How to create a custom PrintQueue Maintenance Job

How to create a custom PrintQueue Maintenance Job

Problem/Question
To prevent printhead nozzles clogging in certain situations, Maintenance Jobs can be activated in the PrintQueue. Maintenance Jobs are small print jobs to be printed between production jobs utilizing all inks channels. There are already templates for different printers. But one can also create custom Maintenance Jobs.

Solution/Work-Around

Create and use your own Maintenance Job by following the instruction.

A) Setup of "Ink Control" job
  1. Open the dedicated PrintEnvironment
  2. Select the "Ink Control" tab
  3. Check "Visual Control Strip"
  4. Set parameters according to the screen shot 

  5. Close the PrintEnvironment
  6. Create a Print Job in the JobComposer
  7. Add a "Job Element" via context menu (right click)
  8. Select "Gradient Rectangle" and click <OK>
  9. Set parameters like the screen shot 

  10. Print this Job via the PrintQueue
  11. Check if the size is ok and all colors are printed in all shades
    (if not, change the sizes in the PrintEnvironment or the Print Job)
As soon the size is ok, you can create a Maintenance Job by following next description.

B) Creation of Maintenance Job
  1. Open the spool folder of the corresponding PrintQueue
  2. Select the custom "Ink Control.ppl" file
  3. Copy the file to a place where it won't be deleted
  4. Go to the PrintQueue
  5. Set the Queue offline (red circle)
  6. Click on the <Maintenance Job> button
  7. Press the <+> button to configure a new Maintenance Job
  8. Click on the <...> button to add a file
  9. Change the selection from "Maintenance Job (*.mtj)" to "PrintQueue Job (*.ppl)"
  10. Select the saved PrintQueue job
  11. Set the sending method
  12. Click <OK> and type a Maintenance Job Name
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