terrible scan quality

[tadabrowski]

I’m experiencing a significant drop in scan quality compared to the manufacturer’s software (Brother iPrint&Scan). I’m using the same settings in both tools. In NAPS2, I disable all compression, yet the documents look terrible (a lot of artifacts around text) and have a much larger file size.

I'm using ESCL protocol. I've tested all advanced settings like WIA version and TWAIN implementation without any significant effect.

naps2

brother

Windows 11 NAPS2 8.1.1.0 BROTHER Ink Benefit Plus DCP-T426W

[zwo1a]

I also use a Brother printer and have encountered the same issue. It appears to be a limitation of Brother devices—when using wireless "universal protocols" such as ESCL or WIA, the printer only transmits heavily compressed images. This behavior is consistent across other applications as well. Moreover, the printer's web interface offers no settings to adjust image quality, and even selecting the highest quality in NAPS2 has no effect.

I tried using VueScan and noticed that when the printer is discovered via mDNS, the transmitted image quality is excellent. However, when using ESCL, the quality significantly deteriorates.

[christianclavet]

Hi! For me theses 2 images look almost the same, and as you mention the quality is not that good. What are those horizontal lines in the scan? I see stripes of green horizontal lines in the image. Are you scanning from the flatbed of the printer or is it going thru a feeded.

For the grainy look of the image (moire effect), this might come from the print itself. (4 color process). At what resolution, have you scanned this? What it printed with the same printer?

[tadabrowski]

@christianclavet The lines visible on the scan are not a problem. They also appear on the scanned document. Mainly, I mean the typical compression artifacts visible i.e. around the letters.