How to Convert an Epson ET-8550 From Sublimation Ink Back to Regular Ink

Question:
Can I convert an Epson ET-8550 printer that was previously modified for sublimation printing back to using regular ink? And if so, can I perform the conversion myself?

Answer:

Yes, You Can Convert Your ET-8550 Back to Regular Ink—But Proceed with Caution

The short answer is yes—an Epson ET-8550 that has been converted to a sublimation printer can be reverted to using regular ink (whether dye-based or pigment-based). However, this process involves several necessary steps and precautions, especially since sublimation ink has different chemical properties and can have residual effects on your printer's internal system.

Key Steps to Revert Your Epson ET-8550 to Regular Ink

1. Flush All Sublimation Ink Residue Thoroughly

To avoid color mixing or chemical reactions, it's essential to completely flush out all traces of sublimation ink from:

• Ink tanks

• Ink lines

• Dampers

• The printhead

Even a small amount of leftover sublimation ink can cause issues such as inaccurate colors, banding, or clogged nozzles when regular ink is introduced. You’ll need to use a high-quality printhead cleaning solution, such as our BCH cleaning fluid, to remove residues.

We recommend using:

• A syringe and tubing kit to draw out old ink

• A printhead flush kit for deep cleaning

• Cleaning cartridges if available for your model

You can find walkthroughs of this process on our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) that demonstrate how to clean ink systems and prime lines correctly.

2. Understand Potential Color Shifts from Staining

If sublimation ink has been used for a long time, it can cause staining of internal plastic components and even tint the micro-channels of the printhead. This may result in slightly off-color prints even after flushing.

In most cases, these tints will fade after a few ink flushes or head cleans with the new ink. However, it's important to know your first prints may not be color-accurate right away.

3. Choose the Right Ink to Refill

Make sure you choose the correct type of ink for your printing needs:

• Dye-based ink is generally more vivid and affordable but less durable.

• Pigment-based ink is more water- and UV-resistant, ideal for documents and archival prints.

Avoid mixing ink types unless the printer is thoroughly flushed between uses.

Can You Do It Yourself?

Absolutely! If you're comfortable working carefully with ink systems and have the right tools, this is definitely a DIY-friendly process. Just take your time and follow flushing procedures closely. We’ve helped thousands of DIY users with similar conversions and encourage you to reach out if you get stuck.

If you’d prefer professional help, you can always email us at support@bchtechnologies.com or send the printer in for a full cleaning and reversion.

Addressing printer issues and conversions can be a hands-on and technically sensitive process. As such, we’re unable to provide remote troubleshooting or detailed repair support. However, we do offer in-person diagnostics and repairs through our local printer repair facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Because of high demand, repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and wait times can stretch a few weeks. Our service covers full printer repairs or individual part restoration, and we provide clear instructions for each path. That said, we recognize our services may not be the most cost-effective option for everyone, so we encourage self-help as a primary approach. We invite you to explore our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the search icon next to the “About” section to find specific how-to videos. With over nine years of content, searching directly often yields the best results—even surfacing related tutorials from other creators.

Thanks again for your thoughtful question, and we hope your conversion process goes smoothly! Feel free to follow up with your results or any additional questions. We're always glad to hear how your projects are going.