How to Fix Ink Flow Issues After DTF Conversion on an Epson ET-8550: A Step-by-Step Guide

Customer Question:

I recently purchased an Epson ET-8550 printer and converted it for DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing. I followed your tutorials and sealed the printhead, but after initializing the printer, no ink is being pulled from the tanks. I attempted a few power cleanings, but I don't want to overdo it since I've already had to reset the maintenance cartridge and there's still no visible waste ink. What should I do next?

Answer:

Diagnosis and Solution

The issue you’re facing is quite common when converting a brand-new Epson ET-8550 to a DTF printer, especially when thicker pigment-based DTF inks are introduced. Let’s walk through the potential causes and solutions step by step:

1. Printhead Parking and Airflow Check

Ensure the printhead is parked correctly on the capping station. To do this:

• Power on the printer and allow the printhead to move and settle naturally on the capping station. This step must be done with the printer powered on, as manually forcing the head can damage internal mechanics.

• Once parked, connect a syringe with tubing to the waste ink line at the back of the printer.

Now, attempt to draw 2 ml of air through the waste line gently:

• Draw 1.5 ml first — you should feel a mild resistance. If only air is pulled, this means the capping station isn’t sealing correctly or the printhead isn’t fully parked.

• If there’s no resistance at all, your capping station may be leaking or improperly aligned.

• If there’s complete resistance and nothing comes out, the capping station is likely clogged, and you’ll need to clean or replace it before proceeding.

When done correctly, you may hear a “crinkling” sound from the damper’s membrane, signaling that the nozzles have opened.

Then, slowly draw until the black plunger hits the 2 ml mark and hold for 10 seconds. This helps prime the printhead without forcing too much ink, which is essential for DTF ink due to its viscosity.

2. Avoid Overusing Power Cleaning

Excessive power cleans are not only ineffective if the head is not properly primed, but they also:

• Waste ink unnecessarily,

• Risk of overfilling the maintenance tank,

• And increase the chance of needing a waste ink reset too soon.

We recommend running the regular cleaning cycle only after successfully priming the head with the syringe method. Also:

• Avoid running multiple power cleans back-to-back.

• Allow the printer to rest for at least 12 hours before attempting another cleaning.

3. Why the Ink May Not Be Drawing

Some other potential factors include:

• Air trapped in ink lines: You may need to perform a gentle ink pull to remove air bubbles.

• Dry or misaligned cap pad: If the sponge pad on the capping station is dry or not level with the printhead, the suction seal won’t form.

• Ink too viscous for startup: Newer printers are calibrated for dye ink, while thicker DTF ink sometimes requires manual assistance to initiate the initial flow.

Final Note on Service Options

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, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it may take a few weeks before we can arrange for your printer to drop it off.

Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be the most efficient approach. Additionally, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that can assist you.

Once again, thank you for your support. We appreciate you choosing BCH Technologies for your DTF conversion journey. Please feel free to reach out if you need more help—we’re here to support your success.