BLAZER SERIES User’s Manual JANUARY, 2009 VERSION 5.
Copyright Notices ©2004-2009 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.
Copyright Notices T-Jet Blazer Series User’s Manual iv
A Letter from the Developer Dear Valued Customer, I want to personally thank you for purchasing a new T-Jet Blazer Series 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 T-Jet Blazer Series, 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.
A Letter from the Developer T-Jet Blazer Series User’s Manual vi
Table of Contents A Letter from the Developer Basic Safety Instructions v xiiii Chapter 1 - Introduction 1 Manual Symbols and Icons 1 About the T-Jet Blazer Series Printers 1 The Basics Maintenance Poor Artwork 2 3 3 Important Support Information 3 About the Garment Decorating Business 4 The Book Computer Graphics DVDs Business and Marketing DVD’s Internet Trade Shows and Trade Magazines 4 5 5 5 5 5 Our Advice Chapter 2 - SETUP PART 1: Unpacking and Setup 7 Save the Crate and All Packing
Table of Contents Installing the User Interface 10 Placement of the Shirt Boards 10 Environmental Controls and Humidity 11 Final Unpacking Instructions 12 Chapter 3 - SETUP PART 2: The Bulk 13 Ink System Filling the Bulk Ink Cartridges 13 Ink Care 15 Changing Ink Brands 15 Resetting the Bulk Ink Cartridges 15 Non-Genuine Epson Cartridge Message 16 Chapter 4 - SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer Express 17 Identification Chart 17 Overview of Printer Connections 18 Plugging the Un
Table of Contents Powering Off 23 Connecting Your Printer to a Computer 23 Chapter 6 - SETUP PART 4: Printer Driver Installation 25 Epson Printer Driver Installation 25 Determining the Correct Printer Driver to Install Printer Driver Installation Steps 25 25 Chapter 7 - SETUP PART 5: Learning LCD and User Interface Controls 29 About the LCD Display 29 The LCD Display Buttons 29 Service Only Button Pause Button Left/Paper Button Down Button Up Button Right/Clean Button 29 30 30 30 30 30 Th
Table of Contents Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities Shirt Board Height Settings: Blazer EXPRESS Leveling the Shirt Board Adjust the Overall Height of the Shirt Board Shirt Board Height Settings: Blazer PRO Leveling the Shirt Boards Adjust the Overall Height of the Print Bed Assembly Power Cleaning Utility 35 35 35 38 40 40 43 45 Setting Up for a Power Cleaning Activate the Power Cleaning 45 46 Nozzle Check Utility 47 Setting Up for a Nozzle Check Activate the Nozzle Check Utility
Table of Contents Printer Setup Send the Alignment Test Print Selection and Entry of the Values Final Printout and Calibration 67 69 72 79 Print Head Calibration Worksheet 80 BLAZER PRO Setup BLAZER PRO Alignment Procedures - LCD Display Selection and Entry of the Values 61 62 63 Chapter 10 - Software Overview 81 Graphics and RIP Software 81 FastARTIST and FastRIP 82 FastRIP 82 Using Computer Graphics Software 83 Image Types 83 Vector Pixel Based Bitmap Summary 83 83 84 Editing Bitmap
Table of Contents Artwork for Light and Dark Garments 93 Refer to the FastARTIST User’s Manual 93 Chapter 11 - Printing Basics 95 Printing Basics Introduction 95 Shirt Boards 96 T-Jet Blazer Express T-Jet Blazer PRO Shirt Board Options Shirt Board Placement and Care 96 96 96 96 Basic Printing Steps 97 When a Printing Job is Finished 103 Curing Your Garments 103 Printing Tips and Tricks 104 Preventative Maintenance Export a FastARTIST Template Resolutions, Speed and Quality Saving a Spoo
Table of Contents Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing with White Ink 113 White Ink Care 113 Beginning of the Day Agitation End of Day Agitation Breather Cap Airflow 113 114 114 Pretreatment Basics 115 Applying Pretreatment Types of Pretreatment Proper Pretreatment Application Using a Spray Gun Drying the Pretreatment 115 116 116 117 Printing White Ink 117 File Setup The Underbase Wizard Set Print Modes Cure the Print 118 118 118 119 Washing Directions 120 White Ink Troubleshooting 120 White P
Table of Contents Post-treatment Warnings and Safety Information 130 Non-textile Printing Tips 131 Chapter 14 - Daily, Weekly & Monthly Maintenance 133 Releasing the Print Carriage for Access 133 Daily Maintenance 133 Keep Your Encoder Strip Clean Check and Clean the Capping Station Clean the Wiper Blade Check and Clean the Spit Tray Clean the Print Head Area Run Head Cleaning Cycles - Start and End of Each Day Ink Levels and Care Turn Off Your Printer Weekly Maintenance 133 134 135 135 135 136
Table of Contents Clean Bulk Ink System Computer Chips 144 RAM and Your Computer 144 No Windex on Clear Cover 144 When in Doubt, Unplug Everything 145 Preparing your T-Jet for Downtime 145 1 to 3 Day Downtime 4 to 9 Day Downtime 9 Days or More Downtime 145 145 145 Additional Utilities 146 Regular Head Cleaning Auto Head Cleaning (Optional from FastRIP) Print Head Replacement 146 146 148 Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting 149 Common Problems 149 LCD Error Warnings and Codes 163 Chapter 12-
Table of Contents Appendix A- Operational Guide Notice Standards Compliance Radio Frequency Emissions Compliance Federal, State and Local Laws- Regulations and Standards 185 185 185 185 185 Summary of Customer Responsibilities 186 Room Preparation 186 Environment Exhaust Ventilation Requirements Room Conditions Electrical Requirements Main Operator 186 188 188 188 189 Printer Specifications 189 Miscellaneous Information 190 Shipping and Receiving Receiving Inspection Shipment Movement Staging A
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. Use the included surge protector power strip included with each machine. Do NOT plug other items into this surge protector. • Place the printer where the power outlet is easily seen. • Do not allow the power cord to be damaged.
Basic Safety Instructions Caution: • Do not unplug the printer to turn it OFF. Use the UI Power Button first, then the main breaker switch on the back. • 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.
Chapter 1 Introduction Manual Symbols and Icons Throughout this Manual you will see four symbols used to notify you of warnings, important facts, procedures and tips. WARNING ICON 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.
Chapter 1 - Introduction The T-Jet is based on standard inkjet technology, with the Epson 4880 being the heart of the system. This means you can expect your printer to be reliable AND versatile. The T-Jet Blazer Series printers are also fast, printing a standard t-shirt-sized image in under two minutes. Whether it’s a shirt, a towel, mouse pads, tote bags, bibs or baseball caps, the possibilities are endless. WARNING Read and understand this entire manual before attempting to Print on any garment.
Chapter 1 - Introduction Maintenance Although the T-Jet is “simply” an inkjet printer, the number one technical issue is a lack of maintenance of the machine. There are three main areas of concern: • Printing on t-shirts is not the same as printing on paper. A shirt gives off much more lint which must be cleaned up regularly. • The EPSON print engine was originally designed for use with EPSON ink. Our textile ink has much more pigment and will build up on the components if not maintained daily.
Chapter 1 - Introduction U.S. Screen Support Information Toll Free Technical Support Corp. Office Fax E-mail: Internet: +1 888-MYTJETS (698-5387) +1 480-929-2937 +1 480-929-0640 +1 480-929-0766 support@usscreen.com www.myt-jet.com. Click on the Support tab. Support hours: 7:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday All times are Mountain Standard Time USA Please Note: Arizona does not observe “Daylight Savings Time.
Chapter 1 - Introduction Computer Graphics DVDs One of the hardest things to learn for the computer novice is computer graphics. There are a number of excellent DVDs explaining computer graphics and how to use Adobe Photoshop , CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator. These DVDs focus mainly on the Screen Printing process, however they also feature excellent sections on how to create designs, how to deal with poor quality artwork and more.
Chapter 1 - Introduction room for error. Shirt suppliers might not ship on time. You might not have checked your ink inventory and end up running out of a color. And, yes, you will ruin a few shirts! Accept this as a fact of life in the garment decorating industry. To have the most success, allow extra time to fill orders and don’t make commitments that might be hard to keep.
Chapter 2 SETUP PART 1: Unpacking and Setup of Your Printer Save the Crate and All Packing Materials Failure to follow this step will VOID YOUR WARRANTY. Your printer 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 for any future transportation of the printer.
Chapter 2 - SETUP PART 1: Unpacking and Setup of Your Printer Placement of the Blazer Express When determining where to set up your printer, keep in mind the T-Jet Blazer Express requires an area of at least 3.5 ft x 5.25 ft (1 m x 1.6 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.
Chapter 2 - SETUP PART 1: Unpacking and Setup of Your Printer Placement of the Shirt Board When placing your Shirt Board within the Pint Bed, take care to align the item carefully. Failure to seat the Shirt Board completely in the four Guide Pins can result in an unsteady print surface and errors in your output. For reference, the Blazer Express standard-sized Shirt Board should be placed in the Landscape orientation when facing the front of the machine..
Chapter 2 - SETUP PART 1: Unpacking and Setup of Your Printer 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 T-Jet Blazer Pro requires an area of at least 12 ft x 10 ft (3.65 m x 3 m) for the printer and workspace around it. Additional space is required for drying, pretreating garments, garment staging, etc. Note: Remove any obstacles.
Chapter 2 - SETUP PART 1: Unpacking and Setup of Your Printer Placement of the Shirt Boards The Blazer Pro comes with 3 standard-sized and 2 over-sized Shirt Boards. Each Shirt Board is designed to fit on 4 metal pegs. Line two up on one side and then bring the Shirt Board down slowly to line the other side up with the pegs. Refer to Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities for instructions on Leveling the Shirt Boards.
Chapter 2 - SETUP PART 1: Unpacking and Setup of Your Printer IMPORTANT POINT When using White ink, you must apply a Pretreatment to the shirts before printing. We recommend an affordable sprayer such as a Wagner (available at most hardware stores). DO NOT spray this Pretreatment near your printer. Pretreat shirts in a different room if possible, but at a minimum make a cardboard enclosure for use during applications.
Chapter 3 SETUP PART 2: The Bulk Ink System The T-Jet Blazer printers use 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 or 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.
Chapter 3 - SETUP PART 2: The Bulk Ink System 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. As a guide, stickers have been affixed to the front of each Ink Cartridge indicating the RECOMMENDED ink levels of between 50 and 150 ml. Top off the ink at the start of every shift to keep it as close to the “full” level as possible. 2. Prime the cartridge.
Chapter 3 - SETUP PART 2: The Bulk Ink System Ink Care Keep ink tightly capped in a 50-100°F (19-38° C) area. FOR BEST RESULTS, SHAKE THE WHITE INK BOTTLE(S) STORED ON THE SHELF, WEEKLY FOR ABOUT A MINUTE TO PREVENT SETTLING. We recommend at least agitating the colors periodically. The white ink bulk ink bottles on the printer will also need to be, at least, gently agitated on a regular basis. Refer to Chapter 12 Advanced Printing with White for more information on white ink care.
Chapter 3 - SETUP PART 2: The Bulk Ink System the Reset Module to change its status. The module’s Red light will blink while it resets the chip. The Red light will transition to a SOLID Green when the reset is complete. The process of resetting the smart chip is demonstrated in the following three images. The light on the chip resetter will be solid green when reset is complete. There are currently 2 types of chip resetters. The second resetter is white and is used the same way as the blue.
Chapter 4 SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer Express The following steps will cover everything from plugging your new printer in and powering it on to connecting it to your computer as well as learning the LCD buttons and User Interface screens. Refer to Chapter 5 - SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer PRO for interacting with the Blazer Pro.
Chapter 4 - SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer Express Overview of Printer Connections Power Switch ON AC Power Cord Plug-In OFF USB Connection Plugging the Unit into AC Power Plug the printer into its own power source. The T-Jet Blazer Express has a dual voltage power converter built in, allowing it to work with 50 or 60 cycle current ranging from 110 volts to 220 volts. Insert the AC cord into the unit and plug the opposite end into a power strip with surge protection.
Chapter 4 - SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer Express 2. Power On the User Interface On the User Interface, wait until the virtual LED labeled “Automatic Mode” becomes Red (five seconds) and press the Orange Power On button. The Blazer Express will go through a startup cycle that takes a few minutes. The virtual LED turns Red after 5 seconds When complete, the printer will be the print status Paper Out ROLL/CUT mode, viewable on the LCD Display panel. Powering Off 1.
Chapter 4 - SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer Express The Universal Serial Bus (USB) method of communication is standard on all newer computers, but a little known fact is that only a certain amount of power is supplied to the entire “bus.” If you have several items (other than a mouse and the FastARTIST Dongle) plugged into different USB ports on your computer, this may cause communication issues with the printer. We recommend using a dedicated computer to control your T-Jet Blazer Express.
Chapter 5 SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer PRO The following steps will cover everything from plugging your new printer in and powering it on to connecting it to your computer as well as learning the LCD buttons and User Interface screens. Refer to Chapter 4 - Interacting with your Blazer EXPRESS for interacting with the Blazer Express.
Chapter 5 - SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer PRO Overview of Printer Connections Printer Bed Power Cord DO NOT UNPLUG!!! ON OFF Circuit Breaker/ Power Switch AC Power Cord USB Cable Connection UI Serial Port Connection Plugging the Unit into AC Power Plug the printer into its own power source. The 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 volts.
Chapter 5 - SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer PRO Powering the Blazer PRO ON and OFF Always Power On and Off as stated below. Your printer requires a proper startup and shutdown cycle that may only run if the following steps are followed correctly. Powering On 1. Power On the Main Power Switch Place the Main Power Switch (located adjacent the AC cord) to the up position. Main Power Switch 2.
Chapter 5 - SETUP PART 3: Interacting with the Blazer PRO Connecting Your Printer to a Computer You may only connect the T-Jet Blazer Pro to a computer with an available USB 2.0 input. For best results, 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 these guidelines can cause communication problems between the printer and your computer. Do not overload your USB ports.
Chapter 6 SETUP PART 4: Printer Driver Installation Epson Printer Driver Installation A Printer Driver is software needed to make any printer function. For the T-Jet Blazer Express and PRO to operate properly, you will need to install the latest Epson printer driver(s). We have included these on the FastARTIST 2.0 (or previous) compact disc included with your FastARTIST package. You can also download these and the most current versions for the Epson Stylus Pro 4880 available at www.epson.com.
Chapter 6 - SETUP PART 4: Printer Driver Installation 2. A security warning screen will open. Press Run. 3. Click OK for the Self Extractor Window 4. Another Self Extractor Window opens. Where field named, “Unzip to Folder” should default to your “C” drive or Local disk and unzip in a folder named Epson. Do not change anything here unless it defaults to a different location. If it reads a different location, press browse and make a folder named “Epson” on your local disk. Click Unzip. 5.
Chapter 6 - SETUP PART 4: Printer Driver Installation 7. Click Accept to accept the License Agreement. 8. The Utility Setup will begin and will start copying the necessary files. 9. A Software Installation warning screen will appear. Click Continue Anyway. 10. The last screen is a screen that will auto-detect your printer. Make sure that your T-Jet is connected to the printer using the USB cord.
Chapter 6 - SETUP PART 4: Printer Driver Installation not provided by Epson. As a result, your T-Jet and any driver software is NOT supported by Epson. All support for the Epson driver and internal Epson components will come from U.S. Screen Print & Inkjet Technology. If you have any concerns installing the driver, contact our Support Department and they will gladly walk you through the process.
Chapter 7 SETUP PART 5: Learning the LCD and User Interface Controls Whether it’s a Head Cleaning, Nozzle Check, Head Alignment or other maintenance, all Utilities can be accessed through the LCD Display Control Panel, located above the white ink cartridges. The LCD Display Control Panel is also used to pause and reset print jobs.
Chapter 7 - SETUP PART 5: Learning the LCD and User Interface Controls Pause Button Pressing the Pause Button will pause a print job while printing. Holding down the Pause Button for 3 seconds will cancel a print job. Left/Paper Button This button is used to navigate throughout the LCD screens. It is also used to adjust the “paper” setting of the printer. Down Button This button is used to navigate through the LCD screens. Up Button This button is used to navigate through the LCD screens.
Chapter 7 - SETUP PART 5: Learning the LCD and User Interface Controls About the User Interface Buttons The T-Jet Blazer EXPRESS and the PRO both feature a User Interface (also referred to as HMI). The User Interface (UI) allows power and control of the printer assembly and has 3 main buttons (not counting the touch screen display). Power Off Button This button is used to shutdown the printer assembly during a normal shutdown cycle. For the Blazer PRO model is also used as an emergency shutdown.
Chapter 7 - SETUP PART 5: Learning the LCD and User Interface Controls Pass Select: Press the number of desired passes in the Pass Select area of the Mode Select screen. this will only work when in Auto Mode. Pad Enabled Icon: The Pad Enabled icon will appear on all of the User Interface screens and represents the mode that the Mode Select screen is set to. If the Pad Enabled is lit in red, the User Interface is in Auto Mode and if not lit, is in Manual Mode.
Chapter 7 - SETUP PART 5: Learning the LCD and User Interface Controls JOG - For and Rev Buttons: BLAZER EXPRESS • Pressing the FOR button moves the print bed incrementally towards the back of the printer (if facing printer, the bed will move away from you, towards the Index Position). • Pressing the REV button moves the print bed incrementally toward the front of the printer (if facing printer, the bed will move closer to you, towards the Home Position).
Chapter 7 - SETUP PART 5: Learning the LCD and User Interface Controls • Pressing the DOWN button lowers the Platen (Print Bed) giving more clearance. The distance of the platen (with the substrate loaded) needs to be set to a minimum of 3mm to a maximum of 5mm in relation to the Printer Assembly. This distance will depend on what distance is used in performing your Print Head Alignment. Learn more in Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6 - Initialization Utilities.
Chapter 8 SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities You have the Bulk Ink System in place and the Printer Driver installed, but there are a few more steps to follow before you can begin printing. You must set the Shirt Board to the correct height for printing and perform an initialization process that will get the ink flowing, and ensure the Print Head Nozzles are in proper alignment to output the best possible images.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities • 2. The other method is to visually check the gear that controls the Print Head height. This gear is on the left end of the printer opposite of the capping station and can be viewed by lifting the lid. DEFAULT POSITION: IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED If the gear is open like above, DO NOT attempt to set the Print Head Height. The A HEAD CLEANING CYCLE easiest way to set this to Printing Position OR HAVE CONFIRMED THAT is by performing a Head Cleaning Cycle.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities • Lift the printer cover (if it is not already lifted) and locate the Carriage Release Button (blue) located in front of the Print Carriage on the right side of the printer. • Press down and slowly move the Print Carriage towards the Shirt Board. 5. Measure the Distance Using a ruler or a jig, measure the distance between the Shirt Board and the Print Head. You may need to go to the rear of the printer to see; you may also need a flashlight.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities Adjust the Overall Height of the Shirt Board (EXPRESS) Now that the Shirt Board is level, the next step is to adjust the entire height of the Shirt Board (if needed). You may not have to complete this section for the initial setup if you ended up with an accurate measured distance in the previous section.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities WARNING: SOME EARLIER MODELS MAY NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH THE HEIGHT SENSOR. IF YOUR MODEL DOES NOT, REFER TO THE FOLLOWING SECTION - SETTING THE OVERALL HEIGHT FOR THE BLAZER PRO MODEL - WHICH ALSO DOES NOT HAVE A HEIGHT SENSOR EQUIPPED. 6. Set the Shirt Board Height For best results, you will want to set the distance as close to the sensor level as possible. Use the Height Adjustment knob to set the clearance to the desired height for printing.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities Shirt Board Height Settings BLAZER PRO It is necessary during setup to check and adjust the Shirt Board to Head Clearance to the proper height for output and to make sure that the Shirt Board is at a safe distance from the Print Head. It is also important that each corner of each Shirt Board being used is level with the Print Head. Leveling the Shirt Boards (PRO) The first step in the process is to level the Shirt Boards to the Print Head.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED A HEAD CLEANING CYCLE OR HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE PRINTER IS IN PRINTING POSITION, CONTINUE TO THE NEXT STEP. 3. Position the Shirt Board You will need to position the first Shirt Board underneath the Print Head so that you can accurately measure the distance between the two. The distance needs to be checked (and adjusted if necessary) on all 4 corners of each Shirt Board to have the best possible prints. Stand.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities 5. Measure the Distance Using a ruler or a jig, measure the distance between the Shirt Board and the Print Head. You may need to go to the rear of the printer to see; you may also need a flashlight. In the photo to the right we used 3 CDs stacked together (measuring 4 mm) to show how a jig can help in the measuring process. 6.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities Adjust the Overall Height of the Print Bed Assembly (PRO) Now that the Shirt Boards are level, the next step is to adjust the entire height of the Platen. In addition, should you need to raise or lower the entire Print Bed Assembly to accommodate different garment thicknesses or other items, the following procedure would be used. 1. Confirm that the Printer is in the Proper Position. Refer to the previous section - Leveling the Shirt Board - Step 2.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities 7. Set the Platen to a safe clearance Use the Platen to Head Clearance Adjustment Screen on the User Interface to set the clearance of approximately 3 mm (1/8”) and no less. • On the UI, press the “RIGHT hand” button until the Mode Select screen appears. (Refer to the previous chapter for details on UI screens) • In the upper left hand corner is a virtual dial pointing to “Auto.” Press the dial once and it will rotate to Manual.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities Power Cleaning Utility To initialize the ink, a utility called Power Cleaning will need to be performed. The Power Cleaning Utility will pull the ink through the lines and into the Print Head. It can also be utilized if you have serious nozzle clogs, however, it will consume a large volume of ink. We recommend that you only perform a Power Cleaning for your initial setup unless the troubleshooting chapter or our support team suggests otherwise.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities • Press the LEFT ARROW once more and the LCD Display will read “PAPER OUT” and displays a “roll of paper with a scissors” icon. This mode is called PAPER OUT/ ROLL CUT mode. The printer is now in Print status. PAPER OUT Whenever you need to get to Print Status, this is the sequence you will use. The only difference would be if you were preparing to output an image onto a garment, the virtual dial of the Mode Select Screen would be set to Auto. 4.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities Nozzle Check Utility The next step in the setup process is performing Nozzle Check. The Nozzle Check Utility is necessary to confirm that the ink is flowing and that the Print Head is performing properly. NOTE: Later in this chapter are instructions on completing the Nozzle Check Utility using the Epson LFP Remote Panel.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities Activate the Nozzle Check Utility A Nozzle Check Utility can be activated through the LCD Display Control Panel or the LFP Remote Panel (see later section in this chapter). For steps on activating through the LCD Display Control Panel, carefully follow the steps below. 1. The printer should now be in READY ROLL Mode. Press the RIGHT ARROW Button once - the display will read “Printer Setup.” 2. Press the DOWN ARROW Button once to see “Test Print.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities Nozzle Check and Power Cleaning Utilities from the LFP Remote Panel The Nozzle Check procedure can also be completed by using the Epson LFP Remote Panel. The LFP Remote Panel is a stand alone application designed to give you several utility functions, including the Print Head Alignment and Power Cleaning utilities, right from your computer. The LFP Remote Panel is included with the Epson Stylus Pro Driver CD that came with your Blazer Series printer.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities 3. From the main Window, select your printer from the drop down menu. Use the table below to determine your Epson print engine model. BO: BX: B8: BY: EPSON Stylus Pro 4800 EPSON Stylus Pro 4800 EPSON Stylus Pro 4880 EPSON Stylus Pro 4880 Your Serial Number will contain one of the four options after TJBE or TJB. The table will then outline which model your print engine is based on. 4. Select Power Cleaning from the LFP Remote Panel Main Screen. 5.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities 8. Once you have obtained a satisfactory Nozzle Check, press the Power button on the UI to turn OFF your printer. After the shutdown process has been completed, turn the power back ON and you may resume normal operations. 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. 51 Version 5.
Chapter 8 - SETUP PART 6: Initialization Utilities T-Jet Blazer Series User’s Manual 52
Chapter 9 SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments Introduction The Blazer EXPRESS and PRO have different procedures for completing a Print Head Alignment. This chapter has been split into 2 sections. Please refer to the correct section corresponding with your T-Jet Blazer Series model. The Print Head Alignment procedures have been carefully researched and it is extremely important that you follow the instructions carefully to prevent mis-calibration.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS BLAZER EXPRESS ALIGNMENTS This section will cover the execution of Uni-Directional and Bi-Directional Print Head Alignments for the Blazer EXPRESS. For steps on completing these alignments for the Blazer PRO, refer to the later section of this chapter named Blazer PRO Alignments. 1. Install the LFP Remote Panel The alignment procedure is completed by using the Epson LFP Remote Panel.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS test pattern on, before adjusting the distance setting. A DISTANCE OF 3 MM IS REQUIRED. This step is important in the process, because the distance between the Print Head and the “Media” used during the alignment process will need to be the exact distance between the Print Head and the garment that you will later print on. 3mm is the ideal setting and will give you the most crisp prints.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS 3. Send the Alignment Test Print The following steps will cover sending the Print Head Alignment Test Print to the Blazer EXPRESS through the Epson LFP Remote Panel. 1. Open the LFP Remote Panel by double-clicking on the Epson LFP icon on your Desktop. If not present, using your Start menu, select Programs > Epson > Epson LFP Remote Panel. 2. From the main Window, select your printer from the drop down menu.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS 4. From the Media Adjustment screen select the Auto Adjustment icon. 5. In the Auto Adjustment section of the Media Adjustment window, select Bi-Directional or Uni-Directional Alignment from the drop down menu. This selection will be determined in the earlier section of this chapter named “Types of Print Head Alignments and Which to Complete”. NOTE: DO NOT select any of the Auto Alignment options (in blue) on this screen.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS • Select Other for Media Type • Enter 2 for Paper Thickness • Select Standard from the Platen Gap drop-down menu. WARNING: It is EXTREMELY crucial that you only select ONE Dot Size per printout! The Blazer EXPRESS does not have enough bed length to print out all dot sizes in one run. If you do not deselect the other two check boxes, the printer will error out. If this happens refer to the Error codes in Chapter 15 Troubleshooting. 7.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS Bi-Directional Alignment Patterns: If performing a Bi-Directional Alignment, you will see lines for black and individual sets of color swatches for the colors. The black and light black ink colors (Pk/Mk and LK) will have it’s own set of lines like the sample shown here. The colors (C,M and Y) will each have color swatch set numbered 1-9 (cyan shown in this example).
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS 3. Entering in Values - Part 1 - Uni-Directional Below is an example printout of a Uni-Directional Alignment pattern (Figure 1). Throughout the process of selecting the best values, for this example we will use a chart (Figure 2) to keep track of the selections and entries made to help you understand how the process is completed.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS Prints that Do Not Line Up (Uni-Directional) If in the printout, none of the lines came out close to “good”, you would need to pick the closest and enter in that value multiple times for that particular color. This is where the process may get a bit tricky. NOTE: a worksheet is included for the following situations in doing a Bi-Directional Alignment - see Prints that Do Not Line Up (Bi-Directional).
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS 3. Entering in Values - Part 2 - Bi-Directional Below is an example printout of a Bi-Directional Alignment pattern (Figure 3). Throughout the process of selecting the best values, for this example we will use a chart (Figure 4) to keep track of the selections and entries made to help you understand how the process is completed.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS Prints that Do Not Line Up (Bi-Directional) Observing the Alignment printout on the previous page (Figure 3), the calibration is far from where it needs to be. Figure 4: Bi-Directional Worksheet-Part 1 In the worksheet (Figure 4) we have entered 1 for all 3 dot sizes (columns). Notice on Figure 3, that the Cyan and LLK are slightly closer that the other 4 colors.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS • Third Entries: This example allows you to assume that you needed to enter the correseponding number in 3 times before even needing to complete another printout. Third Entries Pattern to Enter 9 After entering in 9 three times, the pattern will give you a much more desired print out of the alignment pattern, leaving you to only printout the pattern twice versus three or more times.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER EXPRESS 5. Final Printout and Calibration At this point you should have made all of your entries in the LFP Remote Panel and Saved. If you exit this screen without saving your data, it will be lost. If this should occur, return to the correct alignment screen, re-enter your numbers and select Save. 1. Turn off your Blazer Express and Power Back on. After completing and saving your settings in the LFP Remote panel, you MUST turn OFF the printer.
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Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO BLAZER PRO ALIGNMENTS This section will cover the execution of Uni-Directional and Bi-Directional Print Head Alignments for the Blazer PRO. For steps on completing these alignments for the Blazer EXPRESS, refer to the earlier section of this chapter named Blazer EXPRESS Alignments. 1. Install the LFP Remote Panel The alignment procedure is completed by using the Epson LFP Remote Panel.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO 2. Check the distance between the Print Head and the Shirt Board. For this procedure you will need the 3 standard-size Shirt Boards loaded onto the Blazer PRO. The Shirt Board must have the media in place (whether it be film, paper or plexi-glass) to print the test pattern on, before adjusting the distance setting. A DISTANCE OF 3 MM IS REQUIRED.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO Align the media with the upper left hand corner of the Shirt Board (the bottom right hand corner if facing the front of the printer). Over hang the film 1/2” over the right edge of the Shirt Board. Measure from the end of the platen (where the metal platen handle is attached), 15.5”. This is where the first sheet needs to be placed. The second sheet will be at 27.5” and the third at 38.5”. 15.5” 27.5” 38 1/2” 7.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO 2. From the main Window, select your printer from the drop down menu. Use the table below to determine your Epson print engine model. Your Serial Number will contain one of the four options after TJBE. The table will then outline which model your print engine is based on. BO: BX: B8: BY: EPSON Stylus Pro 4800 EPSON Stylus Pro 4800 EPSON Stylus Pro 4880 EPSON Stylus Pro 4880 3.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO IMPORTANT NOTE: If you notice SEVERE registration issues, 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. 6. Select All of the Dot Size #s and complete other settings.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO 7. Double check that your film (or media) is still setup correctly. Also verify that the printer is still in Index Position and in READY/ROLL Mode. 8. Press the Print button on the LFP Remote Panel Screen. The print process will take approximately 10 minutes. After the print is complete, be careful not to smudge the ink, it will be wet for a short while (depending on what media type you are printing on). 9. Continue on with the next step. 4.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO The 4 white cartridges will each have a white swatch set numbered 1-9 as well, labeled Lk, Lc, Lm, and LLk. NOTE: You will notice that there are two columns of identical groups. The first, or left hand column, will be used for calibration. The second column is only a duplicate image of the first column. 2.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO Figure 1: Uni-Directional Alignment Printout Prints that Line Up (Uni-Directional) Observing the Alignment printout (Figure 1), the calibration is not far off and can observe the dashed lines lining up. In the worksheet (Figure 2) we have entered the best values for all 3 dot sizes. • Enter in the best values into the LFP Remote Panel screen where the default of 5 is entered (for all 3 dot sizes). • Next, click the Save button.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO Prints that Do Not Line Up (Uni-Directional) If in the printout, none of the lines came out close to “good”, you would need to pick the closest and enter in that value multiple times for that particular color. This is where the process may get a bit tricky. NOTE: a worksheet is included for the following situations in doing a Bi-Directional Alignment - see Prints that Do Not Line Up (Bi-Directional).
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO off. For an example, the cyan set may be off to the right (enter 9s) and the magenta off to the left (enter 1s), while the yellow may be perfect (enter 5s). Completing the “estimation” process too many times can “over shoot” the alignment causing it to be off the opposite way. If the pattern is only slightly off (half of what you see in this example) only two entries may be necessary. • Continue on to Step 4 - Final Printout and Calibration. 3.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO Prints that Line Up (Bi-Directional) Observing the Alignment printout above (Figure 3), the calibration is far off from where it needs to be. If you had swatch options to choose from that looked like the example to the right, select the closest swatch to representing a full box, and enter those values into the LFP remote panel window. • Enter in the best values into the LFP Remote Panel screen (for all 3 dot sizes). • Next, click the Save button.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO Enter in the desired values (for all 3 dot sizes) and click the SAVE button. Each time you click the Save button, all of the values will read 5 again. Second Entries • Second Entries: Entering in the corresponding value once, however, will not get the complete results on the printout (see Second Entries example to the right), leaving you to enter them again and again etc., until the alignment finally prints correct.
Chapter 9 - SETUP PART 7: Print Head Alignments - BLAZER PRO example, the cyan set may be off to the right (enter 9s) and the magenta off to the left (enter 1s), while the yellow may be perfect (enter 5s). Completing the “estimation” process too many times can “over shoot” the alignment causing it to be off the opposite way. If the pattern is only slightly off (half of what you see in this example) only two entries may be necessary.
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Chapter 10 Software Overview 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 the fewest communication problems with the printer, you need a fast computer. You can use a standard desktop computer or even a laptop, but for the best performance, the computer should have at least 1GB of RAM (2 GB is recommended).
Chapter 10 - Software Overview FastARTIST and FastRIP Not only do the printer and ink makes the T-Jet Blazer Series Printers so unique, but also the software that drives them. As mentioned earlier, your printer comes with two very powerful programs called FastARTIST and FastRIP. FastARTIST is a complete graphics program much like CorelDRAW and Adobe Photoshop.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview 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. If you don’t have computer graphics experience, you might print this bad artwork and then blame your printer for the poor quality image.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview Summary If you intend to create your own artwork, then we recommend that you have both a vector and bitmap program (one will work fine but will limit what you can do). The vector program will be used for working with shapes, text and edges, while the bitmap program will be used for any photographic or detailed images.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview A Quick Note about Photoshop As you begin to work with different kinds of images in different formats and resolutions, it is very important to have the proper tools necessary to clean up and make images “print ready.” Even though FastARTIST is a very powerful graphics program, there may be times when a program such as Photoshop is required for specific editing functions.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview The important point here is to keep the file resolution high enough for the image to remain sharp. It is generally accepted that a file needs to be at 300 dpi at the final size in order for it to remain crisp. In T-Shirt printing, you can get away with file resolutions of 150 to 300 dpi at the final size. You MUST know the actual resolution and size of the image, otherwise you could be working on a very small file and not know it.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview IMPORTANT POINT: If the original file is low resolution and not the final size, you need to upsample the file to the final print size with a resolution of 150 to 300 dpi. A resolution of 150 dpi is OK for photos and images without hard edges and resolutions of 300 to 350 are recommended where there is lettering or sharp edges. After upsampling, you can work on the file and add type or other elements.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview Move the Amount slider to 150%. Set the Pixel Radius to 1 and the Threshold to 8. How does the image look? To compare the original to the sharpened version, uncheck the Preview check box (Photoshop). Click it on and off and compare the results. If you can’t see much difference, move the Amount slider higher. Go all the way to 500% if you need to but don’t make the image too grainy.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview Bitmap Editing in FastARTIST Photoshop is always in bitmap mode because it is a pixelbased editing program. FastARTIST (along with CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator) defaults to vector mode when you launch the program, so you will need to find the bitmap editing tools in these programs. In FastARTIST, double-click on the image. That changes the top Toolbar icons to standard bitmap editing mode (very similar icons to Photoshop).
Chapter 10 - Software Overview You will also notice that your Channels Palette shows four channels: RGB, Red, Green and Blue. Your test file probably only shows one Layer, called Background. For more details on using the Layers Palette in Photoshop, consult the Adobe User’s Manual or the In-Program Help sections. Setting Transparent Images in FastARTIST To set transparent backgrounds in FastARTIST, double-click on the image to enter the bitmap edit state.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview 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. Note: if you are working on a “flattened” piece of art (JPEG) with 1 layer named: “Background,” you need to first duplicate this layer to switch to “PSD file mode” to get the transparent background. The original layer can then be deleted.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview Making Your Selection a New Layer The goal behind all this is to get your main image on a layer with a transparent background. (This will show as a gray and white checkered pattern throughout the image). With a transparent background, you can add additional elements to the image including text, drop shadows, glows and more. Fixing Bad Line-Art in Photoshop and FastARTIST You may also use a bitmap editing program to improve the quality of line-art.
Chapter 10 - Software Overview Artwork for Light and Dark Garments To set up artwork properly, it is imperative to know first onto what color garment the image is to be printed. This will then determine if the image background needs to be transparent, White, Black, or in some cases both Black and White. For Light colored garments, the T-Jet will print the image just as it appears, but it does not print the White. Printing in color without an Underbase is the easiest form of garment printing.
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Chapter 11 Printing Basics Congratulations! You have made it to the chapter - Printing Basics. Its been quite a lengthy process to get here, but since you were patient and read through the entire manual, you will be rewarded with the most brilliant prints in the industry. This chapter will cover printing basics on lighter-colored garments NOT using white ink. Read this chapter of basics before continuing on to the next chapter. Your T-Jet Blazer Series printer is very easy to use.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Shirt Boards T-Jet Blazer Express The Blazer EXPRESS includes one Standard Adult and one Large (over-sized) Shirt Board. The EXPRESS model prints one garment at a time. T-Jet Blazer PRO The Blazer PRO model includes three Standard Adult and two Large (over-sized) Shirt Boards, meaning that on the PRO, although you are not required to, can print either 3 standard-sized prints or 2 over-sized prints at a time.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Basic Printing Steps: 1. Power Up Power up your T-Jet (see Chapter 4 or Chapter 5 for proper steps) and allow the machine to go through its startup cycle. 2. Verify Print Status on the LCD Display After powering up, the printer should be in Print Status, but a far too common user error occurs when a print command is sent to the printer without the machine being in the proper mode. The printer MUST be in “Paper Out/Roll Cut” mode.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics For a more vibrant CMYK print on light garments, refer to Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing With White and learn about FastCOLOR Pretreatment and the pretreatment process. IMPORTANT POINT DO NOT leave the collar or seam exposed on top of the Shirt Board. Any unnecessary height on the bed may hit the Print Head when printing. Load the collar over the edge of the Shirt Board so that it is out of the way. It is also critical that the shirt lay flat.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics 8. Choose the artwork you wish to print. In the beginning you will need to concentrate on the print placement and getting the image in the graphics program coordinated to the correct location on the shirt. You can print directly to FastRIP from your favorite graphics application (if you are not outputting an Underbase or Highlight White), or you can print from within FastARTIST (recommended).
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Size. Also, make sure that the page size is correct under File>FastRIP Setup under Preferences. 10. Import your Art into the Template Blazer Express Standard Template Blazer PRO Standard (3-up)Template • From the File Pull-down Menu select Import. • Choose the file you want to import. • Click on the page to import the file at it’s actual size or click and drag to apply a custom size. You can adjust the size by clicking and dragging on a corner.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics From the File Pull-down Menu, select FastRIP Setup. A window will open up letting you adjust all of the print setting and Print Modes. You can also do this by selecting File>Print to FastRIP. The screen will look a bit different and at the top of the window, click the square button with 3 dots in the Pressing this button will open up the setup options. middle. All designs are different and each have different needs. A brief overview of Print Modes follows.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics 13. Send the Print command (from FastARTIST). • After all Print Modes have been selected, select File>Print to FastRIP The print preview window will open (you may already have this window open if you set the file up in this window). • Using the Arrow tool, select the art on the Artboard that you wish to print. In most cases you will want to print everything on the Artboard.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics When a Printing Job Is Finished After your job finishes printing, the Printer Assembly will return to the Home position and the green button on the User Interface will start to flash. At this time it is safe to: • Remove your garment and cure. For the Blazer PRO, extend the platen by the handle so that the third position Shirt Board is completely clear of the Printer Assembly. • Load your next garment(s) and resume printing.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Printing Tips and Tricks Preventative Maintenance One of the most important tasks in keeping your new printer running smoothly is to keep up on the maintenance of the machine. Although the T-Jet is “simply” an inkjet printer, the number one technical issue is a lack of maintenance of the machine. There are three main areas of concern: • Printing on t-shirts is not the same as printing on paper. A shirt gives off much more lint which must be cleaned up regularly.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics • Next, deselect anything selected and choose a new color to represent the print area. In this example, we will use yellow. Select the rectangle tool again and trace the safe area of the guide. • Zoom in and make sure that the edges line up with the guides. Do this on all 4 sides. • Click File>Export. We recommend exporting as an EPS. An EPS file will open in almost any graphics application.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Saving a Spooled Print File You can save a spooled job for later printing. This is most helpful when you want to print a particular job the exact same way or if a customer requests a repeat order by surprise. The spooled file saves as a file called JTB. The JTB file obtained it’s name from the extension of the actual file being archived. So when you spool the art file and name it cat, the JTB file will be named cat.jtb.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics 5. Towards the bottom of the window, where it says Location, click on the box with the three dots. A “Browse For” folder will open. This is where you will name the JTB file and select a save location. This works like any other browser window when saving a file. When a save location is selected, click OK at the bottom of the window. The location path in the window now displays the path of where you selected to save your file. 6. Next, click the Archive button.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Emergency Off Switch - Blazer Express The 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. All jobs within FastRIP must be cancelled and deleted. Perform a complete start-up and initialization to resume operations.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Height Sensor: Blazer Express ONLY The Blazer EXPRESS (only) is equipped with a built-in Height Sensor that will help determine what the height of the platen needs to be set to for printing. The height sensor is a thin laser beam that extends across the Platen if it is at a dangerous height that will damage the Print Head.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Print Modes and FastRIP When first starting out, the most versatile Print Mode combination for BOTH photos and cartoons is 720 HS for CMYK and 1440 HS 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 T-Jet Blazer Series Printers have three basic modes for printing – Cartoon, Photo, and Underbase.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Eight Color Print Modes The Fast T-Jet Blazer Express 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.
Chapter 11 - Printing Basics Poor washability ON LIGHT SHIRTS may be caused by insufficient ink deposit. For best results, print at a minimum of 720 DPI and do two print passes (light shirts only). You can greatly improve the washability of the final print on light shirts that do not have white ink in the image by using FastCOLOR pretreatment. For information on pretreatments and applying pretreatment, refer to Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing With White.
Chapter 12 Advanced Printing With White Ink This chapter will cover proper care of white ink, pretreatments and the pretreatment process, printing with white ink and how to take the proper steps in being successful with the process. The process of printing white ink onto garments was not easy to develop. Because the openings in Print Heads are so small, one cannot use thick ink like standard Screen Print Plastisol Ink.
Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing With White Ink Do not violently shake the ink; only shake mildly! Shaking too severely may cause the formation of small air bubbles that can severely impair printing or create a vapor lock within the ink during the day. End of the Day Agitation At the end of each work day, we recommend you remove each of the White Bulk Ink Cartridges, hold your finger tightly over the breather cap and gently tilt upside down.
Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing With White Ink 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 12 - Advanced Printing With White Ink Types of Pretreatment Currently we offer three types of Pretreatment-FastINK Textile Pretreatment, FastBRIGHT Textile Pretreatment and FastCOLOR Textile Pretreatment: • FastINK Pretreatment is specifically designed for use on Dark colored garments, allowing for extremely bright Whites and vibrant colors. FastINK Pretreatment should only be used with medium to dark colored garments due to possible discoloration of light shirts when exposed to direct sunlight.
Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing With White Ink Drying the Pretreatment Using a Heat Transfer Press is the best means for drying the Pretreatment. A heat press will flatten out the fibers leaving a flat and smooth print surface. You can use a conveyor dryer or even a hair dryer, however, other methods of drying will not flatten the fibers and may result in a lower print quality. When using a Heat Press, lay a sheet of non-silicone Pretreatment paper (parchment paper) available from U.S. Screen.
Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing With 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. DO NOT overfill above the 200 mL mark or overflow may occur. 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.
Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing With White Ink Cure the print Carefully remove the shirt from the Shirt Board and cure. Keep in mind, White ink will need to be cured longer than standard colors. Cure in a conveyor dryer or Heat Press. Refer to Chapter 11 - Printing Basics - Curing Your Garments for more information. • 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 12 - Advanced 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 a delicate cycle. If possible, include washing directions to customers along with the finished prints.
Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing With White Ink Solution 3: The Highlight White settings in FastARTIST are wrong. You may actually be printing white ink ON TOP of the CMYK colors. Reload the image into FastARTIST and run the Underbase/Highlight Wizard again. Try not applying a Highlight or toning down the Highlight. Solution 4: Dry ink may be causing the Print Head to not seal properly. Due to the nature of the white ink pigment, it will build up faster on the capping station and on the wiper blade.
Chapter 12 - Advanced Printing With White Ink Solution 5: The Print Head is permanently clogged or damaged from lack of maintenance. Before contacting us for a replacement or for other instructions, check the print head to see if there is any visible ink or lint stuck to it. If so, use FastINK HD Cleaning Solution or Windex on a sponge swab and CAREFULLY wipe the bottom of the Print Head in one direction with VERY LITTLE PRESSURE. The print nozzles are very sensitive and can be damaged very easily.
Chapter 13 Printing Other Items The T-Jet can print on almost any fabric or material and you usually don’t need a clamping device. FastINK is a waterbased 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, metals, plastics and more. With the help of Fast T-Jet Non-Textile Series Pre/Post Treatment, FastINK will adhere to almost any type of surface.
Chapter 13 - Printing Other Items 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.screenprinters.net. Adjusting the Platen Height Before sending any print, check the Platen/Print Bed to Head Clearance. You will most likely need to adjust it when printing other items.
Chapter 13 - 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. fine bristle brush Optional materials may be required: 1. 2. 3. 4. Non-Textile Primer a holder for object(s) (i.e.
Chapter 13 - Printing Other Items 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 T-Jet Brand Non-Textile Pretreatment. DO NOT print directly onto this product. Protect your work surfaces with newspaper. APPLICATION DIRECTIONS: • Dip a fine bristle brush into the Primer, wiping off any excess on the side of the bottle.
Chapter 13 - Printing Other Items 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.
Chapter 13 - Printing Other Items Setting up an Image for Printing 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. For the purposes of this Manual, we demonstrate will setting up the image using FastARTIST. The steps required for printing with other graphic applications will be very similar- please consult your application’s Owner’s Manual if needed. 1.
Chapter 13 - Printing Other Items Printing on Golf Balls To print golf balls you will need a Golf Ball Holder (optional), T-Jet Non-Textile Pretreatment, and Post-Treatment (T-Jet Non-Textile Primer is not necessary). For more information, refer to the literature that came with your Golf Ball Printing Kit 1. Load the Golf Balls into the Holder and place the Over-spray Shield on top of the balls. The Shield will protect areas not intended to be printed upon from Pretreatment and over-spray. 2.
Chapter 13 - Printing Other Items 3. Choose a Print Mode (Non-textile Print Mode). For a list and description of the available Print Modes, please refer to your FastARTIST User’s Manual. 4. Print to FastRIP. T-Jet Non-Textile Post-Treatment This Post-Treatment is a protective coating used for prints on non-textile surfaces. Using the posttreatment will prevent fading of ink colors, extend the life of the image as well as waterproofing and acting as a UV protectant.
Chapter 13 - Printing Other Items and pilot lights and turn off stoves, heaters, electric motors and other sources of ignition during use and until all vapors are gone. Prevent buildup of vapors by opening all windows and doors to achieve cross ventilation. Use only with adequate ventilation. Do not breathe dust, vapors or spray mist. Ensure fresh air entry during application and drying.
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Chapter 14 Daily, Weekly and Monthly Maintenance Your T-Jet Blazer Series Printer 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.
Chapter 14 - Daily, Weekly and Monthly Maintenance dirt can interfere with the exchange of data between the Print Head and the Encoder Strip. Manually move the carriage to the left and right throughout the cleaning process to allow you reach and clean the entire Encoder Strip. For best results use 90% Isopropyl Alcohol pads (NOT “Rubbing Alcohol” pads) and wrap the alcohol pad around both sides of the Encoder strip. Gently move the pad in both directions.
Chapter 14 - Daily, Weekly and Monthly Maintenance 3. Clean the Wiper Blade The Wiper Blade is a part of the capping station (above the capping station) that wipes off left over residue after printing large volumes of jobs. The wiper blade is an important component and needs to be kept clean in order to reduce other maintenance issues. Using a foam tipped swab along with FastINK HD Cleaning Fluid, clean both sides of the wiper blade, making sure that there is no residue present.
Chapter 14 - Daily, Weekly and Monthly Maintenance 6. Run Head Cleaning Cycles - Start and End of Each Day After turning ON the machine at the start of the day, perform 1 or 2 Head Cleaning Cycles. Press and hold the Right/Clean button on the LCD control panel, for three seconds to initiate. Also, perform Head Cleaning Cycles at the end of a large shirt run as well as at the end of each day. Another option is to setup your computer to schedule automatic Head Cleaning Cycles daily.
Chapter 14 - Daily, Weekly and Monthly Maintenance Weekly Maintenance Weekly Maintenance is also very important to practice in order to keep the best results in daily printing as well as preventing any future issues. The amount of weekly maintenance required depends on how many garments were printed that week. Follow these steps to ensure that your T-Jet continues to print the best images possible. 1.
Chapter 14 - Daily, Weekly and Monthly Maintenance • Next, gently slide the metal cowling free and the Waste Tank will be easily accessible. To remove the Waste Tank, slide if from its bin. • Always r eplace the Waste Ink Tank or Pad • Reset the Chip Next, use the Chip Reset Module to reset the Waste Tank chip. For instructions on resetting the chip, refer to Chapter 3 - SETUP PART 2: The Bulk Ink System - Resetting the Bulk Ink Cartridges.
Chapter 14 - Daily, Weekly and Monthly Maintenance Monthly Maintenance You will need to lubricate the Bed Rails and Rail Guides on a Monthly basis to facilitate the Print Assembly moving smoothly during image output. This procedure will help prevent banding as well as several other image quality concerns. 1.
Chapter 14 - Daily, Weekly and Monthly Maintenance A Grease Gun and Lithium-based grease can be purchased from most major Auto Parts stores. Connect the Grease Gun to the Zerk fitting pictured here to lube the Rail Guides. There are 2 Rail Guides per side, 4 total. 3. Lubricate the Bed Rails To correctly lubricate the Main Rails, apply a very THIN coat of the same Lithium-based grease used for the Rail Guides. Spread the White Grease along the ENTIRE length of both Rails using a clean, lint-free cloth.
Chapter 14 - Daily, Weekly and Monthly Maintenance Maintenance Schedule Checklist Use this Checklist as a guide to ensure critical maintenance is performed on a regular basis. DO NOT SKIP A DAY, WEEK OR MONTH! The Checklist may also be downloaded from www.screenprinters.net 141 Version 5.
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Chapter 15 Tips and Utilities to Maximize Print Quality This section will cover basic and “not so basic” tips and utilities to help keep your printer and your printed images the best that they can be. 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.
Chapter 15 - Tips and Utilities to Maximize Print Quality Humidity and Environmental Control Controlling the environment in which your printer “lives” is a must! During the cold winter months, dry heat is often pumped into a room. This is not a good thing for inkjet printers! They prefer humidity levels of 40% to 60%. If your room is dry, place a humidifier in the room and buy an inexpensive hygrometer from Radio Shack, Target, Walmart etc. to measure the humidity level.
Chapter 15 - Tips and Utilities to Maximize Print Quality When in Doubt, Unplug Everything Sometimes inkjet printers just get “confused,” especially if you stop them in the middle of a run. If the printer is suddenly acting abnormally, turn everything OFF and unplug the power cord. Make sure to disconnect the USB cable between your Fast T-Jet Blazer Express and the computer to end data transmission that still may be occurring.
Chapter 15 - Tips and Utilities to Maximize Print Quality Additional Utilities A typical print problem that can occur is when lines are missing in the final image. This is called banding and can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for banding are a dirty or clogged Print Head, or dirty Encoder Strip. If your prints are unexpectedly light, or dots or lines are missing, you may need to clean the Print Head.
Chapter 15 - Tips and Utilities to Maximize Print Quality 3. Setup in FastRIP • Click on the Queue pull down menu and select properties. • Select Printer status from the left of the Queue Properties Window. • Put a check mark in the Head Clean check box. • Type in 8 in the first box, representing hours. This will set the printer to run a head cleaning every 8 hours. • Click OK. 4.
Chapter 15 - Tips and Utilities to Maximize Print Quality everything is set to Never be turned off except for the monitor; your monitor may still be set to turn off whenever you would like. • Make sure you leave the printer and computer turned on and that FastRIP is open at all times. Setting your computer to perform the Auto Head Cleaning Function does change the fact that you still need to follow all other ink care procedures and practices, such as rotating.
Chapter 16 Troubleshooting This chapter was written to help you find solutions for what has been considered common problems. Through years of research and development, there is still common concerns and areas that may be difficult to resolve especially with inkjet-to-garment being such a new technology. Although we have the best technical support in the industry, we recommend skimming through this chapter with any problems or concerns you may have.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting 2. Underbase and Color Do Not Line Up for Subsequent Images The first printed image is great, but the Underbase and Top Color registration is off for either the second and third Shirt Board for the PRO or images on the next run for the Express. Causes: • You are using a Page Size greater than the maximum printable area Make sure you are using the pre-made templates within FastARTIST.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting • The Print Head may need special cleaning if not damaged. Order a replacement Print Head and replace following the instructions. Preventions: • Clean the Capping Station on a regular basis. • Clean debris from the Print Head daily. • Do not overfill the Bulk Ink Cartridges. Cause 2: The Print Head may need special cleaning if not permanently clogged. Solution: Follow the instructions in Chapter 13 on releasing the print carriage.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting • The temperature of the Heat Press was not correct Make sure the Heat Press is heating up evenly and reaching the correct temperature of 330º F. You can test this with a touch-less infrared thermometer or heat testing strip. • Too much Pretreatment was applied Avoid soaking the garment with Pretreatment. Do not print on shirts where the Pretreatment may still be wet.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting Preventions: • Usually when a color prints with an incorrect hue, it is because a Nozzle is clogged. If you are trying to print an Orange image but it appears more Yellow, that means the Magenta is clogged and the pigments can’t mix to produce Orange. • One of the most important parts of your Blazer Series Printer is the Capping Station. Make sure this ALWAYS stays clean. The Print Head “docks” here when not in use to ensure it does not dry out.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting Preventions: • Double check the settings in FastRIP prior to sending a Print command. • Clean the Encoder Strip more often. • Always make sure images are the same size when using the Underbase Wizard in FastARTIST. • Test the communication between the computer and printer. 7. Fonts Are Not Printing Correctly Fonts are not printing in the correct font, size or not printing at all. Cause: Sometimes fonts, especially script fonts, may not print correctly or at all.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting Preventions: • Keep it simple. Do not overload the printer port. • When in doubt first try turning everything off and unplugging things such as the USB cable from the computer to the printer. • Pay close attention to page sizes and LCD display modes. 9. When Printing with White, No Ink Prints/No Underbase Settings Available Cause and Solution: You do not have the correct printer selected in FastRIP.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting • If the white ink is uneven, be sure to pretreat the entire printable area evenly. • Use 100% Pretreatment. Try not diluting it with water to see if prints improve. Preventions: • Practice is the only way to master the art of pretreating a shirt. Eventually you will develop your own style for applying Pretreatment. Cause 2: The Underbase settings in FastARTIST are not strong enough or not set up correctly.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting Solution: Replace the Print Head. In the event that you find your Print Head permanently clogged or damaged, follow the instructions on replacing the print head included with a Print Head purchase. View the video online covering the steps in replacing a print head. Refer to Chapter 17 - Product Support for instructions on logging on to the support site and viewing videos and accessing technical documents.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting Solution: The following may prevent you from replacing the clogged print head. Follow the instructions in Chapter 13 on releasing the print carriage. Check the print head for excess ink drops or lint. If the print head is visibly dirty, with an Isopropyl Alcohol wipe, carefully, in one direction, wipe the print head using little pressure. You can easily damage the nozzles by pressing too hard. Repeat once or twice if necessary by flipping or replacing the alcohol pad.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting • File resolution is too high. A resolution of 150 to 300 DPI (at the final print size) is all that is necessary for inkjet-to-garment printing. If you receive a larger file resolution, resample the file to a lower resolution. Doing this will speed up ripping and printing times. Prevention 1: Keep file sizes small, if possible, and don’t send too many print commands at once.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting • When printing a large volume run, clean the Encoder Strip often to prevent communication errors from ruining shirts during a printing cycle. 15. White Underbase Box Over Entire Image When you print a White Underbase you get a White box over the entire image. Cause: Check your Underbase setup within FastARTIST. Within FastARTIST go to File > FastRIP Setup > Underbase Setup tab.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting • The 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. • The Motherboard is bad. There is a chance the motherboard is bad.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting If you are NOT using your printer on a regular basis, the ink may partially dry within the Print Head, causing a clog. Solution 1: We have found the best solution to this issue is to turn your printer ON everyday, even if you don’t intend to print anything. When the printer is turned ON, it primes the Print Head during startup. This process is sufficient to prevent head clogs if done regularly. You DO NOT have to do a Head Cleaning unless you want to.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting LCD Error Warnings and Codes The following section of this Troubleshooting chapter will cover popular Error Messages and codes that may appear in the LCD Display and ways to correct them. For a complete list of Error Codes, visit our support site. Refer to Chapter 17 -Product Support for information on accessing these files. The topics listed are in random order.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting Error Code: 10000 The fuse is blown (Express model) causing the print bed to sit on the index sensor. Solution: You will need to replace the 5 amp fuse on the DC Motor Control Board. Follow the instructions below. Error Code 10000 Solution for the Blazer Express: Replacing the DC Motor Control Board Fuse What you will need • 4 mm Allen Wrench • Phillips Screwdriver • 5 amp fuse (supplied with printer) 1. Remove the 6 screws on the left side access panel.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting In most cases, you can visibly determine if the fuse is bad. This may require removing it first. 3. Replace the fuse. Be sure the clips are pressed securely around the fuse after replacement. 4. Put the side panel back on. Note: It is a good idea to put all the screws in place before tightening. If you have questions, or your problem persists after completing these instructions, please call Technical Support at 888-698-5387 or send an e-mail to support@usscreen.com.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting 1. Using the 4 mm Allen Wrench, unscrew the two screws holding the front plate to the upper back plate. 2. Next remove the four screws holding in the upper back plate. 3. Pull out the upper back plate. 4. Remove the four screws on the back plate.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting 5. Lean the back plate back. Be careful not to unplug or damage any of the wiring to the breaker switch. 6. The Belt Tension Roller is mounted on a shaft with two screws on either end. Using the 5 mm Allen Wrench, loosen the screws slightly. 7. Push down on the belt going to the large gear to test the tension. Raise the roller 1/16” and test the tension again. If the tension has loosened perceptibly, tighten the roller shaft screws.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting Binding Solution for the PRO: Adjusting the Lead Screw Bracket The Lead Screw Bracket (or front Drive Screw Mount) should be vertical, not at an angle. 1. If the Lead Screw Bracket is only slightly angled, gently tap it to straighten. Doing this can eliminate binding issues. If this did not help the level of the Lead Screw Bracket, continue on with step 2. Drive Screw Lead Screw Bracket 2.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting Error Code: 1001D Print Carriage Obstruction. Something is preventing the Print Carriage from moving correctly. Solution: A 1001D error code typically denotes an obstruction of carriage movement. The two most common causes are the capping pad and the carriage home sensor. Capping Pad The capping pad should freely move to the right, however, dried ink can build up in the rails that guide the pad. If the pad is having difficulty moving, it will obstruct the carriage movement.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting If you have questions, or your problem persists after completing these instructions, please call Technical Support at 888-698-5387 or send an e-mail to support@usscreen.com. Remember to include your serial number and repair record(s) when emailing or have them ready when calling. Error Code: 1001E Blazer Express Cause 1: The Height Sensor has been tripped too many times. Solution: Lower the Shirt Board (Increase the Platen to Head Clearance).
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting Error: TOP COVER OPEN The Height Sensor has been tripped too many times. Solutions: • Lower the Shirt Board (Increase the Platen to Head Clearance) Error: RELOAD PAPER The Epson settings on the main circuit board have been changed or reset. The point in which you get the SERVICE ERROR should be right after the machine has finished the start up process and returned to Home Position. At this point the LCD screen will read SERVICE ERROR “RELOAD PAPER”.
Chapter 16 - Troubleshooting • Press the far right button or MENU button to get into the menu. • The very first option on the screen should be PRINTER SETUP. Press MENU again to enter into the PRINTER SETUP configuration. • The screen will read PLATEN GAP. Use the up and down arrows to browse all of the settings that can be changed. Press MENU to enter a topic and use the up and down arrows to find the setting you want. Once you have selected a setting, press MENU again to select that option.
Chapter 17 Product Support Support Policy T-Jet Blazer Series Printer support is free. Since the machines are 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 and any repair/problem history.
Chapter 17 - Product Support Emergency Support In the event that you must have support and cannot wait until our normal support schedule, an Emergency 24-Hour Support Technician can be reached. Call our toll free 1-888-MYTJETS support line and follow the prompts. A technician will be paged and he will return your call as soon as possible. Please include your full company name, contact name, phone number, address, serial number and a detailed description of the problem. Support on the Web U.S.
Chapter 17 - Product Support 5. On this page, enter your information in the spaces provided, then click “Sign Up”. 6. On the next page, enter your product information, then click ‘Add Products.’ Note: All printer serial numbers can be found on a sticker on the back of the printer near the power cord. FastRIP and FastARTIST information is found on the purple USB dongle. FastFILMS information can be found on the box, on the CD, and in the manual.
Chapter 17 - Product Support 7. On the left-hand navigation bar, click ‘My Support Home.’ You will now see several gray boxes, each of which pertains to a product that you own. Note: this photo shows all of the products US Screen supports. You will not see all these products in your account. In this space, you will be able to access Support Videos, updated Manuals, Support Applications, and other product information and upgrades.
Chapter 17 - Product Support Show off Your Work If you want to brag about the things you’ve printed on your T-Jet Blazer Series Printer, or are looking for some inspiration, we have a Gallery where you can view or upload pictures of jobs completed with these remarkable printers. Check it out at www.myt-jet.com or www.screenprinters.net. Transporting Your Printer You MUST be very careful moving and transporting your T-Jet printer. It is a very heavy and delicate piece of equipment.
Chapter 17 - Product Support Re-crating the Blazer EXPRESS Follow these instructions to re-crate your Blazer EXPRESS for any time the machine will need to travel or be shipped. If you have any questions or problems, call our support department for assistance. Preparations: For this procedure you will need all of the original crate supplies, a power drill equipped with a phillipshead drill bit, 2 1/2” wood screws and an assistants to help lift from crate.
Chapter 17 - Product Support Step 3: Fasten the walls of the crate. You should have 6 long wood screws that hold the walls to the crate. There will be 3 screws for each of the longer sides of the crate. Do not over tighten or you may strip the wood out. Step 4: Lower the crate lid and fasten. You will need 8 wood screws to secure the lid to the crate. Do not over tighten or you may strip the wood out.
Chapter 17 - Product Support Re-crating the Blazer PRO Follow these instructions to re-crate your Blazer PRO for any time the machine will need to travel or be shipped. If you have any questions or problems re-crating, call our support department for assistance. Preparations: For this procedure you will need all of the original crate supplies and bracers, 3 assistants to help lift, long 2 1/2” wood screws and a power drill equipped with a phillips-head drill bit.
Chapter 17 - Product Support After the first set of bracers are fastened, a second set of bracers (30” in length) will go right over the top of them. These will hold the printer from moving front to back. NOTE: If you have the protective plastic cover, place it over the Blazer PRO. Step 3: Attach Vertical Bracers. Next, fasten the vertical bracers (4 total) to the crate frame guides, towards the middle of each side of the crate as shown.
Chapter 17 - Product Support Step 5: Attach the first side plate wall. Attach the first wall using 4 screws that will fasten into the bottom of the crate and 2 screws that will fasten to each vertical bracer. NOTE: It will help to have an assistant hold the side plate wall in place while fastening. Step 6: Attach the front/ back plate wall. Attach the front/back plate to the side plate using 3 screws.
Chapter 17 - Product Support Step 7: Attach the remaining front/ back plate. Use the same steps and methods used for the first front/back plate wall. Step 8: Attach the remaining side plate wall. Attach the last wall. 4 screws will fasten to the bottom plate, 3 screws on each vertical end plus the 2 to hold the vertical bracers (shown below). 183 Version 5.
Chapter 17 - Product Support Step 9: Attach the padded bracers to the top of the PRO. Attach the 2 padded bracers to the top of the PRO. A padded bracer will sit on the front and back side of the printer assembly and will fasten from the outside of each side plate wall. One screw on each side for each bracer will hold them in place. Step 10: Fasten the crate lid. Fasten the crate lid to the top of the nearly completed crate.
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.
Appendix A - Operational Guide lack of compliance with such Federal, State and local laws, regulations and standards on the part of a Customer. It is the Customer’s responsibility to ensure that the room and equipment exhaust, makeup air supply, flooring, air, water, waste and electrical services meet all applicable codes and ordinances.
Appendix A - Operational Guide 4. 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 printer 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).
Appendix A - Operational Guide Exceeding the environmental specifications can cause the printing of substandard images due to misfiring of Print Nozzles and ink prematurely drying on the surface of the Print Head. This misuse may void the warranty. Exhaust Ventilation Requirements Exhaust ventilation and air-conditioning of your T-Jet Blazer Series printer is REQUIRED for proper machine function.
Appendix A - Operational Guide Main Operator Both the T-Jet Blazer Express and PRO model printers require one main operator who will be responsible for the operation and routine maintenance of the printer. In order to fulfill this job, the candidate chosen will need certain skills. The main operator will be crucial to the performance of the printer and should be selected accordingly. All operators of the printer must be 18 years of age or older.
Appendix A - Operational Guide Electrical: 110 - 240v AC 60/cycle 4 amps. Computer Connection: USB 2.
Appendix A - Operational Guide remove your printer from the truck with a forklift. If possible, request a truck with a lift gate so you can use a pallet jack to move the equipment securely. Staging Area Provide a sheltered area for receipt of the shipment. This area should be close to the intended area of operation to facilitate unpacking and preparation of the equipment for set up.
Appendix A - Operational Guide T-Jet Blazer Series User’s Manual 192
Appendix B Requirements and Notices Windows Operating System Requirements Minimum: • PC with a Pentium 4 - 1.8 GHz and Windows XP, 2000 or Vista Operating System (Windows ME is not supported) • A minimum of 2 GB of RAM. • 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. (1280 x 1024) • CD-ROM or DVD drives for installing the software. • A dedicated USB port (2.
Appendix B - Requirements and Notices can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Appendix B - Requirements and Notices 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., dba U.S.
Appendix B - Requirements and Notices This warranty does not extend to the Print Head, dampers or expendable parts such as fuses. This warranty does not cover a Unit that has been subject to misuse, neglect, negligence, accident, or Unit that has been operated in any way contrary to the operating procedures specified in this manual.
