How to Fix Vertical White Ink Shift on an XP600 13-Inch DTF Printer

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing has opened up exciting opportunities for creating vibrant, durable designs. However, like all printing technology, it comes with challenges. One common issue with the XP600 13-inch DTF printer is vertical white ink shifting. This problem occurs when the white underbase does not align properly with the color layer, leading to visible misalignment in the final print.

Fortunately, with some calibration adjustments, this issue can be resolved. In this guide, you'll learn what causes vertical white ink shift, how to access factory settings, and the exact steps to correct the alignment. And if you prefer to watch the process in action, we have a video below that demonstrates each step.

Understanding the White Ink Shift Problem

In DTF printing, the white ink underbase plays a critical role. It ensures that colors remain vibrant and visible, especially on dark or non-white materials. Ideally, the white should print directly under the colored design.

However, some XP600 13-inch printers experience a delay where the white begins printing slightly lower than the colored layer. This creates a vertical shift, resulting in:

• Misaligned colors and white underbase

• Visible white strips at the bottom of prints

• Wasted ink and film due to poor alignment

The goal of troubleshooting is to bring the white underbase back in line with the color layer so the print appears sharp, clean, and professional.

Accessing Factory Mode for Calibration

To correct vertical alignment, you'll need access to the printer's factory settings. These settings allow deeper control over calibration compared to standard adjustments.

Here's how to access factory mode:

1. Open the Sys setting window on the printer's software.

2. Navigate to the Factory tab.

3. In the password field, don't type anything yet. Instead, hold down Control + F12.

4. Once the system confirms factory mode, enter 111111 (six ones) as the password.

5. Instead of clicking "Factory Mode," press Return.

You are now in factory mode, where the advanced calibration tools are available.

Adjusting the Base Color Alignment

Inside factory mode, look for the option labeled Base Color. This section controls how different ink channels align on the printhead.

Key things to note:

• Each column represents a different color channel.

• For a single printhead, focus on the white channels.

• Ignore the first two rows (left/right alignment).

• Pay attention to the third row, which adjusts vertical alignment.

By default, the vertical setting is at 0. Increasing this number shifts the colors toward you, while decreasing it moves them back.

For example:

• Setting the value to 50 shifts the print significantly.

• Setting it to 0 restores factory defaults.

Performing the Calibration

To perform the calibration:

1. Set both white channels back to 0 (factory default).

2. Click File > Save to update the firmware.

3. Run a test print and observe alignment.

If you still notice misalignment, use a calculated adjustment to fine-tune. In the transcript test case, the shift at 50 was about 8.36 mm, while at 0 it was 1.08 mm. The difference, 7.28 mm, occurred over 50 units of adjustment. That means each unit equals roughly 0.145 mm.

Using this formula, you can calculate how many units to adjust. For example, to move back 1.08 mm, you would reduce the vertical alignment by about 7.5 units.

Update both white channels to -7.5, save the settings, and test again.

Testing and Fine-Tuning

After making adjustments, run another print. The white should now align perfectly under the color. If there is still minor shifting, repeat the process with smaller adjustments.

It's important to remember:

• Larger positive values shift the color forward.

• Negative values push the color backward.

• Always adjust both white channels equally to keep consistency.

For bidirectional printing (left-to-right and right-to-left passes), make sure both directions are calibrated, otherwise misalignment can occur depending on the print direction.

Tips for Accurate Alignment

Here are some tips to keep the calibration process smooth:

• Work systematically: Always record the values you test so you can track what works.

• Calculate precisely: Use the 0.145 mm per unit ratio for accurate adjustments.

• Test frequently: Don't rely on one adjustment. Print test patterns after each change.

• Avoid extreme values: If the correction requires unusually high numbers, there may be another mechanical issue at play.

By carefully following these steps, you can bring your XP600 printer back to optimal performance, saving time, ink, and film.

When to Recalibrate Again

Even after you've successfully aligned the white ink, recalibration may be necessary in the future. Factors such as:

• Printhead wear

• Software updates

• Changes in printing material

• Environmental conditions (temperature, humidity)

can all affect alignment over time. If you notice white ink shifting again, simply repeat the process to bring it back in line.

Why Proper Calibration Matters

DTF printing is all about precision. Misaligned white ink doesn't just waste materials-it undermines the professional quality of your products. Customers notice even small misalignments, which can affect trust in your service.

By learning to calibrate your XP600 13-inch printer, you:

• Extend the life of your machine

• Ensure consistent quality across projects

• Reduce reprints and wasted consumables

• Deliver professional-level results to clients

At BCH Technologies, we understand how critical it is for repair shops, print businesses, and DIY creators to keep their printers running smoothly. That's why we provide resources, parts, and tutorials to keep you printing at your best.

Wrapping Up

The XP600 13-inch DTF printer is a powerful machine, but white ink shift can be frustrating when it happens. Thankfully, the fix is straightforward once you know how to access factory settings and make precise adjustments.

By carefully calculating unit adjustments and testing your results, you can achieve perfect alignment between color and white layers. The result is a flawless print that looks professional every time.

And if you'd like to see this process demonstrated step-by-step, we have included a video below so you can follow along visually.