Preparing Your Printer for the Christmas Break: A Complete Maintenance Guide
The end of year shutdown is approaching, and for many Australian print businesses, this means closing up shop for one to four weeks. While you are enjoying the break, your printer will be sitting idle and that is when problems can develop. A small amount of preparation now can prevent blocked heads, damaged dampers, and expensive repairs in January.
Why Idle Printers Cause Problems
Your printer's ink system is designed for movement. When everything stops for an extended period, several issues can develop.
Ink settlement: Pigments, especially white ink pigments, settle quickly and can create tight blockages.
Dried ink in nozzles: The surface of the printhead can dry even with capping stations in place.
Damper degradation: Dampers may stiffen or lose flexibility when ink is stagnant.
Capping station fouling: Built-up ink can prevent the capping station from sealing properly.
Before You Leave: Essential Checklist
1. Print and Document a Nozzle Check
Print a nozzle check and take clear photos. This provides a baseline to compare against when you return.
2. Perform a Thorough Manual Clean
- Printheads: Clean around the nozzle plate using lint-free swabs.
- Capping stations: Clean rubber seals and ink residue.
- Wiper blades: Replace if worn.
- Encoder strip: Wipe lightly to remove ink mist.
- Waste system: Empty the waste bottle and confirm tubing is clear.
3. Check Ink Levels
- Cartridge systems should be at least three quarters full.
- Bulk ink systems should be at least half full.
Ink must be available for automatic maintenance cycles during your break.
4. Handle White Ink Properly
- Weekly printing: Safest option if someone can attend the printer.
- Weekly agitation: Shake white cartridges or run circulation.
- Long-store preparation: If the shutdown exceeds two weeks, consider flushing white ink.
White ink left stagnant may require replacement when you return.
5. Remove Media from the Printer
- Prevents pinch roller flat spots.
- Stops material warping.
- Reduces dust on the print surface.
6. Enable Automatic Maintenance
- Leave the main rear power switch ON.
- Put the front panel into sleep or standby mode.
- Ensure ink levels are sufficient for all scheduled cleans.
7. Environmental Conditions
- Temperature: Avoid extremes.
- Humidity: Very dry conditions accelerate nozzle drying.
- Dust: Cover the printer if necessary without blocking ventilation.
Special Considerations by Printer Type
Eco Solvent Printers
- Ensure auto maintenance is active.
- Clean capping stations thoroughly.
- Replace old dampers if over six to twelve months old.
- Check waste tubing and bottle.
UV Printers
- Clean the nozzle plate carefully as UV ink is difficult to remove once cured.
- Check white ink circulation if equipped.
- Inspect LED lamps and ensure no contamination.
- Confirm negative pressure stability.
DTF Printers
- DTF white ink settles quickly and needs circulation.
- If away for more than two weeks, consider flushing white ink.
- Remove film from the machine and store it flat.
- Perform a full head clean before leaving.
Sublimation Printers
- Ink is water based and dries faster.
- Ensure room humidity is stable.
- Enable automatic cleans.
Long-Store Procedures for Shutdowns Longer Than Two Weeks
If your printer will be unused for more than two weeks, it should be prepared using a long-store procedure to reduce the chance of blocked heads or damaged components.
General Long-Store Steps
- Print and photograph a nozzle check.
- Complete a full manual clean. Clean printheads, caps, wipers, encoder strip, and waste system.
- Choose an ink strategy.
- Option 1: Leave ink in the system:
- Only suitable for CMYK and only if auto maintenance can run reliably.
- Someone should still agitate white ink weekly if present.
- Option 2: Flush white ink only:
- Recommended for two to four weeks away.
- Replace white with flush solution using your printer's fill mode.
- Leave CMYK installed for easier restart.
- Option 3: Full system flush:
- Recommended if away for four weeks or longer.
- Flush every channel with cleaning solution.
- Cap the printheads with fresh solution in the capping station.
- Contact GZ Australia for model specific steps.
Printer Type Notes for Long-Store
Eco Solvent
- Usually safe to leave CMYK ink installed.
- White should be flushed if present.
- Check damper condition before leaving.
UV Printers
- White and varnish should be flushed if not circulated weekly.
- Ensure nozzle plates are completely clean.
- Check negative pressure system.
DTF Printers
- White ink should be flushed for breaks longer than two weeks.
- If leaving ink installed, circulation must run and weekly agitation is required.
- Remove film media from the printer.
Sublimation Printers
- Water based ink dries faster and needs controlled humidity.
- Ensure maintenance cycles will run reliably.
Tip: It is always cheaper to use extra flush and fresh ink than to replace a printhead.
When You Return: Startup Procedure
Day One Checklist
- Inspect the printer for leaks or dust.
- Power on fully and allow startup routines.
- Print a nozzle check and compare with your photos.
- Run a standard clean and escalate only if needed.
- Shake white ink thoroughly.
- Top up ink levels.
Before Production
- Print test patterns on scrap material.
- Verify colour accuracy.
- Check belts, rollers, vacuum systems, and media feed.
- Ensure RIP communication is working correctly.
Parts and Consumables to Have on Hand
Essential
- Cleaning solution or flush.
- Lint free wipes and swabs.
- Replacement dampers.
- Wiper blades.
Recommended
- Spare capping station.
- Backup ink.
- Encoder strip cleaner.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Powering off the main switch which disables automatic maintenance.
- Ignoring white ink and allowing heavy settlement.
- Skipping manual cleaning before leaving.
- Failing to document nozzle condition.
- Leaving media loaded in the printer.
- Using expired or near expiry ink.
Need Help?
GZ Australia support is available throughout the holiday period except public holidays.
Phone:
0422 705 461
Email:
info@gzaustralia.com
Web:
gzaustralia.com
From all of us at GZ Australia, we wish you a safe and restful holiday season. We look forward to supporting your print business in 2026.











