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Why is the DTF Printer Not Printing White and How to Fix It?

Why is the DTF Printer Not Printing White and How to Fix It?

1. Introduction

DTF white ink not printing is among the most common problem faced by DTF printing users. If not addressed properly, these problems can delay, increase costs, and potentially damage your printer.


The good news is that most white ink issues in DTF printing are fixable. Many can be resolved through self-troubleshooting with the detailed guide provided below. And for more advanced and complex issues, InkSonic's 24/7 1-on-1 support is available to assist you.


In this blog, we will explore the common causes of white ink problems in DTF printing and provide clear, step-by-step troubleshooting and solutions to help you resolve the issue effectively.  Keep reading for practical advice and expert guidance on how to keep your DTF printing process running smoothly!

2. Understanding White Ink and Its Importance

To better understand the causes and solutions of white ink issue, let's get to know what is DTF white ink and its importance first.

2.1 What is DTF White Ink?

DTF White Ink is composed of a unique mix of pigments and chemicals designed for direct-to-film printing. One of the challenges of using white ink is that it contains titanium dioxide, a unique pigment that has been used for years to create vibrant white ink, but over time, it settles due to gravity.


High-quality DTF white ink is crucial for delivering excellent designs and long-lasting prints. 🐼Inksonic white ink is ideal for DTF printing, offering a more stable and high-quality printing experience

2.2 Function and Importance of DTF White Ink: 

  • Provide a base layer on colored fabrics, ensuring that the design stands out clearly.
  • Reproduce the color white on dark or colored materials, allowing white elements to be included in the design.
  • Brighten colors and enhance  the  contrast in the image and makes the design pop.

3. DTF White Ink Not Printing and Its Solutions

If you're facing issues with DTF white ink not printing, the cause can vary. Here’s a breakdown of the common problems and their solutions, helping you troubleshoot step by step:

3.1 Check if Spot Layer is Required

Solutions: Some DTF printers, like the InkSonic XP600 DTF printer, require you to create a spot layer for the white ink before printing. This step is crucial for ensuring that the white ink is applied correctly. The process is quick and easy—just follow the tutorial above to make sure the spot layer is properly set up..

3.2 Check If DTF Print Head is Clogged 

Cause: A clogged print head is one of the most common issues when white ink isn’t printing. This can happen due to dried ink or debris. or use the printer's built-in cleaning function. Regular maintenance is key to preventing this problem.

Solutions:

  • You can clean the print head manually by right-clicking on the printer driver and performing a head cleaning one to two times.

3.3 Check If There's Sediment or Low Levels in the Ink Tank

  • Cause: Over time, sediment from the white ink can accumulate in the ink tank, or the ink level may be too low. Ensure the ink supply is adequate and check for any sediment buildup.

  • Solutions:

    • Shake the DTF ink tank or stir it with a clean stick.

    • Refill the ink tank with high-quality InkSonic dtf white ink if the levels are low.

    • If necessary, replace the ink and clean the tank to prevent blockages.

3.4 Check if There's Air in the Ink Cartridge

Cause: Air bubbles or settled particles can prevent proper ink flow, thus causing DTF white ink issues and poor printing results.

Solutions:

  • Use a syringe to draw out trapped air or sediment from the ink system.

  • Check all connections to ensure the cartridge is properly sealed to avoid air intake.

3.5 Check If There's Incorrect White Ink DTF Settings in Software

Cause: Low DTF white ink density or incorrect printer settings can result in poor or no white ink output.


Solutions:

  • Adjust the white ink density settings in the printer software to achieve optimal white ink output. 

3.6 Check if Ink Pad and Wiper Blade are Overloaded

Cause:

  • Ink Pad : The ink pad absorbs waste ink during the printer's head cleaning process. Over time, it can become saturated and dry out. This can result in issues such as white ink not printing properly, as the ink pad can no longer efficiently manage the waste ink buildup. 
  • Wiper Blade: The wiper blade, the one near the print head, help clean ink and dust off the DTF print head. If the wiper blade accumulates too much ink, it can contaminate or even scratch the print head, leading to print quality issues.

Solutions:

  • Ink Pad Cleaning: Turn off the printer and unplug it. Remove the ink pad and clean it with a cleaning solution or replace it when necessary. After cleaning, allow it to dry completely before reinstalling. We recommend replacing it every 3 months if the printer is used regularly.
  • Note: Since the ink pad is a consumable part, it's important to track its usage. If it's been over three months and you're facing issues with white ink not printing, we recommend replacing the ink pad. This is often the most efficient and quickest way to resolve the problem.

  • Wiper Blade Cleaning: Open the maintenance cover and wipe the wiper blade to remove any dried ink. After cleaning, reinstall it. If the blade is damaged, replace it with a new one.

3.7 Check if the DTF Printer Cleaning Unit is Clogged.

Please use this mode if you can not get white ink to flow out even in the previous cleaning modes

Cause: If the DTF printer’s cleaning unit is clogged, it can interfere with the white ink printing process. 

Solutions:

If black ink cannot be discharged after cleaning, use a syringe to extract the waste ink directly from the waste ink tube. 

Repeat the process of extracting the waste ink several times until the waste ink is discharged, and then do it once again nozzle cleaning, finally progressing to a nozzle check.

4. Advanced Troubleshooting

(Please have InkSonic's tech team get involved)


The solutions above should solve your problem. If not, please contact InkSonic customer service as soon as possible. Our experts will help you diagnose and resolve the problem. Trying to fix it yourself may cause further damage or void your warranty.

4.1 Check White Ink Circulation Pump for DTF Printer

Cause: If there is air or a blockage in the white ink circulation system, it may cause the white ink to not appear.

Solutions: Please contact our professional customer service team for help. Avoid attempting to resolve it yourself, as it may lead to severe issues.

4.1.1 Additional Information: The Importance of White Ink Circulation System

DTF white ink's unique properties make it prone to sedimentation. This is a leading cause of many issues. To address this, Inksonic has introduced innovative solutions for DTF printers:

  •  3-in-1 White Ink Circulation System: Our printers feature a continuous ink supply system (CIS) that integrates white ink circulation, mixing, and filtration, improving ink flow, reducing sedimentation, and extending print head life by 50% compared to traditional printers

  •  Automatic White Ink Stirring: Turn on the dtf machine, and the white ink circulation will automatically start. This is to prevent white ink from settling, it is recommended to activate the white ink circulation system on a daily basis.

4.2 Persistent Clogged Print Head

Solutions:

  • Soaking Method: Soak the print head and ink pad in nozzle cleaning liquid to dissolve any dried ink and debris.

  • Manual Cleaning: Use a syringe to inject cleaning fluid into the print head. It breaks down clogs. Then, remove the loosened debris. Flush the head with nozzle cleaning liquid to clean it.

4.3 The White Ink Channel of Printer Head is Clogged

Cause:

  • DTF White ink tends to clog the print head channels more easily because its pigment particles are larger, whereas color inks have finer particles that are less likely to cause blockages. As a result, color ink can flow through smaller channels more easily. Even if the white ink print head channel becomes clogged, color ink may still pass through. This means you can swap the white ink and color ink channels to resolve the issue and allow the white ink to flow through the color ink print head channel.

Solutions:

Swap the positions of the two white ink cartridges with the yellow and black ink cartridges.

5. Maintenance Tips for DTF Printers

To keep your DTF printer in top shape and avoid white ink issues, follow these maintenance practices.

  1. Daily Test Prints: Run a test print daily to detect and resolve any ink flow issues early.

  2. Routine Cleaning: Clean the DTF print head at least once every three days.

  3. Waste Ink Management: Regularly empty the waste ink tank and monitor its capacity.

  4. Use quality ink: Buy high-quality white ink. It will reduce sediment and improve output.

  5. Shake White Ink Bottles: Shake white ink bottles for at least 30s to 60s or stir them with a clean stick before and after each printing session.

For a more complete maintenance guide on each printer, read the maintanance guide of inksonic printer.

  1. Maintenance of R1390 & L1800
  2. Maintenance of XP600
  3. Maintenance of L8058&L18058 

6. Conclusion

Above are the common issues with white ink and their troubleshooting steps. If you're unable to resolve the problem, don’t hesitate to seek professional support. Contact InkSonic’s tech team for 1-on-1 assistance.

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