The most common issue that specialty printing users face are clogged printheads. Printheads can clog due to non-use (the ink will dry and clog the heads) or due to environmental or user related issues such as not following proper cleaning / maintenance procedures, using the wrong inks, operating the printer in unfavorable temperature or humidity environments. We suggest a number of procedures that can work to resolve most print-head clogs, including (and in order of fastest, to the strongest clean):
- Using the printer's cleaning functions (from the printer menu), or with some printers a more aggressive cleaning is possible through the use of Epson Adjustment Programs that are capable of doing a more aggressive / deep clean than the printer's basic cleaning function
- Utilizing our specialty solutions, consistent with the following guidance:
CLEANING SOLUTION:For flushing of printheads. This solution is for use in resolving minor clogs. Flush your print-heads with this solution* (if your system is damper/CIS based), or fill it into "cleaning cartridges" and run up to 3 cleaning cycles with those cartridges (if your system is cartridge based).Do not use for wet capping.
XTREME CLEANING SOLUTION:For flushing of ink tubing*, or to unclog stubborn clogs in printheads. This solution is for use in resolving stubborn/extreme clogs, or to flush out inks from ink tubing (such as if you want to change out inks). Flush your print-heads with this solution (if your system is damper/CIS based) or fill it into "cleaning cartridges" and run up to 3 cleaning cycles with those cartridges (if your system is cartridge based).Do not use for wet capping.
CAPPING SOLUTION:For printhead wet capping. This solution is for wet capping & short-term maintenance - to be used for saturating the printhead resting cap on the capping station at the end of the day, andnot intended to be used as a cleaning or unclogging solution(use the Cleaning Solution or Xtreme Cleaning Solution for resolving clogs/cleaning purposes). For long-term maintenance (such as when you're going on vacation), use the Maintenance Solution instead.
MAINTENANCE SOLUTION:For printhead maintenance (Vacation Mode). This solution is to keep your printheads lubricated and to preserve them in the condition they currently are in. Before using this solution you should ensure that your printheads are working properly with no clogs or gaps on nozzle tests.NOTE: This maintenance solution does NOT clean or unclog your printhead(use the Cleaning Solution or Xtreme Cleaning Solution for those purposes).
DE-PLASTICIZING SOLUTION: Apply with cleaning swabs to ink that has solidified around your printhead, capping station, or on the wiper blade.DO NOT insert this solution into the capping station or into your printhead channels.
* Printhead flushing needs to be done with extreme caution, as spillage of fluids/solutions around the printhead can damage electrical cables/boards and result in additional repairs needed to your printer
If you have a severe clog that you are unable to resolve via the above methods, your last resort would be to replace the printhead or have it professinally cleaned/refurbished. New printheads can typically range from a few hundred dollars, to over $1000 for certain models.
This item includes 1 x NO RISK Professional Printhead Cleaning Service.
Once we receive your printhead, we require 3-5 business days to inspect / repair / test your printhead. In most cases, and assuming the printhead has not suffered any physical damage, we are able to successfully restore it and in that case we will ship it back to you (we cover this shipping cost). If we are unable to successfully restore it, we will refund you for this service item purchase (you can opt to have it returned to you).
Printheads that we currently offer this service for: Epson L1800 / L805 / Epson XP600 / Epson 4720 / Epson I3200 / Epson DX5 / Epson DX6 / Epson DX7
