User’s Manual Fast T-Jet ® Blazer Express TJBEX-1620 A Product of January 2008 Version 1.
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 i Basic Safety Instructions iii Chapter 1- Introduction 1 Fast T-Jet Blazer Express Important Points The Basics Maintenance Poor Artwork Important Support Information Support Hours About the Garment Decorating Business The Book Computer Graphics DVDs Business and Marketing DVD’s Internet Trade Shows and Trade Magazines Our Advice Chapter 2- Unpacking and Setup Save the Crate and All Packing Materials Unpacking your Fast T-Jet Blazer Express Placement o
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Getting Ready to Print Filling the Bulk Ink Cartridges Resetting the Bulk Ink Cartridges Placement of Shirtboards 13 Chapter 3- Interacting with Your Printer 17 The LCD Display Buttons The LCD Display Icons The User Interface (also referred to as the HMI) The Mode Select Screen The Manual Mechanism Movement Utility (MMMU) Screen Platen to Head Clearance Height Adjustment System Printer Control Utility (SPCU) Screen The Alarm Select Screen Epson Driver Installati
Table of Contents Check File Saturation Sharpening Images Using the Tone Curve Bitmap Editing in FastARTIST Selecting Areas Channels and Layers Setting Transparent Images in FastARTIST Removing Backgrounds with Photoshop Making Your Selection a New Layer Fixing Bad Line-Art in Photoshop and FastARTIST Artwork for Light and Dark Garments Chapter 6- Printing with the Blazer Express Basic Steps for Printing on a White Shirt Shirtboards Here are the steps for printing: A Word about Resolutions, Speed and Qu
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Types of Pretreatment Proper Pretreatment Application is Critical Printing White Ink Washing Directions White Ink Troubleshooting Chapter 8- Printing Other Items Location and Placement Adjusting the Platen Height Non-Textile Printing Required Items and Overview Getting Started Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Primer Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Pretreatment Setting up an Image for Print Golf Ball Holder Placement Finish with Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Post-Treatment Chapter 9- Utili
Other Hints and Tips 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 Shake Shirts or Preheat to Minimize Lint No Windex Five Minute Daily Maintenance Do Not Lubricate the Drive Screw Daily and Weekly Maintenance Schedule 89 89 89 89 90 90 90 90 93 94 Chapter 11- Troubleshooting 95 Chapter 12- Product Support 109 Support Policy Support Hours Phone Support 24 Hour Support Webcam Video Supp
Exhaust Ventilation Requirements Room Conditions Electrical Requirements Main Operator Fast T-Jet Blazer Express Printer Specifications Miscellaneous Information Receiving Inspection Shipment Movement Staging Area Uncrating Appendix B- Requirements and Notices Windows OS Requirements for Blazer Express Operation Declaration of Conformity European Union Declaration of Conformity - CE Limited Warranty 116 116 116 117 118 119 119 119 119 120 121 121 122 123 123
A Letter from the Developer Dear Valued Customer, I want to personally thank you for purchasing our new Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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 Express, 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.
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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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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.
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.
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Chapter 2 Unpacking and Setup Save the Crate and All Packing Materials Failure to follow this step will VOID YOUR WARRANTY. Your Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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.
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Chapter 2- Unpacking and Setup Placement of Your Printer When determining where to set up your printer, keep in mind the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express requires an area of at least 10 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. The Blazer Express’ final destination MUST BE A STURDY TABLE OR OTHER PLATFORM. For operator comfort, we recommend the height of the platform be at least 30”.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Environmental Controls and Humidity The Blazer Express should not be exposed to direct sunlight, direct airflow, dusty areas, 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 Final Unpacking Instructions Remove the packing tape that was used to secure the low profile access lid and raise the cover. DO NOT try to move the Print Carriage off of the Capping Station. The Fast T-Jet Blazer Express locks the Print Carriage onto the Capping Station- forcing the Print Carriage to move will damage your printer. Note: You may find a small amount of ink on the Waste Pad and/or Capping Station during setup. This is normal and there is no need to be alarmed.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual When turning OFF your Fast T-Jet Blazer Express, you must press the Power Off button (Red) on the UI before turning OFF the Main Power Switch (located adjacent the AC cord). When powering OFF, your printer goes through a shut down cycle that seats the head onto the Capping Station to help prevent Print Head clogs. DO NOT turn off the unit at the power strip. It WILL NOT go through a normal shut down.
Chapter 2- Unpacking and Setup Getting Ready to Print Your Fast T-Jet Blazer Express uses a specially designed Bulk Ink System with cartridges that hold about 200 ml of ink per color (x8) and allow for easy re-filling as needed. In order to prevent damage and ink leakage, your printer was not shipped with the Bulk System installed. To prevent components from drying out, it is shipped with cleaning cartridges. You will need to remove these prior to use because these cartridges do NOT contain textile ink.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual opening. When pouring the ink, lift the funnel out of the hole slightly, to allow air to escape and facilitate a smooth flow. DO NOT overfill the cartridge. There are hash 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.
Chapter 2- Unpacking and Setup Resetting the Bulk Ink Cartridges Your Bulk Ink System Cartridges have smart chips built-in that are designed to count the number of ink drops dispensed. After a certain amount of ink has been used, a typical inkjet cartridge chip tells the printer it is out of ink. However, the system is inefficient when used for a continuous-flow Bulk Ink System.
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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 above the White ink cartridges. Summary of LCD Display Buttons and Important Icons Many of the different Fast T-Jet Blazer Express Printer Modes (not to be confused with Print Modes which are applicable only to image output) are commonly referred to by the Icons and Phrases that appear in the LCD Display.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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. DO NOT press or attempt to use any button on the Epson LCD Display not covered in this Manual. Failure to follow this guideline can result in extended downtime, ruined output and/or damage to your printer that is not covered by warranty.
Chapter 3- Interacting with Your Printer from this the position you may load or remove garments. Pressing and holding the Index button for 2 seconds will move the Print Bed to the rear of the printer. When in this position, you may perform various the maintenance functions such as 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.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual 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 a driver compatible with your Operating System. 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 Express is a highly modified version of the Epson 4880 with hundreds of additional parts not provided by Epson.
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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 Express.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual until the LCD Display reads “Ready.” Press the LEFT ARROW once more and the LCD Display will read “Paper Out” and display a “roll of paper with scissors” icon. The printer is now in Print status. LCD Display in Print status aka “Paper Out (Roll Cut)” Whenever you need to get to Print status, this is the sequence you will use.
Chapter 4- Initialization Utilities height for output. In addition, should you need to raise or lower the Platen to accommodate different garments or other items, the following procedure 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.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual 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. The LCD display will read “Ready” and you will see a “sheet of paper” icon. Only when in “Ready (Sheet)” status can the Printer Assembly be moved. 2.
Chapter 4- Initialization Utilities 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 Express User’s Manual The following pages are intentionally left blank and reserved for future information.
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Chapter 5 Software Overview The Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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 Express 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 Fast T-Jet Blazer Express. 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 Express User’s Manual based programs, and work great for photographic images. Bitmap applications can 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 Generally, a short run of photorealistic images is not profitable when Screen Printing. However, should a customer want a picture of the entire team on a shirt - no problem! One of the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express’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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express Operation and Maintenance
Chapter 6 Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express Your Fast T-Jet Blazer Express is very easy to use. Just create an image, load a shirt, choose the appropriate Print Modes, select the number of passes and press the Print button. Voila! Instant shirt! Basic Steps for Printing on a White Shirt OK, the time has come. You have installed the bulk system you have created a simple image in your favorite graphics program and now you are ready to ruin a few shirts.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Pictured below are the various sizes of the Shirtboard available to meet your printing needs: Youth Sleeve Standard Over-Sized All Shirtboards are comprised of a foam rubber pad atop a steel base. Although the base is nearly indestructible, the rest of your printer is not. DO NOT set anything atop the Print Bed. IT IS NOT A STORAGE SHELF and it WILL WARP.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express • Lay the garment on the Shirtboard, stuffing any excess into the space between the top and base. • DO NOT leave a collar or seams exposed on top of the Shirtboard because the Print Head may strike this when printing. Load the collar over the so its out of the way. It is also critical that the shirt lay flat and that you always maintain a 3mm clearance between your garment and the Print Head.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual You may Open a template and then Import your graphic into the correct print location using grid lines that represent an outline of the Shirtboard. The template will open with either a Yellow or Pink placeholder representing the size of the graphic. (Click on a block of color to delete it.) FastARTIST has a pre-loaded template of 17” x 31” that keeps the Print Head and Print Bed aligned.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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 Express.) 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 Express.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Print Modes and FastRIP When first starting out, the most versatile Print Mode combination for BOTH photos and cartoons is 720 DPI for CMYK and 1440 DPI for the Underbase. For images on light garments in which no Underbase is used, a 2 Pass Print Mode will result in better color saturation. CMYK Cartoon and Photo Print Modes The Fast T-Jet Blazer Express has three basic modes for printing – Cartoon, Photo, and Underbase.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express Underbase Print Modes These Underbase Print Modes may only be selected from within FastARTIST. With Cartoon and Photo Print Modes available in three different resolutions, you have the ability to select the proper mode to match your graphic image. For dark shirts try using the 1440 DPI Print Mode to achieve a stronger, more consistent Underbase.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Curing Your Garments Finished prints must be heat cured to fully set the ink. For best results pre-press the garment for a few seconds prior to printing. This dries the garment and flattens the fibers. If using a Heat Press for curing, use light pressure and either a Teflon cover sheet or silicone treated baking pan liner to prevent ink from getting on the element. If using a conveyor textile dryer, you MUST achieve these times and temperatures.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express Before doing a major production run, always do wash tests and verify your dryer temperature. For Heat Presses, the most accurate method of checking the temperature is with Paper Thermometer heat tapes available from all screen print supply companies. Infrared ray guns do NOT always give accurate readings on heat presses. For conveyor dryers, use Paper Thermometers or temperature “donut” probes available from screen print supply companies.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Often it is hard to see the White ink when doing a standard nozzle check on a light shirt or piece of paper. Conversely, it is hard to see colors on a dark background. Use a piece of clear overhead transparency film or our FastPOSITIVE Waterproof inkjet film (used to make screens in the Screen Printing industry) to do Nozzle Checks. Spots or ink stains must be removed BEFORE the print is cured, using a standard Spot Removal gun.
Chapter 6- Printing with the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express If you must cancel a job while still printing, we recommend you power OFF both your computer and the printer. This will clear the memory, cache and buffers in which the image may still reside. Emergency Off Switch The Fast T-Jet Blazer Express is equipped with an Emergency Kill Switch that will cut OFF all power to the printer. After pressing this button, you must shutdown the machine completely, including the Power Switch in the rear of the housing.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual A Warning About Page Sizes When printing with a Fast T-Jet Blazer Express, you MUST ensure the correct Page Size is used. The Maximum Printable Area is limited to 16” x 20” (41 x 51 cm) within a Page Size of 17” x 31” (43 x 79 cm) . FastARTIST comes with a template that matches these dimensions and we STRONGLY recommend you use this when printing.
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 Express 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 Spray 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express can print on almost any fabric or material and usually you don’t need a clamping device. FastINK for your Blazer Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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.
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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 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 Express. Print Head Replacement In the event that the Print Head strikes a garment, Shirtboard or other object, the Print Head will probably need to be replaced.
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Chapter 10 Preventative Maintenance and Problem Solving Your Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 build-up, 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 Express 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 Express 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 • • • • • When pressing the garment, the Heat Press should rest on the silicone or 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.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual • • FastARTIST uses its own ICC Profile- make sure you do not apply one from your 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 • There is a communication error between your printer and your 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.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Causes: • 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 Express. The USB bus on your computer only has only a limited amount of power.
Chapter 11- Troubleshooting o You many not be in Print status (Refer to Chapter 4) 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.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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 • If the bitmap was created with a high resolution, try lowering the resolution to 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.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual When you print a White Underbase you get a White box over the entire image. 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.
Chapter 11- Troubleshooting Causes: • Ink is not flowing from the Bulk System. 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.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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 a bitmapped graphic. Sometimes the translation of color profiles is not exact, resulting in a difference in output. For consistent color reproduction, save your image as a high quality JPEG and send this image to the RIP for printing.
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Chapter 12 Product Support Support Policy Support for Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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 Express 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 Express is a highly modified version of an Epson 4880 with hundreds of additional parts not provided by Epson. As a result, the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express is NOT supported by Epson. Additionally, we provide the Epson 4880 Printer Driver and LFP Remote Panel (for Utilities) as a convenience, however Epson will not support these applications.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Transporting Your Printer You MUST be very careful moving and transporting your T-Jet Blazer Express. It is very heavy and a delicate piece of equipment. If you move it to a different location in your shop, keep in mind the dimensions of the printer. With two people carrying the printer, it will not easily fit through a standard doorway. Remove the Bulk Ink Cartridges, the Shirtboard and the Waste Tank BEFORE moving your machine.
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 Express Inkjet-to-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 Express User’s Manual Federal, State and local laws, regulations and standards regarding the setup and operation of the Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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 Express 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 300 pounds (227 kg).
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual dust. This 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 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. It is recommended the circuit include a breaker that can be “locked out” for maintenance purposes.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express User’s Manual Fast T-Jet Blazer Express Printer Specifications Method of Printing: Inkjet-to-Garment Size: 34”W x 20”H x 56”L (87 x 51 x 142 cm) Length includes an additional 6” clearance requirement for Print Bed at Index position Weight: 200 pounds (91 kg) Inkjet Engine: 8 color (4-CMYK 4-White) 180 nozzles per color Box dimension: 42”W x 33”H x 55”L (107 x 84 x 140 cm) Printer ships on a skid and will not ship via UPS or FedEx It
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 Express User’s Manual Uncrating The printer weighs over 200 pounds (91 kg) and requires two people remove the unit from the crate. Four lift points with handles are provided for transport. DO NOT lift from any other points on the machine or operation may be severely impaired. 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express 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 Express from U.S. Graphic Arts, Inc.
Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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.
