Flushing Epson Pro and Desktop Model Printers for Safe Long-term Storage, or to Unclog a Printer

[IJM_TechSupport]

To flush ink lines, dampers and print head in an Epson PRO MODEL printer (including R3000):

1. Remove the set of ink cartridges.
2. Install a set of PiezoFlush cartridges.
3. Preform an Initial Fill/Ink Charge Cycle, thru the printer control panel (or the Adjustment Program, depending on your printer model).
   *Adjustment Programs can be purchased and downloaded from www.2manuals.com (NOTE: Adjustment Programs are only PC compatible)

*To learn how to do an Initial Fill, please refer to the procedure specific to your printer model here:

Initial Fill Procedures for Epson Pro Model Printers

An Initial Fill Cycle is necessary for flushing all channels simultaneously when changing inks, or when installing PiezoFlush for cleaning or long-term storage. Before doing an Initial Fill Cycle, make sure 1. all cartridges contain enough ink or flush to avoid running empty, and 2. you have a spare waste tank on hand (or, even better: reuse and reset your waste tank). Note: the R3000 doesn’t have a removable waste ink tank (all other printers listed on this page do), but an external waste ink …

4. Print a nozzle check to confirm all ink has been purged from the lines/dampers/head, and all positions are fully printing light pink PiezoFlush. If ink is still visible in the nozzle check, a few more regular cleaning cycles can be preformed to purge the remaining ink, which can occasionally stick in the dampers.
5. If storing the printer, clean the printer’s capping station, flushing box and wiper blade after all positions on the nozzle check print pure PiezoFlush and all ink has been flushed, then leave the flush carts installed and turn the printer off while it sits unused for as long as needed.
6. If flushing the lines/dampers/head to install a different ink, then install the new set of ink carts after confirming the nozzle check prints pure pink/PiezoFlush in step 4, then do another Initial Fill/Ink Charge Cycle to move ink from the new carts to the print head. When the Ink Charge is finished, print a nozzle check to make sure all positions are fully printing with the new ink, then make a small test print and continue printing with the new inks.
7. If flushing to try clearing a clog, allow the printer to rest for at least 24hrs with PiezoFlush installed (after doing the first Initial Fill Cycle) to give PiezoFlush time to dissolve dried ink and break up clogs. After sitting for at least 24hrs with PiezoFlush installed, print a manual nozzle check to evaluate the results. If all channels fully print pink, and all nozzles are printing, then cleaning was successful. If ink color is still present, and/or not all nozzles are fully printing, then preform a second Initial Fill Cycle and let the printer sit for 12-48hrs, before printing another nozzle check to evaluate the status. If the nozzle check is still not clean, proceed with other cleaning procedures, as outlined in our Printer Maintenance and Cleaning document.
   NOTE: For the best results and longest life from your carts, store unused cartridges by sealing the air vent holes (masking or electrical tape works well), and place upright in a sealed zip lock bag to prevent drying.

To flush ink in an Epson DESKTOP (NO internal ink lines or dampers) model printer:

1. Remove the set of ink cartridges from the printer.
2. Install a set of PiezoFlush cartridges.
3. Do 2-3 cleaning cycles using the Epson utility, or by holding the ink button on the printer for a few seconds.
4. Print a nozzle check to confirm all ink has been purged from the print head channels, and all positions are fully printing light pink PiezoFlush.
5. If storing the printer, clean the printer’s capping station and wiper blade after all positions on the nozzle check print pure PiezoFlush and all ink has been flushed, then leave the flush carts installed and turn the printer off while the printer sits unused.
   NOTE: For the best results and longest life from your carts, store unused cartridges by sealing the air vent holes (masking or electrical tape works well), and place upright in a sealed zip lock bag to prevent drying.
6. If flushing the print head to install a different ink, install the new set of ink carts after confirming the nozzle check prints pure pink/PiezoFlush in step 4, then do another 2-3 cleaning cycles to get ink flowing thru the carts and print head. Print a nozzle check to make sure all positions are fully printing with the new ink, then make a small test print and continue printing with the new inks.
   7.If flushing to try clearing a clog, do 2-3 cleaning cycles after installing PiezoFlush carts, then let the printer sit with flush installed for at least 24hrs, to give PiezoFlush time to dissolve dried ink and break up a clog. After sitting with flush for at least 24hrs, do 1-2 more cleaning cycles, then print a nozzle check to evaluate the status. If all channels fully print pink, and all nozzles are printing, then cleaning was successful. If ink color is still present, and/or not all nozzles are fully printing, move onto other cleaning procedures, as outlined in our Printer Maintenance and Cleaning document.

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To reinstall ink in a PRO MODEL printer that has been stored with PiezoFlush:

1. Before removing the flush carts, turn the printer on and print a nozzle check to confirm all positions are fully printing pink PiezoFlush. Do a cleaning cycle if needed.
2. After confirming all positions are fully printing, open the cartridge bays and remove the set of flush carts.
   NOTE: For the best results and longest life from your carts, store unused cartridges by sealing the air vent holes (masking or electrical tape works well), and place upright in a sealed zip lock bag to prevent drying.
3. Shake the ink cartridges, and if your cartridge model has air vent holes, remove the plugs so all vent holes are open for proper ink flow. Make sure the exit channels are filled with ink, and if they’re not- tilt forward or prime with our special priming tip and syringe to fill.
4. Install the set of ink cartridges in their proper positions, then lower the cartridge locking levers and/or close the cartridge bay doors.
5. Preform an Initial Fill/Ink Charge Cycle, thru the printer control panel (or the Adjustment Program, depending on your printer model).
   *Adjustment Programs can be purchased and downloaded from www.2manuals.com (NOTE: Adjustment Programs are only PC compatible)

*To learn how to do an Initial Fill, please refer to the procedure specific to your printer model here:

Initial Fill Procedures for Epson Pro Model Printers

An Initial Fill Cycle is necessary for flushing all channels simultaneously when changing inks, or when installing PiezoFlush for cleaning or long-term storage. Before doing an Initial Fill Cycle, make sure 1. all cartridges contain enough ink or flush to avoid running empty, and 2. you have a spare waste tank on hand (or, even better: reuse and reset your waste tank). Note: the R3000 doesn’t have a removable waste ink tank (all other printers listed on this page do), but an external waste ink …

6. A small amount of flush may still be mixed in the dampers, so print a nozzle check then a small test image to check for a pink cast, if needed run a few more regular cleaning cycles to purge the last bit of flush fluid before printing full size.
7. Print a nozzle check to confirm all positions are fully printing with ink, then print a test image and continue printing as normal.

To reinstall ink in an Epson DEKSTOP (NO internal ink lines or dampers) model printer:

1. Before removing the flush carts, turn the printer on and print a nozzle check to confirm all positions are fully printing pink PiezoFlush. Do a cleaning cycle if needed.
2. Remove the set of flush cartridges from the printer.
   NOTE: For the best results and longest life from your carts, store unused cartridges by sealing the air vent holes (masking or electrical tape works well), and place upright in a sealed zip lock bag to prevent drying.
3. Shake the ink carts to ensure in-suspension ink, refill with ink if needed, and remove air vent plugs from the carts (for models with vent plugs), then tap a few times exit valve down on a folded paper towel to force ink down and air up, before installing the set of carts into your printer.
4. Do 2-3 cleaning cycles using the Epson utility, or by holding the ink button on the printer for a few seconds.
5. Print a nozzle check to confirm all flush has been purged from the print head channels, and all positions are fully printing with ink, then make a small test print and continue printing with the new inks.

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[Hamilton]

I purchased the ACC-110 Flush Kit hoping it would clean the black channel in an Epson Artisan 835. I have been using your InkThrift CL with no problem until the black recently stopped printing. I put 20ml or more of the cleaning solution into the cartridge opening but nothing came out the print head. I tried 2 cleanings but the black continues to print nothing. Has the black print head failed as all the other colors are perfect? I looked at the cleaning video so I don’t know what to try next.
Thanks for any suggestion. Bruce

[Paul_Whiting]

Dana,

I thought I had already posted a msg here but maybe it didn’t “take” or maybe it ended up somewhere else. Pardon the repetition!

I’d like to put my 1430 into storage as per your instructions in the article. I’ve been using the Inkthrift CL capsules but getting some clogs that I haven’t had much success with. Have used all the techniques in your excellent video but no luck. I need to put that printer aside for a while but wondering if it’s ok to store the printer even if it has less than perfect nozzle checks. Perhaps being in storage with Piezoflush will in fact cure my nozzle checks. I’m in no hurry, my 1400 is running fine and in fact I got the 1430 as a backup for the time when my 1400 reaches the end of its lifespan.

Thank you,

Paul