Ricoh GXe3300n - wrong ink inserted!!!

[Haze]

Following on from my "hello" in the new members thread I thought I better move here as my "start up" may never happen, problems already :frown:!!

It seems very likely that the guy I bought the heat press and Ricoh printer from this weekend has inserted the original NON sublimation inks he received with the printer when the subli carts ran out. I have asked how many items he has produced since changing the cartridges (he only bought the kit in Nov 2011 from ebay with subli carts installed, so hopefully not many) Has the printer been ruined for future sublimation, or can I replace the inks with correct Sawgrass subli R ones and carry on??? I know from prior research that the warnings are never to insert the original inks if you want to use the subli ones.

Also, when he changed to the original gel cartridges would the image have actually transferred to the products at all when heated, (he may have replaced each colour at different times) I can't believe he hadn't noticed any difference - or perhaps that's why he sold it!!

thanks

Haze

[Haze]

Any ideas???

I have found out that the correct Sublijet-R inks were used in the Ricoh printer from new, and only recently replaced with the non subli original Ricoh set, after which approximately 20 iphone case images were printed. I'd be grateful if anyone can advise whether I would be wasting my money putting a new set of Sublijet inks into it or not? Would doing this and running a few prints through remove the wrong ink from the printer OK?

thanks
Haze

[John G]

Would doing this and running a few prints through remove the wrong ink from the printer OK?

I'm sorry to say but in my opinion the printer wouldn't be any good now if the carts had been replaced with standard ricoh carts. This is only my opinion, maybe Martin from BMS would be able to confirm things a little better.

Cheers John

[smitch6]

the best thing is to check if they are the original ones or whether he put in non-standard sub carts

i've never had a ricoh but from what i have read once it's had the normal ink run through it it'll take so long to clean it out and so expensive, its cheaper to buy another printer

sorry to be the bearer of bad news

have you tried to sub anything with the ink thats there?
it's worth trying as it's got that ink in anyway so you have nothing to loose and a lot to gain if it is non-standard sub ink

[smitch6]

check out this post
http://www.dyesubforum.co.uk/vbforum/sh ... #post38986
they are selling the richo's cheap if you do need another and keep the one you have for normal printing if it doesn't work

[Paul]

why not try clean your ricoh?? no much to loose... is it possible to see head in any way in ricoh? or is it 100% out of reach??

[John G]

The tubes are very long and hold a lot of ink - how would you clean these without putting a load of expensive sub ink through - for the price, its cheaper to buy new.

[smitch6]

i'm only repeating what has been said on here before

Martin has said that once normal ink is used it's not worth the expense to clean it out as it will cost more to do it than to buy a new printer

but as Paul said maybe give it a try who knows

really hope u get it sorted ok

[Haze]

Many thanks guys, seems the price of inks compared to the printer mean that it's not going to be cost effective to try and clean it, especially as you say these printers seem to hold a lot of ink internally. The seller is very apologetic and I am therefore looking at either returning the printer or all the kit - lesson learnt - always check everything!!!

Hopefully I will get to sublimate things eventually :rolleyes:

Haze

[Paul]

I dont know John. thats why i am askin if there is ANY way to see heads?? if there is then i would do it with cleaning sollution.