In order to allow you to better understand this phenomenon, this article will be centered around DTF ink breaks continuously and other issues to explain, as well as give some possible solutions.
Understanding What “DTF Ink Breaks Continuously” Means
When your printer’s printheads start outputting ink intermittently and you can see ink dots or drops on the film. That’s a good indication that ink breakage has occurred. Ink breaks can be occasional or continuous:
- Occasional Ink Break indicates that the problem rarely occurs, and that there may be just a little ink spot or droplet every now and then.
- Continuous Ink Break means that the printer sometimes fails to output ink, and sometimes it can output ink, with the length of the interval depending on the situation. And it can happen repeatedly in a single job.
You need to note that ink breakage is not always caused by printer problems, there are times when problems with the ink itself can cause ink breakage. For example, if the DTF ink is poorly flowing, expired, or improperly stored, it can cause ink breakage. However, this is less likely to be a problem with the printer than with the printer itself, and more likely to be a problem with the printer.
Why Recording the Problem Is Your First Step
Before jumping into repairs, your best move is to record a video and take clear photos of the issue. Continuous ink breaks are hard to explain with words alone, and without visual proof, an engineer can only guess based on the printer’s current state.
By sending a video showing the printing process and the resulting output, you help the support team see exactly what’s happening — which saves a lot of back-and-forth and ensures they can give you accurate advice.
Normally the engineer will advise you to test the printer itself first and then will then ask you to change the ink to try it out. Going through these processes can be time consuming if you don’t have a recorded video.
Quick Checks Before Calling for Help
You can perform some quick tests yourself whenever there is an ink break:
- Print a nozzle check pattern – This shows the health of your printhead and whether certain colors are missing.
- Check the ink valve – Make sure the ink supply valve is fully open so DTF ink can flow freely.
- Inspect the ink bag filter – A clogged filter can block ink from reaching the printhead.
- Test ink flow with a syringe – Carefully connect a syringe to the ink bag outlet and see if you can draw ink smoothly.
If any of these checks show a problem, you’ve likely found a major clue to the cause.
Possible Solutions When DTF Ink Breaks Continuously
From our own experience, here are a few fixes that have worked for us — they are not an absolute solution, but they can work.
- Replace the ink bag – Swapping in a new ink bag and running a nozzle check can sometimes solve the issue instantly.
- Manually clean the printhead and flush the ink lines – Automatic cleaning cycles don’t always catch everything. Try a manual deep clean, and also clean the ink tank and tubing periodically.
- Replace the printhead – This is the most expensive option, but if the printhead is damaged or worn out, replacement is often the only permanent fix.