but failed to get through to the HP Utility, see

HP Utility on page 175.

Access the Embedded Web Server

The Embedded Web Server enables you to manage your printer remotely using an ordinary Web
browser running on any computer.

To access the Embedded Web Server directly, you must have a TCP/IP connection to your printer.
However, you can access the Embedded Web Server indirectly through the HP Utility, if you connect to
your printer with a USB connection.

The following browsers are known to be compatible with the Embedded Web Server:

Internet Explorer 6 and later, for Windows

●

Safari 2 and later, for Mac OS X

●

Personal settings

Cannot access the

ENWW

Firefox 1.5 and later

●

Change the language of the front-panel display

21

To access the Embedded Web Server on any computer, open your Web browser and give the IP
address of your printer.

Personal settings

You can find your printer's IP address by selecting the Connectivity menu icon

Ethernet or Jetdirect EIO, then View configuration.

If you have followed these instructions but failed to get through to the Embedded Web Server, see

Cannot access the Embedded Web Server on page 172.

, then Gigabit

Change the language of the HP Utility

The HP Utility can work in the following languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Catalan (Windows
only), French, Italian, German, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese.

●

Under Windows, select Tools > Set Language and select a language from the list.

●

Under Mac OS, the language is changed as for any other application. In System
Preferences, select International and re-launch the application.

Change the language of the Embedded Web Server

The Embedded Web Server can work in the following languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish,
Catalan, French, Italian, German, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and
Japanese. It uses whichever language you have specified in your Web browser's options. If you have
specified a language that it cannot support, it works in English.

To change the language, you must change your Web browser's language setting. For example, in
Internet Explorer version 6, go to the Tools menu and select Internet Options, Languages. Then
ensure that the language you want is at the top of the list in the dialog box.

Change the sleep mode setting

If the printer is left switched on but unused for a certain period of time, it goes automatically into sleep
mode to save power. To change the time the printer waits before it goes into sleep mode, go to the

front panel and select the Setup menu icon

time. Highlight the wait time you want and then press the OK key. You can set the time from 1 to 240
minutes. The default time is 30 minutes.

, then Front panel options > Sleep mode wait

Turn the buzzer on and off

To turn the printer's buzzer on or off, go to the front panel and select the Setup menu icon , then

Front panel options > Enable buzzer, and highlight on or off and press the OK key. By default,
the buzzer is set to on.

Change the front-panel display contrast

To change the contrast of the front-panel display, select the Setup menu icon , then Front panel

options > Select display contrast, and enter a value using the Up or Down key. Press the OK key

to set the value. The default contrast is set to 50.

22 Chapter 3 Personalize the printer ENWW

Change the units of measurement

To change the units of measurement in the front-panel display, select the Setup menu icon , then

Front panel options > Select units, and select English or Metric. By default the units are set to
metric.

Configure network settings

You can view and configure the network settings from the HP Utility. Under Windows, select the

Settings tab, then Network Settings. Under Mac OS, select Configuration > Network
Settings. The following settings are available.

●

IP Configuration method: specify the way to set an IP address, selecting BOOTP, DHCP,
Auto IP or Manual.

●

Host name: specify an IP name for the network device. The name may contain up to 32 ASCII
characters.

●

IP address: specify the IP address on the print server. Duplicate IP addresses on a TCP/IP
network are not allowed.

NOTE: If you change the current IP address and click Apply, the browser loses the current

connection to the print server because it is pointing to the old address. To reconnect, browse to the
new IP address.

●

Subnet mask: specify a subnet mask, which is a 32-bit number applied to an IP address to
determine which bits specify the network and subnet and which bits uniquely specify the node.

●

Default gateway: specify the IP address of a router or computer that is used to connect to other
networks or sub-networks. If none exist, use the IP address of the computer or the IP address of the
print server.

●

Domain name: specify the name of the DNS domain in which the print server resides (for
example, support.hp.com).

NOTE: The domain name does not include the host name: it is not the fully qualified domain

name, such as printer1.support.hp.com.

●

Idle timeout: specify the number of seconds that an idle connection is allowed to remain open;
30 is the default value. If set to zero, the timeout is disabled and TCP/IP connections remain open
until closed by the other node (such as a workstation) on the network

●

Default IP: specify the IP address to use when the print server is unable to obtain an IP address
from the network when powered on or when reconfigured to use BOOTP or DHCP.

●

Send DHCP requests: specify whether DHCP requests are transmitted when a legacy default IP
address or a default Auto IP is assigned.

To configure the same network settings from the front panel, select the Connectivity menu icon

Personal settings

,

ENWW

then Gigabit Ethernet or Jetdirect EIO > Modify configuration.

You have various other options available from the Connectivity menu icon.

●

USB: view information about the USB connection

●

Jetdirect EIO: view information, configure and reset the Jetdirect connection

Change the units of measurement

23

Personal settings

●

Advanced > Select I/O timeout: specify the number of seconds that an idle connection is
allowed to remain open, 270 is the default value, if set to zero, the timeout is disabled

●

Advanced > Allow SNMP: specify whether SNMP is permitted

●

Advanced > Embedded Web Server > Allow EWS: specify whether the Embedded Web
Server is enabled

●

Advanced > Web Services > HP Utility software: view the HP Utility software settings

●

Advanced > Web Services > Color and paper management: view the color and paper
management settings

Change the graphic language setting

You can change the graphic language setting from the HP Utility with the following steps.

1. Under Windows, select the Settings tab then Printer settings > Printing preferences.

Under Mac OS, select Configuration then Printer settings > Configure printer
settings > Printing preferences.

Select one of the following options.

2.

● Select Automatic to let the printer determine which type of file it is receiving. This is the

default setting; it works for most software applications. You should not normally need to
change it.

●

Select HP-GL/2 only if you are sending a file of that type directly to the printer, without
going through a printer driver.

●

Select PDF only if you are sending a file of that type directly to the printer, without going
through a printer driver (with the PostScript upgrade only).

●

Select PostScript only if you are sending a file of that type directly to the printer, without
going through a printer driver (with the PostScript upgrade only).

●

Select TIFF only if you are sending a file of that type directly to the printer, without going
through a printer driver (with the PostScript upgrade only).

●

Select JPEG only if you are sending a file of that type directly to the printer, without going
through a printer driver (with the PostScript upgrade only).

You can change the graphic language setting from the front panel. Select the Setup menu icon

then Printing preferences > Select graphic language. Select the desired option and press the

OK key to set the value.

NOTE: If the graphic language is set from the HP Utility, it overrides the front panel setting.

,

24 Chapter 3 Personalize the printer ENWW

Paper suitability options

Paper mismatch action

If the paper currently loaded in the printer is not suitable for a particular job, the printer can either put
the job on hold until some suitable paper is loaded, or it can ignore the problem and print the job on
the unsuitable paper. There are several ways in which the loaded paper may be considered unsuitable:

The paper type is not as specified for the job

●

The paper source (roll 1, roll 2 or roll 3) specified for the job has no paper loaded

●

The paper size is smaller than specified for the job

●

You can set the printer's behavior in such cases from the front panel.

●

Select the Setup menu icon

action > Print anyway if you want such jobs to print on whatever paper is loaded. This is the
default option.

NOTE: The printer will print the job on the selected roll regardless of the size and type of the

roll: if the roll is too narrow for the job, the job will be clipped.

●

Select the Setup menu icon

action > Put job on hold if you want such jobs to be put on hold. The printer will send an alert
whenever a job is put on hold.

When a job is put on hold for paper, it is kept in the printer queue until some suitable paper is loaded
and you select it to be printed again. Meanwhile, other jobs with different requirements can continue
printing.

Roll switching options

If two rolls are loaded, both of which are suitable for the job, the roll will be chosen according to your
preferences. These can be set from the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

preferences > Paper options > Roll switching options. The following options are available:

●

Minimize paper waste. If this option is chosen, the printer will choose the narrowest roll that
meets all the criteria, to avoid wasting paper due to trimming. This is the default option.

, then Job management options > Paper mismatch

, then Job management options > Paper mismatch

Personal settings

, then Printing

ENWW

●

Minimize roll changes. If this option is chosen, the printer will choose the roll that is currently
active, to avoid wasting time with a roll switch. To change the active roll, select the Paper menu

icon

●

Use roll with less paper. If this option is chosen, the printer will choose the roll that has the
least paper.

NOTE: This option is effective only if you have enabled Printing paper info (see Printing
paper info on page 38). Otherwise, it has the same effect as Minimize paper waste.

●

Match exact size. If this option is chosen, a roll will be chosen only if its width matches the
job's width exactly.

NOTE: If nesting is on (see Nest jobs to save paper on page 89), the roll switching options are

ignored and the printer behaves as though Minimize paper waste has been chosen.

, then Select active roll.

Paper suitability options

25

4 Handle the paper

Overview

●

Load a roll into the printer

●

Unload a roll from the printer

●

View information about the paper

●

Perform paper advance calibration

●

Download paper presets

●

Cancel the drying time

●

Change the drying time

●

●

●

●

●

Handle the paper

Printing paper info

Feed and cut the paper

Store the paper

Order paper

26 Chapter 4 Handle the paper ENWW

Overview

Paper is only a subset of the portfolio of printing materials that the printer can handle. You can also
print on a wide variety of films, textiles and fabrics, self-adhesive materials, and banner and sign
materials. Throughout this guide, however, these materials are generally referred to as paper.

NOTE: Because the front panel has limited space, the names of the HP paper might be abbreviated

and might not appear in the front panel exactly as they are shown on the packaging label.

NOTE: Because the complete list of supported paper is very long, only the most common paper types

appear in the front panel. If you want to see an HP paper type that does not appear on the front panel,
download the preset to the printer from

presets on page 37.

Use paper

Choosing the correct paper type for your needs is an essential step in ensuring good print quality. For
best printing results, use only recommended HP paper (see
papers have been developed and thoroughly tested to ensure reliable performance. All printing
components (printer, ink system, and paper) have been designed to work together to offer trouble-free
operation and ensure optimal print quality.

Here are some additional tips about paper usage:

http://www.hp.com/go/designjet. See Download paper

Supported paper types on page 28), HP

Allow all paper types to adapt to room conditions, out of the packaging, for 24 hours before

●

using them for printing.

Handle film and photo paper by the edges, or wear cotton gloves. Skin oils can be transferred to

●

the paper, leaving fingerprint marks.

Keep the paper tightly wound on the roll throughout the loading and unloading procedures. To

●

make sure that the roll stays tightly wound, consider using tape to adhere the lead edge of the roll
to the core just before removing the roll from the printer. You can keep the roll taped during
storage. If the roll starts to unwind, it can become difficult to handle.

NOTE: The use of tape to adhere the lead edge of the roll is especially important for 76.2-mm

(3-in) cores, in which the inherent stiffness of the printing material can cause the material to loosen
and unwind from its core.

Whenever you load a roll, the front panel prompts you to specify the paper type that you are

●

loading. For good print quality, it is essential to specify this correctly. Make sure that the paper
name that is printed on the packaging label matches the description on the front panel.

If you cannot find a specific paper on the front-panel display, go to

designjet/supplies to download the latest paper preset to your printer, or select the paper

description that best matches the paper name printed on the packaging label.

The quality of some images might be reduced if you use a paper type that is unsuitable for your

●

image. This is especially important to consider when printing on fiber-based papers such as HP
Universal Coated Paper, HP Coated Paper, HP Heavyweight Coated Paper and HP Universal
Heavyweight Coated Paper. Printing images that contain high-saturation area fills on fiber-based
papers can create unwanted wavy patterns as a result of paper expansion. This can ultimately
contribute to more severe problems. Consider using Super Heavyweight Coated Paper and other
cockle-free papers when printing high-saturation area fills.

http://www.hp.com/go/

Handle the paper

ENWW

Make sure that the appropriate print-quality setting (Best, Normal, or Fast) is selected. You can set

●

the print quality in the driver, in the Embedded Web Server, or on the front panel. Driver or

Overview

27

Embedded Web Server settings override front panel settings. The combination of paper type and
print-quality settings tells the printer how to place the ink on the paper—for example, the ink
density and halftoning method. See

Although the ink systems that are supplied with this printer have good light-fastness, colors will

●

eventually fade or change if exposed to sunlight over a long period of time

If the paper type shown on the front panel does not correspond to the paper that you intend to

●

use, take one of the following actions:

Select print quality on page 79.

Drying time

With some paper types and under certain environmental conditions, the ink needs some time to dry
before the paper is unloaded. The following settings are available for each paper type:

●

●

●

Handle the paper

Reload the roll into the printer and select the correct paper type. See

◦

printer on page 34 and Load a roll into the printer on page 30.

Use the Embedded Web Server or the HP Utility to reconfigure the paper type for the roll.

◦

◦

At the printer's front panel, select the

Change paper type.

NOTE: The paper advance calibration is not performed when the paper type is changed

from the frnt panel.

Automatic: the printer automatically determines the appropriate drying time, based on the paper
you have selected and the current temperature. If any drying time is required, a “drying time to
go” countdown appears on the front panel.

Extended: the default drying time is extended. This can be used if you find that the default
drying time is sufficient to dry the ink.

Reduced: the default drying time is reduced. This can be used if you want to get prints as fast as
possible, and you find that the reduced drying time causes no significant problem in your
environment.

icon, and then select View loaded paper >

Unload a roll from the

●

None: no drying time is provided. This can be used, for example, if you are manually removing
the prints as quickly as the printer is producing them.

●

Manual: this allows you to specify the drying time (in seconds).

To change the drying time, see

Change the drying time on page 37.

Supported paper types

The following table lists the most common HP paper types that are suitable for use with your printer,
and shows the name that you should select on the front panel when loading each paper type. If you
want to use an HP paper that does not appear on the front panel, go to

designjet/supplies and download the appropriate paper preset. You only need to download a preset

once; the printer stores it for future use and it subsequently appears in the front panel .

For the part numbers, widths, and weights of these papers, see

NOTE: This list is likely to change over the course of time. For the latest information, visit

http://www.hp.com/go/designjet/supplies/.

28 Chapter 4 Handle the paper ENWW

Order paper on page 39.

http://www.hp.com/go/

Table 4-1 Supported paper types

Paper type Product name Front-panel name

Bond and Coated Paper HP Coated Paper HP Coated Paper

HP Universal Bond Paper HP Universal Bond Paper

HP Bright White Inkjet Bond Paper HP Bright White Inkjet Bond Paper

HP Recycled Bond Paper HP Recycled Bond Paper

Plain paper (inkjet or LED) from 60 to 80 g/m² Plain paper

Bright white bond paper Bright White Bond Paper

Coated or plain paper (inkjet or LED) from 90 to 110
g/m²

Heavyweight coated or plain paper (inkjet or LED)
above 110 g/m²

Recycled bond paper Recycled Bond Paper

Technical Paper Natural tracing paper Natural Tracing Paper

Translucent bond Translucent Bond

Vellum Vellum

Photo Paper HP Universal High-Gloss Photo Paper HP Universal High-Gloss Photo Paper

Photo glossy paper for dye-based inks Photo Gloss Paper

Photo semi-glossy or satin paper for dye-based inks Photo Semi-Gloss/Satin Paper

Photo matte paper Photo Matte Paper

Film Transparent or clear film Transparent/Clear Film

Matte film Matte Film

Backlit Material Backlit material Backlit Material

Self-Adhesive Material Adhesive paper Adhesive Paper

Coated Paper

Heavyweight Coated Paper

ENWW

Adhesive polypropylene satin Adhesive Polypropylene Satin

Overview

Handle the paper

29

Load a roll into the printer

1.

At the printer's front panel, select the

Select the roll that you intend to load using the Up and Down keys. The printer puts all rolls on

2.

standby.

If the selected roll is currently loaded, the printer automatically unloads it, printing the barcode if

3.

Printing paper info is enabled (see

roll.

4. If Printing paper info is not enabled, the front panel asks you to select the paper type (see

Supported paper types on page 28).

Open the roll door with its blue handle when prompted by the front panel.

5.

icon, and then select Paper load > Load roll.

Printing paper info on page 38). Remove the unloaded

Handle the paper

6.

7.

8.

Check that the hubs are the correct size for the roll you want to load. If necessary, change them.

Move the left hub to the left by pressing the blue lever.

Put the roll into the cavity with the paper edge on the near side facing downwards.

30 Chapter 4 Handle the paper ENWW

Insert the right side of the roll onto the right hub. Check that the roll is in contact with the disc.

9.

Push the left hub onto the left end of the roll. Check that the hub disc is aligned with the green

10.

mark.

ENWW

Check that there is no gap between the roll and either of the hubs.

11.

Load a roll into the printer

Handle the paper

31

Pull some paper from the roll.

12.

If you need to trim the leading edge of the paper, you can use a sharp knife (not supplied with the

13.

printer) to cut along the slot in the paper feed brake.

Open the paper feed brake.

14.

15.

Handle the paper

Advance the paper to the blue zone.

32 Chapter 4 Handle the paper ENWW

Close the paper feed brake. Check that the paper edge is still in the blue zone.

16.

Close the roll door.

17.

ENWW

Load a roll into the printer

Handle the paper

33

If the paper that you are using has a barcode printed on the leading edge of the roll, and

18.

Printing paper info is enabled, the printer automatically reads the information.

If Printing paper info is enabled and no barcode is detected on the roll that is being loaded,
the front panel asks you to enter the paper type and the length of the roll you are loading. Select
the paper category and paper type of the roll. If it is not clear which paper category or paper
type to select, see

Select the length of the roll.

Supported paper types on page 28.

19.

NOTE: During initial printer setup, printhead alignment and color calibration are performed

automatically after the roll is loaded into the printer.

Handle the paper

If you experience a problem while loading the paper, follow the instructions on the front panel to load
successfully. If you cancel the load, the paper will be unloaded. Here are some problems that can
occur:

●

●

●

●

Unload a roll from the printer

1.

2. All rolls are put on standby, and the paper is unloaded. If Printing paper info is enabled, the

The printer performs some paper calibrations, after which the roll is ready for use.

Paper not found. Check that the paper type is supported (perhaps it's transparent).

Right edge of roll too far from blue line. Check that the paper is correctly aligned with the right
hub.

Back door unexpectedly opened. Do not open the back door during a roll load.

End of roll reached. In this case, the paper is ejected at the front of the printer.

At the printer's front panel, select the

barcode is printed on the paper edge (see

icon, and then select Unload paper.

Printing paper info on page 38).

Wait until the front panel asks you to open the roll door, then open it.

3.

34 Chapter 4 Handle the paper ENWW

Wind any trailing paper manually onto the roll.

4.

Move the left hub to the left by pressing the blue lever.

5.

Remove the roll.

6.

Close the roll door.

7.

View information about the paper

On the printer's front panel, select the icon, and then select View paper source.

The following information appears on the front panel:

The roll status

●

The paper type that you have selected

●

The width of the paper in millimeters (estimated by the printer)

●

The length of the paper in millimeters (estimated by the printer)

●

The color calibration status

●

The paper advance calibration status

●

If no paper is loaded, the message Out of paper appears.

The same information appears on the Embedded Web Server's Supplies page.

Perform paper advance calibration

The printer is calibrated to advance correctly when printing all the papers that appear on the front
panel. When you select the type of loaded paper, the printer adjusts the rate at which it advances the
paper while printing. However, to fine-tune the image quality of your print, you may need to calibrate
the rate at which the paper advances. See
whether paper-advance calibration is the solution for your issue.

Accurate paper advance controls proper placement of dots on the paper. If the paper is not advanced
correctly, light or dark bands appear in the printed image and the grain in the image might increase.

The printer starts paper advance calibration automatically if accurate paper advance is particularly
important for the loaded paper type. This can happen after the paper is loaded or after printhead
replacement.

Troubleshoot print-quality issues on page 147 to determine

Handle the paper

ENWW

View information about the paper

35

To check the paper advance calibration status of the paper, select the icon, and then select View

loaded paper > View paper details. The status appears:

●

DEFAULT: The default calibration set in the factory is used. Unless you experience print-quality
problems such as banding or graininess, HP recommends that you do not recalibrate the paper
advance.

●

RECOMMENDED: The paper supports automatic advance calibration, but has not yet been
calibrated, or its calibration has become obsolete. HP recommends that you perform paper
advance calibration to optimize the values.

●

OK: The paper has already been calibrated. However, you may need to repeat the calibration if
you experience print-quality problems such as banding or graininess.

NOTE: Whenever you update the printer firmware, the paper-advance calibration values are

reset to the factory default. See

NOTE: Colored papers, glossy canvas, and transparent materials such as translucent bond,

clear film, natural tracing paper, and vellum are not suitable for paper-advance calibration.

Update the printer firmware on page 144.

Overview of the paper advance procedure

1.

2.

Handle the paper

3.

4.

5.

On the front panel, select the

Paper advance calibration > Calibrate paper advance. The printer automatically
calibrates the paper-advance and prints a paper advance calibration image.

Wait until the front panel shows the status screen, and then reprint your image.

NOTE: The calibration procedure takes approximately six minutes. The front-panel display

shows any errors in the process.

If you are satisfied with your image, continue using this calibration for your paper type. If you see
improvement in your image, continue with the next step. If you are dissatisfied with the calibration,
return to the default calibration. See

To fine-tune the calibration, select the

> Paper advance calibration > Adjust paper advance.

Select the percentage of change from –5‰ to +5‰. To correct light banding, decrease the
percentage. To correct dark banding, increase the percentage.

TIP: This can also be useful for fine-tuning the total length of the print. Bear in mind that 1‰

means a change of 1 mm per meter, or 1 mil per inch.

Press the OK button on the front panel to save the value.

icon, and then select Image quality maintenance >

Return to the default calibration on page 37.

icon, and then select Image quality maintenance

Wait until the front panel shows the status screen, and then reprint your image.

6.

36 Chapter 4 Handle the paper ENWW

Return to the default calibration

Returning to the default calibration sets all the paper-advance calibration to zero. To return to the
default paper advance-calibration value, you must reset the calibration.

1.

On the front panel, select the

Paper advance calibration > Reset paper advance.

Wait until the front panel shows that the operation has been successfully completed before you

2.

press the Back button to return to the Ready screen.

icon, and then select Image quality maintenance >

Download paper presets

Each supported paper type has its own characteristics. The printer changes the way it prints on each
different paper type. For example, some might need more ink and some might require a longer drying
time. The printer requires a description of the requirements of each paper type. This description is
called the “paper preset”.

The paper preset contains the ICC profile, which describes the color characteristics of the paper. It also
contains information about other characteristics and requirements of the paper that are not directly
related to color. Existing paper presets for your printer are installed in the printer's software.

Your printer contains paper presets for only the most commonly used paper types. If you buy a paper
type for which your printer has no preset, you cannot select that paper type in the front panel.

You can assign a preset for a new paper type in three ways:

Use an HP factory paper preset by selecting the closest category and type on the front panel or in

●

the HP Utility

NOTE: Because colors might not be accurate, this method is not recommended for high-quality

prints.

●

http://www.hp.com/go/designjet/downloads and click the HP Designjet ICC/Paper

Go to
presets and PANTONE tables link. Select from the HP Designjet paper presets drop­down menu.

NOTE: HP provides presets for HP paper types only. If you do not find the paper preset that you

want on the Web, it might have been added to the latest firmware for your printer. Check the
firmware release notes for information. See

Cancel the drying time

Press the Form Feed and Cut button on the front panel.

CAUTION: A print that has not dried sufficiently can suffer from quality problems.

Change the drying time

You can use the HP Utility to change the drying time for a particular paper type, to accommodate
special printing conditions.

Open the HP Color Center.

1.

Update the printer firmware on page 144.

Handle the paper

ENWW

2. Select Paper preset management.

Download paper presets

37

3. Select Change printing properties.

Select the paper category.

4.

Select the paper type.

5.

Choose a drying time from the Dry Time drop-down menu.

6.

NOTE: The text box to the right of the drop-down menu will not display the time in seconds

when the Automatic option is selected (it is selected by default for all paper types). This is
because the Automatic option means that the printer will calculate the optimal drying time for
you depending on the temperature at printing time, and therefore it cannot be known in advance.

You can turn off all drying time for all paper types by selecting the icon, then Print retrieval >

Select drying time > Off.

For more information about drying time, see

Printing paper info

The Printing paper info option is enabled by default; it allows the printer to estimate the remaining
roll length by reading a barcode that is printed on the leading edge of the roll whenever the paper is
unloaded.

When you load a new, unused roll, there is no barcode already printed on it, so the front panel will
ask you for the length. The length printed on the barcode at unloading time is calculated from the
length you declare at the start, minus the length that has been printed.

NOTE: If you declare at loading time that the length of the roll is unknown, then Printing paper

Handle the paper

info is disabled and no barcode is printed.

To disable the Printing paper info option, select the icon in the printer's front panel, and then

select Printing preferences > Paper options > Disable printing paper info. In this case, the
length will not be requested, and the barcode will be neither printed nor read.

Drying time on page 28.

Feed and cut the paper

If you press the Form feed and cut key on the front panel, the printer advances the paper and makes
a straight cut across the front edge. There are at least two possible reasons why you may want to do

this.

To trim the leading edge of the paper if it is damaged or not straight.

●

To cancel the waiting time and print the available pages immediately, if the printer is waiting to

●

nest more pages.

NOTE: The printheads are serviced after each print, and the paper cannot be cut until the process

completes, so you may notice a delay.

CAUTION: Remove the cut piece from the output tray. If strips or short prints are left in the output

tray, the printer could jam.

38 Chapter 4 Handle the paper ENWW

Store the paper

The following are tips for storing paper:

Always keep unused rolls wrapped in the plastic wrap to prevent discoloration. Rewrap partially

●

used rolls if they are not being used.

Do not stack rolls.

●

Allow all paper types to adapt to room conditions out of the packaging for 24 hours before

●

printing.

Handle film and glossy paper by the edges or wear cotton gloves. Skin oils can be transferred to

●

the paper, leaving fingerprint marks.

Keep the paper tightly wound on the roll throughout the loading and unloading procedures. If the

●

roll starts to unwind, it can become difficult to handle.

Order paper

The following paper types are currently provided for use with your printer.

NOTE: This list is likely to change over the course of time. For the latest information, see

http://www.hp.com/go/designjet/supplies/.

Key to geographic availability:

(A) indicates papers that are available in Asia (excluding Japan)

●

(J) indicates papers that are available in Japan

●

(C) indicates papers that are available in China only

●

(E) indicates papers that are available in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

●

(L) indicates papers that are available in Latin America

●

(N) indicates papers that are available in North America

●

If the part number is not followed by parentheses, the paper is available in all regions.

All papers listed are compatible with the T7100, but only the papers marked with * in the first column
are compatible with the T7100 Mono.

Table 4-2 Paper

Paper type g/m² Length Width Part numbers

HP Bond and Coated Paper

HP Super Heavyweight Plus Matte
Paper

210 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q6626A

914 mm (36 in) Q6627A

Handle the paper

ENWW

1067 mm (42 in) Q6628A

Store the paper

39

Table 4-2 Paper (continued)

Paper type g/m² Length Width Part numbers

HP Heavyweight Coated Paper 131 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) C6029C (AEJN)

914 mm (36 in) C6030C

1067 mm (42 in) C6569C

67.5 m (225 ft) 1067 mm (42 in) Q1956A (EN)

HP Universal Heavyweight Coated
Paper

HP Coated Paper * 90 45.7 m (150 ft) 420 mm (16.54 in) Q1443A (J)

HP Universal Coated Paper * 95 45.7 m (150 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q1404A (AEJN)

HP Bright White Inkjet Bond Paper * 90 45.7 m (150 ft) 420 mm (16.54 in) Q1446A (J)

120 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q1412A (AEJN)

914 mm (36 in) Q1413A

1067 mm (42 in) Q1414A (AEJN)

594 mm (23.39 in) Q1442A (EJ)

610 mm (24 in) C6019B

841 mm (33.11 in) Q1441A (EJ)

914 mm (36 in) C6020B

1067 mm (42 in) C6567B

91.4 m (300 ft) 914 mm (36 in) C6980A

914 mm (36 in) Q1405A (AEJN)

1067 mm (42 in) Q1406A

594 mm (23.39 in) Q1445A (EJ)

Handle the paper

610 mm (24 in) C1860A (LN),

C6035A (AEJ)

841 mm (33.11 in) Q1444A (EJ)

914 mm (36 in) C1861A (LN),

C6036A (AEJ)

91.4 m (300 ft) 914 mm (36 in) C6810A

HP Universal Bond Paper * 80 45.7 m (150 ft) 594 mm (23.39 in) Q8003A (AJ)

610 mm (24 in) Q1396A

914 mm (36 in) Q1397A

1067 mm (42 in) Q1398A

175 m (574 ft) 594 mm (23.39 in) Q8004A (AEJ)

841 mm (33.11 in) Q8005A (AEJ)

914 mm (36 in) Q8751A (ELN)

40 Chapter 4 Handle the paper ENWW

Table 4-2 Paper (continued)

Paper type g/m² Length Width Part numbers

HP Recycled Bond Paper * 80 45.7 m (150 ft) 420 mm (16.54 in) CG892A (E)

610 mm (24 in) CG889A (EN)

914 mm (36 in) CG890A (EN)

1067 mm (42 in) CG891A (EN)

HP Technical Paper

HP Special Inkjet Paper * 90 45.7 m (150 ft) 610 mm (24 in) 51631D (ELN)

914 mm (36 in) 51631E

HP Natural Tracing Paper * 90 45.7 m (150 ft) 594 mm (23.39 in) Q1439A (J)

610 mm (24 in) C3869A (AE)

914 mm (36 in) C3868A (AE)

HP Translucent Bond Paper * 67 45.7 m (150 ft) 610 mm (24 in) C3860A (AJN)

914 mm (36 in) C3859A (LN)

HP Vellum Paper * 75 45.7 m (150 ft) 610 mm (24 in) C3862A (N)

914 mm (36 in) C3861A (LN)

HP Film (technical and graphic)

HP Clear Film * 174 22.9 m (75 ft) 610 mm (24 in) C3876A (AEJN)

914 mm (36 in) C3875A

HP Matte Film * 160 38.1 m (125 ft) 610 mm (24 in) 51642A (AEJN)

914 mm (36 in) 51642B

HP Photographic Paper

HP Premium Matte Photo Paper 210 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) CG459A

914 mm (36 in) CG460A

HP Everyday Pigment Ink Gloss
Photo Paper

HP Everyday Pigment Ink Satin
Photo Paper

235 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q8916A

914 mm (36 in) Q8917A

1067 mm (42 in) Q8918A

235 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q8920A

914 mm (36 in) Q8921A

1067 mm (42 in) Q8922A

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ENWW

HP Professional Satin Photo Paper 300 15.2 m (50 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q8759A

HP Premium Plus Gloss Photo Paper 280 15.2 m (50 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q5488A (EN)

HP Premium Plus Satin Photo Paper 280 15.2 m (50 ft) 458 mm (18 in) Q7920A (N)

610 mm (24 in) Q5491A (EN)

Order paper

41

Table 4-2 Paper (continued)

Paper type g/m² Length Width Part numbers

HP Premium Instant-dry Gloss Photo
Paper

HP Premium Instant-dry Satin Photo
Paper

HP Universal Instant-dry Gloss Photo
Paper

HP Universal Instant-dry Semi-gloss
Photo Paper

HP Universal High-gloss Photo Paper 190 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q1426A (AEJN)

260 30.5 m (100 ft) 914 mm (36 in) Q7993A

1067 mm (42 in) Q7995A

22.9 m (75 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q7991A

260 30.5 m (100 ft) 914 mm (36 in) Q7994A

1067 mm (42 in) Q7996A

22.9 m (75 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q7992A

190 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q6574A

914 mm (36 in) Q6575A

1067 mm (42 in) Q6576A

61 m (200 ft) 1067 mm (42 in) Q8754A (LN)

190 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q6579A

914 mm (36 in) Q6580A

1067 mm (42 in) Q6581A

61 m (200 ft) 1067 mm (42 in) Q8755A

Handle the paper

914 mm (36 in) Q1427A (AEJN)

1067 mm (42 in) Q1428A (AEJN)

HP Universal Semi-gloss Photo Paper 190 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q1420A (AEJN)

914 mm (36 in) Q1421A (AEJN)

1067 mm (42 in) Q1422A (AEJN)

HP Backlit Material

HP Premium Vivid Color Backlit Film 285 30.5 m (100 ft) 914 mm (36 in) Q8747A

1067 mm (42 in) Q8748A

HP Self-Adhesive Material

HP Universal Adhesive Vinyl 290 20.1 m (66 ft) 914 mm (36 in) Q8676A (EN)

1067 mm (42 in) Q8677A (EN)

HP Colorfast Adhesive Vinyl 328 12.2 m (40 ft) 914 mm (36 in) C6775A

HP Adhesive-backed Polypropylene 128 50 m (164 ft) 914 mm (36 in) Q8044A (C)

1067 mm (42 in) Q8884A (C)

HP Self-adhesive Gloss
Polypropylene

120 36.6 m (120 ft) 914 mm (36 in) Q8834A

1067 mm (42 in) Q8835A

HP Everyday Adhesive Matte
Polypropylene

180 22.9 m (75 ft) 610 mm (24 in) CG843A

914 mm (36 in) CG824A

1067 mm (42 in) CG825A

42 Chapter 4 Handle the paper ENWW

Table 4-2 Paper (continued)

Paper type g/m² Length Width Part numbers

HP Banner and Sign Material

HP Durable Semi-gloss Display Film 255 15.2 m (50 ft) 914 mm (36 in) Q6620B (EN)

HP Opaque Scrim 486 15.2 m (50 ft) 610 mm (24 in) Q8675A (N)

914 mm (36 in) Q1898B (AEN)

1067 mm (42 in) Q1899B (AEN)

HP Matte Polypropylene 130 22.9 m (75 ft) 914 mm (36 in) Q1903A (AEN)

1067 mm (42 in) Q1904A (AEN)

HP Everyday Matte Polypropylene 120 30.5 m (100 ft) 610 mm (24 in) CH022A (EN)

914 mm (36 in) CH023A (EN)

1067 mm (42 in) CH025A (EN)

61 m (200 ft) 914 mm (36 in) CH024A (N)

HP Durable Banner with Du Pont
Tyvek

140 22.9 m (75 ft) 914 mm (36 in) CG821A

Non-recommended paper types

In many cases, paper types that HP does not support might be compatible with your printer. However,
the following paper types are unlikely to give satisfactory results:

Photo paper that swells

●

Brochure paper

●

1067 mm (42 in) CG822A

Handle the paper

ENWW

Order paper

43

5 Handle the ink system

Ink system components

●

Ink system tips

●

Work with ink system components

●

Order ink supplies

●

Handle the ink system

44 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

Ink system components

Ink cartridges

The T7100 printer's six ink cartridges provide black, yellow, magenta, cyan, gray and dark gray ink to
the printheads. The T7100 Mono printer has two ink cartridges, black and dark gray.

Ink cartridges require no maintenance or cleaning. When each ink cartridge is shaken vigorously
before installation, and inserted correctly into its slot, the ink will flow to the printheads. Because the
printheads control the amount of ink that is transferred to the page, high-quality printing results continue
even when the ink levels are getting low.

CAUTION: Avoid touching pins, leads, and circuitry when handling ink cartridges because these

elements are sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Such devices are called ESD-sensitive devices. See

Glossary on page 204. Electrostatic discharges are one of the main hazards to electronics products.

This type of damage can reduce the life expectancy of the device.

Replace ink cartridges

To check the ink levels in the ink cartridges:

Press the

●

●

Select the

The front panel warns you when cartridge ink level is low. When a cartridge is empty, the printer stops
printing and the front panel provides an explanation.

key repeatedly until you see the ink levels, or

icon, then Ink cartridge information.

ENWW

Ink system components

Handle the ink system

45

HP recommends that you replace the empty cartridge with a new HP cartridge. See Order ink supplies

on page 67, Remove an ink cartridge on page 48, and Insert an ink cartridge on page 50.

Although it is possible to use refilled or non-HP ink cartridges, either choice has several serious
disadvantages:

There is some risk of damaging the printer. In this case the printer warranty will not be valid for

●

any printer repairs that are related to the cartridge, nor for any problems due to ink
contamination.

You will invalidate the warranty of all printheads of the same color used in the printer

●

subsequently, unless and until the whole ink system (including ink tubes) is replaced.

Print quality may be impaired.

●

The printer will be unable to estimate the ink level in the cartridge, and will report it as empty.

●

If you decide to use refilled or non-HP ink cartridges, you will need to follow these instructions to make
the printer use a cartridge that it believes to be empty.

Install the cartridge in the printer (see

1.

The front panel will complain that the cartridge is empty, and the cartridge removal process will

2.

start. Press the Cancel key to stop this automatic process.

3.

At the front panel, select the

Press the Cancel key and the Up key at the same time, and hold them down for at least two

4.

seconds.

The front panel will display a series of warning messages. In response to each message, press the

5.

Cancel key to cancel the process, or the OK key to confirm that you wish to continue.

When you have pressed OK in response to all warning messages, the front panel will give the usual ink
cartridge status display, but the refilled or non-HP cartridge will be shown as empty with a warning
sign.

Printheads

The printheads are connected to the ink cartridges. They use jet action to put ink on the paper. Each
printhead has two ink-cartridge connection points and two sets of nozzles, which means that each
printhead can print in two different colors. For example, the printhead below prints in magenta and
yellow.

Insert an ink cartridge on page 50).

icon; highlight Replace ink cartridges, but do not select it.

Handle the ink system

The printheads are extremely durable and do not need to be replaced every time an ink cartridge is
replaced. They provide excellent results even when the ink cartridges contain a low level of ink.

46 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

To maintain optimum print quality, the printheads are automatically tested at regular intervals, and
automatically serviced when necessary. This takes a little time and can occasionally delay printing.

When a printhead eventually needs to be replaced, the front panel will display a message.

To check the status of the printheads:

Press the

●

●

Select the

CAUTION: Avoid touching pins, leads, and circuitry when handling ink cartridges because these

elements are sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Such devices are called ESD-sensitive devices. See

Glossary on page 204. Electrostatic discharges are one of the main hazards to electronics products.

This type of damage can reduce the life expectancy of the device.

key repeatedly until you see the printheads' status, or

icon, then Printhead information.

Maintenance cartridge

Use the maintenance cartridge to clean and maintain the printheads, ensure the best possible print
quality, and seal the printheads when they are not in use to prevent them from drying out.

NOTE: The maintenance cartridge contains liquid. Therefore, store any maintenance cartridges

upright and on a flat surface.

Ink system tips

For best results, always follow these guidelines:

Install the ink cartridges, printheads, and maintenance cartridge before the install-by date, which

●

is printed on the packaging. The expiration for the ink cartridges is the manufacturing date
marked on the cartridge plus 30 months.

Follow the instructions on the front panel during installation.

●

Allow the printer and the maintenance cartridge to clean the printheads automatically.

●

Avoid unnecessary removal of the ink cartridges and printheads.

●

The ink cartridges should never be removed while the printer is printing. They should be removed

●

only when the printer is ready for you to replace them. The front panel guides you through the
removal and installation procedures (or see

ink cartridge on page 50.

Make sure that you comply with all applicable laws and regulations when disposing of ink system

●

consumables.

NOTE: Shake the ink cartridges vigorously before installing them. See Insert an ink cartridge

on page 50.

Remove an ink cartridge on page 48 and Insert an

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Ink system tips

Handle the ink system

47

Work with ink system components

Remove an ink cartridge

Ink cartridges should be removed for the following two reasons:

The ink cartridge is very low and you want to replace it with a full cartridge for unattended

●

printing. You can use the remaining ink in the first cartridge at a more convenient time.

The ink cartridge is empty or faulty, and you must replace it to continue printing.

●

CAUTION: The procedure to remove an ink cartridge must be initiated from the front panel. Do not

remove an ink cartridge until the front panel prompts you.

CAUTION: Remove an ink cartridge only if you are ready to insert another one.

Handle the ink system

WARNING! Make sure that the printer wheels are locked (the brake lever is pressed down) to

prevent the printer from moving.

1.

At the front panel, select the

Grip the blue tab in front of the cartridge that you want to remove.

2.

icon, then select Replace ink cartridges.

48 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

Pull the blue tab down and then pull it outwards, towards you.

3.

The cartridge comes out, in its drawer.

4.

Lift the cartridge out of its drawer.

5.

NOTE: Avoid touching the end of the cartridge that is inserted into the printer, because the

connection might be coated with ink.

NOTE: If necessary, store a partially-used ink cartridge in the same position as if it were inserted

in the printer. Avoid using a partially-used cartridge that has been stored on its end.

ENWW

Work with ink system components

Handle the ink system

49

The front-panel display identifies the missing ink cartridge.

6.

Insert an ink cartridge

Pick up the new ink cartridge and find the label that identifies the ink color. Hold the ink cartridge

1.

so that you can see the label at the top of the side that is facing you.

Check that the colored label above the empty slot in the printer matches the color of the label on

2.

the cartridge.

Shake the cartridge vigorously for about 15 seconds.

3.

Insert the ink cartridge into the cartridge drawer.

4.

Handle the ink system

Slide the drawer and cartridge into the slot until they lock into position.

5.

If you have difficulty, see Cannot insert an ink cartridge on page 165.

50 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

The front-panel display confirms that all cartridges have been correctly inserted.

6.

Remove a printhead

WARNING! Make sure that the printer wheels are locked (the brake lever is pressed down) to

prevent the printer from moving.

Printhead replacement must be performed after the printer has been turned on with the hard power
switch at the back of the printer.

1.

At the front panel, select the

The printer moves the carriage into the correct position.

2.

CAUTION: If the carriage remains in the removal position for more than 3 minutes without

inserting or removing any printheads, it will attempt to return back to its home position to the right.

When the carriage has stopped moving, the front panel prompts you to open the printer window.

3.

icon, then select Replace printheads.

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51

Locate the carriage on the right side of the printer.

4.

Pull up and release the latch on top of the carriage.

5.

Handle the ink system

Lift up the cover. This provides access to the printheads.

6.

To remove a printhead, lift up the blue handle.

7.

52 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

Using the blue handle, gently disengage the printhead.

8.

Gently pull the blue handle upward until the printhead is released from the carriage.

9.

CAUTION: Do not pull abruptly. That action can damage the printhead.

The front-panel display identifies the missing printhead.

10.

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53

Insert a printhead

Remove the orange protective caps by pulling them down.

1.

The printhead is designed to prevent you from accidentally inserting it into the wrong slot. Check

2.

that the colored label on the printhead matches the colored label of the carriage slot into which
the printhead is to be inserted.

Insert the new printhead into its correct slot in the carriage.

3.

CAUTION: Insert the printhead slowly and vertically, straight down. It can be damaged if you

insert it too quickly, or at an angle, or if you rotate it as you insert it.

Push down as indicated by the arrow.

4.

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CAUTION: You might feel some resistance when installing the new printhead, so you need to

press it down firmly but smoothly. You should hear a beep and see confirmation on the front-panel
display that the printhead has been inserted. If you have difficulty, see

on page 165.

54 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

Cannot insert a printhead

Insert all of the other printheads that need to be installed, and close the carriage cover.

5.

Make sure that the end of the blue handle catches the wire loop on the near side of the carriage.

6.

Lower the handle to rest on the carriage cover.

7.

When all of the printheads have been inserted correctly and the printer has accepted them, the
printer beeps.

NOTE: If the printer does not beep when you insert the printhead and the Replace message

appears on the front-panel display, you might need to reinsert the printhead.

Close the printer window.

8.

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55

The front-panel display confirms that all of the printheads are correctly inserted, and the printer

9.

starts checking and preparing the printheads. The default routine process, when all printheads are
changed, takes about 18 minutes. If the printer identifies a problem when preparing the
printheads, the process takes longer, up to 30 minutes. For a single printhead insertion, the time
varies between 10 and 20 minutes.

After all printheads are checked and prepared, the printhead realignment procedure runs

10.

automatically if paper is loaded. See

Depending on the paper type, the paper advance calibration procedure may run automatically if

11.

paper is loaded. See

Perform paper advance calibration on page 35.

Clean (recover) the printheads

Periodic printhead cleaning is performed automatically, as long as the printer is kept turned on.
However, you should clean the printheads if you are experiencing poor image quality and cannot
resolve the issues by other methods. This ensures that there is fresh ink in the nozzles and helps to
prevents nozzle clogs.

If you have printed the printhead status plot, you know which colors are failing. Clean the pair of
printheads that are not performing adequately. If you are not sure which printheads to clean, clean all
of the printheads.

To clean the printheads, go to the printer's front panel and select the Image Quality Maintenance menu
icon

, select Clean printheads, and then select which printheads you want to clean. You can

Align the printheads on page 59.

Clean the electrical connections on a printhead

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clean all of the printheads or only some of them.

Cleaning all printheads takes about 5 minutes. Cleaning any two printheads takes about 3 minutes.

NOTE: Cleaning all printheads uses more ink than cleaning a single pair.

NOTE: HP recommends that you purge the ink from the printheads before printing a job if the printer

has been turned off for more than six weeks or if you are experiencing inconsistent colors from print to
print after long storage periods. Purging the ink from the printheads helps to ensure maximum color
consistency; it is not a remedy for poor printhead health.

It is possible that the printer will not recognize a printhead after it has been installed. This can happen
when ink builds up on the electrical connections between the printhead and the printhead carriage.
Under these circumstances, HP recommends that you clean the electrical connections on the printhead.
However, routine cleaning of the connections when no problems are apparent is not recommended.

Use an absorbent lint-free cloth, slightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol, to clean the electrical
interconnects on both the printhead carriage and the printhead if the Reseat or Replace message
persists next to the printhead on the front-panel display.

Open the printhead carriage latch and extract the printhead that is causing the problem, as

1.

indicated on the front panel. See

Remove a printhead on page 51.

56 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

Cover your finger with the cloth and insert it into the printhead slot at the back.

2.

CAUTION: If the carriage remains in the central part of the printer for more than 7 minutes, it

attempts to return to its home position to the right.

Rub the cloth against the electrical contacts with a light force along the entire depth of the flex

3.

connector. Try to avoid picking up any ink deposit that may have accumulated on the bottom
surface of the slot.

Take special care to clean all contacts thoroughly, including the ones at the lowest point of the

4.

connector.

Using the same cloth, clean the strip of electrical contacts on the printhead (unless the printhead is

5.

new). Avoid touching the printhead nozzles.

CAUTION: Do not touch the surface of the printhead that contains the nozzles, because the

nozzles are easily damaged.

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57

After waiting a few moments to allow both connectors to dry, replace the printhead into the

6.

printhead carriage. See

Wash or dispose of the cloth. Take care to prevent the transfer of ink onto hands and clothing.

7.

If the front panel continues to show the Reseat or Replace message, replace the printhead or contact
your HP customer service representative.

Insert a printhead on page 54.

Clean the printhead drop detector

The printhead drop detector is a sensor that detects which nozzles on the printheads are not printing,
so that other nozzles can substitute for them. If particles block the sensor (such as fibers, hair or small
pieces of paper), print quality is affected.

When the front panel displays a warning message that the drop detector needs cleaning, you are
recommended to clean it. If you do not clean it immediately, the printer continues working normally, but
the front panel display continues to show the warning.

CAUTION: Wear gloves to avoid getting ink on your hands.

Handle the ink system

1.

On the printer's front panel, select the

Turn off the printer at the front panel.

2.

To avoid an electric shock, switch the printer off and unplug it.

3.

Open the printer window.

4.

icon, then select Replace printheads.

58 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

Find the printhead drop detector to the right of the printhead carriage.

5.

Remove any debris blocking the printhead drop detector.

6.

With a dry, lint-free cloth, wipe the surface of the drop detector to remove any non-visible debris.

7.

Close the printer window.

8.

Plug in and switch on the printer.

9.

Power the printer on at the front panel.

10.

Align the printheads

Precise alignment between printheads is essential for accurate colors, smooth color transitions and
sharp edges in graphical elements. Your printer has an automatic printhead alignment process which
runs whenever a printhead has been accessed or replaced.

ENWW

If the paper has jammed or you are experiencing problems with color accuracy, you may need to align
the printheads.

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59

NOTE: If the paper has jammed, it is recommended that you reinsert the printheads and initiate the

realignment procedure with the Image Quality Maintenance menu

CAUTION: Do not use transparent or semi-transparent paper to align the printheads.

Reinsert printheads procedure

If the realignment process is running and the wrong paper is loaded, press the Cancel key on the

1.

front panel.

CAUTION: Do not print if the realignment process has been canceled. You can restart the

alignment with the Image Quality Maintenance menu procedure.

.

Load the paper you wish to use, see

2.

(16.54 in) wide.

CAUTION: Do not use transparent or semi-transparent paper to align the printheads.

Remove and re-insert all the printheads, see

3.

printhead on page 54. This starts the printhead alignment procedure.

Ensure the window is closed, as a strong light source near the printer during printhead

4.

realignment can affect alignment.

The process takes about six minutes. Wait until the front-panel display shows the process complete

5.

before using the printer.

NOTE: The printer prints a calibration image. Do not worry about the image. The front-panel

display shows any errors in the process.

Handle the paper on page 26. It should be at least 420 mm

Remove a printhead on page 51 and Insert a

Image Quality Maintenance menu procedure

Load the paper you wish to use, see

1.

(16.54 in) wide.

CAUTION: Do not use transparent or semi-transparent paper to align the printheads.

2.

From the front panel, select the Image Quality Maintenance menu icon

Handle the paper on page 26. It should be at least 420 mm

, then Align

printheads. The printer checks to see if it has enough paper to run the realignment.

If the loaded paper is satisfactory, the printer runs the realignment and prints a realignment

3.

pattern. Ensure the window is closed, as a strong light source near the printer during printhead
realignment can affect alignment.

The process takes about five minutes. Wait until the front-panel display shows the process

Handle the ink system

4.

complete before using the printer.

Scanning errors during alignment

If the alignment process fails, a Scanning problems message appears on the front panel. This means
that the alignment has not completed successfully. Therefore the printer is not aligned and the alignment
should be repeated before printing with good image quality. Possible reasons for failure:

The paper used was not acceptable; repeat the alignment with a different paper type.

●

The printheads are not clean; see

●

The window was open; repeat the alignment with the window closed.

●

60 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

Clean (recover) the printheads on page 56.

If the problem persists after correcting these potential problems, there may be a failure in the scanning
system requiring repair, or the printheads may need to be replaced.

The Image Diagnostics Print

The Image Diagnostics Print consists of patterns designed to highlight printhead reliability problems. It
helps you to check the performance of the printheads that are currently installed in your printer, and
whether any printhead suffers from clogging or other problems.

To print the Image Diagnostics Print:

Use the same paper type that you were using when you detected a problem.

1.

Use the View information key

2.

same as the paper type loaded into the printer.

3.

At the printer's front panel, select the Image Quality Maintenance menu icon

diagnostic image.

It takes about two minutes to print the Image Diagnostics Print.

The print is divided into two parts, both of which test printhead performance.

Part 1 (top) consists of rectangles of pure colors, one for each printhead. This part represents the

●

print quality that you will get from each color.

Part 2 (bottom) consists of small dashes, one for each nozzle on each printhead. This part

●

complements the first, and aims more specifically to detect how many faulty nozzles each
printhead has.

Please look carefully at the print. The names of the colors are shown above the rectangles and in the
center of the patterns of dashes.

on the front panel to check that the selected paper type is the

, then Print

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First look at the upper part of the print (part 1). Each colored rectangle should be a uniform color
without any horizontal lines across it.

Then look at the bottom part of the print (part 2). For each individual colored pattern, check that most of
the dashes are present.

If you see horizontal lines in part 1 and also missing dashes in part 2 for the same color, the printhead
responsible needs cleaning. However, if the rectangles look solid, do not worry about just a few
missing dashes in part 2; these are acceptable because the printer can compensate for a few clogged
nozzles.

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61

Here is an example of a gray printhead in a good state:

And here is an example of the same printhead in a bad state:

Corrective action

Handle the ink system

Remove the maintenance cartridge

Clean any faulty printheads (see

1.

Image Diagnostics Print to see whether the problem has been solved.

If the problem remains, clean the printheads again, and reprint the Image Diagnostics Print to see

2.

whether the problem has been solved.

If the problem remains, consider cleaning your printheads manually (see

3.

printheads on page 56). You could also try reprinting your current print job, in case it now prints

satisfactorily.

If the problem remains, try cleaning the printhead drop detector. The printer normally notifies you

4.

when this is necessary, but it may be worth trying even if the printer has not suggested it. See

Clean the printhead drop detector on page 58.

If the problem still remains, replace any persistently faulty printheads (see

5.

on page 44), or contact HP Support (see HP Customer Care on page 180).

A message appears on the front panel when you must change the maintenance cartridge. Follow these
precautions when removing a maintenance cartridge:

Be careful not to get ink on your hands. Ink might be on, around, and inside the replaced

●

maintenance cartridge.

Clean (recover) the printheads on page 56). Then reprint the

Clean (recover) the

Handle the ink system

Always handle and store the replaced maintenance cartridge upright to avoid spilling any ink.

●

62 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

CAUTION: A message appears on the front panel when the maintenance cartridge is almost full and

again when it is completely full and must be changed. You can ignore the alert and continue printing
by pressing the OK button on the front panel. However, HP strongly recommends that you change the
maintenance cartridge when prompted. Ignoring the alert can result in serious damage to the printer.

WARNING! Make sure that the printer wheels are locked (the brake lever is pressed down) to

prevent the printer from moving.

1.

At the front panel, select the

The maintenance cartridge is located in a slot underneath the front panel, at the front of the

2.

printer. Open the door.

icon, then select Replace maintenance ctg.

The maintenance cartridge has a handle on the front. To remove the cartridge, press inward and

3.

upward as indicated by the arrow, until the cartridge is released.

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63

Lift up the maintenance cartridge to remove it from the slot, and slide it out.

4.

See also Insert the maintenance cartridge on page 64.

Insert the maintenance cartridge

The plastic bag in which the new maintenance cartridge comes can be used to dispose of the old
maintenance cartridge.

Insert the maintenance cartridge into the slot, in the direction indicated by the arrow.

1.

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When the maintenance cartridge has been pushed all the way in, press inwards and downwards

2.

as indicated, until it clicks into place.

If you have difficulty, see Cannot insert the maintenance cartridge on page 165.

NOTE: The front panel will not show the new maintenance cartridge until the door is closed.

64 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

When you have inserted the maintenance cartridge into the printer, close the door.

3.

NOTE: The printer needs all the ink cartridges, printheads and maintenance cartridge to be

installed before it can continue.

If no paper is loaded, the front panel will instruct you to load some.

4.

NOTE: Make sure that the printer window and the door to the right are closed after you replace the

supplies. The printer will not print while these are open.

Check the status of the ink system

Access the Embedded Web Server. See

1.

2. Go to the Supplies page on the Main tab.

The Supplies page shows you the status of the ink cartridges (including the ink levels), the printheads,
the maintenance cartridge, and the loaded paper.

Access the Embedded Web Server on page 21.

Check the status of the ink cartridges

You can view information about your ink cartridges using the front panel or the HP Utility.

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65

Front-panel procedure

At the front panel:

1.

Press the

●

●

Select the

Select the cartridge about which you want information.

2.

The front panel shows the following information:

3.

Color

●

Product name

●

Product number

●

Serial number

●

Status

●

Ink level, if known

●

Total ink capacity in milliliters

●

Expiration date

●

Warranty status

●

key twice, or

icon, then Ink cartridge information.

HP Utility procedures

Check the status of a printhead

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Manufacturer

●

●

In the HP Utility for Windows, go to the Overview tab. The status of each cartridge appears
when you select Supply Status > Cartridges.

●

In the HP Utility for Mac OS, select Information > Printer Status.

The printer automatically checks and services the printheads after each print. Follow these steps to get
more information on your printheads.

At the front panel:

1.

Press the

●

●

Select the

Select the printhead for which you want to see information.

2.

The front panel shows the following information:

3.

key three times, or

icon, then Printhead information.

Colors

●

Product name

●

Product number

●

66 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

Serial number

●

Status (See

●

Volume of ink it has used

●

Front-panel error messages on page 196.)

You can also get most of this information without leaving your computer by using the HP Utility.

NOTE: If the status is See warranty note, this indicates that non-HP ink is being used. Printer

service or repairs required as a result of using non-HP ink are not covered under warranty. See the
Legal Information document for detailed warranty implications.

Order ink supplies

You can order the following ink supplies for your printer.

Table 5-1 Ink cartridges (T7100)

Cartridge Part number

HP 762 Matte Black 400 ml Ink Cartridge CM991

HP 762 Yellow 400 ml Ink Cartridge CM992A

HP 762 Magenta 400 ml Ink Cartridge CM993A

HP 762 Cyan 400 ml Ink Cartridge CM994A

A

HP 762 Gray 400 ml Ink Cartridge CM995A

HP 762 Dark Gray 400 ml Ink Cartridge CM996A

HP 762 Matte Black 775 ml Ink Cartridge CM997A

Table 5-2 Ink cartridges (T7100 Mono)

Cartridge Part number

HP 762 Matte Black 400 ml Ink Cartridge CM991S

HP 762 Dark Gray 400 ml Ink Cartridge CM996S

HP 762 Matte Black 775 ml Ink Cartridge CM997S or CN072A

HP 762 Dark Gray 775 ml Ink Cartridge CN073A

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Order ink supplies

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67

Table 5-3 Printheads (T7100)

Printhead Part number

HP 762 Yellow Printhead CH645A

HP 762 Magenta & Cyan Printhead CH646A

HP 762 Gray and Dark Gray Printhead CH647A

HP 762 Matte Black & Matte Black Printhead CH648A

Table 5-4 Printheads (T7100 Mono)

Printhead Part number

HP 762 Matte Black & Matte Black Printhead CH648A

HP 762 Dark Gray Printhead CN074A

Table 5-5 Maintenance cartridge

Maintenance cartridge Part number

HP 761 Maintenance Cartridge (for 7100) CH649A

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HP 762 Maintenance Cartridge (for 7100 Mono) CM998A

68 Chapter 5 Handle the ink system ENWW

6 Use of multiple rolls

The uses of a multiroll printer

●

How the printer allocates jobs to paper rolls

●

Multiroll printing

ENWW 69

Multiroll printing

The uses of a multiroll printer

A multiroll printer can be useful in several different ways:

The printer can automatically switch between different paper types according to your needs.

●

The printer can automatically switch between different paper widths according to your needs. This

●

enables you to save paper by printing smaller images on narrower paper.

If you load two or more identical rolls into the printer, you can leave it printing unattended for a

●

long time, because it can switch from one roll to another automatically when the first is exhausted.

Unattended printing/overnight printing on page 91.

See

There are two concepts to help you when working with multiple rolls.

The active roll is the roll that is currently loaded and will be printed on by default unless the printer

●

has some reason to switch rolls. To change the active roll, select the Paper menu icon

Select active roll.

A protected roll is protected from use unless the roll number or its paper type are specifically

●

requested. See

The current status of all rolls is shown on the front panel's status screen.

Roll protection on page 91.

, then

How the printer allocates jobs to paper rolls

When you submit a print job from the Embedded Web Server or the printer driver, you can specify
(using the Paper type or Type is option) that you want it to be printed on a particular paper type;
you can even specify (using the Paper source, Source is or Paper Feed option) that you want it to
be printed on a particular roll (1 or 2). The printer will try to satisfy these requirements, and it will also
look for a paper roll large enough to print the image without clipping.

If both rolls are suitable for the job, the roll will be chosen according to the roll switching policy.

●

See

Roll switching options on page 25.

If just one of the rolls is suitable for the job, it will be printed on that roll.

●

If neither roll is suitable for the job, it will be held in the job queue with the status “On hold for

●

paper”, or printed on an unsuitable roll, depending on the paper mismatch action. See

mismatch action on page 25.

The printer driver for Windows will tell you which paper types and widths are currently loaded in the
printer, and on which rolls.

Paper

70 Chapter 6 Use of multiple rolls ENWW

Here are some settings that might be used in typical situations:

With different paper types loaded:

●

◦ Type is: select the paper type you require

◦

Source is: Automatically select / Predetermined

◦

Roll switching policy: doesn't matter

With different paper widths loaded:

●

◦

Type is: Any

◦

Source is: Automatically select / Predetermined

◦

Roll switching policy: Minimize paper waste

TIP: You can also save paper in some cases by rotating or nesting your images. See Use paper

economically on page 88.

With identical rolls loaded:

●

◦

Type is: Any

◦

Source is: Automatically select / Predetermined

Multiroll printing

◦

Roll switching policy: Minimize roll changes

Job allocation with nesting

If nesting is on (see Nest jobs to save paper on page 89), the printer assumes that your main aim is
to save paper. Therefore, the roll switching options are ignored and the printer behaves as though
Minimize paper waste has been chosen. See

If the paper mismatch action is set to Print anyway, jobs can be nested together on any roll, even if
the roll does not match the paper source or paper type specified in the job settings. To respect these
job settings, set the paper mismatch action to Put job on hold. See

on page 25.

TIP: If you have a roll intended for special purposes only, or with particularly expensive paper, you

can use roll protection to prevent jobs from using that roll by accident. See

on page 91.

Roll switching options on page 25.

Paper mismatch action

Roll protection

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How the printer allocates jobs to paper rolls

71

Stacker

7 Use of the stacker

The stacker is an optional accessory. It stacks prints flat, on top of one another, instead of letting them
fall into the bin.

Install the stacker

●

Uninstall the stacker

●

Using paper with the stacker

●

Stacker messages

●

Change the temperature

●

Change paper rolls while using the stacker

●

Clean the exterior of the stacker

●

Clean the stacker rollers

●

Move or store the stacker

●

72 Chapter 7 Use of the stacker ENWW

Install the stacker

Connect the cables between the stacker and the printer.

1.

Switch on the stacker.

2.

3.

Select the

stacker. The front panel will prompt you to attach the stacker to the printer.

There are two latches on the stacker that engage with the printer deflectors. To attach the stacker

4.

to the printer, attach first one side and then the other (because less force is required that way).

NOTE: The stacker operates on cut sheets of paper. When it is switched on, the cutter is

automatically enabled. It cannot work if the cutter is turned off or if the printing material cannot be cut
(canvas, for example).

icon on the printer's front panel, then Accessories > Stacker > Install

Uninstall the stacker

1.

To uninstall the stacker, select the

Stacker > Uninstall stacker.

The front panel will then prompt you to detach the stacker from the printer. Pull the stacker from

2.

one side to detach it on that side, then detach the other side.

Disconnect the stacker cables.

3.

Stacker

icon on the printer's front panel, then Accessories >

Using paper with the stacker

The stacker can handle cut sheets of paper between 420 mm (A3 portrait) (16.5 in) and 1189 mm (A0
portrait) (46.8 in) in length. Shorter prints will be enlarged to the minimum length with extra white
space; longer prints risk falling off the stacker.

Some printing materials are not compatible with the stacker, including:

Matte and clear film

●

Glossy paper (except instant-dry glossy paper, which may be used)

●

Heavyweight coated paper

●

Canvas

●

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Install the stacker

73

When printing in Fast mode on Translucent Bond, Vellum or Natural Tracing Paper, there could be
some ink transfer marks in highly inked areas. Select Normal or Best mode to avoid this problem. See

Select print quality on page 79.

NOTE: You will have to remove the accumulated pile of cut sheets from the stacker every now and

then.

NOTE: If you retrieve just one job from the stack, try to leave the stack in a tidy condition, otherwise

you may experience stacking problems and paper jams.

Stacker messages

Stacker

You may see the following messages when using the stacker.

●

Remove the stacker: You must uninstall the stacker before printing, because there is no paper
loaded that is compatible with it.

●

Hold for stacker removal: You must uninstall the stacker before printing the current job,
because the paper type specified for the job is not compatible with the stacker, and the paper
mismatch action is Hold for paper.

●

Hold for paper: The paper mismatch action is Hold for paper, and the paper type specified
for the job is not loaded.

●

Load paper for next job: No paper is loaded.

Change the temperature

NOTE: This option is only available if the stacker is installed on the printer.

The stacker contains a heated roller to remove the curl from the paper. To change the temperature of
the roller, select the

temperature. There are three options:

●

Normal is the default and recommended setting.

icon on the printer's front panel, then Accessories > Stacker > Select

●

High sets the roller to a higher temperature, which may be useful for particularly stiff paper.

●

Low sets the roller to a lower temperature, which may be useful for paper with a particularly
sensitive coating.

Change paper rolls while using the stacker

Remove the stack of cut paper from the stacker in order to make the stacker easier to handle.

1.

Detach the stacker from the printer: first one side, then the other.

2.

Change the rolls in the normal way: see

3.

into the printer on page 30.

Unload a roll from the printer on page 34 and Load a roll

Clean the exterior of the stacker

See Clean the exterior of the printer on page 140.

74 Chapter 7 Use of the stacker ENWW

Clean the stacker rollers

WARNING! The stacker becomes hot during use. Before cleaning, switch it off and give it time to

cool.

Ink tends to stick to the main stacker roller and the small output rollers, which should therefore be
cleaned regularly using a fabric cloth dampened with water.

The frequency with which cleaning is needed depends to some extent on the paper type in use.

For plain, coated or heavyweight coated paper, once a month may be sufficient.

●

For translucent, vellum, glossy or natural tracing paper, cleaning may be required once a week

●

even with the slowest print modes.

Move or store the stacker

Before moving or storing the stacker, take a couple of steps to reduce the amount of space it occupies.

Undo the screws at either side of the stacker tray, and let the tray hang vertically.

1.

Stacker

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Clean the stacker rollers

75

Stacker

Remove the pin from each leg extension, and rotate the leg extension upwards.

2.

76 Chapter 7 Use of the stacker ENWW

8 Print options

Create a print job

●

Select print quality

●

Print a draft

●

High-quality printing

●

Select paper size

●

Select margins options

●

Print on loaded paper

●

Rescale a print

●

Preview a print

●

Print 16-bit color images

●

Change the treatment of overlapping lines

●

Print crop lines

●

Rotate an image

●

Print in gray shades

●

Use paper economically

●

Nest jobs to save paper

●

Use ink economically

●

Roll protection

●

Unattended printing/overnight printing

●

Print options

ENWW 77

Print options

Create a print job

In order to print something, you must send it to the printer. This constitutes a print job, which is entered
into the printer's print queue. There are two main ways of sending a print job to the printer:

●

To print directly from a program, use the program's Print command as usual. When you select
your HP Designjet printer, the printer driver is invoked to send your job to the printer.

If you have a file that is already in a supported graphical format, you can use the Embedded Web

●

Server to send it directly to the printer without going through a printer driver (see below).

Using the Embedded Web Server to print files

From the HP Utility or the Embedded Web Server, select Submit Job in the Job Center group. You will
see the window below.

Press the Add files button to choose the files from your computer that you want to print. The files must
be in one of the following formats:

HP-GL/2

●

RTL

●

CALS/G4

●

PDF (with the PostScript upgrade only)

●

PostScript (with the PostScript upgrade only)

●

TIFF (with the PostScript upgrade only)

●

JPEG (with the PostScript upgrade only)

●

NOTE: When you print to a file, the file should be in one of the above formats, but its name may

have an extension such as .plt or .prn.

If the files are not in one of these formats, they will not be printed successfully.

If the jobs have been generated with the appropriate settings (such as page size, rotation, resizing and
number of copies), you can just press the Print button and they will be sent to the printer.

78 Chapter 8 Print options ENWW

If you need to specify printing settings, go to the Job settings section and select the options you need.
Each option has explanatory text on the right, so that you can understand the behavior of each setting.
Remember that, if you leave the setting as Default, the setting saved in the job will be used. If the job
contains no setting, the setting in the printer will be used.

Printing stored jobs

When you print a file with the Embedded Web Server, you can mark the job to be stored permanently
in the printer.

If you select Stored jobs in printer in the Main tab of the Embedded Web Server, you will see a
list of the stored jobs. The information displayed for each job includes:

The name of the job

●

The size of the job

●

The date and time when the job was received by the printer

●

The name given by the person who submitted the job

●

You can click on the title of any column to sort the list by the information in that column.

You can select one or more jobs in the list and perform the following operations on them by using the
buttons at the top of the list.

●

Print: The selected jobs are printed with the original settings. You will be able to see the progress
of your jobs on the Job queue page.

●

Advanced print: The settings of the selected jobs are displayed, and you can modify them. You
can save the new settings by pressing the Save button, and print the jobs by pressing the Print
button.

The value of a setting is shown only if it has the same value in all of the selected jobs. Otherwise,
a hyphen is shown.

● Delete: The selected jobs are permanently deleted from the printer.

Select print quality

The printer has various print-quality options because best-quality printing requires some loss of speed,
while fast printing implies some reduction in print quality.

Therefore, the standard print-quality selector is a slider that allows you to choose between quality and
speed.

Alternatively, you can select from the custom options: Best, Normal and Fast. If you select Fast, you
can also select EconoMode, which uses a lower rendering resolution and consumes less ink. It
therefore increases printing speed even further, but reduces print quality. EconoMode can be selected
only from the custom options (not from the slider).

Print options

ENWW

There are also two supplementary custom options that may have an effect on print quality: Maximum

detail and More passes. See

NOTE: In the Windows driver dialog, the rendering and printing resolutions for your job are

displayed in the Paper/Quality tab. In the Mac OS Print dialog, they are displayed in the
Summary panel.

High-quality printing on page 81.

Select print quality

79

You can select print-quality options in the following ways:

●

In the Windows driver dialog: go to the Paper/Quality tab and look at the Print Quality
section. If you select Standard Options, you will see a simple slider with which you can select
speed or quality. If you select Custom Options, you will see the more specific options described
above.

●

In the Mac OS X 10.4 Print dialog: go to the Image Quality panel and look at the
Quality Options section. If you select Standard quality options, you will see a simple slider with
which you can select speed or quality. If you select Custom quality options, you will see the more
specific options described above.

●

In the Mac OS X 10.5 Print dialog: go to the Paper/Quality panel and look at the
Quality Options section. If you select Standard quality options, you will see a simple slider with
which you can select speed or quality. If you select Custom quality options, you will see the more
specific options described above.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Basic settings > Print
quality. If you then select Standard options, you can choose between Speed and Quality.
If you select Custom options, you will see the more specific options described above.

Print options

●

Using the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

quality.

NOTE: If you have set the print quality from your computer, that overrides the print-quality setting

in the front panel.

NOTE: You cannot change the print quality of pages that the printer is already receiving or has

already received (even if they have not started to print yet).

Print a draft

You can specify fast draft-quality printing in the following ways:

●

In the Windows driver dialog: go to the Paper/Quality tab and look at the Print Quality
section. Move the print-quality slider to the extreme left ('Speed').

●

In the Mac OS X 10.4 Print dialog: go to the Image Quality panel and move the print-
quality slider to the extreme left ('Speed').

●

In the Mac OS X 10.5 Print dialog: go to the Paper/Quality panel and move the print­quality slider to the extreme left ('Speed').

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Basic settings > Print
quality > Standard options > Speed.

, then Printing preferences > Print

●

Using the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

quality > Select quality level > Fast.

80 Chapter 8 Print options ENWW

, then Printing preferences > Print

You can specify even faster draft-quality printing by using EconoMode, as follows. This is intended
mainly for documents containing only text and line drawings.

●

In the Windows driver dialog: go to the Paper/Quality tab and look at the Print Quality
section. Select Custom Options, then set the quality level to Fast and check the EconoMode
box.

●

In the Mac OS X 10.4 Print dialog: go to the Image Quality panel and set the quality
options to Custom, then set quality to Fast and check the EconoMode box.

●

In the Mac OS X 10.5 Print dialog: go to the Paper/Quality panel and set the quality
options to Custom, then set quality to Fast and check the EconoMode box.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Basic settings > Print
quality > Custom. Set Quality level to Fast, and EconoMode to On.

High-quality printing

You can specify high-quality printing in the following ways:

●

In the Windows driver dialog: go to the Paper/Quality tab and look at the Print Quality
section. Move the print-quality slider to the extreme right ('Quality').

●

In the Mac OS X 10.4 Print dialog: go to the Image Quality panel and move the print­quality slider to the extreme right ('Quality').

●

In the Mac OS X 10.5 Print dialog: go to the Paper/Quality panel and move the print­quality slider to the extreme right ('Quality').

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Basic settings > Print
quality > Standard options > Quality.

●

Using the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

quality > Select quality level > Best.

Printing is bidirectional by default (the printheads print when travelling in both directions across the
paper), but you can choose Unidirectional printing for a further small improvement in quality at the
expense of speed. This option is not available if you have chosen Fast print quality.

If you have a high-resolution image

If your image has a resolution greater than the rendering resolution (which you can see in the driver's

Paper/Quality tab under Windows), print sharpness may be improved by selecting the Maximum
Detail option. This option is available only if you are printing on glossy paper and you have selected
Best print quality.

●

In the driver dialog (Mac OS Print dialog): select custom instead of standard print-quality
options, then check the Maximum Detail box.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Basic settings > Print
quality > Custom. Set Quality level to Best, and Maximum detail to Yes.

Print options

, then Printing preferences > Print

ENWW

NOTE: The Maximum Detail option results in slower printing with photo papers, but it does not

increase the amount of ink used.

High-quality printing

81

Print options

If you have printhead problems

If your printheads have an excessive number of clogged nozzles (which may cause banding or white
streaks on your prints), print quality can be improved by selecting the More Passes option.

●

In the driver dialog (Mac OS Print dialog): select custom instead of standard print-quality
options, then check the More Passes box.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Basic settings > Print
quality > Custom. Set Quality level to Best, and More passes to Yes.

NOTE: The More Passes option results in slower printing, but it does not increase the amount of ink

used.

TIP: Instead of using this option, consider using the Image Diagnostics Print to identify the printhead

or printheads that are causing the problem, and then clean or replace them. See

Print on page 61.

Select paper size

The paper size can be specified in the following ways.

NOTE: The paper size specified here should be the paper size in which the document was created. It

is possible to rescale the document to a different size for printing. See

The Image Diagnostics

Rescale a print on page 84.

●

In the Windows driver dialog: select the Paper/Quality tab, then select your paper size
from the Document Size list.

●

In the Mac OS Page Setup dialog: select your printer in the Format for popup menu, then
Paper Size.

NOTE: If your application offers no Page Setup dialog, please use the Print dialog.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Advanced settings >
Paper > Page size > Standard.

●

Using the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

Paper options > Select paper size.

NOTE: If you have set the paper size from your computer, that overrides the paper size setting

in the front panel.

NOTE: If you have disabled skew checking, the paper length is estimated as four times the

width.

TIP: If your document is 330 × 483 mm (13 × 19 in), designed to fit on sheet paper of the same

size, select the document size Super B/A3.

, then Printing preferences >

82 Chapter 8 Print options ENWW

Custom paper sizes

To choose a non-standard paper size not shown in the list of paper sizes:

●

Under Windows, there are three different ways:

◦

In the driver dialog, press the Custom button in the Paper/Quality tab, then specify the
name and the dimensions of your new paper size, then click Save to save your new paper
size. In the PostScript driver, to see your new custom size in the list of custom sizes, you need
to exit the printer properties, then reenter them (and use the More button if necessary).

NOTE: The driver will not allow you to create a paper size whose width exceeds its length.

◦

From the Start menu, select Printers, then from the File menu select Server Properties.
In the Forms tab, check the Create a new form box, specify the name and dimensions of
the new form, then click Save Form.

NOTE: Such forms are not available when using a shared printer that is connected to a

different computer.

●

In the Mac OS Page Setup dialog: select Paper Size > Manage Custom Sizes.

NOTE: If your application offers no Page Setup dialog, please use the Print dialog.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Advanced settings >
Paper > Page size > Custom.

Select margins options

By default, the printer leaves a 5 mm (0.02 in) margin between the edges of your image and the edges
of the paper, although the top margin is set to 11.5 mm (0.45 in) when printing on glossy paper. You
can change this behavior in several ways.

●

In the Windows driver dialog: select the Paper/Quality tab and then the Margins/
Layout button.

TIP: In the Windows PostScript driver, make sure you have made the right choice from the

Document size list. You should select a 'no margins' document size if you intend to use the
Oversize or Clip contents by margins options.

●

In the Mac OS X Print dialog: select the Margins/Layout panel.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Advanced settings >
Paper > Layout/Margins.

●

Using the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

Margins > Select margins.

NOTE: If you have set the margins from your computer, that overrides any margin setting in the

front panel.

Print options

, then Printing preferences >

ENWW

You will then see at least some of the following options.

Select margins options

83

Print options

NOTE: Under Mac OS, the available margins options depend on the paper size selected in the Page

Setup dialog. For instance, for oversize printing you must select a paper size name that includes the
word “oversize”.

●

Standard. Your image will be printed on a page of the size you have selected, with a 5 mm
(0.02 in) margin between the edges of the image and the edges of the paper. The image should
be small enough to fit between the margins.

●

Oversize. Your image will be printed on a page slightly larger than the size you have selected. If
you cut off the margins, you will be left with a page of the size you selected, with no margins
remaining between your image and the edges of the paper.

●

Clip contents by margins. Use this option when your image has white borders and a size
equal to that of the paper you have selected. The printer will use the white borders for its 5 mm
(0.02 in) margins and you will get a page of size equal to that which is selected in the driver.

Print on loaded paper

To print a job on whichever paper is loaded in the printer, select Any in the Paper Type option of your
printer driver.

●

In the Windows driver dialog: select the Paper/Quality tab, then select Any in the Paper
Type drop-down list.

●

In the Mac OS X 10.4 Print dialog: select the Image Quality panel, then select Any in
the Paper Type drop-down list.

● In the Mac OS X 10.5 Print dialog: select the Paper/Quality panel, then select Any in

the Paper Type drop-down list.

NOTE: Any is the default Paper Type selection.

Rescale a print

You can send an image to the printer at a certain size but tell the printer to rescale it to a different size
(normally larger). This may be useful if your software does not support large formats.

You can rescale an image in the following ways:

● In the Windows driver dialog: go to the Features tab and look at the Resizing Options

section.

◦

The Print document on option adjusts the image size to the paper size you have selected.
For example, if you have selected ISO A2 as the paper size and you print an A3-sized
image, it is enlarged to fit the A2 paper. If the ISO A4 paper size is selected, the printer
reduces a larger image to fit the A4 size.

◦

The % of actual size option enlarges the printable area of the original paper size (the
page minus the margins) by the percentage indicated, then adds the margins to create the
output paper size.

●

In the Mac OS Print dialog: select the Finishing panel, then Print document on to adjust
the image size to the paper size you have selected. For example, if you have selected ISO A2 as
the paper size and you print an A3-sized image, it is enlarged to fit the A2 paper. If the ISO A4
paper size is selected, the printer reduces a larger image to fit the A4 size.

84 Chapter 8 Print options ENWW

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Advanced settings >
Resizing.

◦

The Standard and Custom options adjust the image size to the standard or custom paper
size you have selected. For example, if you have selected ISO A2 as the paper size and you
print an A3-sized image, it is enlarged to fit the A2 paper. If the ISO A4 paper size is
selected, the printer reduces a larger image to fit the A4 size.

◦

The % of actual size option enlarges the printable area of the original paper size (the
page minus the margins) by the percentage indicated, then adds the margins to create the
output paper size.

●

Using the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

Paper options > Resize.

Preview a print

Previewing a print on the screen allows you to check the layout of the print before printing, which may
help you to avoid wasting paper and ink on a bad print.

To preview a print under Windows, you have the following options:

●

Use your application's print preview option.

◦

◦

Check the Show preview before printing option, which you can find in the driver's
Paper/Quality tab and Features tab. The preview may be provided in different ways,

depending on your printer and printer driver.

To preview a print under Mac OS, you have the following options:

●

Use your application's print preview option.

◦

◦

Click the Preview button at the bottom of the Print dialog box. This is the basic print
preview provided by Mac OS.

◦

Check the Show print preview option, which you can find in the driver's Printing
dialog, in the Finishing panel.

, then Printing preferences >

Print options

●

To preview a print using the Embedded Web Server, select Basic settings > Hold for
preview.

Print 16-bit color images

In a 16-bit image, each of the three primary colors is encoded by a 16-bit value, so that each pixel
takes up 48 bits.

If you print your 16-bit color images through a printer driver, they will be reduced to 8-bit colors before
they reach the printer.

In order to send a 16-bit color image to the printer, you must save it as a 16-bit color TIFF or JPEG file,
then send the file directly to the printer without using a printer driver (see

Server to print files on page 78). In this case, color management is done on the 16-bit color image,

and is therefore done more accurately. The image is still reduced to 8-bit colors for final printing.

TIP: Some applications refuse to save a 16-bit color image in JPEG format; others automatically

reduce it to 8-bit colors. A TIFF file generally gives a higher-quality result, and is recommended.

ENWW

Using the Embedded Web

Preview a print

85

Change the treatment of overlapping lines

NOTE: This topic applies only when printing an HP-GL/2 job.

The merge option controls the overlapping lines in an image. There are two settings:

Off: where the lines cross, only the color of the top line is printed. This is the default setting.

●

On: where the lines cross, the colors of the two lines merge.

●

Print options

To turn merge on, go to the front panel and select the Setup menu icon

preferences > HP-GL/2 options > Enable merge. You can set the merge option from your
software in some applications. Settings in your software override the front-panel settings.

Print crop lines

Crop lines indicate where the paper should be cut to reduce it to your selected page size. You can print
crop lines automatically with individual jobs in the following ways:

●

In the Windows driver dialog: select the Features tab, then Enable crop lines.

●

In the Mac OS Print dialog: go to the Finishing panel and select Enable crop lines.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Advanced settings > Roll
options > Enable crop lines.

●

Using the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

Paper options > Enable crop lines > On.

To print crop lines with nested jobs (see
different option:

●

In the Embedded Web Server: select Job management > Use crop lines when nest
is enabled > On.

, then Printing

, then Printing preferences >

Nest jobs to save paper on page 89), you must select a

●

Using the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

options > Enable crop lines > On.

Rotate an image

By default, images are printed with their shorter sides parallel to the leading edge of the paper, like
this:

, then Job management > Nest

86 Chapter 8 Print options ENWW

You may wish to rotate your images by 90 degrees in order to save paper, like this:

You can do this in the following ways:

●

In the Windows driver dialog: select the Features tab, then Rotate by 90 degrees.

●

In the Mac OS Print dialog: go to the Finishing panel and select Rotate by 90 degrees.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Advanced settings > Roll
options > Rotate.

●

In the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

options > Rotate.

NOTE: If rotation is set from your computer, it overrides the setting in the front panel.

NOTE: When you rotate a job, the page length may be increased to avoid clipping, because the top

and bottom margins are usually larger than the side margins.

NOTE: If you rotate an image to landscape whose original orientation was portrait, the paper may

not be wide enough for the image. For example, rotating a portrait D/A1-size image on D/A1-size
paper by 90 degrees will probably exceed the width of the paper. If you are using the Embedded
Web Server, the preview screen will confirm this with a warning triangle.

Autorotate

Print options

, then Printing preferences > Paper

ENWW

The Autorotate option automatically rotates jobs by 90 degrees if doing so will save paper.

Rotate an image

87

Autorotation allows you to defer the decision of rotating a page until printing time. This may be useful if
you routinely work with different roll sizes and want to ensure that jobs will not be clipped or waste
unnecessary paper width if and when roll conditions change.

TIP: Autorotation is particularly useful when combined with the Minimize paper waste roll

switching option (see

To enable autorotation:

●

In the Windows driver dialog: select the Features tab, then Autorotate.

●

In the Mac OS Print dialog: go to the Finishing panel and select Autorotate.

● On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Advanced settings > Roll

options > Autorotate.

Roll switching options on page 25).

Print options

●

In the front panel: select the Setup menu icon

NOTE: If autorotation is set from your computer, it overrides the setting in the front panel.

NOTE: The autorotate decision requires known job dimensions. Therefore, printing does not start until

the job has been completely processed, regardless of the When to Start Printing setting (see

when to print a job in the queue on page 107); and, if you request Autorotate and Remove

blank areas, only the latter will be done.

TIP: Once the job is rendered and ready for reprints, autorotation may take a few minutes,

depending on job dimensions and resolution. To speed up autorotated reprints, send the job to render
when the roll configuration meets your planned scenario, and leave last-minute autorotation only to
correct unexpected changes in roll conditions. This applies to TIFF/JPEG/PS/PDF jobs only.

Print in gray shades

You can convert all colors in your image to shades of gray in the following ways:

●

In your application program: many programs provide this option.

●

In the Windows driver dialog: go to the Color tab and look at the Color Options section.
Select Print in Grayscale.

, then Job management > Autorotate.

Select

●

In the Mac OS X Print dialog: go to the Color Options panel and select Grayscale from
the Mode drop-down list.

●

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Color > Color/Grayscale >
Print in grayscale.

Use paper economically

Here are some recommendations for making economical use of paper:

If you are printing relatively small images or document pages, you can use nesting to print them

●

side by side instead of one after another. See

If you are printing multipage documents with relatively small pages, you can print up to 16 of

●

them on one sheet of paper. Use the Pages per sheet option in the Features tab (Windows
driver) or the Layout panel (Mac OS driver).

88 Chapter 8 Print options ENWW

Nest jobs to save paper on page 89.

You may be able to save some paper by using the following options:

●

◦

In the Windows driver dialog: select the Features tab and then Remove Blank
Areas and/or Rotate by 90 degrees or Autorotate.

◦

In the Mac OS Print dialog: select the Finishing panel, then Remove Blank Areas
and/or Rotate by 90 degrees or Autorotate.

◦

On the Embedded Web Server's Submit Job page: select Advanced settings >
Roll options > Remove blank areas and/or Rotate.

If you check the print preview on your computer before printing, you can sometimes avoid wasting

●

paper on prints containing obvious mistakes. See

The Remove Blank Areas option removes blank areas from the top and bottom of the print, so that
less paper is used in printing. If you are using HP-GL/2, this option also removes blank areas from the
sides of the print.

Nest jobs to save paper

Nesting means automatically printing images or document pages side by side on the paper, rather than
one after the other. This is done to avoid wasting paper.

Preview a print on page 85.

Direction of paper flow

1.

Nesting off

2.

Nesting on

3.

Paper saved by nesting

4.

How to use nesting

Here are some general guidelines for using nesting:

To enable nesting, use the front panel (Job Management menu) or the Embedded Web Server

●

(Setup tab).

●

If you are working with batches of jobs with the same format, choose nesting In order. This will
close the nest as the first file with a new format arrives.

Print options

ENWW

Nest jobs to save paper

89

●

If you are working with mixed file formats, choose nesting Optimized. This option will nest
compatible pages in the queue, allowing for a gap of up to 3 incompatible pages before closing
the nest (See nesting compatibility below).

For the jobs you want nested together, choose common values you will be using and create

●

presets. You can use the Embedded Web Server's Manage Presets tab to save your presets.

NOTE: If you have a multiroll printer with nesting enabled, your printer will do its best to save paper.

This means that the roll on which less paper is wasted will be chosen regardless of the roll switching
option you have selected (see

NOTE: The printer will nest up to eight compatible jobs in a row.

TIP: Use the paper mismatch action Print anyway to minimize paper waste by skipping paper

source or paper type restrictions. For a more fine-grained nesting of jobs based on desired paper
source or type, use the Put job on hold paper mismatch action.

TIP: If you have a roll that is expensive or for special purposes only, use roll protection so that jobs

with unspecified paper type and source will not be able to use your special roll (see

on page 91).

Nesting wait time

Roll switching options on page 25).

Roll protection

Print options

When a job is ready to print, if Nesting is enabled, the printer will wait for more jobs to arrive in
order to nest them together. You can change this waiting time from the front panel: select the Setup

menu icon

You can also cancel nest waiting by pressing the Form feed and cut key on the front panel.

, then Job management options > Nest options > Select wait time.

Nesting compatibility

Because nested pages must be printed all at the same time, they are required to share a common
printing format before they can be nested together. If you routinely work with one or two file formats,
and print most of your jobs with the same settings, you don't need to take any extra action to ensure
nesting compatibility. Otherwise, if you want to minimize paper waste using nesting:

●

Save your settings in presets, using the Embedded Web Server's Manage presets tab. You can
save:

◦

Print-quality settings (Print quality, Max detail, More passes)

Color and color adjustment settings (see

◦

◦

Layout and mechanical settings (Margins, Mirror, Cutter)

All pages must be in one or other of the following three groups (a single nest must contain

●

members of only one group):

Color adjustment options on page 97)

TIFF and JPEG, which can nest together even with different input profiles

◦

PostScript and PDF

◦

HP-GL/2 using the same color space (sRGB/aRGB/dRGB)

◦

NOTE: CALS/G4 pages do not nest.

NOTE: JPEG and TIFF pages with resolutions greater than 300 dpi may not nest with other pages in

some cases.

90 Chapter 8 Print options ENWW

Use ink economically

Here are some recommendations for making economical use of ink.

For draft prints, use plain paper and move the print-quality slider to the left end of the scale

●

('Speed'). For further economy, select custom print quality options, then select Fast and
EconoMode.

Clean the printheads only when needed, and clean only those printheads that need cleaning.

●

Cleaning the printheads can be useful, but it uses ink.

Leave the printer permanently turned on so that it can maintain the printheads in good condition

●

automatically. This regular printhead maintenance uses a small amount of ink. However, if it is not
done, the printer may need to use much more ink later to restore the health of the printheads.

Wide prints make more efficient use of ink than narrow prints, because printhead maintenance

●

uses some ink, and its frequency is related to the number of passes made by the printheads.
Therefore, nesting jobs can save ink as well as saving paper (see

on page 89).

Roll protection

If you choose to protect a roll, jobs will be printed on it only if the job explicitly specifies the roll
number or the paper type loaded on the roll. This may be useful, for example, in the following cases.

Nest jobs to save paper

To stop people from accidentally printing unimportant jobs on expensive paper.

●

To avoid printing on a particular roll when printing from AutoCAD without interacting with the HP

●

printer driver.

To protect a roll, go to the front panel and select the Setup menu icon

preferences > Paper options > Roll protection.

NOTE: If you protect a roll, then later unload the current roll and load a new one, the new roll

remains protected. You are protecting the roll number, not one specific roll of paper. That roll number
will remain protected until you cancel the protection.

TIP: If you print without specifying a roll number or paper type, you will not be able to print on any

protected roll.

Unattended printing/overnight printing

Here are some recommendations to help you to deal with a long queue of printing jobs.

If feasible, use brand-new long rolls of paper.

●

If you want to print on partly-used rolls, you can check the paper type and the remaining length in

●

the Embedded Web Server or in the front panel, to confirm that you have enough paper to print
all your jobs.

, then Printing

Print options

ENWW

NOTE: Information on the remaining length is available only if you told the printer the length of

the roll when you loaded it, or if the printer read the length of the roll from the barcode printed on
it.

Load two rolls of paper suitable for your jobs. If the printer finishes one roll, it will automatically

●

switch to the other.

Use ink economically

91

Check that you have paper wide enough to print all of your jobs. Any jobs that are too wide may

●

be put “on hold for paper” if the paper mismatch action is set to Put job on hold (see

mismatch action on page 25).

Check the ink levels remaining in your ink cartridges.

●

When you have submitted your print jobs, you can use the Embedded Web Server from a remote

●

location to monitor their status.

●

Drying time should be set to Automatic.

Paper

Print options

●

For high throughput, select the Setup menu icon

options > Roll switching options > Minimize roll changes or Use roll with less
paper.

●

For economical use of paper, select the Setup menu icon

Paper options > Roll switching options > Minimize paper waste and Autorotate
On.

, then Printing preferences > Paper

, then Printing preferences >

92 Chapter 8 Print options ENWW