User’s Manual Fast T-Jet ® Blazer Pro TJB-1650 A Product of December 2007 Version 3.
Copyright Notices ©2004-2007 U.S. Screen Print & Inkjet Technology, Tempe, Arizona. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced mechanically or electronically or in any form without the prior written permission of U.S. Screen Print & Inkjet Technology (U.S. Screen). The information in this Manual is for informational use only, is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by U.S. Screen. U.S.
Table of Contents A Letter from the Developer Basic Safety Instructions Legend of Symbols Chapter 1- Introduction 1 Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro Important Points The Basics Maintenance Poor Artwork Important Support Information Support Hours About the Garment Decorating Business and Where to Learn More The Book Computer Graphics DVDs Business and Marketing DVD’s Internet Trad
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual The User Interface The Mode Select Screen The Manual Mechanism Movement Utility (MMMU) Screen The Platen to Head Clearance Adjust (PHCA) Screen System Printer Control Utility (SPCU) Screen The Alarm Select Screen Epson Driver Installation 18 18 18 19 19 20 20 Chapter 4- Initialization Utilities 23 Head Cleanings Power Cleaning Setting the Platen Height Print Head Alignment Usi
Table of Contents A Word about Resolutions, Speed and Quality Print Modes and FastRIP CMYK Cartoon and Photo Print Modes Eight Color Print Modes Underbase Print Modes When a Printing Job Is Finished Curing Your Garments Preventative Maintenance Canceling a Print Job Kill Switch Production Rates and Ink Costs 56 56 56 57 57 57 58 59 60 61 61 Chapter 7- An Overview of Printing with White Ink 63 Warnings and Cautions
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Eliminating Ink Drops on Shirts Clean Bulk System Computer Chips RAM and Your Computer When in Doubt – Unplug Everything Clean the Print Carriage Drive Belt Gear Five Minute Daily Maintenance Lube the Rails and Rail Guides Monthly Do Not Lubricate the Drive Screw Daily and Weekly Maintenance Schedule Checklist 89 89 89 89 90 90 92 93 94 Chapter 11- Troubleshooting 95 Chapter 12- Product Support 109
A Letter from the Developer Dear Valued Customer, I want to personally thank you for purchasing our new Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro Inkjet-to-Garment printer. We have made a major investment in hardware and ink development to make inkjet printing directly onto a shirt a reality. With the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro, FastINK and readily available software technology, you will be able to print high quality, vibrant images on T-Shirts and other garments in a matter of minutes.
ii
Basic Safety Instructions Please read this entire Manual before attempting to Print. • Follow all warnings on and about the printer. • Use the proper power source type indicated on the printer’s label and in this manual. • Connect all equipment to grounded outlets. Do not use the same outlet for any other system, such as a copy machine, an air conditioning unit or a Heat Press that may cycle ON and OFF. • Place the printer where the power outlet is easily seen. • Do not allow the power cord to be damaged.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Safety Instructions for Ink Cartridges: • Always keep ink cartridges out of the reach of children. • While handling ink, be careful not to spill it on your skin. If ink does get on your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water. If ink gets in your eyes, flush them immediately with water. • Do not put your hand in the printer or touch the ink cartridges while the printer is in operation. • Do not move the Print Head by hand- doing so may damage the printer.
User’s Manual Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro An Overview This manual contains the latest and most accurate information at the time of printing. We reserve the right to make product changes and improvements at any time. Some product photos in this Manual may vary slightly from the currently shipping machine.
Chapter 1 Introduction The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is an inkjet printer that has been modified to print on almost any type of fabric material as well as non-textiles, such as golf balls, keyboards, tennis balls, etc. (The ink will not work on waterproof nylon and most synthetic materials.) In the past, this type of printing was difficult, if not impossible to do because there were no inks available that would work on both 100% cotton or 50/50 cotton/polyester blends AND withstand the rigors of washing.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Pink and even Yellow shirts will tint your image. Print only on pastels or White garments when using White ink and blended fabrics. Images without White will not be affected. In addition, when printing on 100% polyester or other synthetic materials, you may not achieve the same print brightness. Your printer is ONLY compatible with Windows XP, 2000 or Vista Operating Systems and the latest versions of both FastARTIST and FastRIP are included as part of your kit.
Chapter 1- Introduction Poor Artwork With so many graphics programs readily available, everyone is an artist. Poor quality artwork will be one of your biggest concerns because there is no magic to transform a low resolution, low quality piece of artwork into a great looking print. Therefore, it is important you spend some time learning as much as you can about graphic art programs and some of the simple methods that can be used to improve the quality of customer supplied artwork.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual About the Garment Decorating Business and Where to Learn More You are entering a fantastic business, one where you can make a lot of money in a short period of time. But, like any business, there will be ups and downs. You will need to learn about the industry such as trade standards, copyright and trademark laws, how to price your work, how to deal with customers and much more. Learning the business and marketing side is often harder than the actual printing of shirts.
Chapter 1- Introduction all aspects of running a successful garment decorating enterprise. There is also a good set of DVDs on marketing and selling, called the Marketing Toolbox. Internet The number one website for the industry is www.screenprinters.net. There you will find a wealth of articles, industry links, a Buyer’s Guide and open Forums. Trade Shows and Trade Magazines There are a number of good trade magazines and dozens of trade shows around the world for garment decorating.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 6
Chapter 2 Unpacking and Setup Save the crate and all the packing! Failure to follow this step will VOID YOUR WARRANTY. Your Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is a very large piece of equipment and it is shipped in a sturdy crate with bracing to hold delicate components in place. Unpack your printer with care and please retain all shipping materials, bags, boxes and directions received with the printer. These items will be needed in the event the machine must be returned for repair or transported to another location.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 8
Chapter 2- Unpacking and Setup Casters have been built into the cabinet base, allowing for easy movement to a suitable location within your shop. When determining where to set up your printer, keep in mind the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro requires an area of at least 12 ft x 10 ft (3.6 m x 3.6 m) for the printer and workspace around it. Additional space is required for drying, pretreating garments, garment staging, etc. Note: Remove any obstacles.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Overview of Printer Connections Environmental Controls and Humidity The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro should not be exposed to direct sunlight, direct airflow, dusty areas, any strong magnetic forces or excessively high humidity. The machine does not like to be too dry or too moist with a level of 40% to 80% relative humidity being ideal. Since you will be handling wet ink to refill the Bulk System ink bottles, you should also protect any carpet or floor covering with mats.
Chapter 2- Unpacking and Setup the heat source. At night, and when the printer is not in use, cover the machine to protect it from airborne dust and debris. Important Point When using White ink, you must apply a Pretreatment to the shirts before printing. DO NOT spray this Pretreatment near your Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro. Pretreat shirts in a different room, if possible but at a minimum, make a cardboard enclosure for use during applications.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Release the Green shipping tab lock located at the base of the Print Carriage. Plug the Unit into AC Power Plug the printer into its own power source. The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro has a dual voltage power converter built in, allowing it to work with 50 or 60 cycle current ranging from 110 volts to 220 volt. DO NOT TURN THE PRINTER ON YET! YOU MUST FIRST INSTALL THE BULK INK SYSTEM.
Chapter 2- Unpacking and Setup Connecting Your Printer to a Computer You may only connect the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro to a computer with a USB 2.0 cable. For best results, you should use the special gold tipped USB cable supplied with the machine. Avoid using a cable that is over 6ft in length and do not use a switch box or USB Hub. failure to follow thee guidelines can cause communication problems between the printer and your PC. Including your printer, mouse and Dongle, you will need 3 free USB ports.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual it is shipped with cleaning cartridges. You will need to remove these prior to use because these cartridges do NOT contain textile ink. To remove the cleaning cartridges, locate the blue levers to the right side of each bank of four. Moving these levers to the UP position will release the cartridges. With the lever in the DOWN position, cartridges will be locked in place. Move both levers to the UP position and remove the cleaning cartridges.
Chapter 2- Unpacking and Setup marks on the front of each cartridge denoting increments of 50 ml, with the top mark referencing 200 ml. DO NOT add ink beyond this mark. Reseat the cap in the opening of the newly filled cartridge and repeat the procedure for each color until all eight Bulk Ink Cartridges have been filled. The cartridges are numbered from 1-8. Using these numbers as a guide, place the Bulk Ink cartridges into your Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro and lower both blue levers to secure them in place.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual not. If this does occur, remove the cartridge that is indicating Low Ink and use the Reset Module to change its status. The module’s Red light will blink while it resets the chip. The Red light will disappear when the job has been completed. The process of resetting the smart chip is demonstrated in the following three Images.
Chapter 3 Interacting with Your Printer Whether it’s Head Cleanings, a Nozzle Check, a Head Alignment or other maintenance, all Utilities can be accessed through the LCD Control Panel, located beneath the hinged top cover and above the White ink cartridges.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual The Roll & Scissors icon is referred to as Roll Cut Mode preceded by any phrase above it such as “Ready (Roll Cut)” mode or “Paper Out (Roll Cut)” mode. The User Interface The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is the first T-Jet series Inkjet-to-Garment printer to incorporate a User Interface (UI) into its design. The UI adds convenience and function, allowing you to perform several operations from its screens rather than at the printer itself.
Chapter 3- Interacting with Your Printer initiate printing. Pressing and holding the Index button for 2 seconds will move the Printer Assembly to the front of the Platen. This is the maintenance position from which you would perform Nozzle Checks, Head Alignments, etc. Pressing and holding the Nest button for 2 seconds will move the Printer Assembly forward or backward and align it with the front sensor. No printing or maintenance functions should be performed from this position.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Pressing the Reset button will clear the printer’s memory. You would use this function if a job was aborted or cancelled. Pressing the Pause button pauses a print job in progress. The Reload button is to be used ONLY under direction from the Support Department. If you press this button, you will receive a “Remove Paper” message on the LCD control panel. The only way to clear this message and resume normal functions is to turn the printer OFF and then back ON.
Chapter 3- Interacting with Your Printer Windows Vista Users must have Administrator authority to download and install any drivers. Additionally, you MUST download the applicable 32 bit OR 64 bit driver based on your Operating System, NOT your processor. These drivers are NOT interchangeable. The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is a highly modified version of the Epson 4800 with hundreds of additional parts not provided by Epson.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 22
Chapter 4 Initialization Utilities U.S. Screen is not liable for any damage caused by ink to property such as carpets, flooring or furniture . Please read and understand all operating and maintenance procedures before using the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual arrow twice and the LCD Display will read “Ready.” Press the LEFT arrow once more. The LCD Display will read “Paper Out” and display a “roll of paper with scissors” icon. LCD Display in Print status aka “Paper Out (Roll Cut)” The printer is now in Print status. Whenever you need to get to Print status, this is the sequence you will use.
Chapter 4- Initialization Utilities would be used: 1. At the UI, turn the printer OFF using the Emergency button. 2. Turn the printer ON and allow it to go through a start-up cycle. 3. On the UI, press the “RIGHT hand” button until the Mode Select screen appears. (Refer to page 45 for details on UI screens) 4. In the upper left hand corner is a virtual dial pointing to “Auto.” Press the dial once and it will rotate to “Manual.” 5.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Perform a Nozzle Check You must print a Nozzle Check to ensure the Print Head is performing properly. You may use either paper or film for this test, but we recommend film such as FastPOSITIVE, available from U.S. Screen. Otherwise it’s difficult to see White ink on White paper. To initiate a Nozzle Check: 1. Take the printer from Print to “Ready (Sheet)” status by pressing the LEFT arrow button twice.
Chapter 4- Initialization Utilities If, AT ANY TIME, you have performed three Nozzle Checks without rebooting your printer, you must power OFF your printer before executing another one. Once you have obtained a satisfactory Nozzle Check press the Power OFF button on the UI. After the printer has completed its shutdown process, Power ON at the UI and perform a Print Head Alignment.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 1. To begin the Head Alignment process, place your printer in “Paper Out (Roll Cut)” mode. The LCD Display will read “Paper Out” and display the “roll” icon in addition to the “scissors” icon. 2. Press the LEFT arrow button twice to get the LCD Display to read “Ready.” 3. On the User Interface, cycle through the various screens until you reach the Mode Select Screen. Make sure the virtual dial is set to “Manual.” 4. Use the “Hand Arrows” to reach the MMMU Screen.
Chapter 4- Initialization Utilities • 12 additional vertical lines numbered 1-9 • 12 Swatches for the 4 White nozzles labeled (Lk), (Lc), (Lm) and (LLk) and numbered 1-9 These patterns will be White when using White ink These patterns will be White when using White ink Each group will be identified by a number (1-3) and the designation PK/ MK. You will notice that there are two columns of identical groups. The first, or left hand column, will be used for calibration.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual At this point, you MUST turn OFF the printer. You CANNOT print or perform any additional maintenance routines on your machine without powering OFF your printer upon completion of a Head Alignment. You do not need to perform a complete shut down- turning OFF the power by using the UI is sufficient.
Chapter 4- Initialization Utilities Select Manual on the UI Mode Select screen and press Index from the UI MMMU screen. Once the Printer Assembly stops in the Index position, pressing the LEFT arrow button 2x on the LCD Display will place the printer in the proper mode. Double-click on the Epson LFP icon on your Desktop or go to Start > Programs > Epson > Epson LFP Remote Panel > Epson LFP Remote Panel to start the software.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual If you are performing this procedure as part of your printer’s Initial Setup or if you notice a severe registration issue, we recommend you perform the Uni-Directional Alignment first, followed by a BiDirectional Alignment. If you only wish to fine tune printer output, you can utilize the Bi-Directional Alignment as a standalone procedure. 2) Within the Bi-Directional or Uni-Directional Alignment screens, place a check mark in each of the three boxes below Dot Size.
Chapter 4- Initialization Utilities correct alignment screen, re-enter your numbers and select Save. At this point, you MUST turn OFF the printer. You CANNOT print or perform any additional maintenance routines on your machine without powering OFF your printer upon completion of a Head Alignment. You do not need to perform a complete shut downturning OFF the power by using the UI is sufficient.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 34
Chapter 5 Software Overview The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is a high performance inkjet printer. Graphic files can be large and the data sent from FastRIP to the printer is sent at a very high speed (high data rate). In order to get the fastest speed and have fewer communication problems with the printer, you need a fast computer. You can use a standard desktop computer or even a laptop your printer, but for the best performance, the computer should have at least 1MB of RAM (2 GB is better).
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual called a RIP (Raster Image Processor.) This software tells the machine what image resolution to use, how many passes of each color to make, when and how to print the Underbase and Highlight and how much ink to lay down. To do all of this for you, we have included with your printer package our own very special RIP program called FastRIP. For best results, turn OFF all Screen Savers when printing.
Chapter 5- Software Overview Note: It is important to have a basic knowledge of both FastARTIST and FastRIP. Although the manuals may seem very large, don’t be concerned by the size. You do not need to know everything to get started. Using Computer Graphics Software In order to print a good looking image on a shirt, you need a good piece of artwork. The customer typically has no idea about the type or quality of artwork needed so you are often stuck with inferior designs.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual lighten, darken, sharpen and even create images. Photoshop is a common graphics program used by many for manipulating images, but FastARTIST also contains similar editing tools. Images with lots of gradations or that are photorealistic are generally created and manipulated in programs such as FastARTIST and Photoshop.
Chapter 5- Software Overview Printing. However, should a customer want a picture of the entire team on a shirt - no problem! One of the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro’s major strengths is the ability to print short runs of photorealistic images. A common problem in the T-Shirt business is that customers need high resolution images, yet often all they have is artwork that is small and low resolution.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Check File Mode This is step that most new users will over look when opening a file. It is very important to note the file attributes when first opening a file as well as determining the file mode. Note whether it is CMYK or RGB and make changes if necessary. Files must be in RGB because the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro does not print spot color. If the file is CMYK from another application, FastARTIST will Open/Import it as RGB.
Chapter 5- Software Overview the resolution. After the image size is adjusted, click on Bitmap > Image Size. Change the resolution and select Bicubic. Click Apply. In Photoshop, go to Image > Image Size. If it says pixels per CM, change this to inches and then enter the image’s intended final print size. Re-adjust the resolution and make sure that Bicubic is selected. The physical size should be the final print size.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Check File Saturation Quite often customers’ images will be flat and in need of a color boost. Always check the file to see if it needs a saturation boost by going to Bitmap > CMYK Color Adjustments > Hue Saturation (FastARTIST) or Image > Adjustments > Hue Saturation (Photoshop). Sharpening Images Typically, an image can be made sharper. Even if the file came from an agency or large licensed job, don’t assume that their artist knew your needs.
Chapter 5- Software Overview Using the Tone Curve Whether you are Screen Printing, heat transfer printing or Inkjet-to-Garment printing, a common dilemma is that images tend to get a little “muddy.” If you have a file with lots of detail in the shadow areas, this will probably be lost when printed so you need to adjust the “density levels” of the image. In FastARTIST, go to the Bitmap dropdown menu, and then select CMYK Color Adjustments > Curves. In Photoshop, go to Image > Adjustments > Curves.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Selecting Areas In FastARTIST, if you want to apply a Tone Curve adjustment or Unsharp Masking to specific areas, you must double-click on the object to make the bitmap tools available. You then click on the Lasso tool (Hint: It looks like a lasso) and hold down the mouse button while drawing around the area you wish to modify. When you release the mouse, you will have a yellow outline identifying the selected area. Now, anything you do ONLY happens to this area.
Chapter 5- Software Overview Setting Transparent Images in FastARTIST To set transparent backgrounds in FastARTIST, double-click on the image to enter the bitmap edit state. Using the Eyedropper tool, click on the Red background and then click on the Add Color button in the Color Selection dialog box. This will make the selected Red the current color. The background color can be any solid color, not just red. For example it can be White, Black, Yellow, Green, etc.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Click an area in the background and the Magic Wand will make a selection around the image. If the “marching ants” selection goes into the main design, change the Tolerance on the Property Bar. The default is 32. Depending upon the variations and gradients in the background, it may require some trial and error with Tolerance settings and several selections before the background is completely removed.
Chapter 5- Software Overview Fixing Bad Line-Art in Photoshop and FastARTIST You may also use a bitmap editing program to improve the quality of line-art. Earlier we covered file resolution, noting how a low resolution file will have very jagged edges. By simply upsampling a file to a much higher resolution you will have less of a jagged effect, but a softer edge. For Black and White images, you will want to upsample and then apply a Tone Curve to make edges Black and White without any “gray” areas.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Refer to the FastARTIST User’s Manual Please keep in mind, this section is intended only as a brief Overview and Introduction into the world of software graphics applications. Chapters 6, 8 and 9 of your FastARTIST User’s Manual covers the file setup process in-depth, including how to prepare files for printing onto both Light and Dark shirts. For step-by-step instructions and additional Hints and Tips, please refer to the FastARTIST User’s Manual.
User’s Manual Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro Operation and Maintenance
Chapter 6 Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro Your Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is very easy to use. create an image in your favorite graphics program, load a shirt on the printer, choose the appropriate Print Mode, printer resolution, number of passes, how much White ink to deposit, and press the Print button. Voila! Instant shirt! Basic Steps for Printing on a White Shirt OK, the time has come.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Each Shirtboard is held in the proper position by metal pins screwed into the Platen- these align with holes in the garment holder base. If you have a Screen Printing background, you may wonder what holds the garment in place. On the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro, the shirts just lay on the Shirtboard and friction takes care of the rest.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro friend. It can settle on key components inside the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro, affecting print quality and printer operation. For better results, grab a shirt by the shoulder seams and snap it like you would a small dusty rug before you place it on the Shirtboard. This will actually help pull out wrinkles as well. For the best results, use a Heat Press to heat and flatten the garment and fibers before loading.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Important Point FastARTIST refers to its page dimensions in terms of width and “height.” For purposes of printing a two-dimensional image on a garment or non-textile item, be aware of the fact that “height” means the same thing as “length.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro How Print Mode selection will look if you print directly from Adobe Photoshop. (You MAY NOT have the same Print Modes available with your version of the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro.) How Print Mode selection will look if you print using FastARTIST. (You MAY NOT have the same Print Modes available with your version of the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro.) 7. On the UI, use the “hand” arrows to scroll through the screens until you reach the Mode Select interface.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual A Word about Resolutions, Speed and Quality The resolution you choose will not only determine print quality, but print speed as well. If you use a lower resolution Print Mode, you will achieve a much faster print speed, but may not get the quality needed for photo images. Lower resolutions apply fewer ink dots per inch (DPI), which allows the Print Head to move much faster.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro Eight Color Print Modes The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro also supports Eight Color Print Modes that utilize the additional colors of Red, Green, Blue and Orange in place of the four White cartridges. This configuration of inks cannot be used to print on dark garments, however when printed on light garments, the additional colors create vibrant hues that add an exciting dimensionality to your final output.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Curing Your Garments Finished prints must be heat cured to fully set the ink. Use a Conveyor Dryer or Heat Press with the following settings: Light Garments (With or without using FastBRIGHT) Cure Time: Approximately 60-90 seconds with medium to heavy pressure. Cure Temp: 330°F (166°C) Dark Garments (Using FastINK Pretreatment solution) Cure Time: Approximately 180-240 seconds with medium to heavy pressure.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro If you are using a conveyor dryer, use a very slow belt speed and ensure the garment lies flat. If you are using a Heat Press, you should apply the heating element directly to the print with a piece of paper or a Teflon pad over the print. You may also use a baking pan liner for this purpose. You will probably scorch a shirt doing temperature tests, but this is normal in the garment decorating business.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Spots or ink stains must be removed BEFORE the print is cured, using a standard Spot Removal gun. Once the ink is cured, it is almost impossible to remove spots or smudges. Take care NOT to spray the wet print! Prints can be laundered as normal. If possible, give the customer washing instructions of: Turn print inside out before washing or drying. Cold Water Only. Medium Dryer Temperature. You can expect a little fading with the first washing.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro Kill Switch As a precaution, your Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is equipped with a Kill Switch in both the Home and Index positions. These circuit breakers will only be activated if the Printer Assembly attempts to exceed specific printing dimensions. These switches also prevent damage to your machine should the Assembly fail to trip specific sensors.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 62
Chapter 7 An Overview of Printing with White Ink The process of printing White ink onto a Dark garment was not an easy one to develop. Because the openings in Print Heads are so small, one can’t use thick ink like standard Screen Print Plastisol.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Pretreatment Basics The Pretreatment solution is a milky colored, odorless and nontoxic liquid. A chemical reaction between the Pretreatment and the White ink causes the ink’s pigments to stay on top of the garment and not be absorbed by the textile fibers.
Chapter 7- An Overview of Printing with White Ink Gun. (If you purchased your printer outside of the USA, your machine may NOT include the control sprayer. These guns are fairly inexpensive ($70 USD at home improvement stores.) However, these are not designed for high volume work, therefore you should keep an extra gun handy as backup. Cleaning the gun is simple and should be done on a regular basis to extend the life of your sprayer.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Move the spray gun from side to side in even strokes. Light shirts only require a misting back and forth, but Black and other dark colors will need a slightly heavier application. Don’t worry, the proper amount of Pretreatment needed is something that you will get the hang of with repetition. Please note, if you miss a spot or apply the Pretreatment in an uneven spray, it will be noticeable in the final print.
Chapter 7- An Overview of Printing with White Ink Printing White Ink Top off ALL of your White Ink cartridges to the 150ml mark at the beginning of each day and DO NOT allow the ink levels to drop below the 100ml mark or you risk ink starvation issues. If the printer has been unused for a few days, perform two or three regular Head Cleaning cycles to get the White ink flowing properly. 1. When printing with White ink, it is very important you set up the file correctly in FastARTIST.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 5. Cure the print. Carefully remove the shirt from the Shirtboard and cure the print. Keep in mind, White ink will need to be cured longer than standard colors. Cure in a conveyor dryer or Heat Press. (See page 59- Curing Your Garments for specific details) If using a Heat Press, place a silicone treated piece of parchment paper (a common baking pan liner) over the print and close the press. When you open the press, peel the paper immediately.
Chapter 7- An Overview of Printing with White Ink Washing Directions For the longest lasting print, the shirt should be turned inside out, washed in COLD water and dried on delicate. If possible, include washing directions with the finished print.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual White Ink Troubleshooting Concern: White prints seem dull Solution 1: You may not be applying enough Pretreatment or not using a 1440 DPI print mode. Solution 2: The Print Head may be clogged. If you had bright White prints before and they now seem dull, you probably have clogged nozzles. Due to the nature of the White pigment, you may experience more head clogs than normal. These can easily be cleared by doing two or three Head Cleanings.
Chapter 8 Printing Other Items The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro can print on almost any fabric or material and usually you don’t need a clamping device. FastINK for your Blazer Pro is a water-based textile ink designed to work not only on natural fabric materials, but also on non-textile items such as unfinished wood, mouse pads, golf balls, keyboards, light switch covers and much more. With the help of Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Series Pre/Post Treatment, FastINK will adhere to almost any type of surface.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual FastARTIST refers to its page dimensions in terms of width and “height.” For purposes of printing a two-dimensional image on a garment or non-textile item, it is important to be aware of the fact that “height” means the same thing as “length.” FastARTIST Page Size – Go to Layout > Page Size FastRIP Setup – Go to File > FastRIP Setup For more information about printing on caps or Non-Textile, such as golf balls, there is a downloadable PDF available at www.
Chapter 8- Printing Other Items Non-Textile Printing Required Items and Overview You must have the following to successfully print on Non-Textile items: 1. Non-Textile Pretreatment 2. Non-Textile Post-Treatment 3. (2) Fine Bristle Brushes Optional materials may be required: 1. Non-Textile Primer 2. A Holder for object(s) (i.e. Golf Ball Holder) 3. Non-Textile Print Modes and Templates (You can utilize the latest Non-Textile Print Modes by downloading the most recent Printer Package from www.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Primer Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Primer is designed to be used on high gloss, non-porous surfaces as a primer coat prior to the application of our standard Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Pretreatment. DO NOT print directly onto this product. Protect your work surfaces with newspaper. DIRECTIONS: • Dip a fine bristle brush into the Primer, wiping off any excess on the side of the bottle.
Chapter 8- Printing Other Items Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Pretreatment Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Pretreatment is designed for use as an inkjet ink receptive base coat when printing directly onto non-textile materials such as plastic, metal and wood. For increased durability of the final print use our Fast T-Jet Post-Treatment on top of the final print. When using a Fast T-Jet Inkjet-to-Garment Printer and FastINK Textile ink, you WILL NOT need to change inks when using this product.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Since the pretreatment process can take some time to dry, we recommend you pretreat as much of the production run as possible to avoid delays due to drying time (Do this only after becoming proficient with the Non-Textile Primer/Pretreatment). Setting up an Image for Print To setup an image for print you may use an application such as Photoshop, Illustrator or CorelDRAW, however we recommend using FastARTIST. If you will be printing White ink, you MUST use FastARTIST.
Chapter 8- Printing Other Items Printing on Golf Balls For printing golf balls you will need to use the optional Golf Ball Holder, Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Pretreatment, and Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Post-Treatment. Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Primer is not necessary. 1. Load the Golf Balls into the Holder and place the Overspray Shield on top of the balls. The Shield will protect areas not intended to be printed upon from Pretreatment and overspray. 2.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 3. Choose a Print Mode. (For a list and description of the available Print Modes, please refer to your FastARTIST User’s Manual.) 4. Print to FastRIP. Finish with Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Post-Treatment Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Post-Treatment is a protective coating used for prints on non-textile surfaces. This post treatment will prevent fading of ink colors, extend the life of the image as well as waterproofing and acting as a UV protectant.
Chapter 8- Printing Other Items Warnings and Safety Information Use Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Post-Treatment only in a well ventilated area. Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Post-Treatment VAPOR is HARMFUL and MAY AFFECT THE BRAIN OR central NERVOUS SYSTEM, CAUSING DIZZINESS, HEADACHE OR NAUSEA. It may CAUSE NOSE, THROAT IRRITATION and LUNG IRRITATION. OVEREXPOSURE MAY CAUSE LIVER, KIDNEY OR BLOOD DAMAGE. It may CAUSE EYE or SKIN IRRITATION. Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Post-Treatment is HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Non-Textile Printing Tips o When brushing on any of the treatments, make sure they are applied in smooth, even and thin layers. o Having two brushes can make the pretreatment and priming processes easier. Use one for the Non-Textile Primer and one for the Non-Textile Pretreatment. o Cleaning the brushes when done with hot water and letting dry will prevent them from drying out and ruining the brushes.
Chapter 9 Additional Utilities to Improve Print Quality A typical print problem that can occur is when lines are missing in the final image. This is called banding and it can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for banding are a dirty or clogged Print Head, or one that is misaligned. If your prints are unexpectedly light, or dots or lines are missing, you may need to clean the Print Head.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Waste Tank Maintenance When the Waste Tank is full, the LCD control panel display will read “Waste Tank Full” and you will be unable to start any more print runs. (It will finish any images in progress.) Because the LCD display is located under the printer cover, you will need to manually monitor Waste Tank Waste Tank levels throughout the work day. If the Tank is full, Level Indicator it will be necessary to remove the Tank from the machine and change the pad.
Chapter 9- Additional Utilities to Improve Print Quality After removing the four screws, gently slide the metal cowling free and the Waste Tank will be easily accessible. To remove the Waste Tank, slide if from its bin. To replace the Waste Tank after maintenance, slide it back into place and reattach the metal enclosure. U.S. Screen is not liable for any damage caused by ink to property such as carpets, flooring or furniture .
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 84
Chapter 10 Preventative Maintenance and Problem Solving Your Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro should work trouble free IF you take the time to understand and perform the necessary maintenance. 95% of our Technical Support calls come from people who have not maintained their machines properly. While it may appear to be “just” an inkjet printer, it is a VERY SPECIAL inkjet printer. When printing on garments, it must print A LOT more ink than when printing on paper.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Clean the Encoder Strip DAILY Press the Carriage Release Button (page 25) to free the Print Carriage from the Capping Station. Manually move the carriage to the center of the Assembly. This will allow you to clean the capping station side of the Encoder Strip. You can use foam-tipped swabs, water, glass cleaner or cleaning fluid, but for best results use Isopropyl Alcohol pads. Do NOT use Rubbing Alcohol pads.
Chapter 10- Preventative Maintenance and Problem Solving Check Spit Tray Regularly/ Clean Capping Station and Print Head Daily The Spit Tray/Flushing Box assembly collects ink very quickly. Check it regularly and clean it throughout the day as necessary to prevent ink spills on printer components and random ink drops on garments. The Capping Station is the rectangular piece onto which the Print Head seats. Ensure the outer rubber seal is free from dried ink and garment fibers.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual In addition, DO NOT not allow fans to blow air across the Print Head. This will dry the ink and cause a clog, seriously effecting your printer’s performance. Print With the Lid Closed Due to the airborne nature of the White ink Pretreatment, you should try to pretreat shirts in a different room or far away from the machine.
Chapter 10- Preventative Maintenance and Problem Solving Other Hints and Tips Eliminating Ink Drops on Shirts When you perform a Head Cleaning, ink is forced through the Nozzles and the Print Head is cleaned and wiped by the printer. On occasion, this may not clean away small pieces of shirt lint that collect around the base. This excess lint can create ink build up, causing ink to drip onto a garment.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Clean the Print Carriage Drive Belt Gear During normal operating conditions, lint that is coated with Pretreatment can get caught in the Print Carriage Drive Belt Gear, located in the right rear of the housing. This lint will start to clog the gear and the belt will slip, causing the Print Carriage to jerk and/or not complete print jobs. Print Carriage Drive Belt Roller and Gear Periodically check this gear and if necessary, clean it with a brush or computer vacuum.
Chapter 10- Preventative Maintenance and Problem Solving ¾¾ Turn the Machine OFF at Night (if not using the Auto Head Cleaning function) ¾¾ Perform a Head Cleaning(s) Every Morning and End of Shift ¾¾ Clean the Capping Station ¾¾ Clean the Spit Tray/Flushing Box Assembly Regularly ¾¾ Clean the Print Head ¾¾ Clean the Encoder Strip ¾¾ Check your ink levels Turning the machine OFF at night ensures the Print Head is capped properly on the Capping Station.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual ¾¾ Monitor Waste Tank Levels When the Waste Tank is full, the LCD control panel display will read “Waste Tank Full.” Because the LCD display is located under the printer cover, you will need to manually monitor Waste Tank levels throughout work day. If the Tank is full, it will be necessary to remove the Tank from the machine and change the pad(s). You must then use the Chip Reset Module to reset the Waste Tank chip.
Chapter 10- Preventative Maintenance and Problem Solving Lubricating the two Main Rails will prevent oxidation (rust) and debris buildup, allowing the Printer Assembly to travel freely. This will help prevent registration issues that can occur in multiple pass prints. Main Rail- One per side Two in Total 2. To correctly lubricate the Main Rails, apply a very THIN coat of the same Lithium-based grease used for the Rail Guides.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual ! PLEASE USE THIS AS A MASTER COPY TO MAKE COPIES FROM! Daily and Weekly Maintenance Schedule Checklist NAME: COMPANY: ADDRESS: This Checklist should be used asPHONE: a guide to ensure critical maintenance is EMAIL: performed on a regular basis. The Checklist may also be downloaded from SERIAL NUMBER: www.screenprinters.net.
Chapter 11 Troubleshooting Problem: After printing an image, the color looks great, but after curing, the print looks dull. Causes: • The temperature is set too high on the Heat Press Test the temperature using a “touch-less” infrared thermometer or heat testing strips. If the temperature is too hot, it could scorch the shirts and ink. • There is too much pressure being applied to the shirt during curing When curing your shirts, make sure you do not apply too much pressure.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Problem: The Print Head is leaking, dripping ink on garments. Causes: • The Print Head may have been damaged by a collision Order a replacement Print Head. • The Print Head is saturated with ink Thoroughly clean the Capping Station. The Capping Station can become dirty with garment lint or fibers as well as dried ink. This will prevent it from adequately cleaning the Print Head.
Chapter 11- Troubleshooting • • • • • Teflon paper with medium to heavy pressure. This allows the moisture within the inks to escape and properly cure without scorching the shirt. The temperature of Heat Press was not correct Make sure the Heat Press is heating up evenly and reaching the correct temperature of 330 degrees F. You can test this with a touch-less infrared thermometer or heat testing strips. Too much Pretreatment was applied Avoid soaking the garment with Pretreatment.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual • • preferred graphics program. Refer to your graphics application’s User’s Manual on ICC profiles. You have an ICC profile checked in CorelDRAW. Go to File > Print and select the Misc. Tab. Uncheck Apply ICC Profile. The Capping Station is not working properly. Clean the Capping Station. Prevention: Usually when a color prints with an incorrect hue, it is because a Nozzle is clogged.
Chapter 11- Troubleshooting computer. Make sure you don’t have any jobs in the FastRIP Queue or Windows Print Manager. If you do, delete them. Power down your printer, unplug the power cord and leave it unplugged for about 30 seconds. Power back ON and try again. Make sure you are using the correct port. Open FastRIP and select Printers/ Manage Printers. Make sure the Epson Stylus port Control Panel box has a check mark in it. You may also be using insufficient or incorrect cables.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual • • • • Print drivers may need to be re-installed Print drivers are prone to occasionally stop communicating with the Windows XP operating system. The only solution is to re-install the driver. Too many items may be connected to your USB port If you have any additional items connected to your USB ports, unplug everything but the mouse and the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro. The USB bus on your computer only has only a limited amount of power.
Chapter 11- Troubleshooting Problem: The color of the shirt is showing through the Underbase. Causes: • There was not enough Pretreatment applied to the shirt. o Use a good spray gun such as the Wagner Control Sprayer to lay down an even coat of Pretreatment. o Press the shirt in a Heat Press prior to pretreating. This will flatten the garment fibers, allowing the Pretreatment to stick to the shirt better. o Be sure to cover the entire printable area. o Use 100% Pretreatment.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Causes: • Ink in the Nozzle has dried out o Do Head Cleanings and Nozzle Checks until the problem is resolved. o Use a cleaning cartridge and run Head Cleanings until the problem is resolved. o A serious or permanent clog may require replacing the Print Head. • The Capping Station is not cleaning the Print Head If the Capping Station is dirty, it will just add more debris to the Print Head, causing it to become clogged. Thoroughly clean the Capping Station.
Chapter 11- Troubleshooting • around 200 DPI. Save this file and Import it back into CorelDRAW. Try to print from a different program like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. These graphic programs do not create such large spool files. File resolution is too high. A resolution of 150 to 300 DPI (at the final print size) is all that is necessary for direct printing to garments. If you receive larger file resolutions, resample them to a lower resolution to speed up ripping and printing times.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Causes: Check your Underbase setup within FastARTIST. Within FastARTIST go to File > FastRIP Setup > Underbase Setup tab. Make sure the top checkbox that says Underbase All Items with this Underbase Color is checked. Make sure the bottom check box that says Highlight All Objects with This Color is NOT checked. Make sure to view the image in FastRIP’s View Raw Data window to see if it looks correct BEFORE printing.
Chapter 11- Troubleshooting • • • Ensure the breather hole in the cap of each ink cartridge has not become clogged or closed. The cartridges need to breathe as ink flows through the lines. Ribbon cable to the Print Head is damaged. If you accidentally splash/drip ink or cleaning fluid on the gray ribbon cable that connects to the Print Head, it can short out. Check for burn marks on the ribbon cable connectors. Check to make sure it hasn’t been crimped or pinched. Motherboard is bad.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Cut Adj- EXEC Platen Gap- STD Code Page- PC437 Time Out- OFF INIT Settings- EXEC INTERFACE- Auto PAPER ALGN- OFF Auto Cleaning- OFF Page Line- OFF PPR Margin- Default Auto NZL CK- OFF Refresh MRGN- OFF Sheet Size CK- OFF Problem: I only use my printer on weekends and many times when I go to use it, the heads are clogged. Causes: Ink is drying within the Print Head due to lack of use.
Chapter 11- Troubleshooting For consistent color reproduction, save your image as a high quality JPEG and send this image to the RIP for printing.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual 108
Chapter 12 Product Support Support Policy Support for Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is free. Since the machine is designed to be intuitive and very easy to use, most support questions have to do with using FastARTIST, FastRIP or printing from specific graphics applications. For the quickest support, Email your question to support@usscreen.com. Be very specific and include your serial number. If you purchased the printer from a dealer in the USA, you DO NOT have to go back to the dealer for support.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual number. It is often easier if you fax or E-mail a support question before calling for help. Calls to our Support Center are toll free from within the US. Calls from outside the US are NOT toll free. 24 Hour Support Email support is available at support@usscreen.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, 24 hour Emergency Support is available by calling toll free 1-888-MYTJETS. A technician will be paged and he will return your call as soon as possible.
Chapter 12- Product Support Support link located on our Home Page. Epson Support The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is a highly modified version of an Epson 4800 with hundreds of additional parts not provided by Epson. As a result, the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro is NOT supported by Epson. Additionally, we provide the Epson 4800 Printer Driver and LFP Remote Panel (for Utilities) as a convenience, however Epson will not support these applications.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Transporting Your Printer You MUST be very careful moving and transporting your T-Jet Blazer Pro. It is very heavy and a delicate piece of equipment. You can move it to a different location in your shop as long as you make sure it remains level. To ship it back for repair or prior to moving it to a new location, you MUST call Technical Support for specific instructions.
Appendix A Operational Guide Notice The material in this Manual is believed to be accurate and complete with respect to the normal and intended operation of the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro Inkjetto-Garment printer. U.S. Screen makes no warranties or other representations, express or implied, with respect to the material in this Manual. Neither U.S.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual setup and operation of the Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro Inkjet-to-Garment printer. U.S. Screen makes no representation to have researched, or to have knowledge of, individual Federal, State or local regulations or standards and, as such, cannot accept any liability for lack of compliance with such Federal, State and local laws, regulations and standards on the part of a Customer.
Appendix A- Operational Guide Receive the equipment properly. Use appropriate personnel and equipment to off-load and move the shipping containers to a storage area or directly to a staging area. The Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro ships in a single crate that is large and must be handled with the use of a forklift, lift gate or pallet jack. The crated printer and components weigh over 500 pounds (227 kg).
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual includes, but is not limited to, the Pretreatment used when printing with White ink. If this is unavoidable, the printer should be isolated, either by efficient extraction of mist and fumes or by partitioning. Heavy dust and ink mist can cause reliability problems with the printer. It MUST not be placed in an open warehouse that is hot, dry, dusty or has excessive floor vibration.
Appendix A- Operational Guide This circuit should be 110V minimum to 240V maximum, 50/60 Hz, 15A load, single phase and ground with a 6.6KW GFCI Circuit Breaker. A separate dedicated circuit should be used for the heat curing machine, such as a heat transfer press or small conveyor dryer. Consult the manufacturer of the equipment for circuit specifications. The AC power must be supplied with an independent GFCI circuit breaker with the circuit ground isolated from other equipment.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro Printer Specifications Method of Printing: Inkjet Size: 35”W x 46”H x 77”L (89 x 117 x 196 cm) Height with UI attached is 61” at maximum point. Weight: 400 pounds (182kg) Inkjet Engine: 8 color (4-CMYK 4-White) 180 nozzles per color Box dimension: 45”W x 58”H x 86”L (115 x 148 x 219 cm) Printer ships on a skid and will not ship via UPS or FedEx It must be shipped via common carrier or truck.
Appendix A- Operational Guide Miscellaneous Information Noise level of the equipment: Average 72 dBA; peak 78 dBA. Equipment transportation and storage range: 40° F to 120° F (5° C to 55° C). Unit is mounted on lockable, leveling casters to facilitate location placement. Shipping and Receiving U.S. Screen will ship the machines and components via a common ground carrier of their choice unless otherwise specified by the Customer. Shipment will be FOB Tempe, Arizona.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual Uncrating The printer weighs over 400 pounds (182 kg) and requires four people remove the unit from the crate. The printer base has wheels to facilitate transport on a level, hard floor. You may also use an alternate lifting system with an overhead crane. Retain ALL packaging material, crates, cartons, straps, etc., for use should you ever need to transport or re-ship the machine.
Appendix B Requirements and Notices Windows OS System Requirements for Blazer Pro Operation Minimum System Requirements: • PC with a Pentium 4 - 1.8 GHz and Windows XP, 2000 or Vista Operating System (Windows ME is not supported) • A minimum of 1GB of RAM. If using Windows Vista OS 2GB is recommended • A minimum of 10 GB of free disk space on your hard disk. You will also need at least an additional 50 GB for saved files. • A display monitor with high resolution.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
Appendix B- Requirements and Notices Trade Name: U.S. Screen Print & Inkjet Technology Home of the U.S. Screen Printing Institute Type of Product: Inkjet Printer Model: Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro TJB-1650 European Union Declaration of Conformity - CE A sample of this equipment has been tested against the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the Machinery Directive. Based on conformity with the Machinery Directive, the Equipment Under Test - Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro from U.S. Graphic Arts, Inc., dba U.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Pro User’s Manual U.S. Screen reserves the right to alter specifications in the manufacture of its products. It is understood and agreed that U.S. Screen’s liability in contract, in tort, under any warranty, in negligence, in strict liability or otherwise shall not exceed the return of the amount of the purchased price paid by Buyer. Not withstanding the foregoing provision, under no circumstances shall U.S.
