Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

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  • RY1997
    Junior Member
    • Jun 2019
    • 8
    #1

    [CQ] Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

    Hello. I'm doing a month-to-month rental with a local company for a Kyocera Taskalfa 3050ci.

    I've placed a service request in regards to color quality, and they couldn't really help because everything I was printing was coming from my PC, and obviously the machine only does what it is told to do.

    Before bothering them with another service request (and them wasting more of my time for nothing), I'd like to know what EXACTLY the problem is so I can tell them so they know what needs to be fixed.

    I am experiencing this issue when printing from my PC but also when I do diagnostics/adjustments from the printer itself.

    When I print the toner curve adjustment/calibration pattern, the edges of the squares are darker and more dense than the rest of the square. Every color seems to be affected by this except for yellow. I've tried drum refresh, developer refresh, but I still get the same result.

    Please bare with me as I am new to this forum too. Here is the link to a scan (PDF) of the pattern page: Google Drive: Sign-in

    If you look closely, you can see a darker edge on almost every single square that isn't yellow.

    If anyone knows what causes this problem or what this issue is called, please let me know. If it's something simple I can fix myself, please do also let me know. I appreciate any help you guys can offer me. Thank you!

    Edit:
    Here is an inline image of the page:

    0001.jpg
    Last edited by RY1997; 06-18-2019, 06:33 PM.
    Tags: color calibration, kyocera, mfp, taskalfa, taskalfa 3050ci
    • blackcat4866
      Master Of The Obvious

      Site Contributor
      10,000+ Posts
      • Jul 2007
      • 22699
      #2
      Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

      Congratulations on looking closely enough to see that. Every color Kyocera up to the AlphardII series does this. Two of the adjoining sides are always darker and crisper than the center and opposite sides. There isn't really anything that can be done about that. It's just the way it is. I was unable to look at your images, so I cannot really comment on the image quality.

      Please keep in mind that these are business quality machines. By definition that means that they are designed to include color, but not photo quality color.

      Please try to attach some image quality samples that we can view. =^..^=
      If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
      1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
      2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
      3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
      4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
      5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

      blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

        Comment

        • RY1997
          Junior Member
          • Jun 2019
          • 8
          #3
          Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

          Originally posted by blackcat4866
          Congratulations on looking closely enough to see that. Every color Kyocera up to the AlphardII series does this. Two of the adjoining sides are always darker and crisper than the center and opposite sides. There isn't really anything that can be done about that. It's just the way it is. I was unable to look at your images, so I cannot really comment on the image quality.

          Please keep in mind that these are business quality machines. By definition that means that they are designed to include color, but not photo quality color.

          Please try to attach some image quality samples that we can view. =^..^=
          Sorry about that. I just added an inline image that shows the "problem".

          This is very disappointing to say the least. I'm actually trying to run a small printing business from home (I've even gotten a few orders so far), and I've been told color quality is lacking by customers. And just so you don't think I'm off my rocker, I know these machines do not compare to digital presses. I know they aren't necessarily made to be production machines, it's just that the company is local and the price is right for me to make some good profit.

          Anyways, the feedback I have received doesn't have to do with this at all. Rather, color accuracy was lacking for an order but I got more accuracy when picking "Vivid Colors" from the print dialog for color settings.

          For full bleed designs like postcards, business cards, or even full bleed brochures, I guess it doesn't matter if it's darker near the edges because it will almost always be cut off.

          You seem to know your Kyocera machines. The only other complaint I have about this machine is that colors are darker than what appear on my screen. A basic bright red looks maroon when printed on a page. Do I bump up the saturation, lightness or both in print settings? I print from Publisher, Acrobat Pro, and Photoshop. I'm trying to print some nice 4x6 postcards to send to specific businesses in my area (I have leftover stamps in my car from when I was on eBay), but the colors just look so much darker and all.

          Funny, the technicians through the rental company tell me I need to pay more money for higher quality paper. But I have this darkness issue on 110lb Domtar/Cougar Cover, and that paper isn't cheap. What are your thoughts on adjusting my colors in my print settings for brighter reds and blues?

            Comment

            • blackcat4866
              Master Of The Obvious

              Site Contributor
              10,000+ Posts
              • Jul 2007
              • 22699
              #4
              Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

              Originally posted by RY1997
              This is very disappointing to say the least. I'm actually trying to run a small printing business from home (I've even gotten a few orders so far), and I've been told color quality is lacking by customers. And just so you don't think I'm off my rocker, I know these machines do not compare to digital presses. I know they aren't necessarily made to be production machines, it's just that the company is local and the price is right for me to make some good profit.

              Anyways, the feedback I have received doesn't have to do with this at all. Rather, color accuracy was lacking for an order but I got more accuracy when picking "Vivid Colors" from the print dialog for color settings.
              This machine is not a good choice for a printing business. Color accuracy is mediocre at best. For a printing business you'll need to have a Konica Minolta C754e, C658, or PRESS. The Kyocera will never produce the quality and consistency that you need.

              Originally posted by RY1997
              The only other complaint I have about this machine is that colors are darker than what appear on my screen. A basic bright red looks maroon when printed on a page. Do I bump up the saturation, lightness or both in print settings? I print from Publisher, Acrobat Pro, and Photoshop. I'm trying to print some nice 4x6 postcards to send to specific businesses in my area (I have leftover stamps in my car from when I was on eBay), but the colors just look so much darker and all.
              Without going into a really long explanation, you should not be comparing the RGB additive color produced by a light source to CMYK subtractive color produced by a reflective image on a piece of paper. The RGB color gamut is about twice as large as the CMYK color gamut, meaning that you can view twice as many colors on your monitor as you can produce on a printer. Read more here:

              color gamut.jpg

              Originally posted by RY1997
              Funny, the technicians through the rental company tell me I need to pay more money for higher quality paper. But I have this darkness issue on 110lb Domtar/Cougar Cover, and that paper isn't cheap. What are your thoughts on adjusting my colors in my print settings for brighter reds and blues?
              Buying better paper will help, but it won't solve all your problems. Look for 100 brightness, 28# bond or heavier. Since toner is transparent the color of the paper is critical. All of these topics can blossom into much larger conversations, but I don't want to delude you into thinking your KM-3050ci can ever make any image comparable to a PRESS 3070. =^..^=
              Last edited by blackcat4866; 06-18-2019, 08:05 PM.
              If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
              1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
              2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
              3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
              4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
              5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

              blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

                Comment

                • RY1997
                  Junior Member
                  • Jun 2019
                  • 8
                  #5
                  Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                  Thank you for the info! I really appreciate it.

                  Yeah, this machine is not made for production printing. Totally get that. In fact, the only thing I'm really advertising is documents. The only reason I want to print my own postcards is because I don't necessarily want to give people the wrong impression when they get a nice looking postcard from say Staples but then I can't produce colors at or above the same quality. Again, I'm not advertising things like postcards. Just documents. Like presentations, resumes, packets, and booklets.

                  I know that this doesn't compare to an actual production machine, but if it can get me off the ground and get me a few high dollar orders (even if they're only B&W), I'll be upgrading ASAP.

                  I don't suppose adding an EFI Fiery would help with this machine though? It is compatible with Fiery servers. Just curious. If I was upgrading I'd definitely get a more mainstream machine like Ricoh, Xerox, or Konica.

                    Comment

                    • blackcat4866
                      Master Of The Obvious

                      Site Contributor
                      10,000+ Posts
                      • Jul 2007
                      • 22699
                      #6
                      Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                      This machine is compatible with a Fiery, but it won't help very much. =^..^=
                      If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
                      1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
                      2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
                      3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
                      4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
                      5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

                      blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

                        Comment

                        • Scott
                          Trusted Tech

                          Site Contributor
                          100+ Posts
                          • Dec 2009
                          • 185
                          #7
                          Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                          Kyocera takes a step in the right direction with each series they make. the new stuff is pretty good. The 3050 is 2 series old. I work on both Minolta and Kyocera. The Minolta has good color but higher maintenance and parts prices are through the roof. The Kyocera is lower maintenance and getting better color each time. So check out both brands before jumping on 1 or the other to see which works better for you

                            Comment

                            • Ropariva
                              Senior Tech

                              500+ Posts
                              • Mar 2016
                              • 591
                              #8
                              Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                              The only thing that may give you better colour matching will be changing the colour table to the Konica Minolta table. This is done in U485. Saturation will also be greatly improved through the use of expensive colour copier paper. Only then will you get the 3050 anywhere near what your expecting.
                              These are a good all round business duplicator and do a fair job at best of colour matching.
                              Try the colour table change and quality paper. You might be surprised at the difference.
                              Try creating a PDF with the four colour swatches on it as a test
                              Do squares of 100% C, M , Y and K.
                              Look at the Cyan. This is likely to be an aqua colour.
                              Change the colour table
                              Print again and see the difference.

                              Good luck.

                                Comment

                                • RY1997
                                  Junior Member
                                  • Jun 2019
                                  • 8
                                  #9
                                  Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                                  Originally posted by Ropariva
                                  The only thing that may give you better colour matching will be changing the colour table to the Konica Minolta table. This is done in U485. Saturation will also be greatly improved through the use of expensive colour copier paper. Only then will you get the 3050 anywhere near what your expecting.
                                  These are a good all round business duplicator and do a fair job at best of colour matching.
                                  Try the colour table change and quality paper. You might be surprised at the difference.
                                  Try creating a PDF with the four colour swatches on it as a test
                                  Do squares of 100% C, M , Y and K.
                                  Look at the Cyan. This is likely to be an aqua colour.
                                  Change the colour table
                                  Print again and see the difference.

                                  Good luck.
                                  I'm not sure what U845 is. Is there an online guide on how to load the color table? That would be awesome and I'd love to try it out ASAP.

                                    Comment

                                    • Scott
                                      Trusted Tech

                                      Site Contributor
                                      100+ Posts
                                      • Dec 2009
                                      • 185
                                      #10
                                      Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                                      U485 is a service mode...If nobody has changed the password it is 1087-1087

                                        Comment

                                        • Netghost56
                                          Field Service Supervisor
                                          • Jun 2019
                                          • 13
                                          #11
                                          Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                                          U485 is a Service Mode option.

                                          I service Kyocera and Konicas, as well as Canon (just started). For a Kyocera, a Taskalfa 406ci would be a budget buy, but it won't do larger sized docs. A 7052ci would get you a solid business, but I agree with the former that a Konica Bizhub PRESS is really what you need. We have several in the field - these are multi-sectional machines that can easily fill a room, but the quality is unmatched for anything I've seen.

                                            Comment

                                            • RY1997
                                              Junior Member
                                              • Jun 2019
                                              • 8
                                              #12
                                              Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                                              Originally posted by Scott
                                              U485 is a service mode...If nobody has changed the password it is 1087-1087
                                              I think the credentials were changed.

                                              I suppose I could just call them in for service again and tell them that I want the color table changed. You really think the difference will be noticeable though? And once it's changed it can always be switched back obviously, right? And why Konica Minolta for the color table? Does that company pride itself in accurate colors? Is that what they're known for? I never heard of this brand of MFPs until I dug deeper and learned more about what was available out there. I even saw a brand name called Lanier...what the heck is a Lanier even?

                                                Comment

                                                • Ropariva
                                                  Senior Tech

                                                  500+ Posts
                                                  • Mar 2016
                                                  • 591
                                                  #13

                                                    Comment

                                                    • Ropariva
                                                      Senior Tech

                                                      500+ Posts
                                                      • Mar 2016
                                                      • 591
                                                      #14
                                                      Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                                                      You have to have the machine in copy mode.
                                                      Press 10871087 without pause. That should get you in

                                                        Comment

                                                        • George J
                                                          Trusted Tech

                                                          100+ Posts
                                                          • Nov 2010
                                                          • 107
                                                          #15
                                                          Re: Kyocera TaskAlfa 3050ci - Colors Denser Near Edges

                                                          As an end user be careful in the service mode. The color table does change the color output a bit, but the general quality will remain the same.

                                                          As mentioned before the darker edges is a 'thing' with kyo machines and I was told by a kyo trainer that that's how they print and there is nothing you can do about it.

                                                          Don't get me wrong, these are great machines for general office work, but don't expect color critical work to come out all that great.

                                                            Comment

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