How to Clean the Print Head and Surrounding Dirt of A DTF Printer

Cleaning the DTF printer print head and surrounding dirt is an important step to keep the printer running normally and extend its service life. Here we will help you how to clean the printer correctly.

Prepare Tools and Materials

• Special cleaning fluid: It is recommended to use a special cleaning fluid for DTF ink, which can effectively remove ink stains and impurities without causing damage to the print head.
• Distilled water: If you don’t have a dedicated cleaning solution, you can use distilled water as an alternative, but it may not be as effective as a dedicated cleaning solution.
• Lint-free cloth or cotton swab: Use to wipe the printhead and surrounding area to ensure that no fibers or debris are left.
• Gloves (optional): Wear gloves when handling cleaning solutions to protect the skin on your hands.

Cleaning Steps

1. Turn off the printer and unplug the power plug: Make sure the printer is powered off during the cleaning process to prevent electric shock or damage to the printer.
2. Move the carriage to a cleanable position: Depending on the printer model, you may need to manually move the carriage (print head carrier) to a position that is easy to clean.
3. Dip the cleaning fluid: Dip a non-woven cloth or cotton swab in an appropriate amount of DTF ink special cleaning fluid or distilled water. Be careful not to use too much to prevent the cleaning fluid from dripping into the inside of the printer.
4. Gently wipe the print head: Use a non-woven cloth or cotton swab dipped in cleaning fluid to gently wipe the dirt on the surface of the print head and around the nozzle. Be careful not to use too much force to avoid damaging the print head.
5. Reverse cleaning (if necessary): If the print head is severely clogged, you can remove the print head from the printer and perform reverse (upward) cleaning. This is because there is a fast-reacting curing agent in the nozzle hole, which will dry and clump when the ink undergoes a chemical reaction. If you flush downward, the nozzle may become more clogged.
6. Clean the surrounding area: While cleaning the print head, also pay attention to cleaning the areas around the printer, such as the ink stack, wiper, and nozzle plate, to remove residual ink and dirt.
7. Reinstall the print head (if disassembled): If you previously removed the print head for cleaning, make sure to reinstall the print head in the correct steps after cleaning.
8. Print a test page: After cleaning, print a test page to check whether the print quality has returned to normal. If the problem still exists, you may need to repeat the cleaning steps or contact a professional maintenance personnel for treatment.

Precautions

• Avoid mixing inks: Inks of different brands and models may not be compatible, and mixing inks may cause the print head to become clogged or damaged.
• Regular cleaning: It is recommended to clean and maintain the printer regularly to keep it in good working condition and extend its service life.
• Use high-quality consumables: Choosing high-quality DTF-specific inks and consumables can reduce the risk of clogging and wear.
• Keep the environment clean: Place the printer in a well-ventilated area, avoid direct sunlight, and keep the surrounding environment clean and dry.