Solvent printers have greatly changed the appearance of the printing industry by providing high-quality prints which are very hard wearing and scrubbable in harsh weather conditions. Those in the advertising, signage, or commercial printing industry are most likely familiar with solvent printers. Most of these machines find particular use in large format printing which includes banners, billboards, and vehicle graphics. But if you want your solvent printer to give good printing all the time, it is worth performing a proper maintenance schedule.

In this blog, you will learn some critical parameters about keeping solvent printers solvent along with a brief of the best models at Business Point International. You can use this guide to maintain your printer and get to know some of the finest machines for your business.

Why is Regular Maintenance Important for Solvent Printers?
There are solvents that are especially suited for great quantities of prints, and they operate on vinyl, fabrics and even canvas. In particular, they utilize special kinds of solvent based inks that are famous for increased durability and water resistance. But still, just like every other industrial machine, solvent printers are subject to breakdowns and the only way to prevent them is by performing regular maintenance. There are various problems that can be encountered if the area is not well maintained. For example, the printheads could get dirty, ink lines could become blocked and the quality when it starts printing can decrease. But more importantly, it not only helps the machine to work efficiently but also to increase its durability. Daily maintenance because of cleaning and inspection and monthly or bi-monthly layout switch and software download will help add that sizzle to your printed output.

Basic Maintenance Tips for Solvent Printers
A solvent printer doesn’t need to be a complicated thing to keep! If you want to keep your machine in peak condition, follow a few simple steps. We’ve written a detailed guide to how to properly maintain your solvent printer.

Clean the Printheads Regularly
Cleaning the printheads is one of the most important tasks of keeping a solvent printer operating at all times. Over time the ink will clog on the printhead and it will spray it onto the media. Streaks or uneven printing are caused by clogged printheads, and a print job can be ruined.

If it’s not cleaned often, it can prevent this, which is why it’s important to clean the printheads, ideally after every print run or at least once a week if the printer is used regularly. Clean the printhead using a manufacturer recommended cleaning solution and a soft, lint-free cloth and wipe gently. Don’t be too rough on them, the printheads are delicate and easily damaged. By keeping the printheads clean you will have sharp crisp prints with consistent quality.

Monitor Ink Levels and Flush Ink Lines
To create high-resolution, brilliant prints solvent printers require a continuous feed of ink. Because it’s important to avoid running out of ink mid-way through any large print job, it’s a good idea to check ink levels before starting up any large print job. A faint print or ink string will be all that remains if the ink levels get too low, as will uneven coloring that can result in a low-quality final product. Besides monitoring ink levels, it’s also a good idea to flush ink lines periodically. If left on for too long the inks can build up to fill some lines, creating blockages that inhibit the free flow of ink. Clogs are flushed out of the lines, and the ink makes its way from the inks.

Perform Regular Printer Calibration
Calibration is getting the printheads aligned correctly and getting the colors printed correctly. Proper calibration of a printer is important if you want high-quality prints because if the printer isn’t properly calibrated, you might notice banding (horizontal lines across the print) or misaligned images. The good news is that most solvent printers have built-in calibration settings and you can change them through the printer’s software. You should definitely check the calibration at least once a month, or when you notice misalignment or color discrepancy in your prints. This will keep the printer calibrated and save you a lot of headaches and common printing issues and will give you consistent output quality.

Control the Operating Environment
Your solvent printer runs in such an environment, and that can have a big impact on its performance. The ink may dry differently depending on factors like temperature and humidity level and the machine may not perform as well. The best temperature for your solvent printer room to be is around 20°C to 25°C and the humidity should be around 40% to 60%. Ink dries more slowly in high humidity, and more quickly in low humidity, causing smudging, blotching or clogging of the nozzles or lack of adhesion to the printing material. Prevention of these problems should be done by keeping the room well ventilated and controlling the environment.

Keep Software and Firmware Updated
Modern solvent printers include software that controls printhead alignment, color management, etc. Keeping this software up to date will also ensure that your printer receives the latest features, bug fixes and performance improvements. Firmware updates can also optimize the printer’s hardware, improving efficiency and extending the lifespan of components like printheads and motors. Set up automatic software updates or regularly check the manufacturer’s website for any new releases.

Common Uses for Solvent Printers
Solvent printers are great machines that are able to print many different things. Here are some of the most common uses for solvent printers:
Outdoor advertising: Water and UV rays resistant, solvent prints are ideal for outdoor banners, billboards and signage.
Vehicle wraps: Vehicle graphics and wraps are widely printed on solvent printers. The prints are tough enough to withstand the elements and still look bright under all exposure to the sun and rain.
Storefront displays: Window decals, posters and other forms of retail advertising can be printed on solvent prints. High resolution and bright colors make them perfect for getting attention.
Trade show graphics: Large format graphics for trade show booths, banners and displays can be printed on solvent printers.

Solvent Printers Available at Business Point International
We provide a range of solvent printers in Business Point International to suit all industries. If you need a printer for small scale jobs or larger format prints, we have the solution for you. Let’s take a look at some of the solvent printers we provide below.

Large Format Solvent Printer
Large format printer is perfect for businesses that need large scale prints of high quality. The vibrant, long lasting prints this printer can make on vinyl, PVC, and fabric. This machine has fast printing speeds and a large printing area, making it perfect for printing banners, billboards and vehicle wraps. For heavy duty use, this printer is perfect for commercial printing businesses that handle a lot of orders. It’s built to withstand continuous operation, and the high-resolution, vibrant prints you get are made possible by its advanced ink system.

Large Format Printer 3.2 Meter
If you are a business that needs a versatile printer but with a slightly smaller footprint the large format 3.2 meter printer is ideal. The wide range of materials this printer can handle includes banners and posters, vehicle wraps and billboards. With its 3.2 meter print width, it is ideal for printing large format graphics and it prints fast. It is a reliable, high performance printer for indoor and outdoor use by businesses. Its advanced printhead technology means sharp, clear prints with excellent color accuracy.

Large Format Printer 5 Meter
If you want to print on a larger scale, the large format printer 5 meter is what you are looking for. With a print width of 5 meters, this printer can easily handle billboards, building wraps and other large format applications. Even though it is large in size, the Large Format Printer 5 Meter maintains print quality to the maximum level with sharp vibrant colors which are not fading and weathering. It’s a high-volume production printer, able to run continuously without sacrificing quality. If you want to print a large quantity of prints in a short span of time, it’s an excellent choice.

Solvent Printer 5.3 Meter
One of the largest and most powerful solvent printers available at Business Point International is the solvent printer 5.3 meter. The machine is specifically designed for businesses that need to print on an industrial scale, with a max print width of 5.3 meters. This is a great tool to use for producing gigantic outdoor graphics such as billboards, building wraps, and cars. At its size, the solvent printer 5.3 Meter is capable of producing precise, high resolution prints, and great color consistency. The ink system used in it is very advanced; even the most complex designs, even, can be printed with accuracy and detail. For these businesses that need fast, high volume printing without sacrificing quality, this printer is perfect.

Choosing the Right Solvent Printer for Your Business
The type of materials you’ll be using, the size of your prints, and the volume of printing you’ll do will all determine which solvent printer is best for your business. If you are looking for a model for a small to medium sized business the large format solvent printer or the large format printer 3.2 meters would be one. All these printers are a good size, speed and quality balance, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

For larger businesses with more printing requirements, the large format printer 5 meter or solvent printer 5.3 meter would be a better option. High volume production is the main purpose of these machines and they can deal with even the largest print jobs. We can help you at Business Point International find the perfect solvent printer for your needs. Our team of experts is here to help you choose the right machine, and are available to give you support with installation, maintenance and troubleshooting.

Conclusion
Solvent printers are a critical piece of equipment for businesses that require the ability to print large format, long lasting prints for outdoor advertising, vehicle wraps and other applications. As long as you follow the maintenance tips outlined in this guide, your solvent printer will stay in perfect working order and produce top quality results for years to come. Do you want a flexible printer for small scale projects, or a strong machine for large scale production? Business Point International has the best machine for you. We have a wide range of solvent printers that include the large format solvent printer, solvent printer 5.3 meter and so much more.