Avoiding the Fustrating Roller Marks on Edible Sheets

Whether you have experienced it yet or not, there are certain times when you print out your edible icing sheets, that you realise the finished print is spoiled by long roller marks running through the entire image.

After considerable testing we learnt that such an issue occurs namely because Canon printers in particulars weren't manufactured with edible printing in mind so unlike icing sheets, a traditional paper can naturally absorb a decent amount of ink which in turn allows for the page to dry almost instantly.

Canon printers are made with very tiny rollers that you can see if you look closely at the upper ceiling inside the output area. They look like small white plastic rollers and these little devils are what press onto your icing sheets.

However another factor why you get roller marks is the weather and typically with cooler weathers inks tend to dry slower and so with the fine surface on photo capable icing sheets, so the result is the ink is still slightly wet as its passing through the front rollers.
 

But there is a quick, cheap and somewhat unorthodox method to resolving this issue that involves about 5 minutes of your time, some tape and 2 x wooden skewers or dowels.

Ok here we go:

What is required:

2 x Wooden Skewers / Dowels around 4mm - 6mm in thickness. Well thick enough so it is nice and tight when you insert into the printer so to prevent the skewer / dowel from moving around.

1 x Roll of tape. Preferably a strong tape like electrical tape but not too thick.

Instructions:

1.       Basically get yourself 2 skewers or dowels which can be purchased from any supermarket, hardware store and even cake decorating supplier.

2.       Then slowly insert the first skewer / dowel in the far left opening of the output tray where the sheet would be come out from.

3.       Push it in about 1 - 1.5 Inches, just enough until it seems to firmly stay in its place and not to obstruct the print head as its printing.

4.       Repeat this step but this time insert a skewer into the far right area in the output tray.

5.       To make sure the skewers don’t move during printing, wrap some tape around the skewers / dowels and attach to the printer. If your dowels are thick enough they may not even need this.

6.       Test your print. If your sheets print out freely without touching the skewers and the skewers don’t seem to move at all then you are good to go!

Give these steps a go and so far they have helped many customers in eliminating the dreaded roller lines that tend to appear especially when you need to continuously print our icing sheets.

FURTHER TIPS:

** If you are using A4 sheets on an A3 Printer you may only need to insert the left hand side dowel as it should give you enough high to avoid the rollers.

** Cut your Dowels in half or make them short enough so they dont poke out too much from your printer.

** You only need to use the tape if you see the dowels moving however in many cases if you have a thick enough dowel that feels nice and tight in its place then taping isnt required. 

** DO NOT force the dowel too far into the printer otherwise this can come into contact with the printhead and risk it being damaged. Look underneath yourself and simply make sure the dowel moves in enough to raise the upper ceiling of the printer.

If you have any questions about this contact Edible Image Supplies via our website at www.edibleimagesupplies.com.au or on 1300 303 348.