Adjusting the Misalignment of the Ink Landing Position (Media Gap Adjustment)

This adjusts the landing position of the ink discharged from the print heads. The landing position varies according to the print head height, so we recommend that you make corrections to match the object to be printed on you are using.

First, print a test pattern, and then determine and enter the correction value. After entering the correction value, print a test pattern again and check the correction results.

This adjustment must be performed in the following cases.

  • When using this machine for the first time

  • When the print head height was changed

Procedure
  1. Set up the object to be printed on.
    MEMO

    The printing test requires an object with a W (width) of 270 mm (10.63 in.) or more and an L (length) of 120 mm (4.73 in.) or more. Set the bottom right of the object to the base point, and then carry out a printing test.

    Loading the Object, and Setting the Print Surface Height and Print Start Point
  2. Close the front cover.
  3. Tap AP-640_Panel_Icon_MENU.
  4. Tap Media Settings - Printing Settings - Media Gap Adjustment.
  5. Tap Execute next to Printing Test.
    Printing of the test pattern starts.
  6. Check the printed test pattern, and then tap AP-640_Panel_Icon_MINUS or AP-640_Panel_Icon_PLUS to enter the H1 and H2 correction values for No. 1 and the H1 and H2 correction values for No. 2.
    Select the value that gives the least misalignment between the two lines. In the case of the following figure, select "+5" for H1 for No. 1 and No. 2 and "+4" for H2 for No. 1 and No. 2. When you cannot choose between two sequential numbers, select a value that is between them (you can set correction values in units of "0.5").

    VG2_MEDIAGAP_TESTPRINT_DETAIL

    MEMO

    If the test pattern is difficult to see, tap TS : FRONT or TS : BACK on the touch panel to move the printer unit to a position where the test pattern is easier to see.

  7. Tap Save.
    The entered correction value is saved.
  8. Prepare the printing test.

    The printing test starts at the location of the printer unit.

    When there is just enough of a printable area on the object, move the printer unit to the location where the previous printing test finished. If the printer unit was not moved when the printing test results were checked, there is no need to move the printer unit.

    When there is not enough of a printable area on the object, remove the object and set up a new one.

  9. Tap Execute next to Printing Test.
    Printing of the test pattern starts.
  10. Check the test pattern to see whether the correction was successful.
    For all the correction values, check that the misalignment is minimized for the two vertical lines indicated by "" (that is, the current correction value). If the misalignment is smaller for another set of vertical lines, set the correction value again.
  11. When you have successfully performed the correction, tap AP-640_Panel_Icon_HOME to go back to the home screen.
    MEMO

    Default setting: 0.0 dots