The quality of my printed output is unacceptable. What should I do?

  • If the image looks fine on your computer screen but not when printed, make sure you're using the latest driver version for your printer. Also, make sure you select the correct quality option, paper type, paper size, and orientation setting in the printer software for your print job. If that doesn't help, and the image also looks incorrect on screen and you're using Epson Scan, see the solutions below for your problem.

    Image Consists of a Few Dots Only
    • Make sure you placed your original for scanning facing the correct way.
    • If you are scanning using the Epson Scan Black & White setting, adjust the Threshold setting and scan again.
    Line of Dots Appears in All Scanned Images

    If a line of dots appears in all of your scanned images, clean the scanner glass with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, or use a small amount of glass cleaner on the cloth, if necessary. Paper towels are not recommended.

    Caution: Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the scanner glass.
    Straight Lines in Image Appear Crooked

    Make sure to place your original straight when you scan it.
    Image is Distorted or Blurry
    • Make sure your original is not wrinkled or warped. This may prevent the original from laying flat on the scanner glass.
    • Do not move your original or your product during scanning.
    • Your product will not operate properly while tilted at an angle. Place it on a flat, stable surface that extends beyond the base of the product in all directions.
    • Select the Unsharp Mask setting.
    • Adjust the Auto Exposure setting.
    • Increase the Resolution setting.
    Image Colors are Patchy at the Edges

    If you are scanning a thick or warped original, cover its edges with paper to block external light as you scan it.

    Image is Too Dark
    • Adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:
      • Auto Exposure
      • Brightness
      • Histogram Adjustment
    • Check the brightness and contrast settings of your computer monitor.
    Back of Original Image Appears in Scanned Image

    If an image from the back of a thin original appears in your scanned image, place a piece of black paper on the back of the original and scan it again.

    Ripple Patterns Appear in Image

    You may see a ripple pattern (called a moir) in scanned images of printed documents. This is caused by interference from differing pitches in the scanner's screen and your original's halftone screen. To reduce this effect, adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:
    • Select the Descreening setting.
    • Select a lower Resolution setting.
    Scanned Image Colors Do Not Match Original Colors

    Printed colors can never exactly match the colors on your computer monitor because printers and monitors use different color systems: monitors use RGB (red, green, and blue) and printers typically use CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black).

    Check the color matching and color management capabilities of your computer, display adapter, and the software you are using to see if they are affecting the palette of colors you see on your screen.

    To adjust the colors in your scanned image, adjust these Epson Scan settings (if available) and try scanning again:
    • Change the Image Type setting and experiment with different combinations of the next settings.
    • Adjust the Tone Correction setting.
    • Adjust the Auto Exposure setting.

    Scan Area is Not Adjustable in Thumbnail Preview
    • Create a scan area by drawing a marquee on your preview image and adjusting it as necessary.
    • Switch to Normal preview mode, if available, and preview your image again.
Published:  Aug 23, 2011 Was this helpful?​ Thank you for the feedback!
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