Ikon branded cpp 550 color shift problems

Discussion in 'Konica Minolta Color Laser Printers & Copiers' started by MAX_Josh, Dec 11, 2009.

  1. MAX_Josh

    MAX_Josh Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2009
    Messages:
    5
    Location:
    Michigan, USA
    Does anyone have color shift problems on this machine?
    Neutrals tend to go warm out of the box and after we had the tech take a look it prints too cool.
    Is there something I can do besides calibration and playing with the myriad of color profiles that I've tried?
    I just want the machine to print something even close to neutral :p

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. k_graham

    k_graham Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2009
    Messages:
    111
    Location:
    CommunityPrinters.com Canada
    When we received a Ikon 500, the color specialist extolled how it was excellent and then started sending us several profiles. Its true the profile was wrong because the basic color tables in the machine were wrong, I sent a email to EFI saying we would have to send it back and actually was called by EFI. Over the phone with EFI tech we determined it was missing a patch that should have been factory installed. I think it was GLDN or something akin to that. Without that it thought the machine was an 8050 with mat toner instead of the newer gloss toner with different color characteristics so therefore no profile could get it right. What they neglected to tell me was it also required a different printer driver installed at the computer than was sent.

    So a: add all patches, probably asking on EFI's color forum so you get correct information. EFI would greatly reduce the patch missed and match problems if it provided downloadable complete system files with a built in checksum routine to verify file integrity. Same is true if done with their system disks.

    b: if there is a toner refresh capability do it with the Gradation adjust before doing the EFI Fiery calibration.

    c: On our much better Xerox I think its necessary to use a 92 or less brightness paper for calibration. Higher brightness papers have UV enhancers that skew the calibration I believe, though you might be okay with a Spectro with UV filter for calibration if using 96 and whiter papers.

    d: Our Ikon service would use a Canon test sheet with butterfly to calibrate our 500 - while its the patches that are supposed to be a certain way there is no way to verify what that butterfly is supposed to look like. I believe a test sheet should include a HUMAN and skin tones should look good. Short of that I suggest using a wedding photo it shows skin tones and a white wedding dress should have grey not colored shadows, contrast on lace should be sharp - loss of contrast is usually developer near end of life. Make a copy on a new machine and use it to compare to yours after the tech has done his magic.
    If the tech can't make copies the same after each copier service you have no hope with the RIP.

    e: Tell your employees and yourself to cross off everything below the signature line, or hidden on back sheet of the paper before signing work tickets or invoices for any company, its not likely conditions in your favour are below the signature and though I believe one is only agreeing to what is above the signature - it seems lawyers and judges disagree.

    f: If the above doesn't fix it ask for service records which show parts replacement and have them show manufacturer recommended replacement points - plugged or missing filters are another bad indicator. We've seen instances of Coronas assembly and drum wiper blade at 1.7 to 2 times recommended use in a machine on meter click. Actually we experienced 25 times better distance between service on a B/W IR6000 compared to Ikon BW Canon IR5000 where the independent dealer changed parts at manufacturers recommended levels. 250,000 between service vs 10,000 where both machines were passing the 2,000,000 copies mark.


    Ken
     
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