How to Fix DTF Repeated Smudging with Rolled Film

Today I’d like to talk about printhead strikes and, more specifically, what causes them. If you keep experiencing repeated smudging interrupting the beautiful pictures you’re trying to print, this results from printhead strikes, which almost always occur due to the film curling up. You’ll see that the printer thinks it’s working fine, but then the printhead still strikes and ruins whatever you’re trying to print, but why is this? Well, there are a few possible causes for this curling film.

1. Is the platform tilted upward?

The first possible cause of this is that you have a new printer, and the platform may not be installed correctly – but instead is installed so that it’s tilted upward. If this is the case, then there’s a possibility that the nuts need to be tightened to make the output tray level. There’s also the possibility that it’s too small, in which case you can cut out a piece of foam board to make a flat, even surface.

1. Static electricity

The second thing you should check is whether or not the platform is free of any static electricity. Static electricity will cause the film to cling to the tray so that as it gets pushed out, it will gradually curl up.

Another helpful thing I’ve found is going to the printers and scanners section of my computer’s devices window and making sure that it’s set to handle thicker papers. You can do this by going to your printer>printer preferences> advanced settings.

1. Install the film roll correctly

You should also note that if you’re using a roll of film, it needs to be loaded over, not under. You’ll still notice that when you load it over, the film isn’t flat, and it might start to curl up still. Still the end of the print will begin to weigh it down once it gets far enough past the edge of the platform, which will cause it to flatten out.

The last possible cause is that I’ve noticed some people hook up an automatic dryer to their printer to get the ink to dry faster. This isn’t a bad thing to do, as long as you put it far enough away. As a result, the dryer can’t take in enough film, and this will cause it to curl as it gets backed up.

I hope this helped!