Checking Before Printing

On this machine, ink affixed on the surface of the print heads might be cured by reflection of the UV light and ink mist (ink splash upon printing). If ink affixed on the surface of the print heads is cured, dot drop-outs may occur. Continued use of the product in this state may cause a failure that requires the replacement of the print heads.

While daily cleaning is necessary to prevent dot drop-outs, there are also important points to check before printing.

1. Do not use objects that easily reflect light.

Materials that are likely to reflect the UV light, such as mirrors and stainless steel, accelerate the curing of the surface of the print heads and therefore cannot be used as the object to be printed on.

2. Maintain a correct distance from the print heads.

As the distance between the print heads and the printing surface of the object to be printed on increases, the likelihood of ink mist increases. Measure the height of the object to be printed on before installing it. The position with the flat table lowered by the measured value is the correct distance between the print heads and the printing surface of the object to be printed on.

3. Consider whether a jig is necessary.

As the distance between the object to be printed on and the print heads increases, the likelihood of ink mist increases. Therefore, a jig might be required according to the size and shape of the object to be printed on. Prepare a jig if one of the following conditions is met.

  • With just the object to be printed on, no margins can be obtained in the areas 40 mm (1.57 in.) to both the right and left of the portion (width) of the data to be printed.
    MediaGap02
    Print heads Data area
    Object to be printed on Margin: 40 mm (1.57 in.) or more
    Jig Less than 2 mm (78.7 mil) in height difference from the actual print surface
  • The variation in height of the surface of the object to be printed on is 2 mm (78.7 mil) or more.
    MediaGap03
    Print heads Data area
    Object to be printed on Margin: 40 mm (1.57 in.) or more
    Jig Less than 2 mm (78.7 mil) in height difference from the actual print surface