Should You Remove the Plastic Film on the Bottom of a T252 Refillable Cartridge? Epson Installation Tips for a Proper Seal

Question

I'm using a T252 (T252XL) non-OEM refillable cartridge, and it has a protective plastic film on the bottom. Do I remove that plastic film first, or leave it on before installing the cartridge?

Answer

Before I answer, just to be clear: we do not sell Epson cartridges anymore. That said, I can still explain the correct handling concept because this protective-film question comes up often with many third-party refillable cartridge designs.

Should you remove the plastic film on the bottom?

In most cases, you should leave the protective plastic film in place.

That protective film is usually there for two purposes:

1. Prevent leaks and contamination during shipping/storage

2. Ensure the outlet remains sealed until installation so air doesn't dry the internal outlet area

On many refillable cartridge designs, the printer's ink inlet system (often described as the printhead ink nipples/needles/inlet posts) is designed to pierce or puncture that thin film automatically when you install the cartridge. That puncture action helps create a clean, centered opening and can improve the odds of a proper seal between the cartridge outlet and the printer's ink inlet.

Why removing the film can cause problems

If you peel the film off manually, a few issues can happen:

• Poor seal / air leaks: The outlet may not seat as tightly, allowing air to enter the ink path.

• Ink starvation: Air leaks can cause intermittent printing, fading, or missing colors.

• Drips or flooding: A disturbed outlet seal can lead to ink leaking into the cartridge bay or, in worse cases, into the printer.

• Contamination: Dust or skin oils can get into the outlet area, which can affect flow.

When would you remove it? (rare exceptions)

Different third-party cartridges vary. Some have a film that is meant to be peeled, while others are puncture-style. If the manufacturer specifically instructs removal, follow their instructions. However, if the cartridge is designed to be punctured by installation (which is very common), leave it on.

A practical clue: if the film is perfectly flat and tightly heat-sealed over the outlet, that often indicates it's meant to be punctured. If it has a pull tab clearly designed for peeling, it may be a peel-off type. But absent clear instructions, the safer approach for puncture-style outlets is to leave it in place.

Tips for a clean installation (to avoid leaks and mis-seating)

• Install the cartridge straight down-don't rock it side to side excessively.

• Make sure it "clicks" firmly into place.

• After installation, print a small test page and watch for signs of leakage in the cartridge bay.

• If you see gaps, fading, or intermittent color, it can indicate an air leak at the outlet seal or an installation seating issue.

About error codes

No specific printer error codes were mentioned in your question, so there aren't any codes I can reference here. This is primarily an installation/sealing question rather than an on-screen error-code situation.

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 support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (printer repair service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it might take a few weeks before we can accept your printer for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either a 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 highly recommend that you resort to self-help through online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (BCH Technologies on YouTube [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 is the most efficient approach. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you as well.

Thank you again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. I truly appreciate it, and I hope this clears up the protective film question so you can install the cartridge with confidence.