Poor Plot Quality: Stair-Stepped or Wavy Vertical Lines; Smudges or bleeding.
      
A.    Examine the vertical segments produced from the plotter.  If these
      segments appear stair-stepped, then the following could cause this to
      occur:
      
      1.    The PLOT MODE on the plotter is set to a bidirectional or draft
            mode.
            
            a.    The plotter was not designed to produce a quality plot
                  output in this mode. The purpose of this mode is to produce
                  a fast, rough draft output only. The accuracy of the
                  plotter is difficult to maintain while it prints in both
                  left-to-right and right-to-left directions, due to
                  variances in carriage acceleration and deceleration.
            
            b.    To produce a quality plot output, select a unidirectional
                  mode.  Perform the following:
                  
                  i.    On the plotter, press the MENU button until the
                        plotter displays: MENU - USE ARROW KEYS TO CHANGE.
                  
                  ii.   Press the down arrow keys until the plotter displays:
                        PLOT MODE. If the plotter displays either
                        BIDIRECTIONAL or DRAFT, then change it to a
                        unidirectional mode by performing the following:
                        
                        ii.1. Press the right (+) key until the plotter
                              displays a different selection. The normal mode
                              for the plotter is: UNIDIRECTION FAST or
                              NORMAL.
                        
                        ii.2. Press the down arrow keys until the plotter
                              displays: SAVE AS USER. Press the right (+) key
                              until the plotter displays either 1, 2, 3, or
                              4.
                        
                        ii.3. Press the down arrow key once. When the plotter
                              displays: INTERNAL TEST, the plotter is set up.
                              Load the media into the plotter and press ON
                              LINE.
      
      2.    The chrome carriage bar, which the carriage travels on, may have
            accumulated dirt on it, causing the carriage to bind.  It may be
            cleaned by performing the following steps:
            
            a.    Turn off the power to the plotter. Unplug the power cord
                  from the plotter.
            
            b.    Wipe the chrome carriage bar with a clean, damp cloth,
                  moistened with water.
            
            c.    Wipe the chrome carriage bar with a clean, dry cloth.
            
            d.    Reattach the power cord and turn on the plotter power.

B.    The quality of the output is wavy or poor quality (smudging/bleeding).
      
      1.    There are raises in the paper causing the print head to touch in
            certain areas.
      
      2.    Incorrect media is being used. The plotter cannot use standard
            mylar media on an inkjet-type plotter because the media has no
            place for the ink to dry.
      
      3.    Insufficient vacuum. Make sure that the fan (5424), or fans
            (5436) are blowing underneath the platen.
      
      4.    The nozzles in the print head/cartridge may be clogged, causing
            the output to produce a poor plot quality.
            
            a.    Output the stitch plot and examine the eight by eight grids
                  (nozzle checks) for the print head. To do this, perform the
                  following:
                  
                  i.    Load the media into the plotter.  A-size media is
                        sufficient. Lower both the pinch rollers.
                  
                  ii.   Press ON LINE.
                  
                  iii.  After the plotter has sized the media, the plotter
                        will display either: ONLINE 0:00 or MANUAL 0:00.
                        Press the MENU key until the plotter displays:
                        MENU - USE ARROW KEYS TO CHANGE
                  
                  iv.   Press the UP ARROW key until the plotter displays:
                        INTERNAL TEST: OFF
                  
                  v.    Press the right (+) key until the plotter displays:
                        INTERNAL TEST: STITCH PLOT
                  
                  vi.   Press the ON LINE key. Wait for the plotter to
                        complete the test.
            
            b.    If the nozzle checks show blobs of ink, white spaces where
                  a nozzle should be firing, then either the print head and
                  print station needs cleaning, or the cartridge needs to be
                  replaced.
                  
                  i.    Clean the rectangular cap on the plot station with a
                        q-tip and isopropyl alcohol. This cap is located on
                        the left side of the plotter, where the plotter
                        normally returns the carriage. The rectangular cap is
                        on a spindle.
                  
                  ii.   Additionally, on some models, in front of the
                        rectangular cap is a clear plastic wiper. Clean that
                        as well with a q-tip and isopropyl alcohol.
      
      5.    The platen may be defective.
            
            a.    If the plot output consistently shows an area clear and an
                  area smudged (e.g., left, right, or center), check the
                  following:
                  
                  i.    Check the media. Raises in the media will cause this
                        symptom.
                  
                  ii.   It is possible that he platen may be warped causing
                        the print head to touch the media.  Try placing a
                        straight-edge on the platen to determine if the
                        platen is warped. If so, this is not user
                        serviceable.