Thread: Problem printing color on Canon C3200

When you say the exact same problem, you have heavy magenta backgrounding like the first post picture in addition to misregistration between colors?

If you do a full auto gradiation adjustment are the c, m, y, and k blocks offset from one another (different distances from the edge of the sheet)

Over the past 7 years, every time I've had a registration problem between colors with my canon 3200 or 3220 it's been because toner got under the ITB transfer belt. A tiny bit of toner under the transfer belt is enough to cause this. Often taking out the ITB and gently cleaning the back side of the ITB belt with a lint free cloth and the rollers carefully restores registration to perfect. Be careful not to touch the printing surface of the belt. Sometimes the rollers on the ITB assembly under the belt need to be replaced though.

In 1.7 million 11x17's I've had to clean my ITB belts about 7 times and have my ITB rollers replaced three times.

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, the CMYK are offset as you described. Now all color output reflects this, each image is separated into CMY and offset a little. Like those old 3-D pictures you needed to view with funny glasses.
Cheers,
Scott

Well, my bet is that you need to either clean or rebuild the ITB transfer belt assembly. Hopefully just cleaning under the belt will be enough this time to save you the money of the rollers if you're not on a service contract.

Can you describe your recommended procedure for cleaning the ITB? I've got it out and there's lots of toner marks on it. A large band of yellow right across it. This looks like one of those things you don't want to touch much.
Cheers,

Scott

Don't touch the transfer belt printing area at all - touch it only by the edges and carefully.

It's best if you have a service contract to watch a tech do it as they can do it in their sleep and it's easier to do than to explain, or if you have a manual.

But if not, be careful as a mistake can cost you hundreds of dollars as the frame has a lot of plastic yet it's $$$. I should also say I'm a printer not a technician. I don't know what to make of the band of toner on it - was an adjustment interrupted when you shut the machine down to pull it out? Ours are usually fairly clean from the normal action of the cleaning blade other than toner that has dropped from the (older) drum(s) along the edges of the assembly.

If you haven't done it before, it's best to have two people so you have four hands (the techs will probably chuckle at this recommendation!)

Basically stand it on end and remove the two metal shields on the bottom, the large one and the small one. They're screwed on the op side with a 4 screws for the large and one for the small and fit into a groove on the non-op side. Be careful not to break the small var-resistor - remove it by removing the two screws to remove the metal guards.

Then the two colored handles you removed the ITB assembly with are also the pivot points. First remove the 4 screws on the one that faces the back non-op of the machine and pull it up so it swivels free. Then rotate the assembly and do the same for the handle that faces the front of the machine. Then the whole ITB assembly hinges with these two locking handles pulled up and releases tension on the ITB belt so you can slide it off. Note which way the belt is on - there should be a small mark on non-op (back) side but it's hard to see.

For me it's often been enough to very carefully clean the inside of the belt with a lint free cloth and clean off the rollers and then reassemble. It's been not enough toner to see much but enough that it throws the color to color registration off.

Make sure the belt is centered when you reassemble and that the foam inner rail on the belt isn't riding up on one of the rollers.

Thanks so much. I'll give that go.

Cheers,

Scott

I bow to you sir, deep, long, and low. I followed your procedure (amidst many baleful glares from co-workers) and the printing is now flawless. Thank you so much.

Happy Scott

Good deal! And my pleasure.