Several factors contribute to this problem, and we've encountered them firsthand. We'd like to share our experiences and insights with you:
1- Printing on the wrong side of the film:
Specially the DTF PET film double side frosted, it's difficult to identify which side is the printing side, as both sides are frosted but one side is the right side to print on.
Troubleshooting
Etch a small area on each side of the film, ensuring that the side with residue is designated for printing.
If you've mistakenly printed on the incorrect side, attempt to gently wipe the print with a cloth or paper, then flip the film and proceed with printing. There's no necessity to discard the film.
2- The output tray wrong positioned:
Frequently, the problem of the printhead encountering the design arises from an improperly placed output tray. If there's a protrusion at the front of the tray that could elevate the film, the printhead may come into contact with it.
Troubleshooting
make sure the tray is in contact with the printer without obstructing the paper output, and that it aligns smoothly with the printer.
3- Short curing time for the ink:
Insufficient curing time may result in improper ink curing. Verify that the printing machine speed has not changed, as this saturation issue can lead to excessive powder sticking in the subsequent stage. Consequently, the standard curing time may not suffice, resulting in a fuzzy output design or distorted images.
Troubleshooting
Ensure adequate drying time for the ink before the powdering process. Experiment with elevating the temperature on the pre-heat plate of the printer until you achieve the optimal temperature for proper ink curing. Some printers feature two heat plates, one at the beginning, right after the film comes out, and the other one which curing the powder.
4- High saturation level.
Troubleshooting
Experiment with the balance of color and white ratios; it might be the primary contributing factor to the issue.
5- Dried ink
If there is dried ink on the printhead, capping station, flushing box, or the wiper blade, it can lead to the formation of gummy residues on the edges or within the head. This can result in clogging and printing issues.
Troubleshooting
Those components require regular maintenance.
To clean the capping station, flushing box, and the wiper blade, please refer to our blog link below;
We provide various types of capping stations, dampers, and wiper blades designed for commonly used Epson printers in DTF printing. Explore the following link for more details:
Note:
Following the completion of the cleaning procedure for all the mentioned components in step 5, ensure thorough air-drying of all elements, including the printhead, before reintegrating them into the printer. We recommend performing a head cleaning using the printer's head cleaning utility after confirming a sufficient ink supply in your tanks. This ensures the flushing out of any remaining cleaning liquid in the lines.
It is important to know that:
Using the head cleaning utility can expedite the saturation of ink pads, reducing their service life. It should only be utilise when essential.
Upon encountering an error message signaling the nearing end of an ink pad's service life, printing ceases, and it becomes imperative to reach out to Epson for assistance.
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