my pictures are printing grainy, what can I do

[mab711]

I am using brand new ink that has never been refilled or remanufactured.  I am using kodak photo paper...I am not sure how old it is.

I have printed hundreds of pictures using this printer and photo paper and have never had problems until recently.

[Shane_R]

I just noticed that no one has had you try doing a printhead cleaning and alignment. The document below doesn't deal with your problem, but has the steps for a printhead cleaning and alignment in it. Let me know what happens.

http://goo.gl/7PR3z

[mab711]

This is one of the first things I did.

[Shane_R]

I would go ahead and try replacing the cartridge then. If that doesn't work, the printer may be fried.

[mab711]

I have recently replaced all the cartridges.  I am able to print just about anything from my printer, except pictures, and it turns out fine.  It is just that the pictures look grainy when printed on photo paper. Thank you for all your help, I hate to have to buy a new printer. 

[Shane_R · Accepted solution]

Sorry. I think that last response by me was meant for another post. I get my wires crossed sometimes. I would try getting HP photo paper. I would start with a small pack just to test if there is a difference. Let me know what you find. I'll look into some other possible causes in the mean time.

[Shane_R]

Any luck?

[mab711]

That worked, i guess it was the paper:smileyhappy:

Thanks

[Shane_R]

No problem. 🙂

[HC_PC]

Hi,

I am quite disappointed with my Photosmart 7520 and it printing grainy (and off for color).  But I'm more concerned about the grainyness right now.

I've been through a thread of discussion about this maybe late Summer 2013.  From there I used the driver for Deskjet 990c and it worked at that time for some printing.  But it hasn't held up.

(The discussion thread is named:   "Re: color correction Photosmart 7520 (86 Views) " )

So i've tried Deskjet 9800 that was also recommended there.  And now a Deskjet 5550 driver that I got from the HP website Consumer Support page, but it's not exactly for the 7520 -- it's for Photosmart 7550.  Thought it would be close enough.

All are not helping.

More details:  Vista, 600dpi x 600dpi or 300dpi x 300dpi used.  Photos are high pixels (1500 x 1900.This is cropped from 3000x3000? original photo).   Using HP Prem Plus photo paper, Glossy.  HP Ink cartridges are new.  Alignments, etc. done regularly with cartridge changes. 

Got my Photosmart 7520 as a replacement for a malfunctioning Officejet 8600 earlier Summer 2013. (Photo Tray wouldn't feed photo paper into printer)   And that was a long cumbersome process, although with nice service.  But can't put out that kind of time again.

Not having good time with all this.

Any other drivers to try?   Or ideas?

Thank you.