Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

[guitar9199]

I've seen a couple of threads where this has apparently been a bit of an issue, because the C3503 is a "Business Color" model and not "Production" color. Customer trying to do a 2 sided 4-up postcard on LTR size cardstock (216 gm2), and they're getting random tracking and spotting from the toner not fusing completely. Running through the bypass tray with it set to Cardstock/Thick 4, temperature maxed out for that weight, and STILL not getting decent fusing.

I've already opened a ticket with Ricoh Help Desk, but one of the engineers I spoke with said the paper was "Out of spec" (which according to the brochure, it's NOT...), so I'm wondering if anyone has come up with a solution...or at least a workaround.

Thanks in advance, troops!

[mikadonovan]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

Sounds like time to try a different brand of media. Unfortunately it can be a hard sell, especially when the customer bought a whole pallet of the stuff because they got "a really good deal" on it.

[guitar9199]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

Sounds like time to try a different brand of media. Unfortunately it can be a hard sell, especially when the customer bought a whole pallet of the stuff because they got "a really good deal" on it.

Agreed.... or even the, "We've been using this stuff for years and didn't have any problems until we got your copier..." That's always a fun one to deal with.

I'm bringing over some 80# white cardstock to see if that runs with no issues. If it does, I can point to the paper as the culprit. They're not going to like it though, because after the cards are printed, they'll have to cut them.

[slimslob]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

It doesn't happen to be glossy or semi glossy paper?

[skinnyb]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

Texture can cause as much problem as GSM. A rough linen style paper or glossy sometimes just won't fuse no matter what you do. That may be why tech support says it's not in spec. If the Fuser is proper and all settings are set properly and it still doesn't fuse, change the paper. All you can do.

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

[guitar9199]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

Here's the deal... <Insert Ross Perot accent here>

The original paper was pre-perforated along the center of the page in both directions. There's a light powder (possibly paper dust...most likely a powder applied to keep pages from sticking) on the surface. I switched to a #65 Cardstock (176 gm2) and it was still streaking a little. Then I noticed the print driver was overriding the machine settings, so I changed it from "Cardstock" to "Thick 4". The streaking went away.

The image they were trying to print was HIGHLY saturated, so I believe that contributed to our issues as well.

They're happy with it... and I'm good with that!

[Oze]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

Here's the deal... <Insert Ross Perot accent here>

The original paper was pre-perforated along the center of the page in both directions. There's a light powder (possibly paper dust...most likely a powder applied to keep pages from sticking) on the surface. I switched to a #65 Cardstock (176 gm2) and it was still streaking a little. Then I noticed the print driver was overriding the machine settings, so I changed it from "Cardstock" to "Thick 4". The streaking went away.

The image they were trying to print was HIGHLY saturated, so I believe that contributed to our issues as well.

They're happy with it... and I'm good with that!

I was in the Lithographic print industry for 30 years and what it sounds to me has happened is that the presence of dusting powder might be because the card stock was varnished at the same time that it was perforated.
I've seen this happen once on supplied stock from a print company.
Just happened to be that the customer was a lithographic print company so when I explained it to them they understood straight away.
If the stock was just perforated then they wouldn't dust it.
You only dust stock to dry it out faster.
Are they still using their original stock?

[davel]

[guitar9199]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

I was in the Lithographic print industry for 30 years and what it sounds to me has happened is that the presence of dusting powder might be because the card stock was varnished at the same time that it was perforated.
I've seen this happen once on supplied stock from a print company.
Just happened to be that the customer was a lithographic print company so when I explained it to them they understood straight away.
If the stock was just perforated then they wouldn't dust it.
You only dust stock to dry it out faster.
Are they still using their original stock?

Thankfully they ran out of the original (216 gm2) paper. They're using some 176 gm2 that they seem to be happy with. One side of the original stock did feel like it was coated, so I told them they needed to try something different.

[julianclar]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

I bet that it depends a lot on the paper that is being used. Tracking is harder on paper the reflecting paper. But again, it is not a rule and sometimes this shouldn't be a problem. MP C3503 isn't the best tool for tracking, I have tried it one or twice and never liked working with it. So I've ordered another model, it's more expensive, but I need a professional tool that will last. speedpak shipping says that I'm going to receive it within the next 2 working days, so wait for my review. Hope to post it by the end of the next week.

[sandmanmac]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

I bet that it depends a lot on the paper that is being used. Tracking is harder on paper the reflecting paper. But again, it is not a rule and sometimes this shouldn't be a problem. MP C3503 isn't the best tool for tracking, I have tried it one or twice and never liked working with it. So I've ordered another model, it's more expensive, but I need a professional tool that will last. speedpak shipping says that I'm going to receive it within the next 2 working days, so wait for my review. Hope to post it by the end of the next week.

Well we've been waiting patiently over 2 years for you to weigh in on the subject, so what's a couple more weeks
Seriously??

[Mark Bbb]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

I bet that it depends a lot on the paper that is being used. Tracking is harder on paper the reflecting paper. But again, it is not a rule and sometimes this shouldn't be a problem. MP C3503 isn't the best tool for tracking, I have tried it one or twice and never liked working with it. So I've ordered another model, it's more expensive, but I need a professional tool that will last. speedpak shipping says that I'm going to receive it within the next 2 working days, so wait for my review. Hope to post it by the end of the next week.

What is the "tracking" you are writing about?

[Gift]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

216g should work fine but the paper surface or some soat of coating/finishing might just not work. If a decent temp raise doesn't do the trick I would recommend the customer to get some samples from different paper brands/types and do a little testing before buying a big lot.

It also says 2sided? Might be not a good idea to run it as one continous job if one or both sides contains high coverage content.

Usually the backsinde of a postcard doesn't really have much content, perhaps some lines, a stamp symbol... You can try and preprint that side first and do the "high coverage" photo side afterwards.

[Gift]

Re: Tracking/Spotting on heavy stock- MP C3503

aaahh sheeeeeet I missed that this topic is originally from the last decade, time to go home lol

[INSERT CPT PICARD FACEPALM HERE]