What Causes Clogged Nozzles?
Before I tell you how to fix the issue - it's helpful to know why it happens (and this applies to pretty much any printer, not just the 24" Epson sublimation printer).
The Epson F570 is a true dye sublimation printer that uses specialized ink that can sometimes dry in the print head when the printer sits unused for a period of time. This is completely normal and easy to resolve with a simple maintenance routine.
How to Check for Clogged Nozzles
The first step is always to run a nozzle check to see exactly what's happening with your printer. Here's how to do it.
On the F570 touchscreen, tap "Settings" > "Maintenance" > "Print Head Nozzle Check".
Select your paper source (roll or sheet) where you want the nozzle check to print then hit "Start" to print the test pattern.
The printer will quickly print a small test pattern showing all the CMYK nozzles. This is basically your diagnostic tool - it will show you exactly which nozzles are clogged or not firing correctly.
How to Read Your Nozzle Check Pattern
When you look at the printed nozzle check, you want to see complete, solid lines for each color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black). If you see gaps, missing sections, or faint lines, that indicates clogged nozzles.
In my example, the black nozzles were about half missing, and the magenta had some spotty areas. The yellow and blue (cyan) looked pretty good.
Running a Print Head Cleaning
If your nozzle check shows missing lines, like mine, you'll want to clean the print head. Return to the touchscreen where it should now have a screen asking you what the nozzle check looks like.
Select the "missing nozzles" option on the touchscreen. The printer will then suggest a head cleaning - tap to confirm.
Wait for the cleaning cycle to complete (usually takes 2-3 minutes), but there will be an estimate time remaining on the touchscreen.
When prompted, run another nozzle check to check if the head cleaning fixed the clogged nozzle.
Comparing Results
The difference between before and after can be dramatic! In my case, the second nozzle check showed perfectly formed lines across all colors. That's the incredible quality the Epson F570 sublimation printer (link) is capable of when properly maintained (link to blog post on easiest sublimation printer to maintain).
If your second check still shows missing nozzles, you may need to run a second cleaning cycle. For stubborn clogs, you might need the "Power Cleaning" option, though use this sparingly as it uses more ink.
This Works for Most Printers!
While I'm demonstrating on the Epson F570, this nozzle check/head clean process is a general rule for most printers, including:
- Inkjet printers
- DTF printers
- Roland ecosolvent printers
- Other sublimation printers
If you're still having trouble with your Epson F570 or another sublimation printer, I offer personalized, same-day support through Silhouette U.
And don't forget to check out my free sublimation cost calculator to help with pricing!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!
.png)
No comments
Thanks for leaving a comment! We get several hundred comments a day. While we appreciate every single one of them it's nearly impossible to respond back to all of them, all the time. So... if you could help me by treating these comments like a forum where readers help readers.
In addition, don't forget to look for specific answers by using the Search Box on the blog. If you're still not having any luck, feel free to email me with your question.