How to Fix White Ink Not Printing on Procolored L800 and Replace Ink Tubes on Epson ET-8550

Question:

1. My Procolored L800 no longer prints white ink. I've already done a printhead cleaning, but the white channels are still not printing. I also tried to reset the waste ink counter, but I don't see anything showing up in the USB software.

2. I was converting my Epson ET-8550 for DTF printing and accidentally damaged one of the damper tubes while replacing them. Where can I find high-quality replacement tubes that are compatible?

Answer:

1. Procolored L800: White Ink Not Printing

When your L800 prints color channels but not white, the problem is almost never electronic-it's mechanical. In this case, the white ink channels are clogged, which is very common in DTF printers. White ink contains titanium dioxide pigment, which tends to settle and harden in the printhead if not agitated regularly.

To restore ink flow, you'll need to perform a park and prime procedure to clear the nozzles:

Step-by-Step: Park and Prime Method

1. Park the printhead correctly: Turn on the printer and allow it to return to its home (right) position naturally. This ensures the printhead sits correctly on the capping station.

2. Connect a syringe and tube to the printer's waste line (not the ink line).

3. Gently draw 2 ml of air at first to check for resistance.

   • If you feel no resistance and only pull air, the printhead isn't sealed properly on the cap, or the capping station has a vacuum leak.

   • If you feel strong resistance and can't draw fluid at all, the capping station may be clogged and needs to be cleaned or replaced before continuing.

4. Once you can pull with slight resistance, draw 4-6 ml slowly until you feel the membrane of the dampers "crinkle." This indicates the ink has started flowing through the head.

5. Hold the draw at about the 2 ml mark for 10 seconds, then release slowly.

6. Run a regular cleaning cycle, but do not perform multiple strong cleanings in a row-allow the printer to rest for several hours between deep cleanings to prevent pump damage.

If white ink still doesn't appear after several cycles, try swapping the white ink channels to another color channel to test whether the issue follows the ink line or remains with the printhead. You can find guidance on this by searching "Color Rotation" on our BCH Technologies YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies).

If your printer doesn't communicate with your USB utility software for resetting the waste ink counter, make sure you're using the correct reset utility for your model (L800/Procolored versions differ slightly). Sometimes, third-party USB tools only work when the printer is detected in Service Mode, which you can enter by holding the Stop + Power buttons simultaneously while powering on.

2. Epson ET-8550: Replacing a Damaged Ink Tube

If you've damaged a tube while converting your Epson ET-8550 for DTF use, you have a few solid options for replacement, depending on your desired quality level and availability:

• Option 1: Aftermarket Solvent-Resistant Tubing
  A reliable and flexible option is our 1.8 mm ID, 8-strand solvent ink tubing, ideal for continuous ink systems and DTF printers. You can find it here:
  Solvent Ink Tubing for Large Format Printers (3ft, 1.8mm ID) (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/3ft-1-8mm-id-8-strand-solvent-ink-tubing-for-large-format-printer-cis?_pos=6&_sid=a678de6a1&_ss=r)

  This tubing is resistant to DTF and solvent-based inks and provides excellent durability under pressure and temperature changes.

• Option 2: Genuine OEM Tubing (Reclaimed)
  If you prefer genuine Epson tubing, we also offer used OEM ink supply tubes salvaged from EcoTank and SuperTank printers like the ET-2750, ET-3750, and ET-4750. These are shorter than the ET-8550's original tubes but can be extended with connectors.
  Used Genuine Epson Ink Supply Tubing (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/used-genuine-ink-supply-tubing-for-ecotank-and-supertank-printers-et-2750-et-3750-et-4750-and-more-no-return?_pos=44&_sid=a678de6a1&_ss=r)

  To extend these tubes, you can use C2 tube connectors (search for "C2 connectors" at bchtechnologies.com (https://bchtechnologies.com)) or even repurpose the plastic barrels from ballpoint pen cartridges as joiners.

When reinstalling, make sure to:

• Match tubing diameters exactly to avoid air leaks.

• Prime the tubes with ink using a syringe before installing to prevent air gaps.

• Avoid bending or pinching the lines where they pass through the printer chassis.

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, suggestions, or detailed support for printer repairs. However, we do offer in-person evaluation and repair services through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it might take a few weeks before we can receive your printer. Our services can focus on full-unit repairs or targeted part replacements depending on your needs.

For self-guided assistance, we recommend exploring our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the "About" tab to find tutorials specific to your printer model or issue. With over nine years of published content, searching by keywords such as "L800 white ink clog" or "ET-8550 DTF conversion" will quickly direct you to the most relevant videos.

Thank you again for your patience and for being a part of the BCH Technologies community. We appreciate your trust, support, and enthusiasm for improving your printer's performance!