dr. kwack Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 I recently acquired an Okimate color printer. Very cool, as I got the software it was packaged with. It's hard to believe what this old style printer was capable of! However... The print quality is kinda low. It's very light. I have set the switch to "darker" and get nothing. I got brand new ribbons which helped a bit, and I cleaned the print head as per the manuals instructrions (and it was dirty). The print quality is still on the light side. I found a place that sells new print heads for a low price but wanted to be sure there wasn't something else I could do. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almost Rice Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 You have to use very smooth paper too. I remember using regular paper and it only came out ok. Just remember printing in color can get pretty expensive on the okimate. Slow too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenfused Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 I had one of those long ago. Is the darker, lighter control a sliding type switch. If so, maybe it needs contacts cleaned. IIRC, it seems almost like it was a sliding variable resistor type of thing. Maybe try pushing down on it a little when printing and see if it makes a difference. Or maybe I am totally off base. I still have one here somewhere, I could pull the printhead out if you wanted to try it and assuming I can find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNXGUY Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 I had an Okimate printer back in the day and I believe it was the Okimate 10 color printer, and it did print rather slow with color and not to much faster using just black ribbon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goochman Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 I owned one way back - needs smooth paper. It was the first affordable color printer and could produce some stunning results - howver as a poor kid in school the color ribbons could kill you - It would use 3x ribbon to make the 3 color pass no matter if the color was required! Black print was dark but it was slow. I have some print cartidges available if you want to cover shipping - Id have to dig up to see which ones I still have in original packaging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 The March 85 ANTIC magazine (it was my 1st issue, scary how I recall that!) had a feature on printers, IIRC the Oki 10 was mentioned extensively. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNXGUY Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 I believe with my Okimate 10 you had to switch ribbons for color or Black and I seem to recall the ribbons as being plastic and you can only use them once and you had to buy new ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr. kwack Posted August 27, 2006 Author Share Posted August 27, 2006 Lots of good suggestions and info here. Thanks everyone. Here's what I have done... I put in a different print head (thanks to kenfused). I also got some new ribbons on eBay (although I'm still waiting for black ones to show up). Both of these things helped. I'm gonna try to clean the light/dark switch and if someone could advise on how/where to get smoother paper (I'm using traditional 80's style computer paper right now), the problems may be solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goochman Posted August 27, 2006 Share Posted August 27, 2006 I have a few ribbons (black) and a spare printhead I found cleaning out the garage. If you are located in the US Ill ship them to you for $5. I think I have 2 black ribbons and I color still in their original packaging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNXGUY Posted August 29, 2006 Share Posted August 29, 2006 if someone could advise on how/where to get smoother paper (I'm using traditional 80's style computer paper right now), the problems may be solved Try OFFICE MAX or STAPLES ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a8maestro Posted October 18, 2006 Share Posted October 18, 2006 I suggest major paper stores such as Xpedex(Arvey). They have many, many types of paper. You can usually get 1 up samples and test them. Rick D. Lots of good suggestions and info here. Thanks everyone. Here's what I have done... I put in a different print head (thanks to kenfused). I also got some new ribbons on eBay (although I'm still waiting for black ones to show up). Both of these things helped. I'm gonna try to clean the light/dark switch and if someone could advise on how/where to get smoother paper (I'm using traditional 80's style computer paper right now), the problems may be solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fueriose Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Here is a little secret for all the old thermal printers.. You can use the old thermal fax paper rolls on them WITHOUT print cartridges For b/w printing that is... Does anyone have a link to the Okimate 10 manual or have one scanned I could see? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNXGUY Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Here is a picture of the one I used to own. . . . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Jefferson Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 I always wanted that printer as a kid. Now I guess I could afford one, but don't really have a use for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goochman Posted February 9, 2007 Share Posted February 9, 2007 I had one and loved it - it was so neat seeing color come out - unfort as a kid the cartidges were to f'in expensive and that thing could kill them fast in color mode! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcostin Posted February 10, 2007 Share Posted February 10, 2007 I used to love my Okimate. It was the first color printer I owned, and there was nothing quite as cool as seeing those nice, glossy bright colors. Though I recall that banding was always an issue unless you loaded the paper just right. I eventually moved on to a Deskjet 500 when I moved to my Amiga. I think I still have the Okimate around somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNXGUY Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 After the Okimate printer I moved up to the Atari ST and I bought this printer........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almost Rice Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 After the Okimate printer I moved up to the Atari ST and I bought this printer........ Star NX-1000 Rainbow? It looks like what I did. I got the Okimate 10 first and ugraded to the Star. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oesii Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I always wanted that printer as a kid. Now I guess I could afford one, but don't really have a use for it! Same here, that was one of my most desired items of my 8bit wishlist back in the day. I guess typing up all those homework assignments on a trusty but frumpy 1025 will do that to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.