‌Tips for Ink Cartridge Maintenance and Care in Inkjet Coding Machines‌

08 May,2025

With the widespread adoption of inkjet coding equipment, customers frequently ask how to extend the lifespan of their machines, perform routine maintenance, and address issues like inconsistent print quality over time. Many of these problems stem from insufficient awareness of proper usage practices, particularly the lack of daily maintenance for ink cartridges. Today, we’ve invited the Agile Marking R&D team to share practical tips for maintaining and caring for ink cartridges.

Daily Usage Guidelines

‌Printing Distance‌: Keep the nozzle surface within ‌3mm‌ of the printing object. (Note: For high-performance smart inks, the recommended distance is ‌0.5–1mm‌).

‌Environment‌: Store ink cartridges in a temperature range of ‌5°C–40°C‌ and humidity of ‌30%–60%‌.

‌Post-Cleaning Care‌: After cleaning, use the cartridge immediately. If not in use, cover it with a ‌protective cap‌ to prevent nozzle clogging due to ink drying.

‌Nozzle Maintenance‌: Utilize built-in functions like ‌one-click cleaning‌, ‌flash spray‌, and ‌nozzle rotation‌ to maintain performance.

‌Handling Different Ink Types

‌1. Water-Based Ink Cleaning‌:

Spray distilled water onto a non-woven cloth.

Gently wipe the nozzle downward in slow, steady motions.

For stubborn clogs, soak the nozzle in lukewarm water (~30°C) for 5 minutes, then wipe again.

If unresolved, return the cartridge to the manufacturer for servicing.

‌2. Solvent-Based Ink Cleaning‌:

Use a dry non-woven cloth to wipe the nozzle downward.

‌Never use water, alcohol, or other solvents‌.

For persistent issues, activate ‌one-click cleaning‌, ‌flash spray‌, or ‌nozzle rotation‌.

‌Storage and Cap Usage

Always use the ‌original protective cap‌ provided by the manufacturer.

‌Do not share caps‌ across different ink models.

‌Solvent-based inks‌:

Keep sealed in original packaging until ready to use.

Use immediately after opening and finish before expiration.

Critical Usage Precautions‌

Use ‌genuine cartridges‌ purchased directly from the manufacturer for optimal results.

‌Water-based ink nozzles‌:

Avoid rough or dry wiping to prevent damage.

‌Solvent-based ink nozzles‌:

Never clean with water, alcohol, or lint-prone cloths.

‌General care‌:

Avoid vigorously shaking cartridges (risk of air bubbles or nozzle damage).

Ensure cartridge contacts remain clean.

Replace cleaning cloths after each use.

For solvent inks, always wipe the nozzle before initial use after unsealing.