Epson ET-8550 DTF Conversion Cost: KevinV2 Conversion Service, Parts, and Shipping

Question

I watched your video, "Stop Buying Expensive DTF Printers (Build This Instead) - ET-8550 DTF Conversion." How much would it cost to send my Epson ET-8550 to BCH Technologies and have you convert it with the parts and modifications shown in the video?

Answer

For converting your Epson ET-8550 similar to the printer demonstrated in the video, we offer a KevinV2 ET-8550 DTF conversion service. The exact total cost depends on the condition of your printer, which parts you already have, which parts you want us to supply, and the shipping costs to and from our facility.

Please review our ET-8550 KevinV2 conversion service page [https://bchtechnologies.com/collections/kevinv2/products/conversion-of-et-8550-printer-labor-only]. The service page contains the current pricing and allows you to choose the appropriate option according to your printer's condition.

What the ET-8550 Conversion Service Includes

The service focuses on the mechanical and hardware portion of converting an Epson ET-8550 for DTF use. Depending on the configuration selected and the parts being installed, the conversion can include:

• Complete KevinV2 mechanical conversion

• Installation of the CIS ink-delivery system

• Installation of KevinV2 electronic components

• White ink circulation setup, when applicable

• Organization of tubing, wiring, and other internal components according to the KevinV2 layout

• Basic functional testing after installation

It is important to distinguish conversion labor from conversion parts. This is a labor-based conversion service. If you already have compatible tanks, CIS components, pumps, connectors, KevinV2 electronics, brackets, or related components, you may send those parts with your printer for installation.

If you do not have all of the necessary components, you can obtain the KevinV2 parts separately. You do not necessarily have to purchase every component before sending the printer. Depending on the situation, the required parts can be determined and billed separately from the conversion labor.

Therefore, when asking how much it costs to have us convert "all the parts like in the video," there is not one universal total for every ET-8550. The final cost consists of the appropriate conversion service option, any parts that you need BCH Technologies to provide, and your inbound and outbound shipping expenses.

The Condition of Your ET-8550 Matters

The conversion service has different selections depending on your printer's starting condition.

A brand-new ET-8550 means more than simply a recently purchased printer. For our service classification, it means that ink has never been installed and the printer and printhead have not previously been used.

A used but working ET-8550 should be capable of producing a print and should arrive without existing printer error conditions.

A used non-working ET-8550 requires a different service selection because an existing mechanical, electrical, printhead, or other printer problem may have to be evaluated separately from the DTF conversion.

This distinction is important because converting a printer does not automatically repair unrelated problems that were already present. If a printer arrives with an existing fault, we may need to address that issue before a reliable conversion can be completed.

What Is Not Included in the Conversion

The conversion service should not be interpreted as a complete DTF business or printing package. Unless specifically stated otherwise on the service page, the conversion does not include:

• The Epson ET-8550 printer itself

• DTF ink

• Firmware modification

• ICC profiling

• RIP software

• Graphic design training

• Unlimited or extended technical support

The printhead also deserves special consideration. DTF printing places different maintenance demands on an inkjet printer, particularly when white pigment ink is involved. White ink requires circulation and regular maintenance because pigment can settle. A mechanical conversion cannot guarantee the future condition or lifespan of the printhead, especially on a previously used printer.

Sending Your Own Conversion Parts

You may send compatible components along with the ET-8550 for installation. This can include the CIS system, tanks, pumps, connectors, and other KevinV2-related conversion hardware.

When supplying your own parts, however, compatibility and condition are important. A conversion can only operate as reliably as the components installed in it. Problems caused by damaged, incompatible, incorrectly manufactured, or defective third-party components are different from problems caused by the conversion labor itself.

If you are unsure which components are necessary, we recommend carefully reviewing the conversion service page and the KevinV2 conversion videos before ordering parts.

Preparing the ET-8550 for Shipping

Before shipping the printer, please read all preparation requirements on the service page carefully.

In particular, do not ship the ET-8550 with ink remaining in the tanks. The printer should arrive clean and dry. Ink can leak during transportation, contaminate internal electronic and mechanical components, and greatly complicate the conversion.

The printhead should also be properly parked and secured for transportation according to the instructions provided for the service.

If a printer arrives leaking, heavily contaminated with ink, excessively dirty, or requiring significant cleaning before work can begin, an additional cleaning and decontamination charge may apply.

You should also package the printer very carefully. Customers are responsible for shipping the printer to BCH Technologies and for return shipping. Shipping damage or loss is separate from the conversion work, so appropriate packaging and shipping insurance are strongly recommended.

Please include your service order number with the shipment so we can correctly identify the printer when it arrives.

Turnaround Time

The normal conversion period is generally based on the workload at the time the printer is received. The service page provides the current estimated turnaround information, so please review it immediately before ordering or shipping your printer.

A printer requiring additional diagnosis, cleaning, repair, or parts can take longer than a straightforward conversion of a clean, properly functioning machine.

Before You Send the Printer

The most important first step is to review the KevinV2 ET-8550 conversion service page [https://bchtechnologies.com/collections/kevinv2/products/conversion-of-et-8550-printer-labor-only] carefully. Select the option that accurately represents the condition of your printer and review what is included, what is excluded, parts requirements, shipping preparation, turnaround information, and service terms before sending the machine.

Because the service price, required conversion components, and shipping expenses are separate variables, the service page is the best place to determine the current cost for your particular ET-8550 rather than relying on a single quoted figure that may not match your printer or desired configuration.

Addressing printer problems and modifications can be complicated because many issues require direct physical inspection and hands-on testing. For that reason, we are unable to provide individualized remote troubleshooting, repair instructions, or ongoing repair support. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our BCH Technologies printer diagnostic and repair facility [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Because demand can be high, repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and there may be a wait before a printer can be scheduled or dropped off. Our services are structured for either complete printers or certain individual components, with the applicable instructions provided on the service pages. We also recognize that professional repair is not always the most economical option, so we encourage customers to use online self-help resources when appropriate. A good starting point is YouTube or our BCH Technologies YouTube channel [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. On our channel homepage, you can use the search icon near the "About" section to search for your printer model, error code, or specific problem. We receive dozens of questions asking us to locate particular videos, and after producing repair videos for many years, it is difficult to remember every video individually. YouTube's channel search is usually the fastest way to locate the appropriate material, and YouTube may also recommend useful videos from other creators.

Thank you again for contacting BCH Technologies and for following our ET-8550 DTF conversion work. We sincerely appreciate your interest in the KevinV2 project and your continued support of our technical content. Please review the conversion service page carefully before ordering or shipping your printer so that you understand the service option, parts requirements, shipping responsibilities, and conversion terms that apply to your particular ET-8550.