Prestige A3+ DTF Support
Setup
1. Initial Setup
2. Software Installation - CADlink
3: Opening Procedure
4: Closing Procedure
Maintenance
1. In-Depth Maintenance
2. Long Term Storage
3. Print Head Deep Clean
4. How to Ink Drain
Troubleshooting
1. Required Maintenance While Waiting for Technical Assistance
2. Head Strike - How to Save Print Head
3. Reset Waste Ink Counter
4. Damper Replacement
5. WIMS (Pump) Replacement
6. Print Head Replacement
7. Banding
8. How to Increase White Ink
9. Replacing Ink Management Board
10. Print Head Deep Clean
11. Damper Replacement
Below are some solutions for common results. For Fatal Error, Please contact Image Creations support with a screenshot of the error code as well as your serial number.
Error Code: 2R CR Load Position
You can manually reset the load position. Follow these videos in order until fixed:
Additional information:
RED MAINTENANCE LIGHT STAYS ON (INK DROP)
This alert is typically due to low ink levels. If your inks are full, you need to reset the ink levels.
Printer thinks waste tank is full. Reset Waste Ink Counter. Contact support for assistance.
Critical error inhibiting normal operation of printer. Contact support for assistance.
White ink is prone to separation if left unattended for too long and can cause damage or clogging in the print head, dampers, and ink lines.
It is critical that you perform daily maintenance actions. For a period longer than three days, you will want to use the provided long term storage cartridges and flush the print head free of ink. An extended period of time beyond a week requires flushing the white ink bottle and ink lines at a minimum. Contact support if you are uncertain what configuration you should leave your printer in before traveling or storing it.
DO NOT STOP AGITATING WHITE INK OR PERFORMING DAILY MAINTENANCE ACTIONS WHILE WAITING FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT. STAGNATION OF WHITE INK CAN CAUSE FURTHER ISSUES OR WORSEN EXISTING ONES.
- Mix your white ink thoroughly with the handle of a cleaning swab
- Check the condition of the dampers on your machine to ensure they are not damaged, and that they are filled with ink. Gently shake the dampers to mix the ink.
- Pull approximately some ink through the lines through the waste tank tubing. This will ensure there are no air bubbles in the line.
- Pour cleaning solution in the capping station and drain with syringe via waste tube.
- Complete a head clean on the machine
- Check your white strength. White strength should be adjusted depending on the surface the print will be adhered to
- Pooling, running, or bleeding ink is most likely caused by:
- Print mode settings
- Incompatible film and ink set
- Film PET coating defect
- Expired/separated ink
MY WHITE INK LOOKS CLEAR / OFF-WHITE IN THE INK LINES OR APPEARS WATERY ON FILM.
These are symptoms of white ink separation. White ink must be agitated/circulated daily for best results. This includes white ink not inside the printer.
- Circulate White Ink 2-3 times by power cycling the main power switch on rear of printer.
- Pull from the White Damper to remove 20ml of white ink each damper. – Perform 2-3 head cleanings.
- Print nozzle check pattern. If good, test print.
If issue persists, flush white ink lines and replace with fresh ink.
AFTER ONE OR TWO PRINTS, MY COLOR OR WHITE INK IS DISAPPEARING/DISCOLORATION ONLY AT THE BEGINNING OR END OF THE PRINT
Ink is not flowing properly through print head. The most common cause is related to a defective ink damper.
- Test damper for leaks.
- Verify the dampers are properly seated on printhead.
- Visually inspect ink lines for creases or damage.
- Pull approximately 20 ml from the waste ink line via syringe and perform a head cleaning.
- If this issue persists, replace ink damper.
MY COLORS ARE NOT COMING OUT CORRECTLY (AFTER PRINTING)
Do not use third party ink or film. Our print modes are tested exclusively with film and ink we endorse. Using third party ink or film will affect print quality and may void your warranty.
- Print nozzle check pattern
- Verify the correct print queue and mode are selected on the queue and job tabs underneath the preview window in Digital Factory
- Perform damper function test of channel that appears most affected.
MY COLORS ARE NOT COMING OUT CORRECTLY (AFTER CURING OR TRANSFERRING)
Discoloration during the curing or transfer processes is typically caused by excessive or improper temperature settings or defective film coating. Verify you are using the correct time and temperature requirements for your method of curing (heat press, oven, dryer). If issue has not previously occurred and your process has not changed, then the film is the most probable cause. Perform 2-3 test prints and cures.
I’M GETTING STREAK/TRACK MARKS ON THE FILM
Special attention must be paid to the direction of the smearing or track marks.
- If they are horizontal (i.e. the direction the print head travels) a head strike is the most likely cause.
- Vertical marks indicate a dirty internal roller. This can be cleaned with the included cleaning solution and cleaning swabs.
- If the marks appear to be in a random pattern or localized to one specific area across different prints, visually inspect encoder strip for damage/dirt. Encoder strip can be cleaned with included cloth and isopropyl alcohol.
Banding is thin lines running through a print. It can be caused by a number of things, such as printhead clog/damage, print mode, damaged dampers, issues with the ink or the film. If you are experiencing banding, please try the following:
- Perform a head clean
- Check that your dampers are in good working order and do not have any damage.
- Check that your ink is not expired
- Perform a printhead deep clean
PRINT HEAD DEEP CLEAN
Removing the printhead (Video #1 until 2:26) –