Epson + Velvet Fine Art: Smudgy?

<p>I am working with a new-to-me Epson R2400 with all new Epson brand inks and Velvet Fine Art Paper. I am using the front loading for the paper because I am missing the rear plastic guide for single sheet feeding. I am using the matte black cart.</p>

<p>In an area where there is high contrast, the prints have a subtle "shadow" into the white area around some of the blacks. I'd almost call it a smudge, but it's more powdery, or misty looking than a smear or smudge. I have checked to be sure I was using the correct "white" side of the Velvet paper. Anyone have any experience with this issue?</p>

 

<p>The front paper path is <strong>only</strong> for posterboard. Anything which isn't sufficiently thick will be rendered blurry/smudgy/powdery due to extreme head-to-paper distance.</p>

<p>That's clearly the answer. I tried cheating. I didn't have the rear single sheet feeder for the Velvet fine, so I reasoned the front load would work the same. WRONG! I have now ordered the missing plastic guide for the read single-sheet feeder, so I will try the Velvet paper again when the part arrives. No short cuts, I guess.</p>

<p>Thank you Colin Mattson for the speedy answer.</p>