illustrator files prints pixelated from one mac computer

[Grn360863825xe9]

Hi all, I have one Mac computer that prints an Illustrator file that appear pixelated/fuzzy. There are no missing links in the document. Looks like this:

Other Mac computers on the network are able to print the same file clearly:

I don't think this is a printer issue but rather an Illustrator setting issue, but I'm completely lost. It's a Ricoh MP C6004 if that helps. 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Grn360863825xe9,

Thanks for reaching out, and sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind trying to save your work as a PDF and then printing it to check if it helps? Also, kindly share more details, like the OS/Illustrator version and screenshots of the print setting used, so we can better assist you.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Grn360863825xe9]

Thanks for your reply. I've attached some screenshots of the print settings as well. Hopefully this gives enough information. I'm not familiar with Macs and this isn't my computer so I'll try and get what information I can.

 

 

[Monika Gause]

And the printed file is what?

An InDesign file in which this AI file is linked?

Can you please show a screensbot of the file with that linked file in it? And a screenshot of the Links panel?

[Grn360863825xe9]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I'm not familiar with Macs and this isn't my computer so I'll try and get what information I can. Turns out there's no linked files, it's just vector art within illustrator. 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Grn360863825xe9,

Thanks for confirming. Would you mind exporting your work a a PDF, and then printing from another application, like Preview and checking if the results are the same?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Grn360863825xe9]

Hi @Anubhav M when printing the PDF everything looks good, much better than printing from Illustrator.

[Monika Gause]

OK, thank you.

Looking closely I think that it's not just that one artwork. It's pretty much everything in that file that is not printing well.

So on the same printer other computers produce the fine output?

In that case I would check the printer drivers and compare them. Are all those computers using the exact same driver?

[Grn360863825xe9]

Yes, on the same printer, the other computers produce the output print that looks good. They have the same driver versions, the only difference I can find is they have different OS versions. I wouldn't think that would impact the printing quality, so that's why I thought it might be some settings in Illustrator.

[Monika Gause]

And did you compare the settings in the Print dialog?

Which operating systems are they?

[Grn360863825xe9]

printer issues - Sonoma

no printer issue - Ventura

I have tried to match the 'good' mac printer settings but unfortunately I can't get some of the options to show up. For example, in the Advanced setting the 'good' mac printer is set to Preserve Overprints, but I can't select the same option on the 'bad' mac.

[Monika Gause]

You might need to contact the printer manufacturer about a driver that works.

I've been using Macs for 30 years now. Printer drivers have been a constant issues, because printer manufacturers tend to ignore the Apple platform altogether. Updating the system always made it worse.

[Grn360863825xe9]

@Monika Gause Thanks so much for helping me troubleshoot. I reinstalled the printer using the IP address instead of letting Apple choose 'bonjour' and that solved the issue.  

[Monika Gause]

Glad you could solve it and thank you for the additional information