Overview

If printed marks appear faded, incomplete, or are not printing at all, follow the steps below in order. These steps address the most common causes and help restore normal print quality.

1. Check the Basics

Before performing maintenance:

• Confirm the ink cartridge is not low, empty, or expired
• Ensure the ink cartridge is fully seated and locked in place
• Visually inspect the print head/nozzle for dried ink, dust, or debris

2. Clean the Print Head

• Remove the ink cartridge from the printer
• Use a provided alcohol wipe
• Gently wipe the nozzle plate to remove dried ink or debris
  • Do not scrub
  • Do not apply excessive pressure
• Allow the print head to fully air dry
• Reinstall the ink cartridge

3. Gently Agitate the Ink Cartridge (If Applicable)

• Lightly tilt or roll the cartridge side-to-side several times
• Do not shake aggressively
  • Excessive shaking can introduce air bubbles and degrade print quality
• Reinstall the cartridge and check print performance

4. Run a Test Print / Purge / Prime Cycle

• Power on the printer
• From the printer screen:
  • Select Menu
  • Navigate to Maintenance
  • Select Ink Tools
  • Choose Test Print, Purge, or Prime
• Follow on-screen prompts until the cycle completes
• Review the test print for improved line quality and consistency

5. Replace the Ink Cartridge

Replace the cartridge if:

• Cleaning does not improve print quality
• Ink level is low, empty, or expired
• Printing remains inconsistent after agitation and purge
• The cartridge has exceeded its recommended service life

6. Verify Environmental Conditions

Environmental conditions can significantly impact ink performance. Ensure the printer is operating within the ranges below.

Recommended Operating Range

• Temperature: 50°F–95°F (10°C–35°C)
• Relative Humidity: 20%–80% (non-condensing)

Temperature Effects

• Below 50°F (10°C)
  • Ink becomes more viscous, restricting flow
  • Causes faded, broken, or missing print lines
  • Water-based inks are especially affected
• Above 95°F (35°C)
  • Ink may dry too quickly at the nozzle
  • Leads to clogging or intermittent printing
  • Solvent-based inks are more prone to rapid evaporation

Humidity Effects

• Below 20% Relative Humidity (RH)
  • Accelerates ink drying at the nozzle
  • Increases risk of nozzle clogging
  • Affects both water-based and solvent-based inks
• Above 80% Relative Humidity (RH)
  • Slows ink drying on the surface
  • May cause smearing, feathering, or poor adhesion
  • Water-based inks are most impacted

Best Practices

• Allow ink cartridges to acclimate to ambient temperature before use
• Avoid placing printers near:
  • Open doors or exterior walls
  • Heaters or HVAC vents
  • Direct sunlight
• If operating outside the recommended range, expect degraded print quality and increased maintenance

If environmental adjustments do not resolve the issue, escalate per site procedure (maintenance, supervisor, or support).

Operator Best Practices

• Clean print heads before ink fully dries
• Store cartridges according to manufacturer guidelines
• Avoid touching the nozzle with fingers
• Do not use compressed air on the print head