[and3008]

Looking to jump into sublimation and have decided on the Artisan 1430 mostly because of the print size. And I've read all about the clogging issues. I won't be using the printer on a daily basis and I do take the occasional vacation. Can anyone give me some advice on how to keep the heads from clogging? I am going to use the refillable cartridges. Also, is any brand ink better than another when it comes to clogging?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Amw]

Looking to jump into sublimation and have decided on the Artisan 1430 mostly because of the print size. And I've read all about the clogging issues. I won't be using the printer on a daily basis and I do take the occasional vacation. Can anyone give me some advice on how to keep the heads from clogging? I am going to use the refillable cartridges. Also, is any brand ink better than another when it comes to clogging?

Thank you in advance!

Do a nozzle check every day or so.
If that model has cloud printing you can easily set up a small print to send to the printer daily when you are not there.

As for brand, a lot of people here like cobra ink...they have everything you need.

 

[MadeDesigns]

Sublimation ink does not clog like regular pigment ink. I usually let my epson sit for a week or so, before I begin to print a quick head cleaning will get it going nice and smooth. I have a CMYK sheet I like to print before.

 

[T-Shirtprinter]

I have had different Epson's clog with different sublimations inks. It is not uncommon for my printers and I do small prints to try to keep the printers from clogging. One thing I noticed is that during the summer months here in N. J. clogging issues are less do to increased humidity.

 

[Chris109]

I find that when I have clogging issues, I remove the air filter from each tank. When I do this I hear a popping noise from the change in air pressure. Nozzle check, clean, wait a couple of hours. I do another nozzle check and clean if necessary. I have been told, that if I was not going to use for a while, to remove the air filter and put the plugs back in.

There have been times when I would get clogging on certain colors, mainly cyan and magenta and occasionally black, I would put in a new air filter and all is good. I do find that once in a while the ink would trickle out of the air filter (prolly from temperature change and air pressure) thereby causing a clog in the filter, and then that color would not print cleanly.

 

[SublimatorToo]

All inkjet printers get clogs. Period.

You just are unaware of all the maintenance those big machines in sign shops and so forth need to keep them happy.

As for yours, years of experience has lead me to several practices to increase print head life and prevent clogging.

First, the advice to leave the printer turned on is misguided. The theory is that you will use less ink since there will not be the minor consumption every time you turn on the machine. Then those proponents, who happen to sell ink, by the way, tell you that the cost of ink is squat. That's a contradiction. If you save squat you wind up with squat.

When the machine is off, the head sits firmly on the capping station. Research and practice indicate that this is not so when always on. And therein a BIG problem.

So burn off a bit of ink. The ink supplier told us that the cost is squat anyway. Much less expensive than a print head repair or printer replacement.

The next issue is that a printer is like any other machine you put into service. It needs use and maintenance. So use it. Not just a nozzle check. Print something. Anything. Just make certain that you actually run enough ink through the head to keep things fresh and flowing.

Every day, my sublimation printer is run through a maintenance cycle. Nozzle check followed by color pattern print. If transfers are to be made, the tests are first, followed by cleaning if required.

Result? Long printer life with a bit of waste paper and ink and a very happy operator.