Photo quality

[Andreea802]

I just got a hp sprocket printer. Besides the fact that i need to restart my iphone everytime i wanted to print in order for the printer to connect, the quality of the photo is very bad. The colors are not true, it like aplies its own filter which makes the photos very warm toned and sad. They are also pretty blured. Is this normal?

[DavidSMP]

Hi @Andreea802,

Thanks for taking an interest in the HP Support Forums. After reading your post I see that you require assistance with print quality. It will be a delight to assist you here.

Superb analysis and brilliant diagnosis of the issue before posting. Kudos to you on that score. 🙂

For better clarity and to assist you better I would require more information regarding this.

• Did this happen after a recent software or OS update on the phone?

For now, try these steps:

• First, uninstall the HP sprocket app and reinstall it on the phone and check again if the issue gets resolved.
• If it does not follow all the relevant steps from this link: http://hp.care/2wUrTid to fix print quality issues.
• Also, check the Sprocket FAQs link: http://hp.care/2iB4aRu and follow the relevant steps that best match your current situation
• What if the printer does not print?
• Why is my printout blank?
• Why am I unable to connect my Apple iOS device?
• How do I reset my printer?

This should fix the issue.

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles.

Take care and have a blessed week ahead. 🙂

[Andreea802]

My phobe connects properly now. I still am not happy with the way it prints. I understand that the photos cannot be very clear, but the colors? Why even bother with fixing the photo, enhancing the colors when the printer anyway makes everything look vintage? And in your user’s guide the photos that appear i don’t think they are actually printed with your device. It is just a colage the company made to sell. It is very dissapointing to see the actual photo in conparison with the original. I just want to see similar colors

[A4Apollo · Accepted solution]

Hi! @Andreea802, Thank you for visiting the HP Forums! A great place where you can find solutions for your issues with help from the community!

I understand you have issues printing from your sprocket printer.

Don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Did you make any changes to your printer?

Are you printing using HP ZINK® Sticky-Backed Photo Paper?

As you mentioned when you print from the sprocket printer the print quality is not up to the mark.

Please, the few steps recommended below.

Use these recommendations to help improve print quality.
Use genuine HP ZINK® Sticky-Backed Photo Paper. ZINK® makes custom photo paper for a variety of printers, such as Polaroid, LG, and HP. HP recommends using HP ZINK® Sticky-Backed Photo Paper for best results. To purchase genuine HP ZINK® Sticky-Backed Photo Paper, go to the HP Sprocket homepage. You can also purchase genuine HP ZINK® Sticky-Backed Photo Paper from other retailers.
Clean the output rollers with the blue HP ZINK® Smartsheet from the same pack of photo paper currently in the printer. Load the blue HP ZINK® Smartsheet into the input tray with the bar code facing down and the photo paper with the print side facing up, and then send a print job.
   NOTE:
Load photo paper with the Smartsheet to avoid an Out of Paper error message.
Update the printer firmware. On your mobile device, make sure it is connected to the Internet, and then open the HP Sprocket app. If there is a firmware update available, a firmware update screen displays. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the update.
Allow the printer a few minutes to cool down between print jobs.
When the printer becomes too warm, a Cooling down... Sprocket needs to cool down before printing another job. Wait to send another photo. the message might display on the HP Sprocket app. Tap OK to clear the message.
Store the photo paper in a cool, dry place and avoid contact with water. If water spills on a photo, wipe it away as soon as possible to prevent damaging the photo.
Use clean, wrinkle-free photo paper. Avoid loading wrinkled or curled photo paper into the printer.
Make sure images have a minimum resolution of 818 x 1258 pixels per inch (ppi) for optimal print quality. Screen-captured images from your mobile device might not have sufficient resolution for optimal print quality. See your mobile device manufacturer for more information.

If the issue still persists try resetting the printer and update the printer firmware.

1.    Reset the Sprocket unit by placing a push-pin or needle into the small hole on the rear of the unit.  (Reset instructions in the support doc HERE)
2.    Plug in the Sprocket unit with the provided micro-USB cable.  Connect to either a computer USB port or USB wall charger.
3.    Allow the Sprocket unit to charge for 10 minutes.  Note:  A call back may be required in these instances.
4.    Power on the Sprocket unit by pressing/holding the power button for 3 seconds.
5.    A white LED should illuminate on the rear of the unit if power up is successful.
6.    Remind the customer to charge their Sprocket for an additional 60-90 minutes to enable a full battery charge.
 

If the issue still persists try updating the sprocket firmware from the sprocket app and check if it helps.

Open Sprocket app go to menu-->Sprocket---> Printers; A blue firmware update link will be present if an update is available.

Refer this article to further troubleshoot print quality issues with your sprocket printer.

If the issue still persists please contact HP support for service options.

Link to contact HP.

If the solution provided worked for you, please mark accepted solution for this post.

Let me know if this works!

Have a great day! 🙂

Please click "Accept as Solution" if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the "Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say "Thanks" for helping!