I have searched the forum so not to be asking a repeat question but have not found an answer. I was told or read somewhere that cleaning fluid could be used in the white bulk if I am not printing white or printing to dark shirts. I've printed about 5 shirts now (still new to DTG) with a head cleaning before and after use and wipe downs. Even after this I had a small clog with the white but got that cleared. Usually the weekend I replace the ink cartridges with the cleaning ones. Anyway, since white is used for the light cyan and magenta, should I keep cleaning solution in the white bulk tank?
Lisa,
You're right. If you're not going to be printing onto dark shirts right away, you can replace the white ink in your bottle with cleaning solution.
Should you? As a beginning user, and since you already have white ink in there, I think you should go ahead and complete the learning curve for using white ink. Just be sure to be diligent about cleaning your printer when you leave it for extended periods.
I am not sure if I understand your question, but maybe this will explain things. Let's assume you are running an 8-channel printer (i.e. you have 8 different ink cartridges). If you are running a white ink setup on an 8-channel printer, you will have four channels for the color (CMYK) and four channels for white ink. If you are not running white ink, then just put the cleaning cartridges in the four white ink channels. For color printing, you will only use the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black cartridges. Ignore the fact that the channels may be labeled Light Cyan, Light Magenta, Light Black & Light Light Black. Note sure if that answers your question or not. If not, just reword your question.
If you are not running white ink, then just put the cleaning cartridges in the four white ink channels. For color printing, you will only use the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black cartridges. Ignore the fact that the channels may be labeled Light Cyan, Light Magenta, Light Black & Light Light Black. Note sure if that answers your question or not. If not, just reword your question.
Mark
Heyho
just a short question. Can i replace the white ink channels with cleaning cartdriges and print cmyk-only on white shirts without damaging the printhead?
i thought any cleaning soultion must leave the head before printing, even if the that channel is not in used during printing.
just a short question. Can i replace the white ink channels with cleaning cartdriges and print cmyk-only on white shirts without damaging the printhead?
i thought any cleaning soultion must leave the head before printing, even if the that channel is not in used during printing.
thanks
Zanone, it is best to replace the white ink with cleaning solution if you will not be printing white, as this will assist in preventing any head clogs. Infact, I would convert the machine to an 8 color system, and suppliment the CMYK colors. This will allow you to better hit a broader spectrum of colors, giving you images that will really pop (assuming your artwork is good). You have the 8 channels, why not use them?
just a short question. Can i replace the white ink channels with cleaning cartdriges and print cmyk-only on white shirts without damaging the printhead?
i thought any cleaning soultion must leave the head before printing, even if the that channel is not in used during printing.
thanks
If you have a bulk ink system you can put cleaning solution in the white ink bottles instead of white ink. When you are running a cmyk print job the printer will only use the cmyk colors and the ink in the cmyk bottles, not anything from the white ink bottles. You have to have fluid such as cleaning solution in your white cartridges/bottles - you cannot leave them empty or you will damage the print head. When you do head cleanings the printer will use the fluids in all the cartridges/bottles of your system.
There is no harm at all to your print head by leaving cleaning solution in your bulk system cartridges/bottles.
Again, everyone has been great responding. I first wanted a learning curve for white shirts only but I think I will try a few dark shirts to experience with the white ink before putting the cleaning fluid in the white station.
Thanks again.
Cleaning fluid in White 
