How to Properly Maintain Your 13-Night Based DTF Printer for Long-Term Performance

Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing has revolutionized custom garment production, but as any printer operator knows, white ink clogging can quickly disrupt business operations. For owners of 13-night based DTF printers, consistent output and long-term performance are achievable, even if you need to pause for 10 to 15 days.

In this guide, we’ll walk through a practical, tested process that ensures your printer remains ready to go, even after extended downtime. With insights from real-world maintenance and microscopy-based evaluation, you’ll learn how to prevent clogs and prolong the life of your printhead using tools and products you can trust, like those from BCH Technologies.

For a complete walkthrough, watch the video below.

Why Traditional Daily Maintenance Isn’t Always Necessary

Contrary to common belief, daily maintenance isn't required to keep your DTF printer functioning smoothly. If done correctly, you can confidently shut down your printer for over a week and resume production within 10 minutes.

The key is to treat your DTF printer more like a microwave—press a button, and it works. That’s the goal of this maintenance method: reduce wear, minimize cleaning, and allow flexibility in your production schedule.

Rather than printing a page every day, batch your jobs—run 20 to 40 designs per session—and execute a proper shutdown afterward. This routine provides better productivity and preserves your printer's health over time.

Preparing the Wetting Solution

A crucial step in this process involves using a specially prepared wetting solution. The solution prevents the white ink from drying and clogging the internal components of your printer.

To prepare it:

• Get a one-liter container.

• Fill it with distilled water (available at any grocery store).

• Add a small amount of BCH Technologies’ concentrated wetter solution.

• (Optional) Add a drop of dye for visibility—it’s not required but helps distinguish the mix from plain water.

Fill the maintenance dampers with this mixture. These dampers are critical in preventing clogs during shutdown periods. Make sure to plug the middle hole of the damper properly to avoid air introduction.

Swapping Dampers and Preparing for Downtime

Color rotation is essential in this process. In the setup described, the white damper is on the far right. Swap this white damper with one of the color dampers filled with the wetting solution.

Follow these steps:

• Remove the white dampers and place them in a sealed Ziploc bag.

• Insert the maintenance dampers (filled with the wetting solution) into the color slots.

• Install the color damper in the white slot.

If you’re doing this for the first time, check your printer carriage for plastic tabs that may obstruct the dampers. Break them off gently to ensure the damper fits correctly.

Don’t forget to insert a tightly packed paper towel under the carriage to catch any minor spills. This small step could save you from significant cleanup later.

Understanding Printhead Clogging and Cleaning Strategy

To understand why this method works, let’s explore how clogs form.

Under a microscope, the white ink nozzle (typically circular) seems simple enough to clean. However, the real issue lies in the piezoelectric chambers, which generate the force needed to eject ink.

Over time, white ink accumulates around the chamber’s edges and begins to clog the output path. These aren’t hard clogs at first—they start soft and progressively build up.

Interestingly, cleaning solutions can be counterproductive. When used on fresh white ink, they may trigger coagulation and form harder clogs that are more difficult to remove. That’s why BCH Technologies recommends using color ink or wetting solution—not a dedicated cleaner—for regular maintenance.

When the piezo chamber is activated with "white" prints (using colored dampers), it helps dislodge any soft white residue from inside the chamber walls. That’s a clever way to clean your printhead while printing.

The Shutdown Procedure

Here’s the tested and reliable shutdown sequence:

1. Check the Capping Station: Extract 5 mL of liquid from the waste tube using a syringe. Resistance means your capping station is sealed and functional.

2. Flush the Printhead: After the printer finishes cleaning itself, print a completely white image using the swapped color dampers. This helps dislodge residual white ink inside the piezo chamber.

3. Wipe the Undercarriage: Use a paper towel and gently "shoe-shine" the bottom of the printer carriage to remove ink build-up.

4. Clean the Capping Station Tank: Add water into the tank under the capping station and use a syringe to draw ink out until the fluid runs clear.

5. Inspect the Rubber Seal: Use your fingers to clean the rubber ring around the capping station. A dirty seal leads to poor suction and ineffective cleaning cycles.

6. Saturate and Park the Printhead: Soak the capping station until it’s full, then move the printhead over it. Turn off the printer after the red status light is solid.

This process protects your printer from internal ink drying while you’re away—whether it’s for a long weekend or a two-week vacation.

Bringing the Printer Back Online

Reviving your DTF printer is remarkably simple if you’ve followed the shutdown process properly.

Here’s what to do:

• Move the color dampers back to their original positions.

• Reinstall the white dampers (after 5+ days, use a syringe to draw ink through each one).

• From the small waste tube, draw ink until it looks clean. Repeat a few times as needed.

• Run a head cleaning cycle by pressing and holding both the "maintenance" and "ink" buttons simultaneously.

That’s it. The actual startup process should take less than five minutes. When compared to the time invested in shutdown, it’s an efficient balance that keeps your printer production-ready.

Trusted Supplies Make the Difference

While this process is applicable to all 13-night based DTF printers, using the right supplies ensures success. BCH Technologies provides specialized wetting solutions, dampers, and cleaning accessories designed for long-term reliability and reduced maintenance headaches.

With countless hours spent studying and repairing printheads, the insights behind this routine are grounded in real-world data. From chemical behavior of inks to mechanical design flaws, BCH Technologies offers both the products and knowledge base you need to keep your shop running smoothly.

When You Take Care of It, It Takes Care of You

Maintaining your DTF printer doesn’t need to be intimidating. With a structured shutdown and startup process, you gain the freedom to schedule production on your terms, without fearing clogs or downtime.

Over the years, this method has saved numerous printers from the trash heap. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about sustaining quality, efficiency, and peace of mind in your repair or print shop.

Want to see it in action? Watch the full video below to follow along step by step.