How to Properly Store Your DTF Printer for a 1-Week Break
Whether you're heading out for vacation, attending an event, or simply stepping away from your workspace, properly preparing your DTF printer for short-term storage is essential. Even a one-week break without the right precautions can lead to clogged nozzles, poor ink flow, or film issues—resulting in costly downtime when you're back.
This guide will walk you through best practices for storing your DTF printer for up to one week, including ink system prep, environmental control, and tips to ensure your first print after your return runs just as smoothly as before you left.
- Ensure Proper Environment
Humidity & Temperature:
Maintain 45–60% relative humidity to prevent your print heads from drying out and clogging. Use a non-condensing humidifier if needed.
Keep the ambient temperature between 59°F and 90°F (15°C – 32°C). Extreme temperatures can thicken ink or dry out the print head prematurely.
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Inspect and Clean the Maintenance Station
Wipe Down the Head Wiper: Use a cleaning solution with applicators or lint-free towels to clean the rubber wiper near the maintenance station.
Clean Ink Pads & Borders: Check the capping station’s ink pads for excess ink. If saturated, clean carefully using a lint-free towel—avoid moving the pads out of alignment.
Ensure the Print Head Is Properly Aligned & Sealing: Make sure the print head seals flush with the capping pads to maintain moisture and vacuum during idle periods.
- Wet Cap Both Print Heads (Highly Recommended)
After maintenance station cleaning:
Fill the ink stack pads with moisturizing or wet capping fluid—right up to the top.
Ensure proper contact between the fluid and the print head nozzles to keep them moist during storage.
⚠️ Tip: Don’t confuse this with using cleaning solution directly on the head—wet capping fluid is specifically formulated for long-term nozzle preservation.
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Clean the Adhesive Powder Area
Wipe the metal dusting roller bar and powder compartment (including the top lid and bottom drawer).
Remove visible powder clumps and dust using a brush or cloth.
DTF powder typically lasts 3 to 6 months, depending on usage. Replace as needed for optimal adhesion.
- Check Ink Quality/Consistency & Levels
Before leaving your printer for the week, it's essential to ensure your ink is in good condition:
Ink Levels: Ensure all ink tanks are at least 50% full to maintain pressure and prevent air from entering the ink lines.
Ink Quality: Look for signs of clumping, separation, or thickening, especially in white ink.
White Ink Circulation: Run your printer’s white ink circulation cycle as recommended to prevent pigment settling.
- DTF 2402T : White ink cycle – Ricoma
- DTF 1202T : White ink cycle – Ricoma
- DTF Aire : White ink cycle – Ricoma
Do Not Power Off the Machine Completely
For a 1-week storage period, it’s highly advised to leave your printer powered ON and idle, rather than shutting it down completely.
Why? Our DTF printers perform automatic maintenance routines while idle. This helps prevent nozzle drying, clogs, and white ink sedimentation.
What to Do Instead: Keep the machine plugged in and powered on. Avoid any printing activity, but let the printer handle the internal routines.
If your machine must be powered off, then wet capping and flushing procedures are mandatory to protect the print head.
Need additional help?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for further assistance via email at service@ricoma.com or by visiting our support page at www.ricoma.com/US/support.