Epson-based DTG Printers

Introduction

The ink you have just acquired is an aqueous-based, environmentally friendly ink, which has the same basic four-color formulation as the original DuPont™ ink you have been using in your Epson-based direct-to-garment (DTG) printer.  This means that you can print on the same type of garments--white or light-colored T-shirts, and other garments made of 100% cotton or 50-50 polyester-cotton blends—at a lower cost and with an increased wash fastness. For illustration purposes, this document uses the Epson Stylus® Pro 4800 printer model as a reference, but other Epson models, including the 4880, function in a similar way.  In all cases, you must be using refillable cartridges, which should be empty of the original ink. Using a funnel to prevent spills, just pour NaturaLink gradually into the refillable cartridge of the same color as the ink.  Be careful not to overfill.  This Quick Guide will instruct you how to charge your Epson-based DTG printer with the new ink and begin printing.  For more detailed information about the operation and maintenance of your printer, please refer to the User's Manual or other documentation guides that came with the printer.  

 

Important Precautions

The same precautions apply when using NaturaLink ink as when using DuPont DTG ink.  Your DTG printer manual lists all of the precautions pertaining to the printer.  This section will concentrate on those directly related to the new ink and the printed output. 

• Store your NaturaLink cartridges away from direct sunlight until they are required.  When stored properly, the ink will maintain its integrity for a minimum of 12 months. 
• Be sure the blue levers that secure and lock the cartridges in place are in their downward position and do not attempt to pull out the ink cartridges during printing.
• Garments coming off the printer will have the finished look, but the ink will still be wet and, therefore, will transfer easily to other objects.  Be careful when handling a freshly printed garment until the image has been fixed by heat and pressure.  Make sure not to allow the printed side to touch any surface or to fold onto itself, however slightly.
• To cure, or fix, the image, press the printed garment on a heat press at the following settings:
  • Temperature: 375° F
  • Pressure:         40 psi
  • Dwell time:       25 seconds 

Before it is cured, NaturaLink can be wiped off with a cloth or paper towel soaked wet with a common household cleaner such as Simple Green, which is readily available at Wal-Mart or other similar-type stores. 
 

Refilling the Ink Cartridges

This NaturaLink formulation is compatible with your original DuPont DTG ink, so you may refill your refillable Epson cartridges when they are empty.  You need not worry about the original ink still remaining in the lines and dampers. 

0. Make sure that all printing has stopped and your printer is in the Ready state.
0. Remove the stopper from your refillable cartridge and insert a funnel to facilitate refilling and prevent spills (see image at right).  Be sure to match the color of the label on the ink bottle with that on the printer slot—yellow in this illustration. 
0. Refill the cartridge, but do not overfill.  Stop filling at or below the MAX line level.  If your refillable cartridge does not have a MAX line, stop filling at 5/8 inch from the top.
0. Perform a nozzle check to ensure that all of the nozzles are firing.  If one or more nozzles are missing, perform a Normal Cleaning operation.

You are now ready to print.  

 

Maintenance

NaturaLink is not only friendly to the environment, it is also friendly to your printer, and it is designed to provide continuous and trouble-free printing.  If you experience an occasional nozzle drop, perform a Normal Cleaning, and follow it up with a nozzle check to ensure that all nozzles are firing properly. From time to time (depending on the amount of printing you do), use a lint-free swab immersed in Simple Green or similar cleaner to remove accumulated lint and ink from the print head and the areas with which it comes into contact.  These areas include the capping station, the discharge cup, and the wiper blade, as well as around the print head itself, but do not touch the nozzle area!  

 

Limited Warranty

Sawgrass Technologies agrees to either replace the goods or refund the purchase price for the goods, which shall be Sawgrass' sole liability and responsibility for errors or defects in these goods, and which shall be the Purchaser’s sole remedy for errors or defects in the goods, whether in contract, in negligence or other tort, or under any warranty. THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SPECIFICALLY, THERE IS NO IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND NO IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SAWGRASS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OR DAMAGE OF EQUIPMENT, LOSS OF PROFIT OR REVENUE, OR OTHER ECONOMIC LOSS, OR COSTS OF RENTING REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT, OR FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER SIMILAR DAMAGES.  * DuPont™ is a trademark of E. I DuPont de Nemours and Company; Stylus®  is a registered trademark of the Seiko Epson Corporation, and all other names and symbols are the property of the respective entities.