Upgrading Your Epson ET-8550 for Pro-Level DTF Printing: Options and Considerations
- By Kevin Day
- On Nov 04, 2024
- Comment 0
Question:
I’m interested in the professional-level upgrades for the Epson ET-8550 mentioned in your latest YouTube video. Can I send my ET-8550 for these upgrades? Alternatively, do you sell an ET-8550 with upgrades included, where I could trade in my existing printer and pay the difference? I haven’t turned on my printer in a few months and am concerned about potential damage. I’d like to start printing again for my barbershop and possibly fulfil other orders.
Answer:
Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry about upgrading your Epson ET-8550. I apologize for not being able to get back to you sooner. Printer issues, particularly when transitioning to a DTF setup, are always pressing, and we aim to provide each query with the careful consideration it deserves. We at BCH Technologies greatly appreciate your engagement and support, especially on our YouTube channel, as it helps us continue refining our expertise to assist customers like you.To address your concerns, let’s examine the issues surrounding DTF (Direct-to-Film) conversions and options for upgrading your ET-8550.
The most critical factor is that your printer hasn’t been turned on for several months. With DTF printers, prolonged inactivity often leads to severe printhead clogging, especially if left for 4–7 days without running a print cycle. Unfortunately, after several months of dormancy, the printhead in a DTF setup may be damaged beyond recovery due to dried ink clogging the nozzles and internal channels. Starting a printer in this condition can lead to further complications and increased repair costs.
When sending your ET-8550 for upgrade services, our general policy is to work with new or local printers for conversions. This allows us to run immediate post-conversion tests using DTF ink to ensure quality. With mail-in printers, however, there’s often a delay in usage, which can cause ink to settle or clog before the printer is even used. Local conversions allow us to apply DTF ink, run necessary test prints, and have the customer pick up the next day to maintain optimal printhead performance.
We also require customers to understand that the printhead's initial priming and ongoing maintenance will be their responsibility for mail-in conversions. Even with proper waterproofing, DTF printheads can experience ink seepage, particularly with frequent strong cleanings. Epson recommends avoiding vigorous cleanings within 12 hours of each other to prevent internal ink leaks that waterproofing cannot guard against.
Here’s an example of a common issue: one customer experienced internal ink leakage despite following Epson’s recommendation of waiting 18 hours between cleanings. While this could be managed for local customers by re-priming the printer, mail-in situations are challenging because issues like these are more likely to arise when the customer begins their maintenance routine.
We currently do not offer a trade-in program for pre-modified printers but can assist in getting your printer DTF-ready if you’re confident in handling the maintenance yourself. For instance, when we prepare printers, we ensure they meet pro-level standards, but the longevity of DTF performance depends on handling and proper care.
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. Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it might take a few weeks to get to your printer. Our services are structured to repair the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on proceeding if you opt for mail-in or local drop-off services. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Therefore, 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. 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.
Thank you again for contacting us. We’re here to support your journey back to printing for your business needs.