What causes the print head to scratch PET during printing, and how to avoid it?

Many customers, when first using the DTF solution or if using an immature DTF solution, may encounter the issue of the printhead scratching the PET film. This situation is highly undesirable as it can potentially damage the printhead and cause extensive nozzle loss, often leading to prolonged production interruptions.  This can result in customers developing a negative impression of the DTF solution, or even deep disappointment.  We are sharing the following information to help customers clearly understand this issue and almost entirely avoid its occurrence, thereby ensuring a smooth and satisfactory experience with their DTF solution.

Possible reasons and precautions accordingly:

● Uneven printing platform: make sure the printing platform itself is even and at the same height level from one side to the other.

● Water or inks on the platform: make sure the printing platform is clean and dry, water, inks or other solutions could cause resistance power to PET moving forward during printing.

● Excessive suction power: make sure the suction power is properly set, not too much, which could interrupt film feeding process during printing.

● Incorrect guarding plate position: the guarding plate should cover the film edge with about 5mm width: not enough will cause film curling when film moving forward;  too much will damage your prints or limit your printing area.

● Uneven PET loading: make sure the tension of both sides of the film is even before feeding into the printer, obvious uneven tension will push film moving from one side to the other causing film curling on the printing platform.

Once scratching occurs, stop printing immediately and clean the nozzles to prevent blocking nozzles irreversible.  If multiple cleanings fail to restore the nozzles, please pour some warm water into the ink pad, then return the printhead to its original position so that the surface of the printhead is soaked in the water.  Check the restoration status after one hour.  If the nozzles are still not fully restored, continue soaking until they are restored or no new nozzles are cleaned out.