UPDATE 5-2-2018: As of firmware AXP2CN1733AR the HP T120 is much better, see here.
Getting the accurate paper advance in your HP T120 is mission critical for photo quality results with your HP T120 or HP T520. Paper advance is so important to image quality, because it controls the proper placement of dots on the paper. If the paper is not advanced, the proper distance between the print head passes, and light or dark bands display in the print, and image grain may increase.
The printer is calibrated by HP to advance correctly with all the different all paper types supported and displayed in the front panel. This means that, when you select the type of loaded paper, the printer adjusts the rate the paper advances while printing. HP states that if you are not satisfied with the default calibration of your paper, you may need to recalibrate the rate the paper advances. I can tell you right now that for cut sheet printing with the HP T120, you need to manually set the paper advance per cut sheet paper type to reduce grain. The auto paper advance function is only half of the time right, so going full manual is better. On roll media, you probably do not need to adjust the paper advance setting much if at all. My HP T120 seems to do a better job with roll media than it does with cut sheet media.
I have calibrated the paper advance for the HP Universal Photo Paper to work with the HP Premium Plus photo Papers that I still have in stock (both for glossy and for satin). You could do the same, if you have HP Premium Plus paper around. This way, you keep the HP Premium (non-plus) settings untouched for your regular HP Premium (non-plus) Photo Paper printing. Again, this procedure is only needed for cut sheet printing. Roll media seems to be handled normal by my HP T120 ('normal' meaning within the design limits of the HP 120).
Follow these steps to calibrate the paper advance procedure.
•On the front panel, press the wrench icon, then select Image Quality Maintenance, then select Paper Advance Calibration, and then select Calibrate Ready Paper.
The printer automatically recalibrates the paper advance and prints a Paper Advance Calibration image.
•Wait until the front panel displays the status screen and re-print your print
If you are satisfied with your print, you are done for this paper type.
If you are dissatisfied with the calibration, repeat step 1. If auto mode does not work, switch to manual mode (click on 'Adjust Paper Advance'). Then increase or decrease the amount of paper advance somewhat after each test print (yes, you will waste paper but it is for the good if you suffer from severe grain in your prints). The HP T120 will remember the proper adjustment automatically. Please keep in mind that a certain amount of grain will always be visible in your prints with this printer. It is simply not a photo printer (but it can give you fair results if handled correctly).
Write a comment
55 printing (Wednesday, 05 October 2016 07:47)
This info you provided in the blog that was really unique I love it!!!
RICOH (Thursday, 04 May 2017 10:49)
Thanks for sharing the info, keep up the good work going.... I really enjoyed exploring your site. good resource...
printing (Sunday, 10 September 2017 16:45)
Hello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website. Please do keep up the great work.
business printing (Tuesday, 14 November 2017 13:29)
Thanks you very much for sharing these links. Will definitely check this out..