A Guide to Selecting Ink Tubes for DTF Printing: What is C3 and C2?

Question:
Can I use two C3 hoses for white ink and the color inks through the CMYK C2 hoses? Can I also use C3 hoses for CMYK for all colors?
 
Answer:
Using C3 and C2 Tubes for White and Color Inks
 
White Ink:

• C3 hoses are typically recommended for use with white ink due to their durability and ability to handle thicker, more sediment-prone ink. These hoses resist clogging, allowing for a better flow, which is essential for white ink maintenance.
• That said, we've used C2 hoses successfully for white ink in customer repairs when necessary. It's not the standard for C2 hoses, but they can work if you clean and maintain them properly.

Color Inks (CMYK):

• CMYK inks use C2 hoses as standard. White ink is thicker and more prone to clogging than these inks, making the C2 tubes suitable for this job.
• C3 hoses for CMYK inks can also be used. They are compatible with white ink and can easily handle color inks. Nevertheless, C3 hoses may not be an upgrade that's called for with CMYK inks because they require conditions different from those for other types of ink.

 
Practical Recommendations
 
If you have a choice of both types of hoses, do the following:

• Only use C3 hoses for white ink to reduce the chances of clogging and keep your printer's white ink system strong.
• Use C2 hoses for CMYK inks unless you need to change to C3 hoses.
• If you are considering standardizing one hose type for all inks, C3 hoses can be used for all applications, but this is not cost-effective with CMYK inks.
•  

Maintenance Tips
Irrespective of the hoses employed, appropriate care is critical:

• Note: Frequent purging of hoses, particularly for white ink, can cause sediment buildup.
• Could you do routine cleanings for continued ink flow?
• Watch the hoses for wear and tear; change these as needed for good performance.
•  

Note: Troubleshooting printers and things like this can be complicated. We are sorry to tell you that we cannot help you remotely with troubleshooting or fixing printers. The only exception is that we offer in-person diagnostic and repair services at our BCH Technologies Repair Facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Still, these services are in such high demand that they are on a first-come-first-serve basis and may take a few weeks. However, if you cannot wait, we highly recommend self-help videos through our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). You can use search for targeted videos or tutorials.
 
Again, thank you for your question and your BCH Technologies support. Your engagement helps us further iterate and provide the community with more detailed guidance. Never hesitate to reach out if you have more!