Why a New Waste Ink Pump or Capping Station Can Clog Quickly in DTF Printers: Causes, Prevention, and Essential Maintenance

Customer Question

We recently purchased a waste ink pump, but it has already become clogged and feels resistant. It hasn't even been a month since we installed it. What could cause this, and how can we prevent it from happening again?

Answer

Why a New Pump or Capping Station Clogs So Quickly

DTF white ink settles and thickens very rapidly. If any white ink remains sitting inside the:

• capping station

• pump lines

• pump

• printhead nozzles

-even for a few hours-it can begin to solidify. Once it thickens, it clogs tubing, blocks pump diaphragms, and prevents proper suction. This is why a pump can feel "resistant" or fully clogged in just weeks.

The key to preventing this is not daily maintenance, but proper shutdown procedures after every printing session. The goal is to ensure no white ink is left sitting in the capping station or inside the printhead when the machine powers down.

I strongly recommend watching this guide:
How to Properly Shut Down a DTF Printer - YouTube Video (https://youtu.be/Cg7rC11qseM)

Following these procedures consistently will prevent nearly all premature pump and capping-station clogs.

Unclogging and Maintaining the Capping Station

Unclogging the capping station is usually manageable if the gears and tubing are still functional. If you need help, here are step-by-step videos based on your situation:

Removing & Reinstalling the Capping Station

This guide shows how to remove the unit safely and put it back properly:
Video: Removing and Installing the Capping Station
(https://youtu.be/_cZEkmgIZYc)

Unclogging the Capping Station

If your cap top is blocked or not sealing well, start here:
Video: Unclogging the Capping Station
(https://youtu.be/WbY_6O1-w2c)

Routine Capping Station Care

This helps reduce long-term clogs and maintain proper suction:
Video: Capping Station Maintenance
(https://youtu.be/5yjq3ZN0qv8)

Troubleshooting & Repairing the Capping Station

If something isn't working correctly mechanically:
Video: Repairing the Capping Station
(https://youtu.be/5UC2IMu9V90)

Rewiring / Reconnecting Capping Station Tubes

For situations where ink isn't pulling or tubes are blocked:
Video: Rewiring Capping Station Tubes
(https://youtu.be/J9im3s8UJfo)

Full Capping Station Disassembly Guide

If the clog is severe and none of the above steps resolve it, we offer a complete teardown guide showing every gear and internal component:
Guide: Full Capping Station Disassembly & Reassembly
(https://bchtechnologies.com/products/video-capping-station-assemble-disassemble-guide-for-l1800-1390-artisan-1430-and-1400)

Additional Maintenance Resources

If you're hearing grinding or screeching noises during operation-which often indicates pump resistance or a capping-station vacuum issue-these videos may help:

• Screeching Noise Fix #1: https://youtu.be/MjArYM-QnfU

• Screeching Noise Fix #2: https://youtu.be/TNOG_1TtN6g

These guides address common mechanical symptoms that go hand-in-hand with pump blockage.

Addressing printer problems can be challenging because so much depends on hands-on inspection and physical testing. For that reason, we aren't able to offer remote troubleshooting or repair support. We do provide an in-person diagnostic and repair service at our local facility through our Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, service is first-come, first-served and can require a waiting period of a few weeks. We can repair entire printers or specific components, and clear steps are provided for each service. That said, the cost may not be the most budget-friendly, so we also recommend self-help through online research. A great starting point is YouTube-especially the search feature on our BCH Technologies YouTube homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). With nearly a decade of videos, I receive many requests each day for specific tutorials, which makes the search tool the fastest way to locate what you need. YouTube may even suggest related content from other creators that could be helpful.

Thank you again for reaching out to us and for supporting BCH Technologies. We truly appreciate your trust, and we're here to help you keep your printer running at its best.