HP cp1700ps Won't Print Quark Files

[hoferz]

I am on a Mac G4 733 mhz 385 mg ram. I just bought an HP cp1700ps printer which features an Adobe Postscript software RIP.

I can print files from Photoshop and Illustrator, but cannot print ANYTHING from Quark – not even a blank document. The file will spool to the RIP, which then RIPs to 100%, but then generates a postscript error. No fonts or art are even involved.

I can print any Quark files if I don't use the RIP – if I just send the job straight to the printer minus the software RIP.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

 

[backspin]

I can help a *little*, but unfortunately I am in much the same boat as you. I, too, just got an HP cp1700 at work. Here's where I am:

If you print without using the RIP (choose the HP printer in your chooser), your Quark files will print but any placed eps file will be jagged.

If you print using the RIP but using the LaserWriter option in your chooser, rather than AdobePS option, your Quark files will print, and your placed images will be smooth, UNLESS you have ANYTHING that is native in the Quark file set to any other color but black. In other words (I just figured this out today, afer spending 2 hours experimenting), I can print a page of all black type, but NOT a page of all black type with one word set in a PMS color. Not kidding.

*sigh* If anyone else out there can help us, we'd appreciate it! I miss my Epson printer at home! How bizarre is this problem??!!

Has anyone called HP tech support regarding this???

 

[hoferz]

Oh my God -- I've only been trying my color files and didn't realize it only worked in black and white. Thanks a LOT!!

I've been in e-mail contact with HP since yesterday, and I'm going to pass this along to them right now.

I've been working on this all day, and had success printing TIF and EPS files in color, but couldn't print color text. I assumed (wrongly of course!) that it was a FONT problem, not a color problem.

You're the first person I've found with the same problem I have, and I can't believe we're the only two! Hopefully we'll get this solved -- and soon!

Thanks a lot -- and I'll pass along anything else I find out!!

 

[backspin]

I'm also finding that the printer reduces the printout size. For example, I printed an 8 1/2 x 11 brochure on tabloide size paper, with crop marks, so I could get all the bleeds & everything. When I trimmed it out, I noticed the size was reduced by about 1/2" all the way around. ANNOYING! Not very impressed with this printer so far!

Any more word on the postscript issues?

 

[hoferz]

I haven't noticed any reduction in printout size, but have not used the printer much due to these problems -- and have not printed anything other than on 8-1/2x11. I did discover that if I click off the "spot color" box in the color editing menu, I am now able to print color when using Quark. However, the colors are not accurate. Which is what I am starting to work on now.

I think the output from this printer is great, but I'm having to jump through so many hoops to get to where I want to be, that it's frustrating. All I got in terms of support from HP was the remarks that there were printing just fine using Quark and Mac G4s. Hopefully once I get this color management problem resolved, I can begin to actually use and depend on the printer.

 

[backspin]

EUREKA!!!

I finally gave up & called HP support today. They knew immediately what I was talking about, said it's a known problem with Quark, & are emailing me a file that will replace one of the spooler files, & apparently then all will be well. When you called, did you talk to a Mac support person? I think it makes a difference. They also said the re-sizing problem is a function of the desktop driver & once I'm using the RIP again that problem will go away.

I'm so glad I called--I was about to chuck this stupid printer out the window!!