White Ink Separation

high
white-ink
chemistry

Settling/pigment separation causing inconsistent opacity.

Likely Causes

  1. Insufficient agitation/recirculation: Heavy pigment settles quickly.

  2. Filters/dampers loading with pigment: Flow restriction and uneven feed.

  3. Expired or overheated ink: Stability and dispersion degrade.

  4. Long idle time without capping/flush: Settling and dry-in at head.

Quick Checks

  • Agitate bottles per spec.
  • Run recirculation; purge 10–20ml.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Agitate bottles and run recirc cycle — Re-suspends pigment.

  2. Replace white filters/dampers — Restores consistent flow and particle capture.

  3. Purge lines and do targeted cleans — Clears micro-settle at head.

  4. Discard expired ink; restock with fresh — Prevents repeat instability.

  5. Enable timed agitation schedules — Maintains suspension during idle.

Acceptance Criteria
  • Stable opacity across runs.