Corel Draw X3 prints blank pages

[dawidb]

When printing my Corel Draw (X3) poster over multiple pages (tiled), some of the pages print as solid black. This happens when I print to a *HP colour printer, *PDF through Corel Draw publishing, *PDF through adobe or to *MS Document Image Writer. I have no idea where to start looking for the problem. Please help!

My document size is 11.25MB, 19300objects, 978488 points, 27 bitmaps (average 100KB but one is 2.3MB). I get the same problem across different hardware (even types of hardware). My disk space is ample and RAM varied from 2 to 4GB and Windows XP.

 

[mezzi5]

If its only for a poster, can try selecting all (edit/select all or double click pointer tool) on each page, convert the whole page to a hi-res tiff/bitmap (Convert to bitmap). (as low as 150dpi i have found works well for certain artwork - you might want to try lower or higher resolutions) then print. It should also spool faster as there arent all the objects or effects to process.

Also try turning off colour profiles, select between RGB/CMYK in the convert to bitmap command and different resolutions for different results.

I have found this always 100% prints my work if theres something giving problems in a complex document.

Other possibilites:

- update your printer driver
- head cleaning, printer maintenance (head alignment etc)
- problem with the printer drum (seek technical assistance)
- check HP's site for printer model/similar issues

 

[harry99]

mezzi's method makes sense, and I've had to use it for certain purposes where the printed results have been different from those expected.

However, I modify it slightly. To avoid losing sharpness of text and simple vector objects, I add a page frame (if there wasn't already one), stretch it to create bleed (if needed) simultaneously select it and the "complex" items and convert them to a single graphic at 200 or 300 dpi, then arrange it to back.

Now try printing -- it often does resolve the problem.

But do remember NOT to save the modified file to the same name as the original, because it will never be possible to convert your image back to its components for future editing.

Of course, the ideal answer would be to be able to apply a "print as a single graphic" tag to a layer to automate the process of ensuring it happens each time the document is printed.

 

[dawidb]

Mezzi, Harry, thank you for this. I have tried it and it works most of the times and yes, the sharpness of the text is a problem now. I know I mentioned "Poster" but being not too knowledgeable on this subject I used the wrong word for it is big but need to be read from close by - more like a map. The chart is 5.5 meter by 600mm, my font goes as small as 8pt.

Selecting all and re-sampling it to more than 250dpi again gives blank pages.

Harry, I want to try your suggestion as well but don't understand all. I don't understand the purpose of drawing the frame.

DAwid

 

[harry99]

It might be easier to try it first without the page frame.

Select all your objects except the text, and create an image from them. Arrange it to back, and print.

This will probably work if your objects extend right to the edge of the page. If it does not, then your image will have a white background -- and, depending on the printer, that white background may print very slightly grey, with a brighter white area outside the image.

If you don't have that problem, then that is all you need to do.

If you do, or if your background colour isn't white -- then you need to add a rectangle that covers the whole page and include it as part of your single image. Then, the colour to the edge of the page comes entirely from that same image and should be consistent.

 

[dawidb]

Thank you all.

The combination of the solutions solved my problem.

I am now trying to understand what the cause of this would be. Memory, COREL bug (undocumented feature) or what.

Thanks again DAwid

 

[harry99]

I think it would probably be memory, if it was working before up to 250dpi and not above.

However, its difficult to know whether its lack of memory in the printer or the computer, since either could have that result.