Printer start up procedure

First, install the dye sublimation cartridges in your printer and follow the stages noted below:

Stage 1
Print a nozzle check and if it is not good enough perform a head clean (if the nozzle check is almost there, just a few small breaks in the lines go to stage 2).
Do this no more than 4 times. If the nozzle check is still dreadful (most or all of a color missing) then leave the printer for at least 1 hour before trying the same process again. Repeat this as necessary. If after repeating this process more than 3 times you are not getting anywhere, then leave the printer overnight and start the same process the following day. This sounds like a strange thing to do but allowing the printer to settle does more good than repeating head cleans.

If or when the nozzle checks start to improve to the point where there are only a few breaks in the lines go to the next stage.

Stage 2
This is where you will set the printer going with 2-3 test prints of a good size. I usually go with an 8x10 inch print. When enough of the print has come out of the printer check to see if you are getting any banding or a full color still looks missing and if so then press and hold down the ink button (furthest left) for at least 5 seconds and the printer will start a head clean routine during printing.

The paper will feed out so while the printer is cleaning the heads I take out the paper turn it round and put it back in the printer so that when the printer finishes head cleaning it will resume printing the image from where it left off.

When enough of the image is printed check to see if it has improved. If not then perform the same operation again with a fresh sheet of paper. I will only repeat this process for around 3-4 times before letting the printer settle for another hour.

Using these methods I have managed to get the most stubborn of printers to work perfectly, unfortunately it is a patience and persistence thing and there are no short cuts.