ET-8550 to DTF Conversion Service – Labor Only

Convert your Epson ET-8550 into a professionally built KevinV2 DTF printer. This listing is for the official KevinV2 mechanical conversion service performed by BCH Technologies.

What This Service Includes

• Complete KevinV2 mechanical conversion
• Installation of CIS system and KevinV2 Electronic Components
 • White ink circulation system setup (if applicable)
• Clean internal layout following KevinV2 build standards
• Basic functional testing after installation

This service focuses strictly on professional mechanical conversion and hardware installation. This product qualifies you to join Kevin’s ET-8550 DTF Conversion Support Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/13579664831384). Membership is available exclusively to verified buyers of qualifying products and services.

How Much Does It Cost?

Please select ONE option from the top-right section of this page, next to the price:

ET-8550 Brand-New Printer — Never Touched Ink
This does not simply mean the printer was purchased recently. By “brand new,” we mean the entire printer has never had ink installed, and the printhead is still pristine. In other words, it is like you purchased it from the store and shipped it directly to us without using it.

Used but Working ET-8550
This means the ET-8550 is able to produce a print when we receive it, with no error messages.

Used, Non-Working ET-8550
We will perform a test print after receiving the printer. If it cannot print or shows errors, it will be considered non-working, and we will bill you the difference if you sent it in as a working printer.

Huh?

Scenario 1 — “I just bought a new ET-8550 and want BCH to convert it.” or "I will order a brand new ET-8550 and let OfficeDepot deliver to BCH"

If you recently purchased a brand-new ET-8550, this is the simplest and lowest-cost conversion option.

Because the printer is new, we can focus primarily on performing the DTF conversion instead of spending additional time troubleshooting wear, previous repairs, clogged ink systems, or other problems commonly found in used printers.

Your estimated cost would be:

$649 conversion kit + $249 conversion labor = $898

If you purchased the ET-8550 for approximately $599, your total investment would be:

$599 printer + $898 conversion = approximately $1,497

This is a good option if you already own a new ET-8550 and simply want BCH Technologies to professionally convert it for you.

Scenario 2 — “I already have an ET-8550 and it is working.”

If you already own a used ET-8550 and the printer is currently working properly, you can send it to BCH Technologies for conversion.

Because the printer has been used, additional inspection and preparation are required. Used printers may have ink contamination, wear, previous modifications, or other unknown conditions that are not normally present in a brand-new printer.

Your estimated cost would be:

$649 conversion kit + $349 conversion labor = $998

If your existing printhead is healthy and suitable for DTF use, no replacement printhead may be necessary.

If the printhead needs to be replaced, a replacement printhead can be purchased separately.

For example:

$998 conversion + $275 replacement printhead = approximately $1,273

This option can be a good way to reuse an ET-8550 you already own instead of purchasing another printer.

Scenario 3 — “I have an old ET-8550, but it does not work.”

A non-working ET-8550 requires more than a standard conversion.

Before or during the conversion process, we may discover problems such as a damaged printhead, mainboard issue, paper-feed problem, damaged cables, clogged ink system, sensor issue, or multiple existing problems.

A non-working printer is not automatically a good candidate for conversion.

The starting labor price for a non-working printer is:

$449+ conversion/repair labor + conversion parts + any repair parts required

If the complete $649 conversion kit is needed, the starting cost would be approximately:

$449 labor + $649 conversion kit = $1,098

Replacement parts are additional.

For example, if the printer also requires a $275 printhead:

$1,098 + $275 printhead = approximately $1,373

At this point, the cost may begin approaching the price of purchasing a complete converted printer.

If the repair and conversion cost becomes too close to the cost of another converted ET-8550, we may recommend purchasing a finished converted printer instead of investing additional money into a damaged printer.

This helps avoid putting too much money into a printer with an uncertain condition.

Scenario 4 — “I don't have an ET-8550. I just want a converted DTF printer.”

If you do not already own an ET-8550 and do not want to purchase a printer, conversion kit, and conversion service separately, you can purchase a converted printer directly from BCH Technologies.

Go to this page: https://bchtechnologies.com/collections/kevinv2/products/a3-dtf-printer-w-white-ink-epson-et-8550-kevinv2  and choose the configuration that best fits your needs:

ET-8550 without a printhead

This option is designed for customers who already have a compatible printhead or prefer to supply their own.

ET-8550 with a tested used printhead

This provides a complete converted printer while keeping the price lower by using a tested working printhead.

ET-8550 converted with a new printhead

This is the simplest option for customers who want to start with a new printer and new printhead without sourcing the printer, conversion parts, or conversion service separately.

Still Not Sure Which Option to Choose?

A simple way to decide is:

Already bought a new ET-8550?
Choose the New Printer Conversion Service — $249 labor + parts.

Already own a working ET-8550?
Choose the Used Working Printer Conversion Service — $349 labor + parts.

Your ET-8550 is not working?
Choose the Non-Working Printer Conversion/Repair Service — starting at $449 + parts.

Don't own an ET-8550 yet?
Consider purchasing a complete BCH-converted printer starting at $899.

Parts Options

For most ET-8550 conversions, we recommend using our KevinV2 3-in-1 Complete Conversion Kit, which combines the electronic control system, essential brackets and drag chain, and complete ink system:

https://bchtechnologies.com/collections/kevinv2/products/bch-kevinv2-et-8550-dtf-conversion-3-in-1-complete-kit-electronic-control-system-essential-brackets-drag-chain-and-whole-ink-system

However, you are not required to purchase the complete kit. If you prefer to choose individual components or already have some of your own parts, you may send your printer with your own tanks, CIS system (NO INK), pumps, connectors, or other related conversion components.

We will inspect the parts you provide, verify compatibility, and install only the components that meet our specifications. Please understand that our ET-8550 DTF conversion is designed as a complete system. The tank design, tubing, pumps, connectors, ink-flow characteristics, component placement, and other details are selected and configured to work together. Changing one part can affect another part of the system. Components that are incorrectly sized, configured, or positioned may cause problems with ink flow, pressure, circulation, reliability, or overall printer performance.

For this reason, many third-party CIS systems and related components may not meet our requirements. If we determine that a customer-supplied component is incompatible, incorrectly configured, or could reduce the reliability of the completed conversion, we will not install it.

If you send bulky CIS systems, tanks, or other components that we cannot use, additional return-shipping charges may be required to send those items back to you.

You do not need to purchase parts before sending us your printer. We will determine what is needed during the conversion and bill you for the approved parts afterward.

What Is NOT Included

• Printer (you must ship your ET-8550 to us)
• Ink
• Firmware modification
• ICC profiling
• RIP software
• Graphic design training
• Ongoing technical support beyond a reasonable post-installation scope

If the printer arrives with unrelated mechanical or electrical issues, we will contact you before proceeding.

Disposition of Removed Parts During Conversion

During the conversion process, certain original parts may be removed from the printer. Regardless of whether those parts are working or non-working at the time of removal, they will be disposed of as part of our standard workflow. If you would like us to return or retain any specific parts, you must notify us in writing before the printer is shipped to us. We are unable to guarantee the return of removed parts unless prior written instructions are provided.

Turnaround Time

Typical turnaround time is 7–14 business days after receiving the printer, depending on current workload. 

Shipping

Customers are responsible for shipping the printer to and from BCH Technologies.

All shipping risks, including loss or damage during transit, remain the responsibility of the customer. Proper packaging and full insurance coverage are strongly recommended.

BCH Technologies is not liable for shipping-related damage or loss.

Shipping Address:

BCH Technologies #Sxxxx

506 Radar Road STE B

Greensboro, NC 27410

The #Sxxx is your order number. Please include it with your package so we can identify and process it quickly. We receive a large number of packages every day, and having the order number helps us match your shipment to the correct service request.

This is especially important because some customers purchase printers from Amazon, Office Depot, or other retailers and ship them directly to us. Without an order number or identifying information, we may receive a brand-new ET-8550 with no way to know who sent it or what service it is for.

Warranty

This conversion service is provided as-is.
No warranties, expressed or implied, are provided.

Limitation of Liability

If an issue arises directly attributable to our conversion labor, the maximum liability shall not exceed the amount paid for the labor service.

BCH Technologies is not responsible for:

• Damage to the printer beyond the labor service amount
• Failures related to customer-supplied or third-party parts
• Ink performance or maintenance-related issues
• Anything that is printhead related
• Shipping damage or carrier-related claims
• Business interruption, lost profits, or consequential damages

By purchasing this service, you acknowledge and agree to these terms and conditions.

⚠ Important – Read Before Shipping Your Printer

To ensure a smooth and timely conversion or repair process, please review the following requirements carefully.

🧴 All Ink Must Be Removed. Printhead Must Be Parked

Before shipping your printer to us:

• All ink must be completely removed from the tanks. You can use a syringe and attach to the ink tube that goes into the dampers, and suck all the ink out. Tanks must be empty and clean

• Park & Lock the Printhead Properly
  Turn on the printer and allow the printhead to move and park naturally on the capping station. After the printhead is properly parked on the capping station, turn off the printer using the power button. This helps keep the printhead sealed during shipping and reduces the chance of the printhead drying out or leaking.
  Do not manually force the printhead into position unless absolutely necessary.
  After the printer is turned off, flip the blue lock to lock the printhead for transportation (but don’t force or push it to the very right, the key is “naturally parked”) so it does not move during shipping.

🚚 Shipping & Leakage Responsibility

• We are not responsible for ink leakage during transit

• We are not responsible for internal contamination caused by ink left in tanks

• Any damage caused by leaking ink during shipping is the sender’s responsibility

Please package your printer securely and ensure it is dry and clean before shipping.

🧽 Dirty or Leaking Printers

If we receive a printer that:

• Has ink leakage inside the machine

• Has visible ink contamination

• Is excessively dirty

• Requires internal cleaning before service can begin

A $100 cleaning and decontamination fee will be charged before any repair or conversion work proceeds.

This fee covers:

• Internal cleaning

• Ink removal

• Contamination mitigation

• Workbench preparation time

Why This Policy Exists

Ink contamination significantly increases:

• Labor time

• Risk of component damage

• Electrical short risks

• Service delays

To maintain a professional repair environment and protect all customer equipment, printers must arrive clean and ink-free.

How Do We Convert It? 

Want to convert it yourself? Watch Kevin's videos below.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4