Direct to Film DTF Printer and maintenance
If you are new to DTF printing, you might have heard of the difficulties of maintaining a DTF printer. The main reason is the DTF inks that tend to clog the printer printhead if you do not use the printer regularly. In particular, DTF uses white ink, which clogs very quickly.
What is white ink?
DTF white ink is applied to create a base for the colors of your design, and it is later bonded with DTF adhesive powder during the curing process. They must be thick enough to create a decent base yet thin enough to pass through the printhead. It contains titanium oxide and settles at the bottom of the ink tank when not in use. Therefore they need to be shaken regularly.
Also, they will cause the printhead to be clogged easily when the printer is not used regularly. It will also cause damage to the ink lines, dampers, and capping station.
How to prevent white ink clog?
It would help if you shook the white ink tank gently now and then to prevent the titanium oxide from settling. The best way is to have a system that automatically circulates the white ink, so you save the hassle of doing so manually. If you convert a regular printer to a DTF printer, you can buy parts online, such as a a small motor to regularly pump the white inks.
However, if not done correctly, you risk clogging and drying out the printhead leading to damage that can lead to expensive repairs. You might even need to replace the printhead and motherboard, which can cost a lot.