Epson ET-8550 DTF Printing Blank Pages After Nipple Conversion – Causes and Fixes

Question:
I attempted the nipple conversion on my Epson ET-8550 printer for DTF printing. I tried it on two different printers and experienced the same issue: I had ink flow, but the printers only printed blank pages. The first time, I thought it was because I wasn’t using BCH parts, so I ordered a manifold and dampers from BCH and tried again. Unfortunately, the result was the same. Even after reverting to the original manifold and dampers, both printers continued to print blank pages, and eventually, both became unusable. What might be going wrong here?

Answer:

From your description, the issue seems to involve the interaction between the nipple-converted manifold/dampers and the printer’s ink delivery system. Here are the main areas to look at:

1. Printhead Parking and Priming

When converting to a nipple-style printhead setup, the initial priming process is critical.

• Always park the printhead on the capping station while the printer is powered on so it seals properly.

• Using a syringe with tubing, connect to the printer’s waste line and draw 1.5–2 ml of air.

  • At 1.5 ml, you should feel slight resistance. If you only draw air, the printhead is not sealed correctly or the capping station gasket is leaking.

  • If you feel total resistance and nothing pulls through, the capping station may be clogged, which prevents priming.

• As you approach 2 ml, listen for a faint crinkling sound from the damper membrane—this confirms the nozzles are opening.

Once primed, run the printer’s regular cleaning cycle (but avoid back-to-back strong cleanings within 12 hours, as these can damage the printhead).

2. Ink Flow vs. Blank Pages

It’s possible to have apparent ink flow in the dampers while still printing blanks if:

• Air pockets remain trapped in the lines or manifold. DTF ink is thicker than dye or pigment, and air bubbles can block nozzles more stubbornly.

• Improper seal on the manifold or damper nipples allows ink to flow but prevents pressure from reaching the nozzles. Even small leaks can cause blank-page symptoms.

• The PF (paper feed) and carriage movement sensors are fine, but the head is failing to fire ink because the printhead channels are dry.

3. Risk of Permanent Clogging

Unfortunately, repeated attempts to run cleaning cycles without proper priming can permanently dry out or clog the nozzles. Once this happens, even reverting back to stock parts may not restore function, which explains why both printers continued printing blanks afterward.

4. Best Practices for DTF Conversion on ET-8550

• Always use a reliable seal at the capping station during priming.

• Pull only small, measured amounts of air (never force it) to avoid damaging membranes.

• Allow the printer to rest between cleaning cycles.

• Use BCH’s recommended manifold and dampers, but also verify your capping station condition—an old or leaky capping pad can ruin the entire process.

• For new conversions, it’s helpful to test with dye or pigment ink before loading DTF ink. This verifies nozzle firing and reduces the risk of clogging with thicker fluids.

Addressing printer issues can be challenging because they often require hands-on diagnosis. We are not able to provide direct remote troubleshooting for repairs, but we do offer in-person diagnostics and repairs at our local repair facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please be aware that we work on a first-come, first-served basis, and wait times can be several weeks. While our service is thorough, it may not be the most economical option. That’s why we encourage self-help and research. You can start with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the search tool near the “About” tab to find related videos. With nearly a decade of tutorials, searching directly is usually the fastest way to find help.

Thank you again for your patience and support. I hope these detailed steps help you troubleshoot your ET-8550 DTF conversion more successfully.