Epson L1800 DTF Feeds PET Film but Won't Print: Paper Bypasses Straight Through With No Error Lights

Question

I'm using an Epson L1800 as a DTF printer. Most of the time it won't feed the PET film at all, but when it does feed, the sheet goes straight through and comes out the front without printing anything. There are no error lights showing on the printer. What could cause this, and how can I fix it?

Answer

What you're describing-the printer "feeds" but doesn't print, and the sheet passes straight through with no error lights-almost always points to a paper detection timing problem on the Epson L1800, especially when printing on DTF PET film.

Even if no lights are on, the printer still relies on sensors to confirm that media has been grabbed correctly and has arrived at the correct position at the correct time. If that timing is off, the printer may behave like "nothing is there," cancel the print internally, or eject the sheet without laying down ink.

Below are the most common causes and the practical fixes.

Why PET film causes this on the L1800

DTF PET film has two characteristics that commonly break normal feeding:

1. Low friction / slick coating (especially on the print side), so the pickup roller can slip.

2. Different stiffness and edge behavior compared to plain paper, so it may not separate cleanly or may not advance at the expected rate.

On the L1800, the feeding sequence depends on the ASF (Auto Sheet Feeder) components working in sync:

Key parts involved (what to look for)

• White separator "teeth" in the ASF: These help separate the top sheet from the stack so only one sheet advances.

• The pickup roller shaped like a "big D" (rubber roller): This is the part that grabs the top sheet and starts the feed.

• PE sensor (Paper End / Paper Entry sensor): This sensor confirms the sheet has advanced into position. If the sheet doesn't reach it at the expected time, the printer logic may decide it's a feed failure, even if the sheet physically moves.

If the big-D pickup roller slips on PET film, the sheet moves inconsistently. The L1800 can then miss the PE sensor timing, and the printer may eject the sheet without printing (or it may never start printing at all).

Fix #1: Add weight/pressure by stacking paper behind the PET film (your method-works often)

Your proposed fix is one of the most effective "quick wins" for PET film slipping:

1. Load a stack of regular paper into the ASF (several sheets to a decent stack).

2. Place one PET film sheet on top (print side oriented correctly for your setup).

3. Align the stack snugly to the guides-no looseness, but not bending the film.

Why this works:
The extra stack height and pressure makes it easier for the big-D roller to grab the top sheet consistently, and the separator teeth can do their job. That consistent grab helps the sheet arrive at the PE sensor at the correct time, which allows the printer to proceed with printing instead of "passing it through."

Fix #2: Clean (or restore grip to) the pickup roller and separator area

If stacking paper helps only sometimes-or not at all-your pickup roller likely has reduced grip.

What causes grip loss

• Film coating residue

• Dust and paper fibers

• Oils from hands

• Rubber glazing over time

What to do

• Power off the printer.

• Access the ASF pickup area.

• Clean the pickup roller (big D) with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water (or a rubber-safe cleaner).

• Let it dry completely before trying again.

If the roller is worn smooth or hardened, cleaning won't restore much traction and it may need replacement.

Fix #3: Check PET film orientation and surface type

Many PET sheets have a "print side" (often slightly tackier or matte) and a "back side" (slicker). If loaded reversed, the roller may slip more.

• Try flipping the film (keeping your DTF process requirements in mind).

• Try a different brand or batch of film-some coatings are dramatically slicker.

A very common pattern is: one film brand feeds perfectly, another brand slips constantly.

Fix #4: Reduce static and drag (DTF film is notorious for static)

Static can cause:

• Sheets sticking together (double-feeding or inconsistent separation)

• Film clinging to guides

• Irregular advance that can throw off PE sensor timing

Try:

• Fan the sheets slightly before loading (without touching the print surface too much).

• Keep humidity reasonable in the room if possible.

• Avoid rubbing film surfaces together.

Fix #5: Confirm you're printing with the correct feed source and driver settings

Even if the printer physically feeds, wrong settings can cause strange behavior:

• Wrong paper size (printer ejects because the job doesn't match the sensed media travel)

• Wrong source / tray selection (driver expects a different feed path)

• Borderless or specialty settings that behave differently on film

For DTF PET film, using a consistent paper size setting that matches your sheet exactly helps avoid confusing stop/eject behavior.

If you do see an error code later

You mentioned no error lights right now, but if the printer begins showing paper feed errors, they commonly present as "paper out" or "paper jam" type behavior. On many Epson systems, that corresponds to a feed detection failure at the PE sensor stage (paper didn't arrive as expected), which aligns with the slipping/timing issue described above.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems, so we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, step-by-step suggestions, or direct support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility (Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]). Because demand is high, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we're able to accept a drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either an entire printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. That said, we understand our rates aren't the most economical, so we strongly recommend self-help through online research first. You can start by checking YouTube, especially our channel homepage (BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]). Use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to find videos by keyword. I receive dozens of questions every day asking if we have a video for a specific topic, and after creating videos for the past nine years it's difficult to remember every single one-using YouTube search is the fastest approach. Plus, YouTube may also suggest relevant videos from other channels that could help.

Thank you again for reaching out, and thank you for supporting our work and our YouTube channel. I hope the paper-stack method and the pickup-roller grip tips get you printing reliably again.