Part or entire photo not printing from Photoshop with Epson SC-P900

[tuomasvirtanen.fi]

I am used to print small versions of my photos, or real-size smaller parts of a photo, as proofs, to a (large) A2 paper to see if the result is OK. However, it often happens that these small pictures are not printed by SC-P900, not at all or only partly (a sharp deletion). Instead, the print head moves swiftly as if it were printing onto the right position of a paper. No ink is coming. The print head is _not stuck_, as the ink test works fine, with no missing parts in the test figure (or in some successful photos). The other day I installed the latest Epson drivers because of these problems. However, no change. In the document (of A2 size), there are no any masks etc which could explain the missing outcome. On the screen the document appears normal, and this is the case in the PS preview before printing.

One strange feature is the following. When I deleted most of the Nikon NEF-derived document (a large photo) which I had successfully printed previously, leaving there a small part of the photo, it printed fine. Surprisingly, when I moved to another part of this document a small proof (a miniaturized photo), it also printed fine. I have encountered all the problems with PS documents _created as a new PS document_. Does this step (a new epmty document) make a "bad PS document"?

When I have had large A2-size photos to print, the printer has always printed them (amazingly 🙂 well. However, the problem is very disturbing, as my intention to make a large print can result in struggling with small preview/proof pictures.

My iMac is a 2019 27" model with 40 GB of RAM using MacOS 12.5.1. The Epson printer is a half-year-old SC-P900. I have downloaded and installed the latest Epson drivers because of the problems described above but with no success. I print from Photoshop (different version over a half year) with PS (now 24.0.1) driving the printer. SC-P900 is my 4th Epson and I've been using PS since the 3.0 version 🙂

All comments wellcome - especially because Epson help has not found a solution.

[NB, colourmanagement]

I am not sure it'll help but perhaps to rule out issues - Perhaps try resetting Photoshop preferences? 

(read this entire post before acting please)

Resetting restores Photoshop's internal preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes. 

If they become corrupt then various issues can occur.

Here’s some info on how to do that:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state: 

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

Note re macOS: The user Library folder is hidden by default.

To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see here for how to access hidden user library files. 

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

Unexpected behavior may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviors in Photoshop. check out the video

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences

Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customize per your frequent workflows

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

And here’s an earlier forum discussion as an aid to understanding

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-pre...

You may want to backup your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

Before you reset your preferences

in case of future issues, I suggest you make a copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic references. 

Quit Photoshop.
Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\

  [on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

  Note for those on macOS: - be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. 

  https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

  In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key. 

  Library will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a back-up of your settings.

Note for those on macOS:

Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions, 

you’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop. 

It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first. 

(See above about preserving preferences though! Its worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

I hope this helps

neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer

google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

[deanb75784630]

I have this EXACT problem, that started recently. Still unable to find a solution, but at least I know im not the only one.

[deanb75784630]

Hi, I eventually figured out the issue and based on your description @tuomasvirtanen.fi you're probably doing the same thing I was doing.

Before the p900 starts outputing ink it does some checks to determine the paper boundary. If youre reusing paper (which it sounds like you are) then any images that exist at the bottom of the page when the printer does its boundary checks can cause it to become confused about the boundary, so when it prints your proofing image it will be cut off.

The issue is more apparent when the image at the start of the page is made up of darker colours. My guess is the printer fires some lasers or something and the darker colours are less likely to reflect the laser.

Hope this helps.

[tuomasvirtanen.fi · Accepted solution]

Hi! To put it short, I don't know what it is all about 🙂 However, I ran MacPaw and kept using for proofs the only PS document (an original Nikon camera file/document) which has lately worked (no guts to try something else :): I haven't had now problems, even though I used a paper where is a very dark picture at its edge. As to sensors or like, to my knowledge there is none which could affect the outcome. Regards, Tuomas

[tuomasvirtanen.fi]

I comment my own comment: I met again this mysterious thing, the printer (Epson SC-P900) should have printed a small picture on a large A2 paper, on one corner of the paper - but this didn't happen! The difference to the previous is that I needed to change a couple of ink cartridges before printing. No other thing was changed! After that, the old problem ensued: The printer head is moving as if it were printing but no picture appears. This is not an ink flow problem as the test is OK. Next, I again chose (as previously, look above) as a base for printing small proof pictures on a large A2 paper one of the images of A2 size that I had printed succesfully. This time that didn't work! No print! BUT, a clear-cut slice of the image was printed - as if there were some selection on... As you may know, when you print from Photoshop, there is no possibility to choose a part of a picture upon printing! I REALLY would like that Epson would comment this but sofar, when I contacted Epson USA and Epson Finland, I didn't get any reasonable comment. Help is needed ...

[tuomasvirtanen.fi]

My reply again, I did all the same things as previously, chose another document as a base for printing small images on a large A2 paper (as I have been guessing that there might be something wrong in the document (??) and the used another file with a large succesfully printed picture as it might harbour some secret thing which allow corret printing), and run MacPaw (I'm NOT an advocate). Then it worked again. Really I don't know what is this all about but it took me SOME  2-3 HOURS from my Friday evening to star printing pictures ... great ... Where is Epson?

[kpolus]

I have to tell you — you saved my money and sanity with this post. Thank you so much for the info! I watched sooo many videos about this printer (including ones about its issues), but no one mentioned this. I was this close to returning it… until you saved the day.  THANK YOU 

[tuomasvirtanen.fi]

Happy if I was for your help!

[Lichtsammler]

It seems as You have the same problem like me, but this is a sensor/software problem of the printer. I'm using to make small proof-prints (parts of the original) and it's better to fill the sheet from the bottom to the top because during the feed-process the printer makes some kind of "scan" - to prove the size of thze sheet, I think - and if that area isn't white the print will go without colour. People had also this problem with pre-printed paper for letters. For using the upper-part, I turn the paper and cover the head-area with a white stripe of paper).

[tuomasvirtanen.fi]

I need to say that I haven't had the problem for a long time. I don't know if I had made any changes but that's possible but I cannot remember 🙂 Anyway, there has been at least twice the update of SC-P900's driver. Can this have changed something ... ? As to printing those small pictures on a single sheet, I just paste them beginning from the front of the sheet. So those previously printed go first through the printer.