Epson prints under glass problem

I have the 870, and have found that photos printed in Premium glossy paper tend to stay slightly sticky. You can't put them face to face in albums, as they stick (not a good practice anyway). I have also seen the cyan fading, but it is not consistant. I have a color shot which sat on the floor and went badly orange in 48 hours, and this has been sitting on my desk with a low key B&W shot printed with the color ink for 3 weeks, and the B&W hasn't changed color at all.

I love the control of digital and the results from this printer, and am holding on to mine with faith that Epson will sort out the cyan ink.

Strange .... Conjecture would put it as all the ink chemicals not being completely absorbed by the paper and being attracted to the inside surface of the glass by static, which is probably worsened by cleaning the glass with a cloth. Try some anti-static wipes and or differnt kind of paper....

I've got lots of 1200 prints under glass and none of them show that problem. I think all of my framed prints are on Photo Paper, although I have some Photo Glossy Film which I've been meaning to use.

A similar phenomenon has been reported here. Whether or not it's related to the orange fading problem is up for debate I guess.

Has anyone tried any of the spray overcoats? When I worked in the printing biz, we sometimes used Krylon Workable Fixatif on press sheets that had to be handled while the ink was wet. This stuff is usually used to seal charcoal, pastel and tempera art. Krylon makes a whole line of art sealants that are supposedly "archival". Epson's official word is that ozone causes the color shift in their inks... the chemicals in a sealer might be worse, but maybe worth a try.

Dennis, I have experienced the same phenomenon on glass. At first I thought maybe I framed them too soon (3 hrs), but I waited about 36hrs, and still the same problem. I've not yet bothered to pull, clean and reframe, so I don't no if it recurs.

I was thinking about the fixative spray too. I am going to try it this weekend, and I'll post the outcome.

Printing on the photo glossy paper does leave a sticky surface that never seems to go away, so perhaps the fixative spray will help this.

Before doing anything with a sheet of Epson printed PG lay it flat with a piece of ordinary paper on top of it, in a darkened spot for 24 hours . (This is what the PG instructions recommend and it's what I now do; so far, I have thus avoided the colour shift and the residue problem).

most photo stores stock fixatives designed for digital output... i use Lumijet Imageshield, it protects from scratching and will even cause water to bead... and I have yet to notice a color shift (although it's only been a few months from my oldest output) And no, i don't make a habit of scratching or soaking my images... just was curious about how much protection had been added

Reading all the above posts has confirmed my suspicions that we are not quite there yet with the digital darkroom.

Dennis, I have noticed the same thing. I waited 24 hours before framing my 8 X 10 print from the 1270 under glass away from light and the dreaded ozone. The print deposits a greasy film on the glass which needs to be removed about once a week. Anyway, Epson USA quickly refunded my money for this printer on the buyback program and I can always print the image again using a different printer. It seems that you need to put up with the film on the glass or the orange-shift with this printer, take your pick. What's the lesser of two evils?

Here I am in another Epson 1270 thread feeling VERY confused. I have 6 pictures in my office that were printed from 5 to 2 months ago, I have just inspected each one and taken them out of the frame and can see no sort of residue whatsoever. I haven't seen the orange shift in any of my prints either.

Maybe I am just lucky?!

I noticed this before I became aware of the orange shift problem and I thought that perhaps I did not wait long enough before framing. I have been waiting at least 48 hours before framing now as well as applying Krylon Workable Fixatif and no longer have this problem. I can't say whether it is the waiting or the Krylon that prevents the problem though. It is also worth mentioning that not all of my framed prints had this happen. Most of my photos are night sky images and have varying degrees of cyan in the picture (some have very very little). I am going to conduct an experiment on a pair of prints, one with very little cyan and one normal exposure, frame them without treating with Krylon within 24 hours and see if the haze develops on the inside of the glass. I'll post my results when I get them.

WHAT KIND OF GLASS????? no one is mentioning whether it is UV or not. This is a huge difference. i have been framing under $50 dollar museum quality UV glass. its not the same as the $3 junk which is more like a magnifying glass on your print. No frame is air tight, although it is not getting hit with the breezes in the room, they all are exposed to atmosperic air. SO, if some fade/leach under glass and some don't, it would be usefull to know:1) time interval between framing and printing (ie, did the print "cure" first". 2) glass type 3) paper type 4) sealant used

thanks, knowing these variable would be helpful on all posts of on this topic

dave

I have been printing everything on HW Matte paper since the ozone fade thing became clear. Prints still fade, but much more slowly. I was under the impression that framed HW Matte prints were the ultimate solution. Has anyone observed this residue under glass wth HWM prints?

I have had my 1270 for about 5 months now and have kept the vast majority of my personal work in Light Impressions portfolio boxes and/ or plastic protective sleeves from LI also in dark storage. But I have sold some prints several of which have been commercial display prints for a client which they use for trade shows. Those are 13x19. They were sprayed with the Gepe Inkjet Fix glossy coat. A couple of them have been framed.

Knock on wood, but so far I've heard no complaints regarding the residue, orange shift or anything. However my fear is that any day now, they're going to call me up complaining about one or both of the above and then I'll have to explain the problem and hope they don't get as mad as I did when I found out about these problems from POV.

What I've started doing is printing EVERYTHING on the HM paper and spraying it with the Krylon Clear laminate spray. It says on the can that it's good for protecting photographs. I can't find the "fixatif" spray in my area. I sold one 13x19 print made with the HM paper and sprayed with the Gepe Inkjet Fix a couple months ago. After reading that Krylon is best I've since switched to it. Problem is, the vapors from the Krylon are pretty strong and potentially cancerous so you need to wear a mask if you're spraying inside or at the very least hold your breath and move outside the area as soon as you're finished. That was not an issue with the Gepe spray. I have also been letting the prints "cure" for 24+ hours and laying a plain piece of paper between them.

I have been doing fade testing of the PG and HM papers, with & without the Krylon overcoating and both under glass and not. The most noticeable difference is the "Process Black" band and Cyan bands of the test prints not under glass. The PG paper shows the Process Black lightening and turning a slight orange after one week. The HM paper is holding up fine both outside of glass and under glass, both sprayed with Krylon and not. So far no noticeable residue either. So far.

I talked to an Epson USA rep yesterday and she was very nice and sympathetic about the color shift problem. I have been thinking about getting a refund of my money spent on consumables, at least those I have left and she said she could send me shipping labels where I could send my unused media back at their expense. She also offered to buy back the printer. I would like to keep this printer for a good while yet since the image output quality is so good. She said that since I bought this printer in April I have until the purchase date in April '01 to return it. In the meanwhile I can continue using it and trying their improved papers when they come out next month and seeing what happens with them. She admitted that they may only last a few months longer before going orange.

The bottom line is that for now I'm just going to sit tight and monitor the test prints, test the new papers and keep the stuff I've got. As someone said on another forum, Epson will probably be releasing a new printer to replace this one in the next 8-10 months. That seems to be the average market lifetime of any printer today before being replaced by newer models. Only 2 years ago the EX was the new kid in town and its been replaced by 2 successive printers, the 1200 and 1270. It's only a matter of time and I foresee Epson having to buyback a whole lot of 1270s right about the time the new model comes out. But I think we deserve a free trade-up don't you? :-)

I have an Epson 1270 and an Epson 870. I have printed well over 1000 sheets of Epson premium glossy and Epson premium semi gloss paper with Epson inks since March of this year. I have seen No fading or color change, not even the slightest. My print room is WITHOUT air conditioning or other mechanical devices, that might contribute to the problem.I Mount and Matt the prints shortly after they are produced and put them in crystal clear plastic bags.Even the prints with out plastic bags have not shown a color change.

I've been running a test for almost a week now, basically a color strip on premium glossy paper running through the spectrum from red to violet and a pure cyan patch. The print was cut in half, one half placed 12" from a fluorescent tube, the other half kept in a plastic sleve in a desk drawer.

I have had no trouble with "normal" prints fading as far as I can tell.

What I see so far is that even side by side I can see very little, if any change in the multicolor spectrum strip. HOWEVER, I do detect a fade in the cyan patch. Whether this would make itself visible in a print depends on the amount of cyan ink used I guess, but the effect does seem to be more obvious on a pure cyan patch than on the color test pattern.

Just curious - the folks with the "film" - are you mounting in contact with the glass or with a matte such that there's air space - is this a direct transfer issue, outgassing, or both?

Oh my, now what do I do? Day after tomorrow I am driving a couple hours away to purchase the 1270 printer....or was rather. Should I gamble that I'll be amoung (the few it seems) those who are not experiencing the problems....or be cautious..and (sigh) be patient for the "next edition"? Any advice our there? Help!

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I can't stand it anymore!!! I have bought 5 Epson printers now and thought that I FINALLY have the right printer to start my photography business! I have the 1270 and LOVE the output on the premium gloss!!! In fact that is the only paper I like to use with it because other gloss paper makes the image too dark. I have been using my 1200 lately when I sell a portrait because I am thinking that the chance is less that the print will fade (how ironic). But the premium gloss doesn't work with the 1200!! like I said before, AAAAAAHHHHHHHH! this totally sucks!!! I havn't seen the shift yet so I guess it depends on what area you live in, but what if I sell a portrait to someone who lives where the ozone is bad!! AAAHHHHH

I have been printing away on my 1270 for 6 months or so with and without air conditioning, in LA smog, on Epson PG and HM, Ilford glossy and semi-matte, Mitsubishi mirror gloss heavy and Mirage artist canvas and have seen no -- as in ZERO -- fading problems. The early prints I did were all on Epson glossy and they look today just as they did coming out of the printer 6 months ago.

That said, my photoshop set-up is in a windowless room and I file my images after they've dried overnight in a light-tight cabinet.

I can't help but wonder if there if there is another variable other than ozone. After I make a print, and judge it, I store it in a dark drawer. When time permits I take the print out and mount or matt it. I get no color shift or fading when I hot mount it. I have gotten no fadeing or color shift on any of my 100 or so prints! Could the storing in a dark place for at least 3-4 days have anything to do with it????? I see a few others have had the same experience.

I have been using the 1270 since August with no fading. I print exclusively on Lyson watercolor paper (see description below) with outstanding results. I have framed quite a few images and haven't seen a bit of degradation. I am about to start selling my images, so I will be sure to frame with glass or package in appropriate sleeves.

Lyson Soft Fine Art Paper: Designed to replicate Museum Parchment. This is an Acid Free heavy weight WaterColor paper. Warm White in appearance and extremely smooth to the touch. 285gsm / up to 1440dpi

I use Tetenal High glossy paper special 264g and the 240g Portrait paper. I have never noticed any residue on framed prints. I have the Epson 870. I might add that the Tetenal 264g and 240g are "self laminating" and water resistant. I tested it myself by taking a print "printed 20 mins ago" and put it under running water, no fading colors whatsoever, not even when rubbing my index finger on the print. http://www.tetenal.de/daten/is009uk.htm Hans Segernäs Sweden

I returned my 1270. I thought that the printer heads or ink had gone bad. It wasn't an orange shift, it was an everything shift, a complete blur of ink. When I went to buy another printer, one of the sales persons said that it may be the humidity that was causing the problem. Sure enough, that's what it was. The ink was literaly smearing. That was happening on every paper I owned, and all my supplies were ruined.