Limit the print heads used for printing: Nozzle Mask

When discharge issues on the printer such as dot drop-out and dot displacement are not improved, partially restrict the print heads (nozzles) from being used for printing (i.e. prevent the use of the print heads that are causing discharge issues). This operation is called the "nozzle mask," and while it slows down printing speed, it also allows you to decrease the impact of dot drop-out or dot displacement. This is an emergency measure that should be used when you have to prioritize order delivery.

First, use the printer's menu to perform a printing test for the nozzle mask. With this printing test, a test pattern is printed for each nozzle group. The number of groups varies depending on the printer.

The top row of the following table shows the nozzles to mask, and the bottom row shows test patterns. From the left, the case where the lower half of the nozzles is masked (1), the case where the upper half of the nozzles is masked (2), and the case where the upper and lower 1/4 of the nozzles are masked (3) are shown.

Example of nozzle masking

Nozzles to mask*1
Nozzle mask test pattern

^*1 The gray parts in the figure show the print head parts that are not used (masked).

According to the printing test result, print with the nozzle group—(1), (2), or (3)—that has the least discharge issues.

Depending on the model you are using, this setting may be disabled.