Epson Fast T-Jet 3 PLUS User manual

User’s Manual

JULY, 2008 VERSION 1.1

Tempe, Arizona USA

vii

Basic Safety Instructions

Please read this entire Manual before attempting to Print.

Make sure to follow all warnings on the printer.•

Use the proper power source type indicated on the printer’s label.•

Connect all equipment to grounded outlets. Do not use the same outlet for•

any other system, such as a copy machine or an air conditioning unit

that turns ON and OFF.

Place the printer where the power outlet is easily seen.•

Do not allow the power cord to be damaged.•

If you are using an extension cord, make sure the extension cord’s power•

ampere rate does not exceed that of the printer’s cord.

Keep electromagnetic devices and other potential sources of magnetic•

ﬁelds away from your printer.

Do not use the printer in locations that have high humidity, shocks,•

vibrations, debris or dust.

Leave enough space around the printer for proper ventilation.•

Do not leave the printer near heat sources such as radiators or heat vents.•

Do not leave the printer in direct sunlight.•

Place the printer on a stable surface that extends beyond the length•

and width of the printer supports. The printer will not work properly if it is

tilted or leaning.

When packing and moving the printer, do not set the printer on its side or•

upside down. This may cause the ink to spill.

Turn the printer OFF before cleaning. Clean with a damp cloth and avoid•

spilling any liquid on the printer.

Caution:

Do not unplug the printer to turn it OFF. Use the power button instead.•

Do not unplug the printer until the Main Power Switch has been turned•

OFF.

Do not block any of the printer’s vents or insert foreign object into its•

slots.

Do not attempt to service the printer yourself beyond the troubleshooting•

techniques covered in this Manual.

Keep the machine on a level surface.•

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T-Jet3 PLUS User’s Manual

Version 1.1 Revised July, 2008 viii

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 cartridges while printer is•

in operation.

Do not move the Print Head by hand- doing so may damage the•

printer.

Store ink cartridges in a cool dark place.•

Allow ink cartridges to warm to room temperature before using them after•

storage.

Do not dismantle the ink cartridge.•

Do not touch the IC chip on the ink cartridges. This will adversely effect•

normal printing operations.

If you remove the ink cartridges, make sure to place them in individual•

bags and keep them away from dust, dirt and debris.

Legend of Symbols

Throughout this Manual you will see three symbols used to notify you of

important facts or procedures.

This icon is used to denote important points that may affect the

proper operation of your machine or the viability of its output. Think

of this as more than just a helpful hint.

This icon indicates recommendations from XV based on

research and development or years of experience within the

Garment Decorating business. Following these helpful Hints, Tips or

Reminders will make printing with your Fast T-Jet more enjoyable.

Where you see this icon, you should take note of the warnings.

Failure to follow any of the listed procedures could result in severe

damage to your machine, large amounts of downtime and/or

costly repairs or the possibility of severe bodily injury or death.

Table of Contents

Basic Safety Instructions vii

Cautions vii

Safety Instructions for Ink Cartridges: vii

Legend of Symbols vii

Chapter 1 - Introduction 1

T-Jet3 PLUS Important Points 1

The Basics 1

Maintenance 2

Poor Artwork 2

Important Support Information 3

Support Hours 3

About the Garment Decorating Business and 3

Where to Learn More 3

The Book 4

Computer Graphics DVDs 4

Business and Marketing DVD’s 4

Internet 4

Trade Shows and Trade Magazines 5

Our Advice 5

Chapter 2 - Unpacking and Setup 7

Unpacking Your T-Jet3 PLUS 7

Main Box Contents 8

Box 2 8

Industrial Bulk Ink System Parts 8

Waste Bottle 9

Exhaust Fan 9

Lifting Your T-Jet3 PLUS Unit From the Box 9

Preparations 9

Remove Hold Down Clamps 9

Install the Maximum Height Bar 10

Check the Adjustable Shirtboard Height 10

Removing the Packing Tape 11

Environmental Controls and Humidity 11

eettyy IInnssttrruuccttiioonnss vviiii

T-Jet3 PLUS User’s Manual

Version 1.1 Revised July, 2008 x

Plug Unit into AC Power 12

Connecting Your T-Jet3 PLUS to a Computer 13

Installing the Bulk Ink System 14

Mounting the Adjustable Ink Shelf 14

Waste Bottle Installation with Shelf Bracket 14

Filling the Ink Bottles 15

Changing Ink Brands 16

Installing the Bulk Ink Cartridges 16

Connecting Ink Lines to the Ink Bottles 18

Resetting the Bulk Ink Cartridges 19

Load and Eject Positions 20

Graphics and RIP Software 21

Chapter 3- Software Overview 21

FastARTIST and FastRIP 22

FastRIP 22

Using Computer Graphics Software 23

Image Types 24

Vector 24

Pixel Based Bitmap 24

Summary 24

Editing Bitmap Artwork in FastARTIST/Photoshop 25

File Types and Resolutions 26

Check File Mode 27

Check File Size and Resolution 27

Check File Saturation 28

Sharpening Images 29

Using the Tone Curve 30

Bitmap Editing in FastARTIST 30

Selecting Areas 31

Channels and Layers 31

Setting Transparent Images in FastARTIST 32

Removing Backgrounds with Photoshop 32

Making Your Selection a New Layer 33

Fixing Bad Line-Art in Photoshop and FastARTIST 34

Artwork for Light and Dark Garments 34

Epson Driver Installation 35

Disabling the Status Monitor 38

- Table of Contents

Chapter 4 - Printing Basics 39

Control Panel Overview 39

Power Button 39

Passes 40

Ink Button 40

Load Button/Load Light 40

Eject Button 40

Error Button 41

Low Ink Indicator lights 41

Power Light 41

Load Light 41

All Ink Lights Flashing + Ink Button and Error Light 41

Ink Light and Error Light (synchronous) Flashing 42

Ink Light and Error Light (alternating) Flashing Fast 42

Basic Steps for Printing a Shirt 42

Loading a Garment onto the Shirtboard 43

Check Garment Height Clearance 44

Key Points for Printing 44

Prepare Your Artwork for Printing 45

A Word about Resolutions, Speed and Quality 46

Print Modes and FastRIP 46

CMYK Cartoon and Photo Print Modes 46

8 Color Print Modes 47

Underbase Print Modes 47

Windows Underbase 47

When a Print Job is Finished 48

Curing Your Garments 48

How to Use the Print Pass Counter 50

Printing From Various Graphic Programs 50

Printing from Adobe Photoshop 50

Printing from CorelDRAW 51

Printing from Illustrator 52

Quick Printing Tips 53

Production Rates and Ink Cost Chart 55

Chapter 5- Advanced Printing with White Ink 57

White Ink Warnings and Care 57

Pretreatment Basics 58

Applying Pretreatment 58

Printing White Ink 61

Washing Directions 63

White Ink Troubleshooting 63

T-Jet3 PLUS User’s Manual

Version 1.1 Revised July, 2008 xii

Chapter 6 - Printing on Other Items 65

Printing on General Items 65

Location and Placement 65

Adjusting the Bed Height 67

Printing Baseball Caps 67

Non-Textile Printing 69

Required Items and Overview 69

Getting Started 69

Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Primer 70

Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Pretreatment 71

Setting up an Image for Print 72

Printing to FastRIP Using Adobe Photoshop 73

Printing to FastRIP – CorelDRAW 73

Printing Multiple Items on the Print Bed 73

Setting up FastRIP 75

Printing Golf Balls 76

Golf Ball Holder Placement 76

Additional Instructions for Printing Non-Textiles using a T-Jet3 PLUS 77

Loading Golf Ball Template (FastARTIST Only) 77

Finish with Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Post-Treatment 78

Post Treatment Warnings and Safety Information 79

Chapter 7 - Maintenance Utilities to Improve Print Quality 81

Epson Adjustment Program 81

Head Angular Adjustment 82

Auto Bi-Directional Adjustment 83

PF Roller and Eject Roller Adjustments 83

Head Cleaning Utilities 84

Check the Spit Tray on a Regular Basis 85

Emptying the External Waste Bottle 85

Resetting Waste Ink Counter 86

Print Head Replacement 88

Support Hours 88

Chapter- 8 Preventative Maintenance/Problem Solving 89

Keep Your Encoder Strip Clean 89

Clean the Encoder Strip DAILY 90

Clean Capping Station and Wiper Daily 90

Cleaning the Wiper 91

Check the Spit Tray on a Regular Basis 91

Turn Your T-Jet 3 OFF at Night 91

Cautions About Ink Levels 91

Humidity and Environment Control 92

- Table of Contents

xiii

Print With the Lid Closed 92

Preparing your T-Jet 3 for Downtime 92

Flushing the Ink System 92

Eliminating Ink Drops on Shirts 95

Clean Bulk System Chip Blocks 95

Have A Lot of RAM for Your Computer 95

When in Doubt – Unplug Everything 95

Clean Drive Belt and Roller 96

Shake Shirts or Preheat to Minimize Lint 96

Keep Excess Ink from the Ribbon Cable 96

Five Minute Daily Maintenance 97

Weekly or Monthly Maintenance 98

RS232 Cable 98

Auto Head Cleaning (Optional from FastRIP) 99

Daily and Weekly Maintenance Schedule Checklist 100

Chapter 9 - Troubleshooting 101

Chapter 10- Transporting the Printer 117

Flush the System 117

Secure the Print Bed and Ink System 119

Pack the Printer in its Original Box 120

Shipping Procedures 120

Shipment Checklist 121

Important Shipping Requirements 122

Other Warranty and Packing Issues 122

Request for Return Authorization 123

Chapter 11 - Product Support 127

Support Policy 127

Support Information and Hours 127

Phone Support 127

24 Hour Emergency Support 128

Support on the Web 128

Create an Account 128

Appendix A- Requirements and Notices 131

Windows OS System Requirements for T-Jet3 PLUS Operation 131

FCC Compliance 132

Declaration of Conformity 132

European Union Declaration of Conformity - CE 133

Limited Warranty 133

T-Jet3 PLUS User’s Manual

Version 1.1 Revised July, 2008 xiv

Table of contents

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