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How to Keep a Converted Sublimation Printer From Clogging

 

How to Keep a Converted Sublimation Printer From Clogging

This post may contain affiliate links, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.


What Most People Skip and Why Their Printer “Dies”

Converted sublimation printers, especially Epson EcoTank models, are one of the most affordable ways to get into sublimation. And yes, they work extremely well when set up correctly.

But there’s one problem almost no beginner is warned about:

Converted sublimation printers don’t fail randomly. They clog because of inactivity and setup mistakes.

If your printer worked beautifully for a few weeks or months and then suddenly started banding, skipping colors, or refusing to print at all, this article will show you exactly why and how to prevent it.

Why Converted Sublimation Printers Clog More Easily

Sublimation ink behaves differently than standard dye ink.

  • It’s thicker

  • It dries faster inside the print head

  • It cannot tolerate long periods of inactivity

When a converted printer sits unused, sublimation ink begins to dry in the microscopic nozzles. Once that happens, regular cleaning cycles often aren’t enough to fully recover it.

The good news?
Clogging is almost entirely preventable.

1. Print Something Every Week

THIS IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

This is the single most important rule of owning a converted sublimation printer.

What to do:

  • Print at least once every 5–7 days

  • Use full color, not black-only

  • A simple color test sheet is perfect

Even a small print keeps ink flowing through all channels and prevents drying inside the print head.

Tip: Save a “weekly maintenance print” file on your computer so you don’t have to think about it.


2. Never Install or Use Regular Ink Drivers

One of the most common (and costly) mistakes is accidentally allowing the printer to behave like a normal inkjet.

Avoid this by:

  • Never installing Epson’s photo enhancement or color correction software

  • Disabling automatic updates related to printing

  • Using the same driver settings every time

If a printer tries to optimize or mix color profiles meant for dye ink, it can:

  • Force unnecessary cleaning cycles

  • Overwork the print head

  • Increase clog risk

Consistency matters more than “perfect” color settings.

3. Do NOT Run Excessive Cleaning Cycles

This sounds counterintuitive, but it’s critical.

Why excessive cleaning hurts:

  • Cleaning cycles pull ink through the nozzles

  • Too many cycles can actually dry out the head faster

  • They also waste ink rapidly

Best practice:

  • Run one nozzle check

  • If needed, one cleaning cycle

  • Then STOP and print a color sheet

If clogs persist after that, wait several hours before trying again.

4. Keep Sublimation Ink Moving (Even If You’re Not Printing)

If you know you’ll be away or not printing much:

  • Gently rock the printer side to side once a week (don’t shake)

  • This helps keep pigment suspended in the ink lines

This is especially important in cooler rooms where ink can thicken.

5. Control the Environment Around Your Printer

Environmental factors quietly kill sublimation printers.

Ideal conditions:

  • Room temperature (not cold garages or sheds)

  • Low humidity

  • No direct airflow from vents or fans

Cold air + idle ink = faster drying in the nozzles.

6. Never Let the Printer Sit Completely Empty



Even if you’re low on ink, don’t let tanks run dry.

  • Air in the ink lines increases clog risk

  • Re-priming lines can stress the print head

Top off ink before it drops too low.

Hippo is a reliable one. 

7. Use Quality Sublimation Ink (It Matters More Than You Think)

Not all sublimation inks are equal.

Cheap inks often:

  • Settle faster

  • Dry harder

  • Require more aggressive cleaning

Using a reputable sublimation ink reduces:

  • Clogging

  • Color inconsistency

  • Long-term printer damage

This is one place where saving money usually costs more later.

8. Power the Printer Off Correctly

Always turn your printer off using the power button, not a power strip.

Why?

  • The printer parks the print head properly

  • This seals the nozzles and slows drying

Unplugging without powering down leaves the head exposed.

Signs Your Printer Needs Immediate Attention

If you notice:

  • Faded or missing colors

  • Horizontal banding

  • One color disappearing entirely

Stop printing immediately and address it. Continuing to print with partial clogs can make them permanent.

The Truth About Converted Sublimation Printers

Converted sublimation printers don’t fail because they’re “cheap” or “not meant for sublimation.”

They fail because:

  • They aren’t used often enough

  • They’re cleaned too aggressively

  • Or they’re treated like regular inkjet printers

Treat your converted printer like the specialized tool it is, and it can last years.

Quick Checklist for your Printer (Save This)

✔ Print weekly
✔ Full color, not black only
✔ Minimal cleaning cycles
✔ Stable temperature
✔ Quality ink
✔ Proper shutdown

If you liked this article, be sure to check out our guide on How to Convert an Epson Ecotank printer into a Sublimation Printer. 

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