Epson ET-8550 DTF Printer - Yellow and Cyan Not Printing After CISS and Damper Change

Question:
I have a brand-new Epson ET-8550 set up for DTF printing. I changed out the dampers and am using an Offnova CISS along with DTGrip 10.3. All of the colors print except for yellow and cyan. What could be causing this problem, and how can I fix it?

Answer:

1. Dampers and Airlocks

• Since you recently replaced the dampers, it's possible that air is trapped in the yellow and cyan lines. Even if the dampers are seated correctly, small bubbles in the supply line can prevent ink from reaching the printhead.

• Fix: Use a syringe and priming tool to gently draw ink through the yellow and cyan dampers until you see a steady flow of ink without air gaps. Then reinstall the dampers and run one head cleaning.

2. CISS Installation Issues

• Continuous Ink Supply Systems (CISS) like Offnova require correct setup to maintain pressure and flow. If the air vent plugs on the tanks are closed, or if the tubes are kinked, ink won't move properly into certain channels.

• Fix: Ensure the CISS tanks' air vents are open during printing. Check the tubing path for pinches or sharp bends, especially on the yellow and cyan lines.

3. DTGrip 10.3 Ink Considerations

• DTF inks are thicker than standard Epson inks. If the dampers or printhead were not fully primed before use, yellow and cyan may be struggling more due to ink viscosity differences.

• Fix: Run a power cleaning cycle (only once or twice) after manually priming the lines. Overuse of power cleanings risks filling the waste pad too quickly, so rely on manual priming as your main method.

4. Printhead Health Check

• On a brand-new printer, nozzle blockages are less common, but if yellow and cyan sat unused during setup, dried ink or improper installation could cause a partial clog.

• Fix: Perform a nozzle check print. If yellow and cyan are completely missing, re-prime as above. If you see broken lines or partial firing, flush the printhead with cleaning solution through the yellow and cyan channels.

5. Damper Quality or Installation

• Some aftermarket dampers vary in quality and sealing. If the damper membranes aren't forming a proper vacuum, those colors won't draw ink.

• Fix: Swap dampers between a working color (like magenta or black) and one of the failing channels. If the problem follows the damper, it's a faulty damper. If it stays with the channel, the issue lies in the line or head.

6. Firmware or Chip Detection Issues

• Since all other colors are printing, this is less likely, but it's worth noting that Epson sometimes misreads aftermarket cartridges or CISS chips. If yellow and cyan are not being detected, the printer may not even attempt to fire those channels.

• Fix: Verify on the printer display that all cartridges are showing as recognized and full. If not, reseat the cartridges or reset the chips.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because of the hands-on work required. For this reason, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or direct repair support. However, we do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). This service operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to high demand, it may take several weeks before your printer can be processed. We repair both complete machines and specific parts, though we recognize that our pricing may not always be the most economical. Many users choose to begin with self-help research, and a great resource is our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the "About" tab to find videos on CISS priming, damper installation, and DTF troubleshooting, or let YouTube recommend related videos from other experts.

Thank you again for reaching out and supporting BCH Technologies. Your engagement helps us continue building resources to assist the printing and DTF community.