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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- Re: Ink quality

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01-05-2017 04:13 AM
I do quite a bit of photo printing and always use high grade photo paper. never had any trouble before using Epson rpoducts. However since switching to HP, on more thaan one occasion black ink can be rubbed off even after a week from printing. I always choose to print in colour using the colour cartridge to get the different hues. I tried a picture in black and white, and that was a disaster. Can any one help with this problem.
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01-10-2017 09:00 AM - edited 01-10-2017 09:29 AM
@Harry81 wrote:Since my last post, I printed the same photo with four different selections from the media panel. The two selections for glossy papers, the dark colours could be smudged off. When I chose HP Photo papers and Other photo inkjet papers, the colours remained fast. I can't understand it , I used the same printer,same ink, and same pack of paper. would like some feed back from HP on this problem, because at the moment I do not have complete faith in this ink product.
There are different kinds of inkjet photo media and they have different coatings and different characteristics. The different media types handle ink differently. The driver is tuned to the different media types and puts down the appropriate amount of ink for that media. (For example, glossy photo media typically takes more ink than matte media to give the best prints). You have found out by experimenting that the glossy settings are not appropriate for the media you have. If you were to buy one of the HP Glossy photo papers named in the driver you would find that these settings were appropriate for that media.
For your media it appears that HP Photo Papers or Other Photo Papers is the correct choice. There may be some differences between these, I would suggest you pick the one that gives the best results for the media you are using.
Edit - the article here has some information on the different types of photo paper and some of the different characteristics.
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01-05-2017 08:58 AM
Please read this post then provide some details. What printer model? What photo paper are you using - is it designed for inkjet printing?
Are you selecting the proper media type in the driver? HP printers use pigmented black ink, this is not compatible with glossy photo paper. Selecting the proper photo paper type will result in the color cartridges (compatible with photo paper) to be used.
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button
If my answer was helpful please click "Yes" to the "Was this post helpful" question.
01-05-2017 10:17 AM
Thanks Bob,
The paper I use is -United office A4 premium inkjet photo paper.280gsm. I always use the colour setting. Interesting to hear that black ink will not adhere to glossy paper. That was my original deduction so nice to know I was on the right track. The printer is HP Envy 5254 print,copy scan.
does this shed any light on my problem?,
Harry81
01-05-2017 11:48 AM
In the driver select the Paper/Quality tab and for Media select "Other Photo Papers", Apply, OK. You might also try the various "HP _____ Photo Papers" settings and compare the print quality, one of these may be a better match for your photo paper.
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button
If my answer was helpful please click "Yes" to the "Was this post helpful" question.
01-10-2017 02:47 AM
@Harry81 wrote:Thanks Bob, There are one or two options in that panel, I will try them all in due course and let you know. Harry
Since my last post, I printed the same photo with four different selections from the media panel. The two selections for glossy papers, the dark colours could be smudged off. When I chose HP Photo papers and Other photo inkjet papers, the colours remained fast. I can't understand it , I used the same printer,same ink, and same pack of paper. would like some feed back from HP on this problem, because at the moment I do not have complete faith in this ink product.
01-10-2017 09:00 AM - edited 01-10-2017 09:29 AM
@Harry81 wrote:Since my last post, I printed the same photo with four different selections from the media panel. The two selections for glossy papers, the dark colours could be smudged off. When I chose HP Photo papers and Other photo inkjet papers, the colours remained fast. I can't understand it , I used the same printer,same ink, and same pack of paper. would like some feed back from HP on this problem, because at the moment I do not have complete faith in this ink product.
There are different kinds of inkjet photo media and they have different coatings and different characteristics. The different media types handle ink differently. The driver is tuned to the different media types and puts down the appropriate amount of ink for that media. (For example, glossy photo media typically takes more ink than matte media to give the best prints). You have found out by experimenting that the glossy settings are not appropriate for the media you have. If you were to buy one of the HP Glossy photo papers named in the driver you would find that these settings were appropriate for that media.
For your media it appears that HP Photo Papers or Other Photo Papers is the correct choice. There may be some differences between these, I would suggest you pick the one that gives the best results for the media you are using.
Edit - the article here has some information on the different types of photo paper and some of the different characteristics.
I am not an employee of HP, I am a volunteer posting here on my own time.
If your problem is solved please click the "Accept as Solution" button
If my answer was helpful please click "Yes" to the "Was this post helpful" question.
01-15-2017 05:34 AM
After four or five days, the inks on the inkjet papers are still fast, and the glossy ones can still be smudged. I have read your last post Bob including the very interesting item from the EDIT hyperlink and found a lot of useful info on papers and printers. Thank you for your help , I appreciate your advice , it was valuable. I have a solution to my original post.
Regards,
Harry.