Printer Maintenance Guide

Keep your printers running perfectly

⚠️ CRITICAL: Pigment inks settle within 48 hours. If shutting down 2+ weeks, you MUST flush the system or print weekly. Failure = permanent damage.

Quick Decision Guide

Shutdown Duration What You Must Do
Less than 1 week ✅ Standard maintenance
✅ Leave powered on
1-2 weeks ⚠️ Print once per week
⚠️ Agitate pigment inks weekly
2+ weeks 🚨 FLUSH INK SYSTEM
🚨 Call: 0422 705 461

Universal Steps (ALL Printers)

1. Heavy Cleaning Cycles
Run 2-3 heavy cleaning cycles (wait 10 min between). Continue until nozzle check is perfect.
2. Document Quality
Print nozzle check. Take clear photos. Save with date. Compare when restarting.
3. Check Ink Levels
All cartridges 3/4+ full. Order replacements BEFORE Dec 20. Top up bulk systems.
4. Empty Waste Ink
Empty waste bottle/tank completely. Clean with isopropyl alcohol.
5. Remove Media
Remove ALL media. Keep pinch rollers DOWN. Clean platen/bed.
6. Clean Print Heads
Use lint-free swabs with cleaning solution. Clean cap station.
⚠️ NEVER touch print heads with fingers!
7. Environment Check
Room temp 15-25°C. Cover with breathable material (NOT plastic).

DTF Printer Maintenance

White Ink Reality: White ink settles within hours. After 1 week without circulation, permanent clogging WILL occur.

Short Shutdown (Less Than 2 Weeks):

☐ Run white ink circulation 15 minutes

☐ Print test patterns using white ink

☐ Empty powder shaker completely

☐ Leave printer POWERED ON

Weekly Maintenance (REQUIRED):

Every 7 days you must:
  1. Run white ink circulation 10 minutes
  2. Print nozzle check
  3. Run cleaning if gaps appear
  4. Print one test transfer
Time: 30-45 minutes once per week

Long Storage (2+ Weeks) - FLUSH REQUIRED:

YOU MUST FLUSH THE SYSTEM
Cannot commit to weekly maintenance? You MUST flush ink lines.
  1. Order DTF flush solution from GZ Australia BEFORE shutdown
  2. Run complete purge cycle
  3. Replace ink cartridges with cleaning solution
  4. Run ink charge cycle
  5. Park heads in capping station
  6. Power OFF printer (only when flushed)

Restart Time: 2-3 hours first day

UV Printer Maintenance

UV Advantage: UV printers auto-maintain in sleep mode. Still need weekly checks.

Pre-Shutdown:

☐ Empty waste ink tank completely (CRITICAL)

☐ Check UV lamp hours

☐ Set Ink Maintenance to "Normal"

☐ Agitate all ink cartridges

☐ Set to Sleep Mode (NOT powered off)

Short Shutdown (1-4 Weeks):

Option 1: Leave in Sleep Mode. Wake weekly for checks.
Option 2: Ink Discharge (up to 1 month). See manual.

Extended Storage (1+ Months):

Call GZ Australia: 0422 705 461
Professional longstore service required.

Eco-Solvent Maintenance

WITHOUT White Ink (Less Than 2 Weeks):

☐ Leave POWERED ON in Sleep Mode

☐ Check waste tube is clear

☐ Wake weekly for nozzle check

WITH White Ink (Less Than 2 Weeks):

Same as DTF: NEVER power off. Agitate weekly.

☐ MUST stay powered ON

☐ Agitate white ink before sleeping

☐ Weekly: wake, agitate, check

Long Storage (2+ Weeks):

FLUSH REQUIRED. Order eco-solvent flush solution. Follow manual procedure.

Sublimation Maintenance

Up to 3 Weeks:

☐ Clean drum and rollers

☐ Remove transfer paper, store sealed

☐ Leave powered ON in Sleep Mode

☐ Weekly: nozzle check and test

3+ Weeks:

Flush with cleaning solution. Call: 0422 705 461

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution
Minor gaps in nozzle check Run 2-3 cleaning cycles, wait 1 hour. If not fixed: overnight soak
Entire color missing Check ink level, verify cartridge. Call GZ Australia
White ink not printing Run circulation 15 min. Call GZ Australia
No improvement after 24 hours Call: 0422 705 461

Restart Times

Storage Duration Expected Time
1 week (maintained) 15-30 minutes
2 weeks (weekly maintained) 1-2 hours
2+ weeks (flushed) 2-3 hours first day

Basic Restart Steps:

  1. Visual inspection (dust, leaks)
  2. Power on, wait for initialization
  3. If flushed: Reinstall ink, charge cycle (30-60 min)
  4. DTF: Run white circulation 10 min FIRST
  5. Print nozzle check, compare to pre-shutdown photo
  6. Run 2-3 cleaning cycles
  7. Test on scrap before customer work

Need Help? We're Here

📞 Call: 0422 705 461

📧 Email: info@gzaustralia.com

Australian-owned • Local support • We actually answer the phone