"Can't print the illustration"

[antimac]

Epson Stylus Photo 1280 can't print from Illustrator 10. I reinstalled both software and drivers, but still nothing. Prints from other applications.

I just talked to other people in my college who have the same printer for both PC and Mac. All of them can print from Illustrator and Quark without the postscript RIP. They said postscript makes it look better, but u dont need it to print. Quark prints look bad but their Illustrator prints look great. Could something be wrong with my printer, or perhaps the software? I need to know before warranty expires.

[Ian A. Wright]

Anti:

Nothing ...? No error messages?

Create a new document and draw a small rectangle. Do you get the same error when you print that? If so, go into Document Setup, choose Transparency from the pop-up menu and move the Quality slider all the way to the left (should be OK since you're printing non-PostScript anyway).

You might also try changing the Bitmap Printing selection in the Print dialog box.

P.S. Would you click on the Preferences button above and change your login to reflect your real name please? Or add your name after your messages. This is a professional forum, and as you can see, we prefer to use full names here. Thank you.

[Wade Zimmerman]

Yes try to reinstall your printer drivers or trash your AI Preferences as well.

You can also try something similar to what we do on the mac by removing your printer from the printer list and add it back.

I am not certain I remeber how you do this on a PC as it has been a while since I have configured one.

[Jill Scott-Bisset]

I use Illustrator 9 (for 3 years now) with an Epson 1290 Photo printer (1 year). Never a problem till this week. "Can't Print The Illustration". The first few times it did proceed to print, just horizontal lines 6mm apart across the page. My Illustration I have remade several times as it is simply a photograph of a painting with the title underneath. I normally make 2 or 3 a day in A3 glossy landscape, exactly the same, without problems. I haven't changed any settings anywhere. I defragged the computer (which took four hours). After restart it printed the illustration on plain paper at quick, when I changed to Photo paper 720dpi, no, I changed back to plain paper quick it printed and again. Now it won't print anyway, but the printer dialogue box goes through the motions, nothing stays on the spool. I recently moved to France and my French is limitedso I cant get help here, has anybody got a definitive answer, or any good ideas. I'm not a computer buff so please keep instructions simple and concise (the "for dummies series I find difficult"). Thanks Jill

[Malameel]

I have been having problems with both my Epson 1270 and my Epson 2000p, different machines. I notice when printing large files. What I get is half an image or something. If I reprint, I will get another print, but cut off differntly. I have reinstalled everything, including one system with a full reformat. I remeber reading there was a problem with Illustrator and large prints and Epson printers. Has this been resolved, and how do I fix it.

[Claudia Crevier]

I am running Illustrator 10 on a Mac platform (OS X) & I'm having the exact same problem. I'm using an hp LaserJet 1200 & I'm printing very simple black & white vector artwork from Illustrator. I've been using this printer with Illustrator for several months with no problem & all of a sudden today I can't print. I get the same message " can't print illustration". I've called Hewlett Packard but they insist it is a problem with Illustrator since I can print from other applications. It sounds like you have the same issue. If I solve this problem, I'll let you know.

[Ian A. Wright]

Claudia:

have you tried the suggestions above? You might also try changing the Bitmap Printing selection in the Print dialog box.

[Malameel]

The whole idea of unchecking advanced printing features also does not work for me.

[Ian A. Wright]

Malameel:

OK. Then how about some more information?

* What exact printer?
* What type of printer? (HPCL, PostScript …)
* What driver? What version number?
* How much RAM?
* What version of Windows?
* If Win 95,98, 2k, ME, or NT, what service packs and updates have been applied?
* Is the Windows version an OEM copy, e.g. Compaq?
* What video card? What driver? What version number?
* What colour depth and resolution are you running the video?
* What fonts? What type? How many installed? Are they quality fonts?
* If Type 1, what version of ATM is installed?
* How much free, clean TEMP space is on your \WINDOWS drive?
* How many resources do you have available when this happens?
* Do you have any third-party memory managers, background apps, including toolbars and anti-virus shields running, or any alternative shells?
* If you are getting error messages, what exactly do they say?
* Are you running on a network? As what status?

[Malameel]

Printer is an Epson Photo 2000p, with the latest drivers installed (V. 5.21)
I am using a Dell 550 Precision workstation.
It is a Dual 2.0 GHZ Xeons processor system.
It has 2 GBS of Ram.
Running Win2k SP3 originally from Dell (Build 2195)
Quadro4 900 XGL with Driver version 43.45 (nvidia reference driver)
Four HDs stripped togther, 10.9 Gbs used of 50.6
Fonts are mostly standard fonts from either Adobe or Mircosoft, I do not use ATM. (Problem persists weither fonts are used or not.)
As far as background apps, none are used unless I start them (like a download manager.)
Periodicaly defragged, I usially use only one program at a time. Not on a network, and no errors, the image just comes out cut off. When using "print Preview" the image exported to printer is already cut off.

[Ian A. Wright]

Malameel:

You are using Windows printing. I have seen many other DELL Users here who have had problems printing with their 3D nVidia card systems. Try switching to a "standard” VGA video driver at 640x480x16 or 640x480x256 resolution as a test. The video driver should be on your original Windows installation disks and you make the change through Windows -> Setup. You can also reduce video acceleration using Windows -> Setup. If this fixes your printing problem, call DELL for a different video card.

[Malameel]

I just recently changed video cards again from a Gainward GF4 4600 to the Quadro because I am beginning to get into 3D. Of course I have tried different drivers over the years and the situation remains unchanged. The problem also occurs on my other system (custom built) with the Epson 1270. I will try the "standard" VGA modes and drivers tomorrow. Also what do you mean by "Windows -> Setup?"

[C Keila]

Please HELP!!!
I'm running Illustrator 10 on my PC platform (Windows ME)and my printer is an EPSON Stylus Color 880. Why can't I print out of Illustrator 10 when I was able to print out of Illustrator 9? A messages keeps showing: "Can't print Illustration".
I reinstalled both software and printer like 4 times but I still can't print.
I unshecked "Bitmap Printing" selection in the Print dialog box and nothing.
It prints fine from InDesing, Photoshop and all other applications.
A friend of mine also has Illustrator 10 in a PC (Windows ME) but has an HP Printer. Is it the printer?
I also tried doing the upgrade 10.0.3 but it could do it. I even tried going back to my Illustrator 9 and it didn't let me. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM??

[Ian A. Wright]

C:

I've just deleted your additional Topic on this same issue. Please post only once.

Try toggling the "advanced features" or "advanced printing" on that Epson. And follow through on the suggestions above as well.

[Lumpy Puddin]

Well, another country heard from.

Windows 2000 professional. Custom built intel P4 with 512MB RAM, Illustrator 9.0.2. Printing to a Linotype RIP50.

Similar problem but only on documents over 37.5 inches. The PPD clearly states a maximum page of 18 x 208. I can make large custom pages but they won't print. I was mystified by the comment about the video card. Can you offer some explanation or insight into Windows printing that could somehow relate the video card to Postscript printing? This happens with either the windows print driver or AdobePS 1.0.6 universal.

[Ian A. Wright]

Lumpy:

As in my reply to your other message -- PostScript printing doesn't relate to your video card or anything else in the Windows hardware. What error message are you recieving from those PS drivers?

Note the request about using your "real name". Thanks.

[GARY SAVILLE]

I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM (CANT PRINT ILLUSTRATION )I AM ON A PC WITH XP HOME TRYING TO PRINT TO A GCC TECH ELIT XL 20/1200
I AM TRYING TO PRINT A COLOR SEPERATION.
IT HAS WORKED IN THE PAST BUT WITH SOME ILLUSTRATIONS I GET THIS MSG. I HAVE COPYED & PASTED IN TO A NEW DOC AND THAT HAS WORKED BUT THIS TIME NOTHING HAS.

[Ian A. Wright]

Gary:

Please stop SHOUTING at us! Thanks.

Have you tried all the suggestions in this thread yet? How about providing answers to the questions above in message #8. You don't say what kind of priner that GCC is, for example.

[Nancy Pun]

Please help. I have the same problem printing on Windows XP to my Minolta Magicolor 2300 DL color laser. I tried the suggestions in this thread and nothing worked. I can print from other applications. I was able to print to HP printers just the day before from the same PC/Illustrator.

[Ian A. Wright]

Nancy:

Create a new document and draw a small rectangle. Do you get the same error when you print that? If so, go into Document Setup, choose Transparency from the pop-up menu and move the Quality slider all the way to the left (should be OK since you're printing non-PostScript anyway).

You might also try changing the Bitmap Printing selection in the Print dialog box.

[Nancy Pun]

I tried and got the same error. I also went through the transparency and bitmap printing tests you suggested. Still had the problem.

The image size is 5.5"X11" and is a very simple document. The only thing is the fonts used were downloaded. But I am not sure why the same document printed on HP printers and not this Minolta one.

Thanks.