Epson ET-8500 & ET-8550 Pigment Ink Conversion: Avoid Common Errors and Save Your Printer!

Question:
I want to convert my Epson ET-8500 or ET-8550 printer for use with pigment inks. Are the steps the same as for DTF (direct-to-film) or sublimation? In other words, is there anything I must be concerned about with errors similar to the 031006 error in this situation?

Answer:
A note for users who accept that TFT or sublimation might not be an option but still want to use pigment ink in their Epson ET-8500 or ET-8550: you do not have to go through the process of converting to DTF or sublimation. Those processes that involve an entire alteration for modification of the printer's hardware (such as printhead settings, ink delivery systems, and so forth, since sublimation and DTF inks are used for applications that include fabric printing or printing directly on films) are much more involved.

On the other hand, pigment ink is just an alternative type of ink used for general printing jobs, and it works with your printer out of the box without significant changes. However, it should be mentioned that the central issue of switching to pigment ink or any ink is checking that there are no air leaks in the ink delivery system. This is often the case for printers converted for sublimation or DTF printing, which can overwhelm systems by using too much ink and create clogs, leaks, or even damage the printer. The 031006 error code, for instance, could pop up if the printer detects a problem with ink delivery, such as a misaligned or clogged ink path, but this isn't a byproduct directly because of only using pigment ink.

Just fill the existing ink reservoirs with pigment ink and use the printer as dye-based ink. The only thing that needs to be done is to fill the printer with the correct type of ink; no significant conversion is required. Just note that pigment inks typically need to be maintained differently from dye inks, as they are thicker in consistency. You may need more regular head cleanings or keep an eye on ink levels to avoid clogs, but the process is mainly simple.

Given the hardware nature of the issues, printer troubleshooting can be a widespread headache. So, we cannot do remote troubleshooting or suggestions, and there is no support for printer repairs now. It may become problematic if you think the printer is dirty or moved. We do have an in-person diagnostic and repair service through our local office (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service)–there is increasingly high demand for this one, so we address it first come, first served. So, we might not get your printer to roll it off for a few weeks. We perform our services as a whole printer or components with a proper guideline. That said, we recognize we're not the cheapest of companies. So we strongly suggest you turn to self-help through internet research. To give you an overview, you can watch those videos on our YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies using the "Search" option at the right side corner to find specific videos. Daily, I get dozens of messages wishing to know if I have videos on specific topics. With nine years of video production behind us, it's hard to keep track of every single one. So, the most efficient way to search is by using YouTube's search function. YouTube may also recommend relevant videos from other channels that could help you.