Banding

Banding

Photopedia

18 October 2007 14:55

Banding is the result of one or more of the tiny ink nozzles being blocked on the print head creating hairline stripes all over your image.

The lines happen at regular intervals as the print head is passed across the paper, creating a very ugly pattern. Having blocked nozzles is a regular occurrence, as they are so small, and even with a new printer you can expect to see some banding, particularly if your printer has been left unused for a prolonged period of time.

However, it’s nothing to worry about as it’s possible to use your printer software to clean the heads automatically. Look for the printer maintenance utilities in your print driver and you’ll find this option.

Printing a nozzle check pattern will quickly clarify whether all the nozzles are okay but don’t be surprised if you need to run the clean heads a few times to clear a stubborn blockage. Be aware, however, that each time you run a clean you’re using up valuable ink, so don’t use it unless absolutely necessary.