Maximizing Your Epson ET-8550 for DTF Printing: Answers to Your Conversion Questions
- By Kevin Day
- On Dec 11, 2024
- Comment 0
Question:
I recently came across your ET-8550 conversion guide and wanted to share some thoughts. While the manifold is excellent, I found the ink dampers subpar. The tubing setup feels clunky and unnecessary. If refillable ink cartridges were compatible with the print head manifold, I’d be on board 100%. Is there a better option for those of us who prefer cartridges?
Answer:
Thank you for contacting us, and we appreciate your patience as we respond to your question. We at BCH Technologies understand the urgency of printer issues and the importance of detailed guidance. Your thoughtful question highlights some key concerns in the printer conversion process, and we’re glad to dive into them. We’re also grateful for your support and engagement with our YouTube channel, BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback helps us continually refine our expertise and resources.
Let’s address your concerns:
Refillable cartridges hold only about 10-15 ml of ink each. While this setup works for general-purpose printing, it becomes cumbersome for DTF (Direct Film) applications. DTF printing typically consumes 100-200 ml of ink daily, meaning you must refill cartridges multiple times during a session. For this reason, dampers and tubing—although they might appear clunky—are practical for high-volume ink delivery.
Additional Guidance:
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service) (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. It may take a few weeks to get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren’t the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel’s homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to “About” on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it’s challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube’s search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.
Again, Thank you for reaching out and for continuing to engage with our tutorials and resources. We’re here to help you maximise your ET-8550 and other printing projects.
I recently came across your ET-8550 conversion guide and wanted to share some thoughts. While the manifold is excellent, I found the ink dampers subpar. The tubing setup feels clunky and unnecessary. If refillable ink cartridges were compatible with the print head manifold, I’d be on board 100%. Is there a better option for those of us who prefer cartridges?
Answer:
Thank you for contacting us, and we appreciate your patience as we respond to your question. We at BCH Technologies understand the urgency of printer issues and the importance of detailed guidance. Your thoughtful question highlights some key concerns in the printer conversion process, and we’re glad to dive into them. We’re also grateful for your support and engagement with our YouTube channel, BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback helps us continually refine our expertise and resources.
Let’s address your concerns:
Refillable Cartridge vs. Tubing Systems
For those looking for refillable cartridge solutions, I recommend exploring chipless conversion options available at InkChip (https://inkchip.net). InkChip offers detailed instructions and products designed for such conversions. However, the ET-8550 is an EcoTank printer, designed initially for large-capacity tanks rather than small refillable cartridges.Refillable cartridges hold only about 10-15 ml of ink each. While this setup works for general-purpose printing, it becomes cumbersome for DTF (Direct Film) applications. DTF printing typically consumes 100-200 ml of ink daily, meaning you must refill cartridges multiple times during a session. For this reason, dampers and tubing—although they might appear clunky—are practical for high-volume ink delivery.
Why Dampers and Tubing Are Necessary for DTF
Dampers regulate ink flow and prevent air bubbles from disrupting the print process. Without dampers, consistency in ink flow could result in subpar prints or even damage to the print head. Similarly, while the tubing system may seem unnecessary, it ensures a continuous ink supply without frequent manual intervention. These components are invaluable for users prioritizing efficiency and consistency despite their perceived bulkiness.Evaluating Your Needs
Refillable cartridges may suffice if your goal is standard printing with occasional high-quality output. However, the demands on your printer are far more significant for DTF printing. The system we’ve showcased in our ET-8550 conversion tutorials is optimized for these intensive workloads. It’s worth considering your primary use case before deciding which setup best fits your needs.Additional Guidance:
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we cannot provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service) (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. It may take a few weeks to get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren’t the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel’s homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to “About” on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it’s challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube’s search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.
Again, Thank you for reaching out and for continuing to engage with our tutorials and resources. We’re here to help you maximise your ET-8550 and other printing projects.