Why Is My Black Ink Not Printing After Installing Nipple Conversion and V2 Dampers?

Customer Question:
I recently installed the nipple conversion kit and V2 dampers from BCH Technologies. The setup appears to be working for all colors, except for black. Although I’ve primed the cartridge and can see ink inside it, the black ink still won’t print. Could this be an issue with the cartridge or the nipples?

Answer:

Step 1: Double-Check the Silicone Seal

A common mistake during printhead waterproofing is accidentally sealing off the black ink intake port with silicone. If this intake (or “nipple”) is blocked, ink cannot reach the nozzles—even if the cartridge is primed and appears complete. You’ll want to carefully examine the black ink inlet on the printhead to ensure it isn’t obstructed by silicone, glue, or debris.

Step 2: Properly Park the Printhead

It's essential to allow the printer to park the printhead onto the capping station naturally. To do this:

• Turn the printer on and let it complete its startup routine so the printhead can settle into the capping station position on its own.

• Do not push the printhead manually or power off the printer during this step.

Step 3: Verify Ink Suction via the Waste Line

You can use the printer’s waste line to check ink flow and help prime the nozzles:

1. Connect a syringe and tubing to the waste line.

2. Gently draw 1.5 ml of air. You should begin to feel slight resistance here.

   • If you only draw air, The printhead isn’t properly seated or there’s a leak in the capping station.

   • If you think the capping station is completely resistant (cannot draw anything), it may be clogged and will need cleaning or replacement.

3. Continue drawing until you reach 2 ml. You may hear a crinkling sound from the damper membrane—that’s a good sign, indicating that the nozzles are opening.

4. Once at the 2 ml mark, hold the suction for 10 seconds. This helps prime ink through the dampers into the printhead.

Step 4: Initiate a Cleaning Cycle (With Caution)

After the suction test:

• Run the printer’s built-in cleaning routine.

• Avoid using a “strong clean” within 12 hours.

• Do not perform multiple cleanings back-to-back. Let the printer rest between cleanings to prevent over-saturation or damage to the printhead.

A Note About DTF Ink

DTF ink is thicker than standard ink, which can make it harder for the printhead to begin printing if the lines or dampers have tiny air gaps or resistance. That’s why these suction and cleaning steps are essential after installing nipple conversion kits and new dampers.

Important Reminder:
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 (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 arrange for your printer to be dropped 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 highly 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 most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thanks again for your question and your trust in our products. We’re always here to help improve your printing experience—your engagement means a lot to us.