Epson ET-8550 DTF Conversion Part 2: Nipple Setup and Ink Waterproofing Made Easy

Several steps are involved in converting an Epson ET-8550 to a Direct-Film (DTF) Printer—everything from changing the dampers to sealing in the printhead and more. This guide covers modifying nipples and converting over the waterproofing for part two of this conversion, getting ready to install dampers. This article will serve you, regardless of whether you are new to printer conversion or have seen some of it. It also has a video tutorial on how to do it yourself from scratch.
Ready the Epson ET-8550 for Nipple Conversion
Pre-Conversion—Setting up the printer involves disassembling some parts, namely the lock assembly, which we know will be unnecessary once we prep this barrel for the DTF conversion. Disconnect the lock assembly and tubes from all four dampers.
The printer should be parked at the capping station to avoid ink spillage. In specific scenarios, a change in the direction or transfer channel of this waste tube is required. While packing the printer, we can be sure that ink remains safely drawn out of dampers. A syringe may help do the trick by sucking up any extra ink that has taken over the damper assembly and keeping things controlled.
Waterproofing the Printhead
One of the critical steps in converting your Epson ET-8550 to a DTF printer is waterproofing the printhead. As you remove the printhead, it’s not uncommon for ink to drip or leak slightly. The goal is to minimize this and ensure the printhead remains functional after the conversion. This can be achieved by applying a silicon seal around key areas of the printhead, particularly where ink tends to pool.
You might also want to test your sealant to ensure it is not conductive when wet. It is a precaution to keep yourself from inadvertently shorting anything during installation. We choose a relatively large silicon tube for this work. You can seal the wet gel to make it waterproof almost instantly.
Take care to unscrew the screw which secures your print head with the lower frame and board separate from other parts of the printer. If ink has bled into the gaps between parts, they may have to be separated with a gentle touch from a razor blade. The screws should just be replaced — if they are black, this would indicate a refurbished printhead which might over-complicate the conversion process.
ET-8550 Nipple Conversion
This DTF conversion includes the nipple transform. The next step after waterproofing would be to convert the printhead into nipple-friendly. So, you have to reattach the print head onto your new base by ensuring that this tab, which has the serial number, is in the correct orientation. The screws are always secured in a diagonal way to prevent the printhead from moving around while it runs.
When your printhead is ready, add some more sealant around the edges. Ink tends to collect in high-traffic areas, such as near the I5C cable and on the cleanup pad.
Installing V2 Dampers
After that, the next step is to install V2 dampers, which will support more ink flow for our DTF printer. We must fit each damper with a small adapter that interlocks the dampers with other tubing systems. The adapters come with small tubing pieces that you must push into the nipples on your dampers.
Leave a few millimeters of space between the end of the tubing and the barb adapter. When the adapter is pushed in, the tube squeezes slightly, helping create a tight, secure fit. Leaving the tubing somewhat taller than the nipple also helps preserve this fit. A single small sleeve must also be installed into a slot in each damper. This sleeve helps keep the adapter steady while in use.
Connecting the Tubing System
With the V2 damper units now in place, all that remains is to plumb these clear tubes into the system. Most dampers will be based on a C2 connection (also known colloquially as the "elbow adapter," which attaches to clear tubing). This connection provides excellent flexibility and prevents kinking during operation. The white ink tubes need a C3 connection consisting of two straight tubes connecting the damper to the rest. Use the proper sequence, or you risk directly causing ink flow issues or that dreaded leak. Ensure the elbows are inserted fully into the dampers, and check the dwell tubes for any damage or wear before installation.
Ensuring Proper Flow for White Ink
A few steps later into the process of this conversion is to hook up your white ink tubes to your printheads. Color inks are a little different from white ink when connecting. An alternative to the traditional C2 elbow, white ink features a straight instead of an angle for the flow. Remember that white ink often tends to settle and clog if unused [as with many other brands of printers], so regular cleaning of the tubes and connections at each end is vital to maintaining long-term performance. Once all tubes are in place, the printer can be used as a completed DTF printer.
See the video below for details and a visual step-by-step process.