Table of Contents

Piezography Manual

Piezography Instructions for the Epson® R3000 and P600 Printer

How to install and use Piezography ink on the R3000 and P600 printers.

Summary

Epson P600 Printer

Use these procedures to convert your color printer to a Piezography printer. If you are installing a Continuous Ink System (CIS), please refer to the installation instructions provided with the CIS. If you are installing user refillable cartridges, please refer to the installation instructions in the "Support" menu above.

Whether you use refillable cartridges, CIS, or pre-filled cartridges (available outside the USA), the placement of the shades of Piezography ink are critical and not arbitrary. You must refer to the shade placement chart provided here on this document.

Most Piezography systems depend upon the QuadtoneRIP software with which to control the ink shades. Installation instructions and support of that software is provided by the manufacturers of those software. We provide our own guides to our suggested use of QuadToneRIP, so that you can get the best results from that product. Additionally, Piezography on the Mac requires the use of Print-Tool. This software has quickly become a de-facto utility for anyone wanting to properly color manage their printing workflow. A full manual for Piezography can be downloaded with the free Piezography Community Edition.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT R3000/P600: It is CRITICAL that you read all of these instructions as this printer has a new ink installation procedure. If you think that you can install without first reading because you are very experienced with Piezography and Epson printers – this is a totally new in ink installation procedure.

Printer Testing

If you are having problems with your printer or print-head, please look at our detailed instructions on how to clean your print head.

We usually recommend that your printer functions perfectly with Epson inks before installing Piezography inks. We do this so that it makes it easier for you to ascertain that you have a printer problem before installing and wasting expensive Piezography inks. In addition to printing a perfect nozzle check, make certain that the printer does not have unfixable banding problems by making test prints. Take the time to scrutinize your printer’s performance before the next step. It is not possible to diagnose many printing problems on a printer that has not first been tested with Epson inks.

However, with MacOS users - the testing of the printer with Epson color inks will make for a more difficult installation process. Not impossible, just more difficult. And because this printer is the first Pro style printer to be released without a Power Clean function, changing over inks is a different procedure from any previous installation instructions. So even if you are a seasoned "Piezographer" and this is your umpteenth printer - please pay close attention to how Piezography inks can be installed. There are three ways:

1. Virgin Ink Installation (R3000 only).

The easiest method to install Piezography inks on the R3000 is by installing them into the printer as its first set of inks. That is sadly not possible on the SureColor P600. You must first put the "starter cartridges" into the P600 which are color before the printer will accept third party Piezography cartridges. Don't worry though. If you switch over to Piezography soon after putting color ink it, there won't be enough time for the color ink attach to any internals inside of the printer. You won't have to use much ink up getting the last bit of color residue out.

2. Windows recommended Ink change procedure
  1. Test the printer with Epson inks to verify that it functions perfectly, as described above.

  2. Obtain or download and install the Epson Service Adjustment Software. This software may be available from many sources, but we find it convenient that this website offers these software utilities and also Epson printer Service Manuals: 2manuals.com The cost is reasonable and they also offer a free Waste Ink Counter reset utility.

  3. Remove the Epson ink cartridges and replace with the Piezography filled cartridges. The cartridges must be filled properly.

  4. Make sure that the printer is in the Ready state.

  5. Launch the Epson Service Adjustment Software and click on the Particular Adjustment Mode.

  6. Click on Ink Charge on the Maintenance Menu. In the Ink Charge Menu click on the Ink Charge button. The printer will now perform the original ink initialization. It takes several minutes. About 15ml of ink in each position will be charged through the system. Do not interrupt the printer or system. You will see a confirmation that the ink charge has been completed when it is finished.

  7. From this same window you can perform head cleanings and nozzle checks. You may wish to do so. However, if you can not get a clean nozzle check within 3 tries. Allow the printer to settle down for several hours. You can use the regular Epson utiltiy software or the printer's maintenance menu to perform nozzle checks and head cleans.

  8. Verify that you have a perfect nozzle check pattern before printing images. The pattern will consist of six sections, of different shades of gray. The lightest shade, shade #7, is faint. Note: We recommend first flushing the printer to remove the color ink stain from the dampers. You would perform the Ink Charge to move the PiezoFlush through the printer and then a second Ink Charge to move the Piezography inks into the printer. Because shade 7 is such a light gray and is installed in the yellow position, you may see a yellow cast if you do not flush or perform at least two ink charges. The same is with shade 6 which is installed in the light magenta position. Different cartridges should be used between the PiezoFlush and Piezography ink. Never mix PiezoFlush and Piezography.

3. Using QuadtoneRIP Purge Sheets -- Best for Mac users of R3000 or P600.
  1. Test the printer with Epson inks to verify that it functions perfectly, as described above.

  2. Remove the Epson carts and insert the Piezography carts (PiezoFlush if you want to do the extra step of getting rid of Color ink before Piezo ink).

  3. Print out each channel onto multiple sheets of letter paper until all of the color ink is gone and the Piezography ink is printing (approx 40 or 50 sheets).

  4. Use this guide: https://community.inkjetmall.com/t/how-to-flush-individual-channel-using-qtr-calibration-mode/2070

Epson P600 Printer

Printer Specs & Review

These 13″-wide printers deliver the professional features you desire including our new ultra high-capacity cartridges, networking and wireless connectivity, plus Advanced Media Handling.

With auto-switching matte and photo blacks, Piezography takes advantage by allowing both matte and glossy ink sets to be used simultaneously.

Compatible Ink Types

CARBON SELENIUM NEUTRAL WARM NEUTRAL SPECIAL EDITION PRO

Ink Position Chart

Cartridge Position
Piezography K7
Piezography K6
Piezography P2
Piezography PRO
Light Light Black
Gloss Overprint (for gloss printing) or PiezoFlush (if NOT printing gloss)
Gloss Overprint (for gloss printing) or PiezoFlush (if NOT printing gloss)
Gloss Overprint
(for gloss printing)
Gloss Chroma Overprint
(for gloss printing)
Light Magenta
Shade #5
Shade #5
Shade #5
Warm: Medium
Light Cyan
Shade #3
Shade #5
Shade #3
Cool: Medium
Light Black
Shade #6
Shade #6
Shade #6
Cool: Light
Black
UltraHDMatte Black and HD Photo Black (switchable)
UltraHDMatte Black and HD Photo Black(switchable)
UltraHDMatte Black
UltraHDMatte Black and HD Photo Black(switchable)
Cyan
Shade #2
Shade #2
Shade #2
Cool: Dark
Magenta
Shade #4
Shade #4
Shade #4
Warm: Dark
Yellow
Shade #7
Flush / Not Used HD Photo Black
Warm: Light
NOTES

* Change black ink for matte or gloss printing. Use “K7" or "HD K6" curves



PiezoDN Compatible

* Change black ink for matte or gloss printing. Use “HD K6" curves.



PiezoDN Compatible

** NO need to change black ink, can also print digital negatives. Use “P2” curves


PiezoDN Compatible

*** Warm and cool split-tone, change black ink for matte or gloss printing, can also print digital negatives. Use “PRO” curves

PiezoDN Compatible

What is the difference between K7, P2, K6, PiezoDN, and Pro?

Storage of previously used ink cartridges

You may wish to remove and save one or more cartridges that you have removed from your printer, for use in the future. If you want to store your cartridges for later use, place the removed cartridges in plastic bags, close the bags tightly to minimize ink evaporation, and place the cartridges in a box so that they sit upright, as they do when they are in the printer. Storing a previously opened cartridge on its side or upside down will allow ink to leak out of the air vent holes. We recommend taping over the vent holes to prevent evaporation. Many of our ink cartridge (large and small) come with vent-hole plugs. Make sure to place these vent-hole plugs back into the cartridge before storage. Make sure to remember to remove them when you want to use the cartridge again though!

Note: On small format cartridges, it is very important that you do not allow ink to touch the air inlet filter. Make sure your cartridges remain upright at all times.

Getting started with Piezography printing and QuadtoneRIP.

Now that you have your inks installed, you must print your images through QuadToneRIP shareware software. It is not possible to achieve good results without using QuadToneRIP. Go hereto download and install QuadtoneRIP for Mac or PC.

We provide a comprehensive user manual for Piezography along with a set of pre-made curves "profiles" for use with QuadtoneRIP and various fine-art inkjet papers. After installing QuadtoneRIP make sure to ask download and install our free Community Editionset of curves and documentation. This will guide you through the process of installing your Piezography printer on both Windows and Mac operating systems so you can print.

Supported Papers

We support an ever evolving list of fine art inkjet papers. You can see the list of officially supported papers here.

Technical Support

We provide free technical support at our forum.We also provide direct paid phone support.Before requesting support please register on our forum and also look through all of the support documents from the "Support" menu above.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may find it very helpful to view our F.A.Q. section for Piezography. This will tell you a lot!

Helpful Links