C450i poor print quality

[Alex3C]

Hey all, it's my first post!

Got a KM C450i since new but now i'm getting some trouble

COUNTER: 110k, 70k black 40k color.

DR: K: 54% C: 70% Y: 70% M: 99%(new, 70%before)

DV: K: 89% CMY: 97%
FUSE: 85% ITB: 99%(new, 66%before)
Transf Roll: 89%
Only use KM Original Toner and parts.

1-Magenta color is passing trough, the thicker the paper the easier it is to see.
Everything is original from factory still, minus the Magenta Drum and ITB that i just replaced hoping it should solve the issue, didn't make a difference.
2-In general i'm finding the print quality bad, it's hard to get a good picture to upload here, but I think it's also related with the fuser unit.
When i print any image i can see the marks of the press/fuse, shouldn't it be smooth/er?
It should be more a less visible under the "Cardosa Camel" photo with the light reflex.
IMG_20240308_220251_944.jpgIMG_20240308_220258_966.jpg
3-With new full original toner "Y", on the machine still says 0%, this is not so important since it's like this for a while.
IMG_20240308_194440_3552.jpg
4-If someone has the service manual for this model i'm interested!

Any help is appreciated, thank you

[tsbservice]

Re: C450i poor print quality

Those are nothing more of business quality office machines. And they may have to many tweaks and tricks to do than average user can.
Especially with drums and fusers failing prematurely even on office machines not to speak of thick media and high toner coverage.

[Gift]

[Alex3C]

Re: C450i poor print quality

Those are nothing more of business quality office machines. And they may have to many tweaks and tricks to do than average user can.
Especially with drums and fusers failing prematurely even on office machines not to speak of thick media and high toner coverage.

Even on normal 80g the magenta is passing by, and lower quality then expected.

Avg coverage of the machine is around only 6%

[Gift]

Re: C450i poor print quality

What do you mean with "passing by/through"? Perhaps a scan of a test print might help understand the issue.

Try using wetransfer.com for uploading samples with larger filesize.

[Alex3C]

Re: C450i poor print quality

Yeah, Barclay is not suppose to have that magenta tone/spots.
On the images is shown Clairefontaine laser glossy 135g. Used this for years with no issue since the C220/280/360 era.
Even on normal 80g paper i get some magenta spots, quality looks better but it's on the limiar of acceptable.
This is already with all the drivers settings adjusted, been working with the printer for a while and drivers settings didn't change over the years.
I have uploaded the printed page
testpdf.pdf

[Gift]

Re: C450i poor print quality

Ah now I see what you mean, so it's basicly a little emphasis on magenta in your prints.
Did you perform a color calibration / gradation setting?

You can also delete/initialize the gradation and try a test print without doing a new calibration.
Soudns dumb but for strange reasons I've seen better results in this scenario.

I also find the PCL driver doing a better job compared to PS in many cases.
It won't hurt to use and compare both drivers - might be a problem within MacOS enviroments of course lol

[Alex3C]

Re: C450i poor print quality

Ah now I see what you mean, so it's basicly a little emphasis on magenta in your prints.
Did you perform a color calibration / gradation setting?

You can also delete/initialize the gradation and try a test print without doing a new calibration.
Soudns dumb but for strange reasons I've seen better results in this scenario.

I also find the PCL driver doing a better job compared to PS in many cases.
It won't hurt to use and compare both drivers - might be a problem within MacOS enviroments of course lol

yes, i actually did the color calibration, maybe that didn't help and did the opposite

"You can also delete/initialize the gradation and try a test print without doing a new calibration."

I'm going to try that, what's the best way of doing this in service mode?

[Gift]

Re: C450i poor print quality

yes, i actually did the color calibration, maybe that didn't help and did the opposite

"You can also delete/initialize the gradation and try a test print without doing a new calibration."

I'm going to try that, what's the best way of doing this in service mode?

No need, IIRC that should be possible in admin mode -> expert adjustment

[Alex3C]

Re: C450i poor print quality

No need, IIRC that should be possible in admin mode -> expert adjustment

Didn't make any noticeable diference.
Also updated FW from G00-E9-990 to GC2-Q8(00). (no difference)

While search the forum i found the exact same issues i'm facing but in other better words:
Bizhub c250i magenta stripes and grainy color
The magenta and the grainy "low quality" colors.

[barber782]

Re: C450i poor print quality

Try Switch 153 change to Hex 40,

run Stablisation after and grads

Solids will be so much better

[Alex3C]

Re: C450i poor print quality

Try Switch 153 change to Hex 40,

run Stablisation after and grads

Solids will be so much better

Already had that setting, didn't make any noticeable diference

[Gift]

Re: C450i poor print quality

Didn't make any noticeable diference.
Also updated FW from G00-E9-990 to GC2-Q8(00). (no difference)

While search the forum i found the exact same issues i'm facing but in other better words:
Bizhub c250i magenta stripes and grainy color
The magenta and the grainy "low quality" colors.

Unfortunately there is no end of the story but the samples are good tu understand what bothers you.
I just comapred it with a used C450i (CY druma @60% remaining life) and depending on the lightning condition,
paper and viewing angle the result can look pretty compareable:

IMG_20240327_080417.jpg