How to Set Up an Epson XP-15000 for White Ink Printing on Black Paper

Question:

I have an Epson XP-15000 printer, and I’m looking to set it up to print with white ink on black paper, but not for DTF printing. I am using refill cartridges with chips and want to replace the red and gray with white ink. However, I couldn't locate the ink configuration settings you mentioned in your article. Do I need special software for this, or can I modify the printer settings to achieve this without converting to DTF?

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out! We at BCH Technologies [https://bchtechnologies.com] truly appreciate your engagement and support, especially with our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Your question helps us refine our technical knowledge and give us better customer solutions.

Now, let’s address your question:

Using White Ink on Black Paper with the Epson XP-15000

You want to set up white ink for black paper without converting your printer for DTF (Direct to Film). The biggest challenge with printing white ink on black paper is that traditional ink absorbs directly into the paper, particularly with porous surfaces like black paper. To prevent this, the ink must stay on the surface long enough to produce the desired vibrant white effect.

Surface Treatment for White Ink Printing

One approach the Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing community uses is to treat the paper with a coating that allows the ink to remain on the surface. A simple, budget-friendly solution is vinegar, which can be sprayed lightly onto the black paper before printing. This creates a gel-like surface that prevents the ink from seeping into the fibers. While this method is effective, the downside is that it may leave an unpleasant smell.

If you want a more professional and odorless solution, you should explore DTG or DTF groups to see what coatings they use. Many coatings are specifically designed to work with white ink and provide much better results than household vinegar.

Printer Software and Configuration

Since you need to convert to DTF, the software configuration depends on what kind of print you want to produce.

• White Ink Only: If your primary goal is to print white ink alone on black paper, you can often get by without a dedicated RIP (Raster Image Processor) software. Swap out the red and gray ink cartridges with white, then adjust the print settings to use those two channels as your white ink layers.
• White Ink with Colors: If you intend to print white ink along with colors, you will likely need RIP software to control the placement of the white layer under the colors. RIP software allows you to manage which parts of the image should receive white ink and how to layer it beneath colored inks for a more professional finish. There are many choices, such as AccuRIP, DTFRip, and Cadlink.

Managing White Ink Coagulation

White ink is notorious for coagulation, especially if left stagnant in the system. Printers designed for DTF printing often use circulation systems to keep the white ink in motion, preventing it from clogging the nozzles. Without such a system, you may run into issues with the ink settling and clogging your printhead over time. For this reason, you’ll need to carefully monitor the ink flow and potentially flush the system regularly to avoid buildup. 

Therefore, basically, you are converting your printer into a DTF printer, but you also need to pre-treat your paper like DTG.

Community Support Resources

For more detailed guidance on modifying your XP-15000 printer for white ink, I strongly recommend joining these Facebook groups. They provide valuable insights and support for issues like ink conversion and configuration:

• Transparent DTF (DTF Printing) XP-15000 Expert Support Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1429627040804979]: Although this group focuses primarily on DTF conversions, it offers a wealth of knowledge on modifying cartridges and working with white ink on printers like the XP-15000 and ET-8550.
• DTF and Crafting with IronDesigns813 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftingwithirondesigns813]: Veronica Hernandez, the owner, is highly skilled in printer modifications, including setups for white ink. Her YouTube channel is another great resource for learning more about the XP-15000 printer.
• Epson ET-8550, ET-15000 Beginners Online Tutorials [https://www.facebook.com/groups/534277710966894]: While this group focuses on a different printer model, many members have experience with XP-15000 modifications, and the information shared can be quite useful for your white ink setup.
• DTF ET-8550 Conversion (DIY) [https://www.facebook.com/groups/474921804834949]: This group offers DIY guides and troubleshooting tips for modifying Epson printers for specialty printing, including white ink configurations. Addressing printer issues, especially with custom modifications, can be quite intricate and may require hands-on adjustments. At BCH Technologies, we are unable to provide remote troubleshooting or support for such printer modifications. However, we offer in-person evaluation and repair services through our local diagnostic facility (BCH Technologies Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]). Just so you know, due to high demand, our service operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks for your printer to be assessed.

Our services include repairs for whole printers or specific parts, and we provide detailed instructions on how to proceed if you opt for mail-in or local drop-off services. We also understand that our rates may not be the most affordable, so we highly recommend leveraging self-help resources like YouTube to troubleshoot your issue. Start with our YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies], where you can search for relevant videos using the search icon on the channel’s homepage.

Thank you again for contacting us, and we wish you the best of luck with your printer modification project!