Epson ET-8550 DTF Conversion - Printer Not Printing Despite Ink in the Lines

Question:
I recently converted my Epson ET-8550 into a DTF printer, but it won't print at all. I can see ink in the lines, and I've already tried several cleanings, but nothing works. The printer is brand new, only about a week old, and I haven't been able to use it successfully. Could the issue be with the dampers, or is there something else I should check?

Answer:

For your Epson ET-8550, if the ink is visibly present in the tubes but nothing is printing, there are a few likely causes:

1. Air Trapped in Dampers or Printhead Channels

   • Even though the ink appears to fill the lines, small air bubbles can block the final section of the path where ink meets the printhead. This is common after a DTF conversion because the ink system is not fully primed. Replacing or reseating dampers can sometimes fix this, but often, carefully priming the dampers with a syringe is enough.

2. Clogged or Dry Printhead Nozzles

   • Since this is a brand-new printer, it's possible that the printhead dried out quickly during the conversion process, especially if it sat idle during setup. DTF ink tends to be thicker than OEM ink, which makes clogs appear faster. You may need to use a dedicated printhead cleaning solution applied directly at the damper ports, letting it soak to dissolve dried particles before attempting another cleaning cycle.

3. Excessive Cleaning Cycles

   • Multiple consecutive power cleans can actually flood the waste ink system and stress the pump, while not always pulling fresh ink effectively into the nozzles. Instead of repeated cleans, a better method is to prime ink directly through the dampers, then let the printer sit with the solution or fresh ink in place for a few hours before testing again.

4. Damper Malfunction or Blockage

   • You're right to suspect the dampers. If one or more dampers are defective, clogged, or not seated properly against the printhead, no ink will flow. Replacing them is sometimes the only solution, especially if the ink channels were contaminated or the filter membranes inside the damper collapsed during conversion.

5. Conversion-Related Pressure Issues

   • DTF systems rely on stable ink pressure. If the CISS or tank isn't leveled correctly or if the lines were pinched, the printhead may fail to draw ink consistently. Always make sure the tanks are positioned at the correct height relative to the printer carriage.

What you can try next:

• Remove the dampers, prime them manually with ink, and reinstall.

• Use cleaning solution to flush and soak the nozzles before retrying prints.

• Limit heavy cleanings; instead, rely on manual priming.

• If none of these work, replacing the dampers may indeed be necessary.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, instructions, or repair support. We do, however, offer an in-person evaluation and repair service at our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Because of high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can receive your printer for inspection. Our services cover both whole-printer and part-specific repairs, with clear next steps provided. That said, our pricing may not be the most economical, which is why we encourage customers to also use self-help resources. A good starting point is our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). By using the search icon next to "About," you can locate videos tailored to your issue. I've published hundreds of tutorials over the past nine years, and searching this way is the most efficient method. YouTube may also suggest videos from other creators that could provide additional insight.

Thank you again for contacting us and for being part of our community. We truly appreciate your support and wish you the best in getting your ET-8550 DTF setup running smoothly.