1. Always leave your printer on to allow automated maintenance procedures to run. While shutting down the machine after a long day of printing may seem harmless, DTG experts understand that doing so without the proper preparation is dangerous.
   
   The printer doesn't just sit idle when not in use, it actually follows a strict and optimized schedule of self-cleaning to stay in peak condition and ready for use at a moment's notice. Of course, the machine can be shut off when the need arises, but the proper steps must be taken- especially for moving or long-term storage.
   
   When powering down the machine for more than 12 hours, the lines will need to be filled with cleaner fluid and the printhead must be protected by the carriage cap with cleaning solution applied. Refer to Section 8.3 of your User Manual or contact Technical Support for more information.
   
   
2. Keep the printer in a controlled environment to produce the best quality images. Humidity and temperature are often overlooked, but they play a big role in your print results. A good humidity level is between 45% - 80% and with temperature you'll want to aim somewhere between 59°F - 86°F (15°C - 30°C). 
   
   If you are struggling to keep up with humidity in a large space, many customers have reported their success in setting up a tent to house their printer.
   
   
3. Always shake new white ink cartridges thoroughly before installing them in your printer. Adequately shaking your new white ink cartridges helps ensure that your prints will come out bright and vibrant. Refer to the User Manual, page 18, for more information.
   
   
4. Perform a nozzle check daily so you can spot and quickly address potential issues with the printer. Nozzle checks are quick, easy, and will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. 
   
   If your nozzle check isn't perfect, there's no need to panic. Just run an automated head clean or two to see if you are able to clear them. It's a lot easier to recover nozzles if you catch them early. 
   
   Making sure that you aren't missing nozzles before starting each set of prints will guarantee the best output and prevent wasting materials and time troubleshooting.
   
   
5. Make sure your ink is at 5% or above when you are done printing for the day or plan to leave your printer idle for longer than a few hours.
   
   The Ri 1000 needs to conduct automated maintenance procedures on the printheads every three hours, which is necessary to keep the nozzles clean and functional.
   
   During the maintenance cycle, the printer pushes out dried ink that has been sitting on the surface of the printhead and puts fresh ink in its place, the leftover residue is then wiped off. While this reduces user maintenance requirements and increases part life, it will no longer operate when running out of ink.
   
   Your printer will prompt you when a cartridge becomes low on ink, this is a reminder to make sure you have replacement ink available to continue operation.
   
   If you do not have replacement ink available, you can fill your printer with cleaning fluid. Refer to Section 8.3 of your User Manual. 
   
   
6. Perform maintenance as instructed by the printer prompts and maintenance guide. While your needs will vary depending on your print volume, environment, and preventative habits, there are three general categories of maintenance: daily, weekly, and monthly.
   
   Your daily maintenance is simple and takes less than five minutes-- shake your white cartridges, run a nozzle check (and cleans, if needed), and make sure the machine is in its 'Ready' state. Check the status menu for any messages: make sure the cartridges are above 5%, the waste ink is below 100%, and you're all set.
   
   Weekly maintenance is done once or twice a week depending on your print volume and is a little more involved, taking around 10 minutes. Just release the printhead(s), power off the machine, and thoroughly clean off the maintenance station(s) and encoder strip(s). Then, carefully wipe ink buildup off from the printhead.
   
   Monthly maintenance also takes around 10 minutes and involves regreasing the rods holding the printheads. Simply release the printhead and shut down the printer, then wipe any excess grease off the rods and apply a new thin coat. Make sure its distributed evenly and then clean off the encoder strips which may have picked up some residue. While here, check the fan filters to see if they are in need of a replacement.
   
   Failure to perform maintenance will reduce the effectiveness of autocleaning procedures which will in turn lead to printer damage, so the time investment is well worth it.
   
   
7. Make sure the obstacle sensor is on. If the sensor is off, head strikes may occur and cause damage to the carriage. To check if your obstacle sensor is enabled, navigate to the OPTIONS panel. The sensor is on when the blue light is illuminated on the OBSTACLE SENSOR button.
   
   
8. Set the table height correctly when beginning printing and changing substrates that you are printing on. If you're printing on a thick fabric like a sweatshirt and then switch to a regular T-shirt, recalibrating the height will keep the platen at the optimal distance from the printheads to produce the best quality prints. 
   
   If the height isn't readjusted, the printhead could be too far from the fabric causing blurry images or too close to the fabric causing a collision. Improper height settings may also lead to overspray which could damage the printer over time. 
   
   If the garment is dressed on the platen, the number on the table height adjuster should be between 0-2. If not dressing the garment, the number value should be no more than 4. Refer to Section 2.2 of your User Manual.
   
   
9. Exercise care when adjusting table height or changing platens. While ruggedly constructed, the RICOH Ri 1000 is a precision tool and care should be taken when making adjustments to the machine. Do NOT over-tighten the table-height-adjustment knob past "0" and carefully install platen without banging it against the print table.
   
   
10. Stay updated! Visit the downloads page regularly to ensure that you're up to date with the latest firmware, user manual, and RIP software. Improvements are always being made and we want to make sure that everyone benefits; if you want the best from your printer, don't let outdated software hold you back.
    
    

BONUS TIP: Contact our Technical Support team whenever you have questions about your machine, we're here to help!

Technical Support can be reached by phone at 631-848-0411, or by email at support@garmentprinterink.com