HP Photosmart B8550

[parvardigar1]

Hello

I am now printing using 11x14 photopaper to print out a poster.

The need in this project is to print out a transparency. The material I am using is 'Waterproof Inkjet Transparency Film.'

What happens is that when I send a print job the printer simply pulls the sheets through without printing on the sheets.
The printer ignores the instruction to print.

Now if I remove the 11x14 Transparency film ' and insert the usual photopaper - the paper is pulled through - and the ink is delivered as expected upon the surface.

How can I get the Photosmart to print on transparency film?

Thanks

[Valsimot]

The printer has a light sensor that uses light to read the paper's edge. Since your media is transparent the printer can't read the edge because the light goes through the transparency.
You need to get a transparency with a white edge on top to be able to print. Or apply something white by yourself.

[parvardigar1]

Thanks for that suggestion. I did apply a band of white tape - and Photosmart printed however the ink was without definition, wet, and then smeared. Guess that transparent paper isn't ink friendly.

[Valsimot]

You need to get transparencies for an inkjet printer. Those are special, they have side to be printed on, have a special coating on the printable side, and have a white stripe.

The ink will not dry on any kind of transparency.

[parvardigar1]

Hello 

To follow up I have bought from Amazon Transparency Sheets from a couple of different manufacturers.

One is a box, 11x17 with both sides printable - so that helps. The .8.5x11 boxes are one sided. What is interesting is that none of the transparency sheets have a white band. Just plain transparency sheets. I did a Google search to locate transparency sheets that may have those white stripes - found no reference to any for sale. 

The 8.5x11 when I indicated in print setup that is is HP transparency film the printer pulls the sheets and prints however with the 11x17 sheets the B8550 kicks in to pull the sheet - initiates - then the printer shuts down.  I have to do an unplug from the rear of the printer then at the wall and then replug again to get the printer turned on. Keeps turning off - don't know what to make of that.

[Valsimot]

I have checked the inkjet transparencies on Amazon and yes most of them don't have white stripe.

The difference is that your HP uses light to check the paper edge as I explained, most other inkjet printers use a mechanical lever that is triggered by the paper ( transparencies ) edge and the white stripe is not needed.

[parvardigar1]

Hello

I found this site this may be the product that will work for this printer:

https://www.filmsourceinc.net/product/11-x-17-removable-stripe-copier-laser-transparency-film-100-bo...

[Valsimot]

No, those are for laser printers, the ink will not dry if you print on them.