How to Brighten Dull Prints on DTF Printers Like InkSonic C13A, Procolored F8, and Prestige A3+

Question:

My DTF printer, such as the InkSonic C13A, Procolored F8, or Prestige A3+, is producing dull and faded prints even though I'm using the settings recommended in the manual. How can I make the colors brighter and more vibrant?

Answer:

Now, regarding your question - when your DTF printer produces dull or washed-out colors, even with the manual's recommended settings, the issue can usually be traced to one of three major factors: clogging, ink purity, or color profiling (ICC profiles). Let's go through each step carefully.

1. Eliminate Printhead Clogging

The very first step is to confirm that all nozzles are firing properly. Run a nozzle check pattern from your printer's maintenance menu. You should see clean, continuous lines for each color channel - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK), plus White if your model supports it.

If any lines are missing or broken, that means certain nozzles are clogged or partially blocked. This can cause uneven ink output and muted colors. Perform one or two head cleanings, but avoid excessive cleanings as they waste ink and can over-saturate the waste ink pad.

For persistent clogs, manually clean the printhead with a lint-free swab and cleaning solution compatible with DTF ink. Also, ensure the capping station and wiper blade are clean and sealing correctly - any air leakage can cause inconsistent ink flow, which dulls your color saturation over time.

2. Check Ink Purity and Consistency

After verifying the nozzles, print a pure CMYK test pattern to see whether each color is printing evenly and vibrantly. If the colors appear faded, uneven, or have a color cast (for example, yellow looking brownish), it may indicate that:

• The ink formulation is degraded or contaminated.

• The ink cartridges or tanks have air bubbles or settled pigments.

• The printer is mixing residual old ink with new ink from a different brand.

Shake your ink bottles gently before refilling to re-suspend pigments, and ensure your ink lines are free from bubbles. Also, make sure you're using high-quality DTF ink specifically designed for your model - using generic or low-grade ink can cause a noticeable loss of brightness and poor adhesion to the PET film.

3. Create or Install a Custom ICC Profile

Even if your nozzles are clean and your inks are pure, your prints can still appear dull if your printer isn't properly color-calibrated. Most DTF printer manuals provide only basic color settings that work "generally," but every combination of printer, ink, and film behaves differently.

This is where a custom ICC profile becomes essential. An ICC profile tells your printer how to interpret and reproduce colors accurately based on your specific ink and film setup. Without one, your colors may look flat, muted, or off-toned.

You can request a professional ICC profile from a color calibration service provider, or if you have access to a spectrophotometer, create one yourself. Many DTF printer owners find this single step dramatically improves color vibrancy and print accuracy.

4. Additional Tips for Brighter DTF Prints

• Increase Color Density: In your RIP software, check the color density or ink limit settings. A slight boost (around 5-10%) can make colors richer, but avoid over-saturation to prevent ink bleeding.

• Film and Powder Quality: Ensure you're using a premium DTF film and high-quality adhesive powder. Poor-quality materials can absorb ink inconsistently, leading to dull prints after curing.

• Curing Temperature: Over-curing can cause ink to lose gloss and brightness. Follow the recommended curing temperature and time precisely - typically around 320°F (160°C) for 60-90 seconds, depending on your film.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or repair guidance. However, we do offer in-person printer diagnostics and repairs through our local service center - learn more on our Printer Repair Service page (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and due to high demand, it may take a few weeks before your unit can be serviced.

If you prefer to troubleshoot on your own, you can find hundreds of instructional videos on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the "About" section to find videos on topics like color correction, DTF maintenance, and ink flow troubleshooting.

Thank you again for reaching out and for your continued support of BCH Technologies. Your participation helps us keep improving and providing the most accurate, in-depth guidance for the DTF printing community.