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Photo Protocol
A photo protocol that shows what to capture on-site: control panels, ink labels, printed output, head area, media path, and error screens.
How the photo protocol helps with fault finding
The Photo Protocol shows exactly what to photograph when a printer problem needs checking from a distance. Capture the control panel, ink labels, printed output, head area, media path and any error screens. Clear photos of those points make it easier to trace whether the issue sits with colour, hardware or media feed.
Start the photo set with the printer nameplate, the loaded media, and the exact area where the fault appears. On South African sites, dust on inland machines and moisture near the coast can change what shows on a nozzle test or printed panel. Good images from FastJET, Stormjet, or Skywalker units help separate colour drift from feed trouble or a head-side issue.
The first image should be taken before wiping, purging, or reprinting. Photograph the control panel while the message is visible, then capture ink labels and the current print if banding, misting, or colour shift is present. That record is far more useful than photos sent after parts have been moved or covers closed.
Photo set that matters
A proper Photo Protocol submission gives a readable trail from screen message to printed result. Include one wide shot of the machine area, then close shots of the head zone, media path, and any test print. That combination makes it easier to judge whether attention should go to profiles, consumables, or hardware checks.
Use the protocol with the relevant machine notes before expanding the check beyond the obvious fault point. For a recurring issue, compare the previous print sample with the latest result, then send everything through the contact form. Include the FastJET, Stormjet, or Skywalker model in the message so the right reference notes are used.
- Control panel, message, and status lights
- Nozzle test photographed before any cleaning
- Ink labels and cartridge positions visible
Checks that suit SA sites
Site conditions need to appear in the photos where they affect diagnosis. A machine in Johannesburg dust, a Durban humid room, or a Cape Town shop near an open roller door can show different symptoms even on the same media. Note if the problem started after a power interruption, a media change, or a cartridge swap.
Take pictures in normal working light where labels, cables, and printed defects can actually be read. If guards are open, show the head area and media route without hands blocking the view. For intermittent faults, photograph the machine at the point where the issue shows, not only after a restart.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
What to capture on site
Use the photo protocol to capture nozzle tests, head condition, print samples, labels and the machine area where the fault shows. Note timing and prior fixes, then send with a clear subject line.
Save the images with simple names that match the order they were taken, such as panel, inks, nozzle test, print sample, and head area. Add a short note with the media name, pass mode, and any recent cleaning or part change. When the printer has repeated the same fault, include a fresh photo set rather than reusing old pictures.
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