The printer is the most important equipment in a sign making business. Due to constant use, however, the risk of its breakdown is always there. Depending on the model as well as the work conditions you have, there are different parts that could wear down first. You will be in trouble finance-wise and work-wise if the section that stopped functioning was the ink system and the print head.
Fortunately, you will be able to avoid that damage with the right maintenance. Here are some pointers you can follow, no matter what kind of ink you have.
Clean Thoroughly
What you would want to avoid with any kind of ink is to let it dry out in the print head. This is not like watercolour, where you can just reconstitute it with a bit of moisture and you are good to wipe it off a surface. When it dries, it will be stuck and lead to clogging. After that, you will not be able to provide large banner printing services for a while until it gets fixed. Keeping the print head spotless on a regular basis will let you avoid this problem.
Store Ink Properly
It pays to have some ink in store in case your printer runs out of it, but make sure to store it properly. Like with ink for regular office models, keep the containers in a cool dry place. What is important is that you avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures. As much as you can, maintain its room temperature. Doing so will make sure that it flows in the way that it should and give you great prints in the process.
Make Regular Print Tests
There will be times when your printer will not have anything to do. While it is great that you can give it a break so the mechanical parts will not break down as quickly, it is not advisable to actually leave it idle for too long. On these kinds of days, have your printer do a few test prints to maintain ink flow. The activity also lets you check if there is any clogging or not, and can help you detect problems before they become bigger.
Be Aware
Your printer has warning lights and signals for a reason. If it lights up or goes off, it is likely that there is something wrong with it. There are times when you yourself might notice a marked difference in your printing quality. When this happens, stop whatever print jobs you are doing and consult the manual first on what to do. If you are advised to contact a repair service, it is best to do so as soon as possible.
Anything can last long if you take good care of it, even a machine that has used almost 24/7 as well as its parts. Follow the above advice, and you are sure to save a lot of money that would otherwise be used on repairs or replacement. A problem with the ink flow and the print head will become an expensive experience, so it is best to avoid it altogether.
