Priming Epson ET-8550 Dampers: Troubleshooting and Expert Tips for DTF Printing
- By Ellen Joy
- On Dec 24, 2024
- Comment 0
Question:
How do you prime the dampers on an Epson ET-8550, especially when the hole underneath is larger than a typical syringe?
Answer:
First you’ll need to park the printhead on the capping station to prime the dampers on the Epson ET-8550. With the printer powered on, switch the printer on, and let the printhead find its home naturally on the station; this is an important step here to properly align the printer. Due to the fact that DTF ink is thicker than regular ink, during priming you may have to help the printhead a little, so that it works correctly.
Then, attach a syringe and tube to the printer’s waste line. At this point there should be a little resistance. If you only pull air, the printhead is either not parked correctly or the seal on the capping station is leaking. However, if there's complete resistance and you're unable to draw anything, the capping station may be clogged and you'd have to rectify this issue before proceeding.
When you finally pull 1.5 ml of air, listen for the damper’s membrane crinkling — that’s the nozzles opening. Draw slowly to 2 ml, making sure the black rubber overshoots the 2 ml mark and stop at max for 10 sec. This way, ink may be primed for the nozzles. Run the printer’s regular cleaning routine after priming. Do not do any strong cleanings for the next 12 hours, and do not run cleaning after cleaning without letting the printer rest.
Additional Information:
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Unfortunately, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or support for printer repairs. However, we offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it might take some time before we can assess your printer.
Our services are designed to repair either entire printers or specific parts, with detailed guidance provided for the next steps. That said, we understand that our rates may not always be the most economical option. For those who prefer self-help, we recommend visiting our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon on the homepage to find tutorials for your specific issue, or explore related content YouTube may suggest from other creators.