Identifying Ink Spots in Printing: A Troubleshooting Guide

Encountering ink spots during printing can be a frustrating issue, particularly when using GTX printers. While this problem may not always follow a clear pattern, it tends to be more prevalent when printing with certain colors, such as red or blue. The ink fails to uniformly cover the entire fiber, resulting in noticeable spots resembling poor pretreat.

Potential Causes and Solutions

If you've been grappling with this issue, there are several potential causes and corresponding solutions to explore:

1. White Ink Overuse:

• Issue: Excessive use of white ink on certain garments can lead to inconsistent coverage and the appearance of ink spots.
• Solution: To address this, consider reducing the amount of white ink used. Additionally, verify if the final curing process is causing the ink to peel off.

2. Heat Press Influence:

• Issue: The heat press may contribute to ink peeling, resulting in uneven coverage.
• Solution: Place a silicon-coated parchment sheet between the heat press and the garment to mitigate this problem. Apply light pressure, ideally within the range of 10-20PSI or 1-2 pressure settings on the digital screen.

3. Adjusting Highlight and Mask Settings:

• Issue: Incorrect highlight and mask settings can impact ink application and coverage.
• Solution: Lower the highlight setting by at least one number and adjust the mask setting accordingly. This adjustment helps ensure more uniform ink distribution.

4. Color Multipass Printing:

• Issue: Insufficient interaction time between white and color ink may contribute to uneven coverage.
• Solution: Consider employing color multipass printing or inserting a white color pause to allow for additional interaction time between white and color inks. This step can help achieve consistent brightness in white ink.

5. Profiling Garments for Ideal Ink Amounts:

• Issue: Garments may require specific ink amounts for optimal results, which can vary depending on factors like fabric type and ink compatibility.
• Solution: Utilize profiling tools available in the Brother GTX4 driver, version 2.6 or higher. These tools, such as the highlight white volume chart, enable you to profile individual garments for precise mask and highlight settings.

Technical Support and Further Assistance

If you're still grappling with ink spot issues after implementing these solutions, additional technical support is available:

• Driver Update: Ensure you're using the latest Brother GTX4 driver (version 2.5 or higher), which can be downloaded from the Brother International - Digital Garment Printers website.
• Contact Support: For further assistance within the US or Canada, you can reach out to Brother at 877-4Brother. If you're outside these regions, contact your original dealer for support.

By addressing potential causes such as white ink overuse, heat press influence, and adjusting printer settings, you can effectively troubleshoot ink spot issues in GTX printing. Utilizing profiling tools and seeking technical support when needed can further enhance print quality and resolve persistent problems.

For more helpful tips and tutorials on troubleshooting printing issues and optimizing garment printing processes, consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel at BCH Technologies or following our Tech blog. Additionally, if you're in the Greensboro, North Carolina area, visit us locally for personalized assistance and support.