Businesses that need to develop personalized items can benefit significantly from investing in sublimation printers. The method helps you become more efficient and productive in printing with its excellent and efficient output. Clogging of printers is major problem users face and is quite frustrating sometimes. As big as the issue seems, it can be fixed with ease in no time. This article will explain why sublimation printers get clogged and how to unclog sublimation printers without any mess.
Causes of Clogging
Printers get clogged for many reasons; dust, debris, and dry ink are the most common. If you are not using the printer regularly and it is left unused for a longer time, it’s most likely for inks to dry, causing clogging. This is most common with printers converted for sublimation, as the printers are designed to work with standard ink rather than sublimation ink. In addition, dust particles can also block the nozzle passageway making printing impossible.Â
How to Unclog Sublimation Printer
Clogging of the printer can be trouble, and if not addressed timely, it can ruin the printer. Here are some tips on effectively unclogging your printer and enjoying smooth printing.
1. Blowing out Dust
When dust and other residues of paper get on the pathways, it can cause obtrusion and clog. You can remove ink cartridges to remove dust or paper residue by blowing them out. The dust can be reduced to the maximum by blowing the printheads.
2. Cleaning Printhead
The printhead should be cleaned with a cleansing solution and wiped with a soft cloth. Apply gentle pressure so that it gets cleaned without damaging the printer.
3. Removing Debris from Ink Cartridges
Debris builds in the ink cartridges over time and can cause clogging. In that case, remove the cartridges from the printer and soak them in the cleaning solution for a while.
4. Running a Cleaning Program
A built-in cleaning program is typically included with sublimation printers and can be used to clean the printer’s internal components. Unplug the printer from its power supply and press the button to launch the cleaning software. Reconnect the printer to its power supply and wait for the cleaning program to start while continuing to press the button.
Maintainance Tips for Smooth Performance of Printer
Here are some tips every printer owner should know to prevent clogging to the maximum.
1. Keeping the Printer Clean
It is necessary to keep the printer clean so the intrusions won’t accumulate on the passageway. The dust or debris can block the path if left unclean for longer. The printer’s ceramic blade and tape path should be cleaned thoroughly after each printing.
2. Using Quality Inks
It is always recommended to use quality inks for printing as cheap, low-quality inks are responsible for more significant damage to the printer. It is why most companies condition their printer’s warranty with genuine ink.
Good quality sublimation inks are vibrant, resistant to fading, and dry quickly. Branded inks are costly, but they are worth it if you want a professional look in your prints and are suitable for printers. Furthermore, the costly sublimation ink has a greater page yield, so it is cost-effective in the long run.
3. Using Right Transfer Paper
Don’t purchase non-branded or inexpensive transfer paper. The paper is a medium to hold the sublimation prints and transfer them to the substrate. Choose a sublimation paper that is not too thick or thin for your printer. A thick paper can cause frequent jams in the printer resulting in destruction and malfunctioning. On the other hand, the too-thin paper may not effectively transfer the prints under heat. Stick with reputable brands because cheap inks and papers can negatively impact your printer and output.
Conclusion
It’s important to understand the causes of clogging and how to fix it if you’re having problems with your printer. If you use an Epson printer, refer to the reference guide for further clarity. It is easy to fix a problem when you know where to look for its solution, and this article must have helped you in this regard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I clean printheads manually?
The printhead can be cleaned manually or electronically through your computer or printer. You should inspect the nozzles to see if your printhead needs cleaning before you begin because doing so will help conserve ink.
How can a clogged printhead be identified?
You have a clogged printhead if your computer or printer’s LCD screen indicates that your ink cartridges are full but that no ink is getting to the paper. It also indicates printhead clogging if your pictures look faded or documents are hazy.
How often do I need to clean my printer’s rollers?
Cleaning your printer’s rollers at least once a month would be beneficial. Cleaning them more frequently could be necessary if you print a lot. Remove the paper tray and wipe the rollers with a moist towel. Make sure the rollers are dry before putting the paper tray back in.
How long does it take to resolve the issue of clogging?
There are many different causes of sublimation printer clogging. Your choice of paper, the level of humidity in the space, and how frequently you print all have an impact. Unclogging your printer will typically take an hour if it isn’t working. It will take 15 minutes to unclog your printer if it is just printing slowly at this time.