Converting a Printer to AM.CO.ZA UV Ink: When It Makes Sense, Parts to Replace, Flushing, Alignment, ICC Profiling and Troubleshooting

This page started as a 2021 uvinks.co.za guide, "Convert Printer to Use Our Premium Hybrid UV Inks, Procedures, Tips and Requirements". The guide listed six steps but left out the questions people ask before they start: is my printer a good candidate, which parts must be replaced, which cleaner matches the ink I have now, how much ink has to go through the lines before the flush is gone, and how do I get alignment and colour right afterwards. This deepened version answers those questions. The original guide is kept at the bottom.

Facts come from the AM.CO.ZA product data behind buythis.co.za (product JSON on am.im; dump dated up to 2026-10-20), the uvinks.co.za maintenance, storage and safety pages, and AM.CO.ZA's YouTube videos, each named where it is used. Prices change, so this page quotes none: check the current price on each linked Buythis page. Stock is not shown here.

Quick answer

A UV conversion needs a UV curing lamp. UV ink only hardens under UV light. AM.CO.ZA's ink comparison video explains that the UV lamp beside the printhead "cures it instantly" as the carriage passes (UV Ink, ECO-Solvent Ink and Sublimation Ink Options for Large Format Printer Explained (2024-06-23)). A printer with no LED-UV lamp needs a curing kit such as F2-UV (7015 LED-UV lamp kit for a single-printhead printer) as part of the job.
Treat a conversion as a one-way, planned job. In AM.CO.ZA's UV hybrid printer FAQ the presenter says "once you've put in a certain type of ink you cannot just change it the next day without incurring a lot of costs", meaning the printhead and ink system (FAQ of UV Hybrid Printers, Printing Thickness, Ink Difference, Daily and Holiday Maintenance (2025-01-13)).
Replace the tubes and dampers; do not just flush them. AM.CO.ZA's ink-type conversion video says "all of the tubes and dampness will be thrown away because the ink may have become dried anywhere along the line" (How-to Convert Printer to a Different Ink Type (Demo on ECO-Solvent to Sublimation Ink Conversion) (2020-07-05)). Fit black UV-resistant parts, because ordinary ones are not made for UV ink.
Flush with the cleaner that matches the old ink first, then with the UV cleaner. Eco-solvent lines take F-ECO/CLEAN; water-based, dye, DTG, DTF and sublimation lines take F-AQUA/CLEAN; the final rinse before UV ink is F2-UV/CLEAN, which is for UV-curable inks only.
Push enough UV ink through to clear every trace of cleaner. The uvinks.co.za maintenance page sets a minimum of 300 ml of ink through the lines after flushing, so residual flush cannot affect curing or nozzle stability.
Record the before state. Print and sign a nozzle check and a few reference images before you start, then repeat them at the end.
Book a technician if you can. The same AM.CO.ZA video ends: "we highly recommend that you book an AM dot zero dot set a technician to do this procedure for you" (that is, an AM.CO.ZA technician).

Step 0: decide whether to convert

Question	Why it matters	What to check
Does the printer have, or can it take, an LED-UV lamp?	UV ink does not dry by evaporation; it only cures under UV light	An existing LED-UV lamp, or room on the carriage for a curing kit such as F2-UV and its water cooling
What ink is in it now?	The first flush must dissolve the old ink	Eco-solvent: F-ECO/CLEAN. Water-based, DTG, DTF or sublimation: F-AQUA/CLEAN
Which printhead does it use?	Dampers and sealed heads are head-specific	XP600, I1600 and I3200 heads have UV dampers in the range (see the parts table below)
Is the printhead healthy?	A conversion does not fix a worn head, and a weak head will be blamed on the new ink	Print a full nozzle check first (Step 1). A head with many missing nozzles may need replacing during the job
Will you print white or varnish?	White ink settles and needs agitation and a coarser filter	A bulk system with a white agitation motor (F-INK/BULK/UV) or a tank agitator (F-INK/TANK/MIXER), and the 10 micron white filter
Can the print room keep UV ink happy?	UV ink is light sensitive and has a set operating range	AM.CO.ZA UV ink product data lists operation at 19°C to 28°C with 30% to 80% relative humidity, non-condensing, and storage at 5°C to 35°C away from direct sunlight; see uvinks-storage.md
Was the printer bought from AM.CO.ZA?	Support terms on consumables depend on it	The AM.CO.ZA terms on these products say there is "no support whatsoever for all consumables used for machines not from us"

AM.CO.ZA's UV hybrid FAQ also notes that its hybrid printers can run water-based sublimation, eco-solvent or UV ink, but that UV ink needs the UV LED to cure (FAQ of UV Hybrid Printers, Printing Thickness, Ink Difference, Daily and Holiday Maintenance (2025-01-13)). In other words, the printer body may take several ink types; it is the ink system, head and lamp that decide what it can run today.

What you need

The 2021 guide listed one set of UV ink, the matched cleaning solution, protective clothing, safety glasses and gloves. The table below adds the parts that AM.CO.ZA's conversion videos replace, using current AM.CO.ZA SKUs.

Item	AM.CO.ZA SKU	Why it is in the job
Flush for old eco-solvent ink	F-ECO/CLEAN	Solvent-based pigment ink cleaning solution, described for cleaning, flushing and colour changes. Its product data warns it contains gamma butyrolactone (H318, causes serious eye damage), so wear eye or face protection
Flush for old water-based ink	F-AQUA/CLEAN	Cleaner for water-based dye or pigment inks, including DTG, DTF and sublimation systems
UV cleaner	F2-UV/CLEAN	Premium UV ink cleaning liquid, 1 litre, for UV-curable inks only; described for ink changes and system cleaning
UV ink, hard glossy finish	F2-UV/COMBO/CMYK/WIPE or F2-UV/COMBO/WHITE/WIPE	FlexiFlow glossy, hard-finish LED-UV ink in 1 litre bottles; the white pack also includes a 1 litre cleaner and cleaning wipes
UV ink, soft flexible finish	F-UV/FLEXI/CMYKW2	Flexible LED-UV ink with a softer, more flexible finish, CMYK plus two whites
UV-DTF ink set	H-UVDTF/INK/COMBO/8	CMYK, white, varnish and cleaner in 1 litre bottles plus wipes, for UV-DTF printers
Ink tubing	F-INK/TUBE4/UV	Eight 4 mm tubes in a row, black, solvent and UV resistant, sold per metre
Dampers, XP600	F-INK/DAMPER/XP600/UV	Black UV-resistant extended-capacity damper for XP600 heads
Dampers, XP600, I1600, I3200	F-INK/DAMPER/I1600/UV	Set of four black UV-resistant direct-plug dampers; the product data notes that "ordinary dampers may deteriorate" with UV ink
CMYK filters	F-INK/FILTER/5C/UV	Set of four 5 micron capsule filters for CMYK UV and solvent inks, 4 mm tubes
White and varnish filter	F-INK/FILTER/10C/UV	10 micron capsule filter for white ink and varnish
One-way valves	F-INK/ONE/UV	UV-resistant valves that stop reverse flow in the ink line
Ink tank	F-INK/TANK/UV	1,200 ml black UV-compatible tank for the FastCOLOUR Lite bulk ink system
Bulk system for CMYK and white	F-INK/BULK/UV	Bulk UV ink system with ink level sensors and a white ink agitation motor
Capping and wiping	F-INK/CAP/XP600, F-INK/WIPER	Solvent-resistant XP600 cap kit and wiper, worth replacing if the old ones are worn or stained
Printhead wipes	F-UV/WIPE	50 static-free wet wipes for solvent and UV ink printhead cleaning
Replacement printhead (if needed)	EPSON-XP600/SEALED	XP600 head with silicone-sealed data cables to help prevent ink spillage from over-flushing (online special, self-installation, no warranty)
Syringes, tissue, masking tape, a waste bucket	(workshop supplies)	Used in the AM.CO.ZA videos to drain lines, prime dampers and protect the head electronics

The hardware swap, as AM.CO.ZA shows it

The 2021 guide only says "replace all ink filters". AM.CO.ZA's later video How-to Convert Printer to a Different Ink Type (Demo on ECO-Solvent to Sublimation Ink Conversion) (2020-07-05) shows a full ink-type change on a FastCOLOUR large format printer (demonstrated going from eco-solvent to sublimation ink, but the same hardware steps apply to any ink type change). In summary:

Protect the electronics. Remove the head cover and "place tissue paper around the head to prevent any spillage going on to the data cables". AM.CO.ZA's sealed printhead video explains why: "even if the smallest amount of ink finds its way onto any part of the circuit it can cause a short circuit" (Presealed Printhead from AM.CO.ZA Provide Solution for Over Flushed ink Spillage Damages Prevention (2023-04-25)).
Stop the flow. Disconnect the ink from the tanks so nothing runs back towards the head.
Drain. Remove the dampers and drain the tubes with a syringe into a bucket.
Free the tubes. Remove the filters on the tank side, knot the tube ends so they do not spill, release the tube clamps and pull the tubes out towards the head.
Throw away old tubes and dampers. As the video puts it, dried ink may be anywhere along the line. It also notes that "the old ink however can be reused", so store the old ink for another printer of that ink type.
Clean the head area where the dampers came out.
Fit new tubes from the head side towards the tanks, leaving extra length at both ends, and tighten everything back in place.
Fit new filters at the tank side and new dampers at the head side.
Fill the tanks with the new ink and use a syringe to pull ink through the tubes into the dampers, then fit the dampers back on the head.
Do a manual flush and head clean, then a test print.

For UV ink, make every new part the black UV-resistant type from the table above. AM.CO.ZA's flatbed conversion video Convert to Premium Hybrid Inks for FastCOLOUR Flatbed UV Printer, Ink Tubing & Dampers Also Changed (2021-12-09) shows tubing and dampers being changed during a conversion to Premium Hybrid UV ink, with two reminders: shake the ink before pouring it, because "the pigment is a tendency of settling at the bottom of the bottle", and once the tanks are full "we need to use a syringe to pull it in to the dampers" so the head draws from full dampers when it starts.

Step by step: the full conversion

This merges the 2021 procedure with the hardware swap and the uvinks.co.za maintenance rules. Work in a clean, dim area out of sunlight, wearing gloves and safety glasses.

1. Record the starting point

Print a 5 square metre area of solid CMYK at high speed, then print the nozzle status.
Have the end user sign and date the nozzle status. The 2021 guide is firm on this: without a signed nozzle status, no printhead damage dispute about the conversion can be supported.
Print a few reference images chosen by the customer, to compare before and after.
It also helps to note the current step (feed) and bi-directional values, so you can tell later whether a change came from the conversion or from the media.

2. Clear the old ink

Remove the old ink from the main tanks and clean the tanks thoroughly.
Fill the tanks with the flush that matches the old ink (F-ECO/CLEAN for eco-solvent, F-AQUA/CLEAN for water-based, DTG, DTF or sublimation) and purge until the jetting runs clear.
If you are replacing the tubes and dampers (recommended above), do the hardware swap here, after the old ink has been drained.

3. Rinse with the UV cleaner

Fill the tanks with F2-UV/CLEAN and purge until it has pushed out all of the first flush.
Remove the UV cleaner from the tanks.

4. Fill with UV ink

Shake each bottle well before pouring. The AM.CO.ZA UV ink product data says to shake before pouring into the tank and to agitate the tank once a day and before printing.
Fill the tanks with the UV ink set and prime the dampers with a syringe.
Purge until UV ink has replaced all of the UV cleaner. The uvinks.co.za maintenance page uses a minimum of 300 ml of ink through the lines after a flush so that residual flush does not affect curing or nozzle stability.

5. Settle the system

Print 5 metres of images at slow speed so the nozzles and ink delivery system settle on the new ink.
Check that the print cures. AM.CO.ZA's short UV Ink Test To See If Dry (2026-08-27) shows a quick test of whether a fresh UV print is dry.

6. Align

Do the head-to-head and bi-directional alignment in the printer software, then set the step (feed adjust) value.
In PrintExp, the step alignment works by printing the adjustment pattern, picking the line that overlaps best, entering that value, calculating and saving, then printing again until the zero line overlaps: as the video says, "Zero is over" (Step Alignment by Print Adjust and Calculate on PrintExp with Goal of Overlap Lines on Ground Zero (2025-08-20)).
On two-head machines, the head space (horizontal and vertical) adjustment lines the white head up with the colour head; AM.CO.ZA walks through it, including saving and loading the settings and using print verify only once you are happy, in PrintExp Head Space (Horizontal/Vertical) and Bidirectional Alignment for DTF/UVDTF Printers (2024-11-17).
Alignment also changes with media thickness; see FastCOLOUR Alignment Steps When Thickness Of Printing Media Changes (PVC Banner to Printable Vinyl) (2017-07-05).

7. Sign off

Print the nozzle status again and check that it matches the starting one. The end user signs and dates it.
Profile the machine (next section) and repeat the customer's reference images.

Colour: profile after converting

A new ink type has its own colour behaviour, so old ICC colour profiles no longer match. The 2021 guide says to profile the machine and, under tips, that wrong colours may need profiling. AM.CO.ZA's profiling videos show the process:

How to Make ICC Profile for Large Format Printer by FlexiPRINT Software with Spectrophotometer (2023-01-31): a full walk-through with a spectrophotometer, demonstrated on a new set of sublimation inks; the steps are the same idea for any new ink.
Colour Linearisation and Create ICC Profile by InkRIP Software, Step by Step Tutorial (2024-10-21): linearisation and ICC profile creation in InkRIP.
ICC Profiling Service for Large Format Digital Printers, DTF/UVDTF Printers by InkRIP Software (2024-10-21): AM.CO.ZA's ICC profiling service for large format, DTF and UV-DTF printers, if you would rather not do it yourself.

Troubleshooting after a conversion

What you see	Likely cause	What to do
Nozzles unstable or ink not curing properly	Residual flush mixed with UV ink (the 2021 guide's first tip)	Keep purging until no cleaner is left, then print 2 to 3 metres of solid CMYK at slow speed so ink moves through the system; the maintenance page uses at least 300 ml of ink after a flush
Colours wrong or dull	Old profile on new ink	Profile the machine for the new ink (see above)
Ink curing in the head, nozzles dropping out over hours	Stray UV light reaching the ink, or reflective media bouncing UV back to the faceplate	Keep the printer out of sunlight and away from UV-rich lighting; AM.CO.ZA's FAQ notes that "UV ink can only be cured with UV light" (FAQ of UV Hybrid Printers, Printing Thickness, Ink Difference, Daily and Holiday Maintenance (2025-01-13)); do not print onto mirrors; see uvinks-storage.md
Leaks or swollen, cracked dampers or tubes	Parts not rated for UV ink	Replace with the black UV-resistant tubing, dampers and valves listed above
White ink weak or uneven	Settled white pigment, or the wrong filter	Shake white well, use agitation, purge white at start-up and every 4 hours (see uvinks-maintenance.md) and use the 10 micron white filter F-INK/FILTER/10C/UV
White and colour layers do not line up	Head space not aligned after the head was disturbed	Redo the head space alignment (PrintExp Head Space (Horizontal/Vertical) and Bidirectional Alignment for DTF/UVDTF Printers (2024-11-17))
Banding	Step (feed) value off	Redo the step alignment until the zero line overlaps (Step Alignment by Print Adjust and Calculate on PrintExp with Goal of Overlap Lines on Ground Zero (2025-08-20))
Head dead after flushing	Flush or ink reached the head electronics	Protect the data cable area before working; a sealed head such as EPSON-XP600/SEALED is made to reduce this risk

Printhead care during the job

AM.CO.ZA's printhead service video with Hybrid UV flushing and conversion (Printhead Service, Large Format Printer Maintenance with New Hybrid UV Ink Flushing and Conversion (2021-12-04)) shows cleaning ink off the head terminals with a cleaning spirit and a very thin paintbrush, and keeping away from the shiny nozzle surface: "avoid that area".
When a head goes back in, plug in and fasten the data cables first and tape the area around them so ink cannot reach the circuitry, as shown in Printhead Installation Steps, Epson XP600 Printhead Installed on UV Ink Dampers Demonstrated (2023-02-21).
For a head that needs a deep clean, AM.CO.ZA shows flushing each channel with a syringe of cleaning liquid while keeping the electronics facing up and dry in Howto Flush and Clean a Clogging Printhead Demonstrated (2017-04-24).
Never wipe the nozzle area with flush on a cloth; the maintenance page says to wipe with a clean lint-free cloth only.

About AM.CO.ZA's UV ink ranges today

The 2021 guide was written for the Premium Hybrid UV Ink range. In April 2026 AM.CO.ZA announced a reformulated one-for-all UV ink with the gloss, brightness and scratch resistance of its UV-DTF ink, for large format, flatbed and UV-DTF printers, and said "we will start phasing the older types of UV inks out over time" (Universal UV Inks for Glossy and Hard Finishes, More Scratch Resistance, and A LOT Cheaper (2026-04-08)). When you convert now, ask AM.CO.ZA which current set fits your printer and finish; the product range on uvinks-site.md lists the hard glossy, soft flexible and UV-DTF sets.

Terms that apply

The AM.CO.ZA terms on these consumables say there is no warranty and no refund on consumable products. By written agreement, unused and intact (unopened if sealed) consumables may be exchanged for a different size, model or package. AM.CO.ZA gives no support for consumables used in machines not bought from AM.CO.ZA. The 2021 guide also states that AM.CO.ZA cannot be held liable for damage caused by not following the conversion method, which is why the signed before and after nozzle checks matter.

FAQ

Can any inkjet printer be converted to UV ink? Only if it has, or can be fitted with, an LED-UV curing lamp, and its ink system is rebuilt with UV-resistant parts. AM.CO.ZA recommends booking a technician for an ink type change.

Can I just flush the old lines and keep the tubes and dampers? AM.CO.ZA's conversion video replaces them, because dried ink may be anywhere along the line, and ordinary dampers may deteriorate with UV ink.

Which cleaner do I use first? The one that matches the old ink: F-ECO/CLEAN for eco-solvent, F-AQUA/CLEAN for water-based, DTG, DTF or sublimation. Then rinse with F2-UV/CLEAN before the UV ink goes in.

How much ink should go through after flushing? The uvinks.co.za maintenance page uses a minimum of 300 ml of ink through the lines, then 2 to 3 metres of solid CMYK at slow speed if nozzles are still unstable.

Can I switch back to eco-solvent next week? AM.CO.ZA advises against treating it that way; changing ink type again means another flush and more parts, at real cost.

Do I need a new ICC profile? Yes. A new ink changes colour, so profile the machine after converting, or use AM.CO.ZA's profiling service.

Can I reuse my old ink? Yes, in another printer set up for that ink type; AM.CO.ZA's video says the old ink can be stored and reused.

Is a conversion covered by warranty? Consumables carry no warranty, and there is no support for consumables in machines not from AM.CO.ZA. Keep the signed nozzle checks from before and after.

uvinks-maintenance.md: daily, weekend and long shutdown routines, and flush removal
uvinks-storage.md: storage and operating conditions, light, agitation and clean rooms
uvinks-safety.md: hazard statements and safety data sheets
uvinks-premium-hybrid-uv-inks.md: the uvinks.co.za homepage
uvinks-site.md: signpost for all UV ink SKUs, curing kits and printers

Videos

AM.CO.ZA videos on ink conversion, printhead care, alignment and profiling:

Original 2021 guide (uvinks.co.za/conversion)

The text below is the original guide as published on uvinks.co.za. Contact details in it are as published then.

Source: https://uvinks.co.za/conversion

published: 2021-10-22 15:25:33
modified: 2022-01-26 19:01:58

See bottom of this page for links to articles and videos form www.machinery.support,Am.co.za’s service technicians covering the conversion process.

Uv Ink Conversion Requirements

1 set of Am.co.za Hybrid UV Ink
Am.co.za Hybrid Cleaning solution
Adequate protective clothing
Safety glasses
Protective gloves

Uv Ink Conversion Procedure

STEP 1: Check Print Heads

Before starting the conversion procedure, it is important to check the status of the print heads, this is done by:

Print a 5 sqm area of solid CMYK at high speed, print nozzle status.
Have the status signed, with the date, by the end-user.
No printer/print head damage dispute, regarding the ink conversion can be supported or defended without a signed nozzle status.

STEP 2: Print "before" samples

Print a few customer selected reference images to compare before and after conversion.

STEP 3: Cleaning System

Remove the original ink from the main tanks.
Ensure that the tanks are thoroughly cleaned.
Fill the main tanks with original flushing solution.
Select the Purge function and make sure that original flush passes through the Ink Delivery System and the print heads until the jetting is clear.
Replace all Ink filters.
Fill the main tanks with Am.co.za Hybrid Cleaning solution.
Select the Purge function and make sure that Am.co.za Hybrid Cleaning solution passes through the Ink Delivery System and the print heads to ensure all original flush is removed.
Remove the Am.co.za Hybrid Cleaning solution from the main tanks.
Fill the main tanks with the Am.co.za Hybrid UV ink set.
Select the Purge function and make sure that Am.co.za Hybrid UV INK passes through the Ink Delivery System and the print heads to ensure all Am.co.za Hybrid Cleaning solution is removed.

STEP 4:

Print 5 meters of images at slow speed. This is to settle the nozzles and the ink delivery system to the Am.co.za Hybrid UV Ink set.

STEP 5:

Complete the software alignment of the printheads. The software settings will allow you to adjust the Print head to Print head and Bi-directional values.
Next step is to set the Step-size or Feed-adjust value.

STEP 6:

Print the nozzle status and ensure it is the same as before conversion. The end-user is to sign and date stamp this nozzle pattern.
Profile the machine.
Repeat the customer selected reference plots.

The machine is ready to begin printing with the Am.co.za Hybrid UV Ink.

Hybrid UV INK CONVERSION TIPS:

Following the Am.co.za Hybrid UV Ink conversion procedure will keep issues to a minimum. However, if you do encounter a problem during the conversion process, please check the following;

Problem: Nozzles are not stable or the ink has not cured correctly
Residual flush from the conversion procedure mixed with UV ink will give you this effect. It is extremely important to ensure that no Am.co.za Hybrid Cleaning Solution remains in the Ink Delivery System.
Repeat the purging function of the printer until all the residual flush has been removed.
Print 2 – 3 meters of a CMYK solid block, at slow speed, to allow ink to move through the Ink Delivery System.
Problem: Colours are not correct
It may be necessary to profile to ensure that you optimise the Am.co.za Hybrid UV INK colour set.

This document is intended as a guide to ensure the successful conversion to Am.co.za Hybrid UV Ink. Following the simple guide, will ensure that the end-user fully experiences the benefits of using the Am.co.za Hybrid UV Ink set. Failure to proceed with correct method as outlined in this document may cause damage to your printer. Am.co.za cannot be held liable due to lack of care during the conversion process.