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General discussion

HP Printer Doesn't Print Well With Photo Ink

Apr 5, 2006 1:23PM PDT

I have an HP deskjet 5550 that prints acceptable photos with its regular color/bw ink. When I put in the special photo ink cartidges, the print quality takes a nosedive.

Suggestions?

Thank you

Discussion is locked

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I remember having to
Apr 5, 2006 9:40PM PDT

Use the photo paper plus tell the printer driver about the change to cartidge and paper.

Bob

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I Have Been Doing
Apr 7, 2006 12:08AM PDT

this all along, and it has made no difference. Is this something I should ask HP about since the printer and scanner are theirs?

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Yup.
Apr 7, 2006 9:57AM PDT

Sorry, but the printers here seem just fine. But then again, I'm pretty stock, latest drivers for printer, video, etc.

Bob

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Thank You
Apr 7, 2006 5:10PM PDT

Went to their online chat and found what the problem was.

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Thank You But....
Apr 8, 2006 9:28AM PDT

What solved the problem?

standeb

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It Took a While But...
Apr 8, 2006 12:35PM PDT

the technician and I finally figured it out. Since I hadn't been getting good printing copies using the photo ink, I thought the cradle that came in the box might be something I was supposed to be using. That turned out to be a "holder" for the cartridge when it is not being used.

Eventually, I was steered to a page which explained the correct combination of cartridges to use. 57 is the color cartridge, whether it be regular or photo. The other cartridge uses a 56 or 58. I had to make sure that I was using the 57 PHOTO and the 58 PHOTO GREY rather than just the black and white cartridge or the photo grey with just the color cartridge.

Still, I don't see that using the photo ink makes a much better photo print than using regular ink. Still, perhaps the photo inks last longer.

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It Too A While but...
Apr 8, 2006 4:48PM PDT

earmonivergh; Hi

Thank you for the reply. I think that you may at some point in time want to try a better printer. I have had two Epson printers Epson Stylus C42 and now Epson Stylus C65. The life of the C42 expired and the C65 although I got some problems installing the same, it works really good. the reproduction is fantastic. I am happy with it, although I need to have a printer that would give me 18 b/w's per minute and 15 colour per minute. Having said this, you will not doubt understand that I will be going for an Epson.

You will get quality for your money. I have tried HP and Canon. None compares.

Visit Epson Website.

Standeb.