I'm printing Xmas cards on mate greeting card paper. I've used 3 ink cartridges to print 50 cards!!!! Is this normal?

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INK PROBLEM
Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent inkdrying out and blocking the print head nozzles.
If the print head cleaning maintenance routine does not clear the blockages,then print head needs replacing, but it may be expensive.
It may be more cost effective to buy a later model and better printer thanreplace the print head.

Possibility cartridge print head dry.

Solution 1:
Do a clean process cartridge automatically. Press START - Control Panel - Printers and Faxes - HP Deskjet d2360 right click and select Printing Preferences - Select the Color tab - select Printer Services - select Clean cartridge, wait for the cleaning process is completed - Perform Test print. If the print test results, has good graphics, press Finish. If the graph is not clear or drop out, repeat the cleaning process once again.

Solution 2:
1. Open the cover printer, cartridges will move to the middle position.
2. Remove the cartridge (be careful, do not touch the element cartridges or print head by hand), then stick the tip cartridge (print head) to clean water
3. Then, attach the print head to a tissue paper. If there is a tissue paper used in ink (black cartridges, black block lines, and color cartridges, three color red yellow blue lines), means the flow of ink to the print head is normal. If the tissue paper no trace of ink, attach back into the water, repeat the above process.
4. After process is complete no.3, clean the cartridges with a tissue paper (careful, do not touch the element cartridges or print head by hand, because it will damage the cartridge). After cartridge clear of the water, insert the cartridges into printer.

Printing with an empty ink cartridge may cause printer malfunction. U051 / U052
U053 / U059 The ink cartridge may not be set properly, or an ink cartridge not supported by the printer is installed.
Install the proper ink cartridge.

Make sure to install both the ink cartridges even when you set the printer to use only one ink cartridge (Color or Photo) in printing.
If one of the ink cartridges is missing, this error will occur. U075 / U076 The ink cartridges are not installed in the proper position.
Install each ink cartridge in the proper position. U140 An ink cartridge not supported by the printer is installed.
Install the proper ink cartridge. U161 / U162 A used ink cartridge may be installed, or the ink cartridge may be empty.
Replace the ink cartridge.

By pressing the OK button, printing can be done without replacing the ink cartridge. However, the remaining ink amount cannot be detected properly, so the function to detect the remaining ink amount does not operate. READ/WRITE MODE Since the memory card is currently write-enabled, printing is not possible.
Set READ-ONLY MODE ON. NO PHOTOS ON CARD Some images in the memory card may not be in a supported format. images listed below cannot be printed directly from a memory card. Print them from a computer.

- images edited on the computer
- images in a format other than JPEG or TIFF
- images with double-byte characters used in the file name
- images saved in a folder nested 4 or more layers deep INCOMPATIBLE CAMERA The printer cannot communicate with the connected camera.
Disconnect the cable between the printer and the camera to clear the error.
Confirm the following items and print again.

1. Confirm that the camera you are using supports PictBridge or Canon Bubble Jet Direct.
If the camera does not support either one, the printer cannot print directly from the camera.
2. Set the camera in PictBridge print mode before it is connected to the machine. This is required before printing for some cameras that support PictBridge.
Please refer to the camera instructions for more information about procedures required before and after connection to the printer.
3. There may have been no response from the camera for the prescribed time.
Re-connect the cable between the camera and the printer. WASTE INK NEAR FULL The waste ink absorber is getting full.
Press the OK button to clear the error.
Printing can be done until the waste ink absorber becomes full. If the waste ink absorber becomes full, please contact your local Service Center for replacement of the absorber and printer maintenance.

The waste ink absorber is a part inside the printer, which absorbs ink used in the cleaning operations, etc. CHECK PRINTER Turn the printer off, and remove the power plug from the outlet.
About ten minutes later, plug it in again, and turn the printer on.
If the problem is not resolved, the printer may require servicing. Please contact your local Service Center. HEAD ALIGNMENT ERROR Automatic print head alignment failed.
Press the OK button to release the error.
Check the followings and do automatic print head alignment again.

- Check if A4/Letter-sized paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder.
- Check if the paper output slot is not exposed to a strong light source
- Print the nozzle check pattern to check the status of the print head.

If the problem continues, do manual print head alignment. LOAD PAPER If paper is not set, set paper and press the OK button. When paper is set, check each item and do printing again.

1. Confirm that unusable paper is not set.
2. Confirm that paper is set properly.
3. Confirm that recommended paper is used, and the number of sheets set in the auto sheet feeder is within the limit.
4. Cleaning the paper feed roller may resolve the error.

If the problem persists, the printer may require servicing. Please contact your local Service Center. PAPER JAMMED Remove the jammed paper.
If paper jam frequently occurs, check the following:

1. Confirm that no foreign material is inside the printer.
2. Confirm that unusable paper is not set.
3. Confirm that paper is set properly.
4. Confirm that recommended paper is used, and the number of sheets set in the auto sheet feeder is within the limit.

If the problem persists, the printer may require servicing. Please contact your local Service Center.

Hi - I too am having an issue with my R1800 loading XMAS CARD STOCK paper.....I tried cleaning the rollers as per the EPSON web site. Although, I used alcohol in stead of water. I made sure I got the little roller way down under the paper and it seems better...although not 100%. Hope this helps!

Error messages displayed on the LCD and how to handle them
When an error has occurred in the printer, the error / check message is displayed on the LCD.
Take the appropriate action to return to the normal condition.
Error / Check message How to correct CHECK INK
U041 An ink cartridge is empty.
To cancel printing, press the Stop/Reset button.
To continue printing, press the OK button.
After the printing finishes, replace the empty ink cartridge.
Printing with an empty ink cartridge may cause printer malfunction. U051 / U052
U053 / U059 The ink cartridge may not be set properly, or an ink cartridge not supported by the printer is installed.
Install the proper ink cartridge.

Make sure to install both the ink cartridges even when you set the printer to use only one ink cartridge (Color or Photo) in printing.
If one of the ink cartridges is missing, this error will occur. U075 / U076 The ink cartridges are not installed in the proper position.
Install each ink cartridge in the proper position. U140 An ink cartridge not supported by the printer is installed.
Install the proper ink cartridge. U161 / U162 A used ink cartridge may be installed, or the ink cartridge may be empty.
Replace the ink cartridge.

By pressing the OK button, printing can be done without replacing the ink cartridge. However, the remaining ink amount cannot be detected properly, so the function to detect the remaining ink amount does not operate. READ/WRITE MODE Since the memory card is currently write-enabled, printing is not possible.
Set READ-ONLY MODE ON. NO PHOTOS ON CARD Some images in the memory card may not be in a supported format. images listed below cannot be printed directly from a memory card. Print them from a computer.

- images edited on the computer
- images in a format other than JPEG or TIFF
- images with double-byte characters used in the file name
- images saved in a folder nested 4 or more layers deep INCOMPATIBLE CAMERA The printer cannot communicate with the connected camera.
Disconnect the cable between the printer and the camera to clear the error.
Confirm the following items and print again.

1. Confirm that the camera you are using supports PictBridge or Canon Bubble Jet Direct.
If the camera does not support either one, the printer cannot print directly from the camera.
2. Set the camera in PictBridge print mode before it is connected to the machine. This is required before printing for some cameras that support PictBridge.
Please refer to the camera instructions for more information about procedures required before and after connection to the printer.
3. There may have been no response from the camera for the prescribed time.
Re-connect the cable between the camera and the printer. WASTE INK NEAR FULL The waste ink absorber is getting full.
Press the OK button to clear the error.
Printing can be done until the waste ink absorber becomes full. If the waste ink absorber becomes full, please contact your local Service Center for replacement of the absorber and printer maintenance.

The waste ink absorber is a part inside the printer, which absorbs ink used in the cleaning operations, etc. CHECK PRINTER Turn the printer off, and remove the power plug from the outlet.
About ten minutes later, plug it in again, and turn the printer on.
If the problem is not resolved, the printer may require servicing. Please contact your local Service Center. HEAD ALIGNMENT ERROR Automatic print head alignment failed.
Press the OK button to release the error.
Check the followings and do automatic print head alignment again.

- Check if A4/Letter-sized paper is loaded in the auto sheet feeder.
- Check if the paper output slot is not exposed to a strong light source
- Print the nozzle check pattern to check the status of the print head.

If the problem continues, do manual print head alignment. LOAD PAPER If paper is not set, set paper and press the OK button. When paper is set, check each item and do printing again.

1. Confirm that unusable paper is not set.
2. Confirm that paper is set properly.
3. Confirm that recommended paper is used, and the number of sheets set in the auto sheet feeder is within the limit.
4. Cleaning the paper feed roller may resolve the error.

If the problem persists, the printer may require servicing. Please contact your local Service Center. PAPER JAMMED Remove the jammed paper.
If paper jam frequently occurs, check the following:

1. Confirm that no foreign material is inside the printer.
2. Confirm that unusable paper is not set.
3. Confirm that paper is set properly.
4. Confirm that recommended paper is used, and the number of sheets set in the auto sheet feeder is within the limit.

If the problem persists, the printer may require servicing. Please contact your local Service Center.

check the ink levels especially the black in cartridge

No, it's an ink jet printer

Below are the various sizes and types of paper supported by your printer. Make sure you donnot load the tray beyond the maximum limit , otherwise the rollers may not pull the paper correctly

• Letter*
• Legal
• B5
• A4
• A5
• 3x6
• 4x6
• L
• 2L
• 5x7
• Hagaki
• 10x15 cm
• 13x18 cm
25 greeting cards,
index cards,
postcards, or photo
cards
• The print side of the cards faces up.
• The cards are centered on the paper support, in between the left and right
paper guides.
• The paper guide rests against the left edge of the cards.
• You select Normal or Photo print quality.
25 sheets of photo
or glossy paper
• The glossy side of the paper faces up.
• The paper is centered on the paper support, in between the left and right
paper guides.
• You select Normal or Photo print quality.
• The paper is loaded vertically against the right side of the paper support.
10 iron-on transfers • You follow the loading instructions on the packaging.
• The blank side of the transfer faces up.
• The transfer is centered on the paper support, in between the left and right
paper guides.
• You select Normal or Photo print quality.
NOTE: For best results, iron-on transfers should be fed one sheet at a time.
50 transparencies • The rough side of the transparencies faces up.
• The transparencies are centered on the paper support, in between the left and
right paper guides.
NOTE: You can load a single transparency into the paper support without
removing plain paper.
• You select Normal or Photo print quality

The solution in this case is to either use Canon card paper to print on or set the media type in your printer driver to the correct paper.

The paper you are using is not absorbing the ink correctly, so when the paper exits the machine the rollers are contacting the ink and causing the smudging.

Either you have to alter how much ink is being used by changing the media type in the printer driver, or you have to buy the correct Canon paper

I've seen this happen on Canon's Photo printers when a generic glossy paper was used. Switching to canon paper solved the problem.