Epson ET-8550 DTF Conversion Part 1: Say Goodbye to Clogs with Clear Tubes and Drag Chain

This guide will show you how to install some essential items, such as clear tubes and a drag chain needed for converting your Epson ET-8550 printer into a DTF (Direct-to-Film) Printer so that the ink can be supplied from CISS directly. If you want to get into DTF printing — a new method of transferring designs onto many fabrics, then this is the conversion for you. After adding a few supplies from BCH Technologies to your ET-8550, you can experience better ink flow and have a smoother maintenance cycle, less clogging, and neater results. In this process, let's talk a little about replacing the tubes and drag chain installation to give you some tips so that your first conversion type does not make too much dirt about everything we learned. Additionally, a video tutorial (which can be viewed at the end of this post) guides you through it.

Removing the Covers
You are now ready to dismantle the Epson ET-8550 printer before getting into a bit of soul-searching regarding your conversion endeavor. It is critical to place screws correctly in each panel, as the printer does fit together so that it stays nice and rigid. Take the more extended paper guard off first. This guard is essential as it secures the left and right side panels. Pull straight up, and if the guard is stubborn, you must almost bend it a bit from the side. This will reveal two screws below which are needed to take off the side panel.

Now, divert your attention to the right-side panel. These consist of one screw at the bottom, which lies underneath the power socket, another beneath that long paper guard (they just keep coming) you just removed, and a final third under the ink tank. Unscrew these and push the panel backward to release. Along the left-side panel, you'll find a total of four screws, two on the front and two on the back. The front screws are at the top and bottom, while you can find the back (top & between USB/Ethernet) here. It is necessary to remove the paper tray to gain access bottom screw. Its side panels will quickly come off once all the screw is tensed out.

So, it is time to catch up with the front panels now. There are two screws on the front panels, at the right bottom near the ink tanks and the top beside the tanks. It is very gently peeling from the undersurface of that liquid tank; there should be no effort. Now that you have removed the front and side panels, you can proceed with accessing all internal components—this is where actual conversion-related work starts.

Installing the Drag Chain
This DTF conversion helps organize and protect the broader tubes worn. To get started, head over to BCH Technologies and look for the ET-8550 drag chain. The drag chain has two ends: a straight plate that will attach it to the rail and a hook end that you need fixed on the print carriage. Take off the tube housing cover by unscrewing two screws at the front and lifting tabs on both sides. The go-over retains the tubes in the spot and should be eradicated before you can heal the drag chain.

After removing the cover, snap the white clips along the rail to disconnect them from the print carriage. Now, you can start threading the clear tubes through your drag chain. Align the tubes in this particular orientation with the BCH Technologies logo facing you to fit perfectly inside the drag chain.

Prepping and Wiring the Tubes
After finishing the drag chain section, we return to routing the tubes. First, remove the color and waste tubes. The waste tube is at the back of your printer; you cannot mistake it. Pull it out gently and set aside; you'll need to put it back in place later. However, the color tubes do need more love and care. Remove color tubes from ink tanks one by one. You will also feed those tubes through that drag chain you put in before. After you have threaded the tubes, leave them unattached for now so that you can connect their ends back to the ink tanks once the Printhead management system is in place.

Printhead Management System Explained
One of the significant upgrades involved in this conversion is a Printhead Management System. This ink system controls the pressure of inks for consistent print results and does daily maintenance to keep those white channels from clogging. We all know that white is one sticky and drying-up color that constantly gives too much headache when it forms solid-medium blockages. Connect and seal all tubes correctly to prevent ink leakage in the printhead management system. This system controls the pressure and flow of ink, which is key for a DTF print. In addition, this system allows easy maintenance, such as printhead cleaning and ink line flushing at regular intervals. Do it right, and you should be able to extend the life of your printhead a bit longer than before Clogs, blocking up the Print's true meaning, etc.

Hooking up the Tubes together and Finalizing Operations
Now, you can reconnect the color tubes and waste tubing with the printhead management system. Start by reconnecting the color tubes to the ink tanks, and make sure each tube matches the appropriate color port on the tank. Make sure to route the waste tube back properly and re-secure it so the ink will not fall.
It keeps the tubes well-organized and free from tangling, a significant improvement over the bundled tube layout that came with our printer.

Testing and Daily Maintenance
With the tube replacement and drag chain installed behind you, it is time to test your converted DTF printer. Print a test to check that the ink flows through all hose grades, confirming no leaking or tube blockage. White ink should be a priority, as unhandled white is one of the most notorious issues with this device.
No matter how good a DTF Printer you might have, it is very important to maintain your device daily. Make sure you are doing normal nozzle checks, cleaning the printhead as necessary to keep it clear of clogs, and flushing white lines with a spent cartridge when no printing is taking place. This is where the head management system will help, and it will shorten your tasks.

If you want a more step-by-step guide, watch the video below, which provides a good visualization of each operation during the conversion.