🎃 Halloween Week: Printing Nightmares – 5 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

jameskisserwany
4 days ago
4 min read

As the spooky season arrives, so do a few terrifying truths about wide-format printing. Whether you're producing architectural plans, event signage, retail graphics, or high-resolution photography, avoiding common printing mistakes is critical. These issues can lead to lost time, wasted materials, and unexpected costs – all of which are far scarier than any Halloween costume.

At Plotterbase, we work closely with professionals who depend on consistent, high-quality printing. Over the years, we’ve seen a range of recurring issues that tend to haunt even the most experienced users. The good news? With a little know-how, these mistakes are entirely preventable.

🧟‍♂️ What You'll Learn in This Guide

In this article, we reveal the five most common wide-format printing mistakes that can disrupt your workflow, hurt your bottom line, and damage your reputation. For each one, we’ll explain:

What causes the issue
Why it happens
And how can you avoid it entirely

This guide is based on real-world customer feedback, hands-on experience, and technical insight from our in-house experts.

👥 Who Should Read This?

This article is beneficial for businesses and professionals in:

Architecture and construction
Engineering and surveying
Graphic design and creative agencies
Photography and fine art printing
Retail and point-of-sale production
Print shops and commercial reprographics
Small businesses and startups

If your work relies on accurate, high-quality wide-format printing, this guide will help you reduce errors, save money, and improve print performance.

👻 Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Media for the Job

What Goes Wrong:

Selecting the incorrect media type is one of the leading causes of poor print results. The outcome? Smudging, poor ink absorption, curling edges, or even paper feed failures.

Why It Matters:

Each type of media interacts differently with your ink and printer settings. Using an incompatible material can compromise colour output, sharpness, and durability.

How to Fix It:

Always use media that is recommended
ended for your printer model and ink type
Select the correct media settings on your printer or RIP software
Store media flat, away from moisture and extreme temperatures, to maintain quality

🎃 Mistake 2: Skipping Printer Maintenance

What Goes Wrong:

Busy schedules can lead to postponed maintenance. Over time, this causes clogged nozzles, print artefacts, and even mechanical breakdowns.

Why It Matters:

Skipping maintenance doesn’t just affect quality — it shortens your printer's lifespan and increases the likelihood of costly repairs.

How to Fix It:

Follow a routine maintenance schedule, especially for high-volume printers
Use only Canon original ink cartridges, which are engineered to keep internal components clean and protected
Run nozzle checks and cleaning cycles regularly to catch issues early

🕸 Mistake 3: Printing Low-Resolution Files

What Goes Wrong:

Low-res files might look sharp on screen, but when scaled up for wide-format output, the result is blurry and pixelated.

Why It Matters:

Poor image quality reflects badly on your business. Whether it’s a blueprint, poster, or retail display, clarity and detail are essential.

How to Fix It:

Always use images with a resolution of 150–300 DPI for large-format printing
Verify that the artwork is set to the correct size and resolution before sending it to print
Ask clients to supply original design files instead of compressed images

🧛 Mistake 4: Ignoring Colour Management

What Goes Wrong:

What you see on your screen doesn’t match the final print. Colours may appear dull, washed out, or completely off-brand.

Why It Matters:

Brand consistency, especially for signage and marketing materials, is non-negotiable. Colour shifts can damage trust and professionalism.

How to Fix It:

Calibrate your monitor regularly to match your printer’s colour output
Use ICC profiles specific to your Canon wide-format printer and media type
Stick with Canon OEM inks, which offer tested colour accuracy and consistent results

☠️ Mistake 5: Ignoring Printer Alerts and Ink Warnings

What Goes Wrong:

Many users choose to override or ignore warning messages like "low ink" or "media misfeed." This often leads to incomplete prints or even printer damage.

Why It Matters:

Alerts are built-in safeguards. Ignoring them increases the chance of downtime and unplanned maintenance.

How to Fix It:

Respond to alerts promptly and investigate any recurring issues
Keep spare Canon ink cartridges and media on hand to avoid delays
Train team members to understand and act on printer notifications

🧙‍♀️ Recap: 5 Printing Mistakes to Avoid This Halloween (and Beyond)

Common MistakeImpactHow to Avoid It

Using the wrong media, Smudging, poor output, Match media to ink and printer specs

Skipping maintenance, clogged nozzles, downtime, Regular cleanings and OEM inks

Low-resolution files, Blurry, unprofessional prints. Use 150–300 DPI artwork.

Colour inaccuracy, Off-brand, faded results. Calibrate monitor and use ICC profiles

Ignoring alerts, Print failure, and hardware risk. Always respond to printer warnings.

🎯 Why Professionals Trust Canon Original Ink

Canon OEM inks are formulated specifically for Canon wide-format printers. They deliver precise line accuracy, vibrant colours, and long-lasting durability across a variety of print jobs and media types.

By using Canon original cartridges, you get:

Consistent print quality with minimal reprints
Reduced maintenance and fewer printer errors
Full compatibility with colour profiles and ICC settings
Protection of your warranty and printer hardware

When quality matters, original ink is not just a better choice — it’s the smarter investment.

🧠 Need Help with Your Printing Setup?

At Plotterbase, we're here to help you avoid costly mistakes and get the most out of your wide-format printer. Whether you're looking for the right Canon ink, professional media, or technical support, our experienced team is just a call or click away.