51
5.6.8 Print Quality
Symptom
Condition
Remedy
Printing ½ characters or a row
of dots is missing, usually
bottoms of lower case g, j, y,
etc.
DP6 ribbon shield installed
backward.
Printhead or printing circuit is
defective (unusual).
Remove ribbon cartridge,
remove ribbon shield and
install per the drawing below.
Replace printhead or main PC
board.
Printer is printing streaks over
printed lines.
Documents jamming under the
printhead.
Ribbon shield is missing or
worn.
Ribbon is near end of life.
Ribbon has too much ink.
Printhead gap is too small.
Replace ribbon shield.
Replace ribbon cartridge.
Reset printhead gap.
First few characters printed
are partially formed.
Printwires are clogged with
ink, ribbon lint and paper dust.
Remove and clean printhead
with Printer Cleaning Kit.
Large gaps in printing or
sporadic light print occurs.
Ribbon fabric is folded or
twisted inside cartridge.
Ribbon drive clutches are
slipping.
Replace ribbon cartridge.
Replace ribbon drive clutches
Every other line of print is light
or unreadable.
Ribbon drive clutches are
slipping.
Replace ribbon drive clutches
Printing not dark enough on
multiple part forms or receipts.
Quiet mode set to Y.
Printhead gap too large.
Change quiet mode to N
Reset printhead gap.
If print is light all across the print line, check with the same procedure as if printhead noise were present in
5.6.7. Be aware that printing on a thick document will always be a little lighter than on a thin one.
If there is ribbon smear on the document and it is not very wrinkled:
1. Check that document is not too thick or printing is too close to a fold or edge (see 1.2)
2. Check for a displaced or missing ribbon shield.
3. Check printhead gap (see 5.4.1).
DP7 Printhead
DP7 Slider
Slider Attach Post
Slider stop pins
Flat surface faces out
toward operator
DP6 only