Hi [USER=111848]@timoat[/USER]
First, there are two important resolution numbers. The first is the PPI (pixels per inch) of the image. The best for the P900 is 360 or 720. Anything higher will not make a difference and will be resampled to a lower number by the printer. Not a big deal. I understand the printer resampling algorithm is "nearest neighbor," which is not the best algorithm.
Then, the dpi or dots per inch number is used for the printer's "resolution." I put the resolution in quotes because it relates more to the number of ink droplets and the different droplet sizes the Epson can do from up to nine of the 10 inks on a photo. So, the higher dpi numbers are more about their ink spray pattern to generate colors rather than representing actual images. From many sources, the 1440 dpi (or high quality setting) is visually not different as the 5760 dpi mode as seen by the eye. I am doing some experiments to eke out what is going on, yet I am confident in what I have already shared above.
I am enjoying the printer and have no issues other than wi-fi disconnects. Love the images. Yet, I am still a newbie as far as numbers or prints are concerned. Have enjoyed the large 17x22 prints and have given many away.
No head strike problems as you have seen. Often, such issues have to do with the printer's proper settings (e.g., paper type settings) so that the head distance is correct for the paper. That would be the first place that I would look. You can load paper types using the Epson Media Installer, and today's correct name, I believe, is Epson Ultra Premium Matte for the weight and thickness of matte paper if you were using the setting for the regular matte paper (1/2 as thick) that could cause some problems.
The other issue is if the paper was not flat going in or out. It does not take much paper curvature to push it closer to the print head. So the paper going in should not have a curl, and the paper exit should have the plastic extension all the way out so the paper is not hanging over any edge.
I did see one post from long ago that said the matte paper swelled with too much ink and could cause that problem, so I cannot confirm if it was just a one-off or accurate. You want the correct ink setting for that paper type to avoid ink-related issues.
One last note: those archival paper matte were not archival papers. Archival paper usually means that it is without optical brighteners, and the whiteness will fade out over time with such papers. That is probably why Epson changed the name, as it was misleading as it did (and does) contain optical brighteners.
That would be my quick thoughts and observations
John Wheeler
