DTF Station - Start and End Routines, Support, and Troubleshooting

Congratulations on your purchase of a DTF Station!

SignWarehouse is not just here for a sale. We are also here to support your DTF Station setup as well as help you troubleshoot your equipment. 

Start and End Routines

Start-Of-Day Routine

• At the start of each day, verify that all ink levels are sufficient and confirm that the printer’s waste tank has adequate capacity.
• Before initiating your first print job of the day, perform two consecutive light/weak cleaning cycles using the Pilot software. Upon completion, run a nozzle check to confirm that at least 90% of the nozzles are visible on the media.
• If less than 90% of the nozzles are visible, repeat the process by performing two additional light/weak cleanings, followed by another nozzle check.
• This procedure should also be followed anytime the printer has been idle for more than two hours. Adhering to these steps will help optimize performance and minimize unnecessary time, ink, and material waste.

End-Of-Day Routine

At the conclusion of printing your final job for the day, perform the recommended daily manual cleanings. This includes cleaning the wiper blade, capping station, and the area around the print head(s).

These steps help maintain optimal print quality and prevent ink delivery issues. You will use DTF Station cleaning solution, along with cleaning swabs to complete these tasks. 

Troubleshooting

Problem: My white ink is not printing

Reason: Pooling, running, or bleeding ink is most likely caused by:

• Print mode settings
• Incompatible film and ink set
• Film coating defect
• Expired/separated ink

Solution:

• Do not use third party ink or film
• Check white ink is not expired
• Verify print mode and media setting on the queue and job tab. Settings should reflect current ink and film in use.
• If necessary, reduce white ink density

Problem: My colors are not coming out correctly (after printing).

Reason: Colors issues can be caused by any number of variables in the printing process. With experience you will to come to recognize what causes discoloration or off colors in a given situation.

Solution: Do not use third party ink or film. Print modes are tested exclusively with official DTF Station film and ink. Using third party ink or film will affect print quality and may void your warranty.

• Print nozzle check pattern.
• Verify the correct print queue and mode are selected on the queue and job tabs. Perform a damper function test of channel that appears most affected.

Problem: My colors are not coming out correctly (after curing or transferring).

Reason: Discoloration during the curing or transfer processes is typically caused by excessive or improper temperature settings or defective film coating.

Solution: Verify you are using the correct time and temperature requirements for your method of curing (heat press, oven, dryer). If issue has not previously occurred and your process has not changed, then the film is the most probable cause. Perform 2-3 test prints and cures.

Solution: Special attention must be paid to the direction of the smearing or track marks.

• If they are horizontal (i.e. the direction the print head travels) a head strike is the most likely cause. See head strike instructions below.
• Vertical marks indicate a dirty internal roller. This can be cleaned with the included cleaning solution and cleaning swabs.
• If the marks appear to be in a random pattern or localized to one specific area across different prints, visually inspect encoder strip for damage/dirt. Encoder strip can be cleaned with included cloth and isopropyl alcohol.

Problem: I'm getting streak/track marks on the film

Reason: Multiple causes

• Printhead Strike
• Internal Roller dirty/debris inside printer
• Damaged/dirty encoder strip

Solution: Special attention must be paid to the direction of the smearing or track marks. 

• If they are horizontal (i.e. the direction the print head travels) a head strike is the most likely cause.
• Vertical marks indicate a dirty internal roller. This can be cleaned with the included cleaning solution and cleaning swabs.
• If the marks appear to be in a random pattern or localized to one specific area across different prints, visually inspect encoder strip for damage/dirt. Encoder strip can be cleaned with included cloth and isopropyl alcohol.

Please contact DTF Station for further support if any of the above mentioned issues continue to occur after following the troubleshooting steps.

DTF Station Tech Support