Everything You Need to Know about Nozzle Checks

A nozzle check is a tool used to determine if all of the nozzles in the print head are allowing ink to be printed on the paper. Sometimes these tiny openings become clogged resulting in poor image quality. This is the first place to look if you are experiencing any quality problems such as faint output, streaking or issues with color.

Most users print a nozzle check at the beginning and even several times throughout the day to verify there is not a problem that would interfere with production. Printing daily nozzle checks is also a recommended technique to keep the nozzles from clogging in the first place.

The steps below will show how to print a nozzle check and how to proceed based on the results. If you already know the steps to print and evaluate a nozzle check, proceed to step 3 for instructions on how to improve the results.  Step 4 shows how to print special files in the event regular head cleans do not regain all of the nozzles.

1. Print a Nozzle Check.


2. Evaluate the Nozzle Check Results.


3. Run Head Cleanings.


4. Print special PRN files.


5. If you are having issues after completing the above steps, contact Sawgrass technical support.

Do not perform a head flushing in an attempt to troubleshoot missing nozzles or other issues unless instructed by Sawgrass to do so.   During downtime, it is highly recommended to leave the printer powered ON to allow the Ricoh automatic maintenance utilities to run, keeping the print head nozzles clear.