Storage Recommendation for UV Inks: Temperature, Light, Agitation, Clean Rooms and Printer Downtime
This page started as a short 2021 uvinks.co.za post about keeping UV ink and UV printers away from chemical contaminants, dust and problem substrates. It now adds the storage, transit and operating figures that AM.CO.ZA prints on its current UV ink product pages, the agitation rules, how to keep light away from ink inside the printer, how to store a printer when it stands idle, and which AM.CO.ZA consumables and parts go with each step. The original post is kept at the bottom.
Product facts come from the AM.CO.ZA product data behind buythis.co.za (product JSON on am.im, dump dated 2026-10-19), the uvinks.co.za safety and maintenance pages, and AM.CO.ZA's own YouTube videos. Prices change, so check the current price on each linked buythis page. Stock is not shown here.
Quick answer
- Store sealed bottles at 5°C to 35°C, in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight and not directly on the floor. The same range applies in transit.
- Print in a room at 19°C to 28°C with 30% to 80% relative humidity, non-condensing. Very dry air raises static on substrates, which causes print defects and nozzle problems.
- Shake every bottle well before pouring it into the ink tank, and agitate the ink tank once a day and before printing. White ink settles fastest, so it needs daily purging and, on bulk systems, an agitation motor.
- Keep light away from the ink. UV ink cures under UV light, so tanks, tubes, dampers and filters in a UV printer must be the black UV-resistant type, and bottle caps must be tight.
- Keep the print room clean. Acid mist, the wrong cleaner, dust and reflective substrates all cause blocked or damaged printheads.
- Use the matched cleaner. F2-UV/CLEAN is for UV-curable inks only. Water-based, sublimation, DTF and DTG systems use F-AQUA/CLEAN instead.
- No shelf life in months is published in the AM.CO.ZA product data for these inks. Ask AM.CO.ZA support before using a bottle that has been stored for a long time or outside the range above.
Storage, transit and operating conditions
These figures are listed as highlights on the current AM.CO.ZA product pages for the FlexiFlow Glossy and Hard Finish UV-DTF inks (for example H-UVDTF/C, H-UVDTF/W and H-UVDTF/INK/COMBO/8), the FlexiFlow soft-finish inks (F-UV/FLEX/BLACK, F-UV/FLEX/WHITE, F-UV/FLEXI/CMYKW2), the hard-finish combo packs (F2-UV/COMBO/WHITE/WIPE) and the UV ink cleaner F2-UV/CLEAN. The 2021 uvinks.co.za safety page gives the same figures for the original Premium Hybrid UV ink range.
| What | AM.CO.ZA guidance | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Storage and transit temperature | 5°C to 35°C | Keeps the ink within the range AM.CO.ZA specifies for quality and flow |
| Where to store | Cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight | UV light and sunlight cure UV ink, even inside a bottle that lets light through |
| Floor contact | Do not place bottles directly on the floor | Floors carry cold, damp and dust; use a shelf or pallet |
| Operating temperature | 19°C to 28°C | Keeps ink viscosity in the range the printheads are set for |
| Relative humidity | 30% to 80%, non-condensing | Low humidity builds static on media; condensation harms electronics and ink |
| Before use | Shake well before pouring into the ink tank | Pigment and white ink settle in the bottle |
| In use | Agitate the ink tank once a day and before printing | Keeps pigment evenly mixed so colour and nozzle health stay stable |
| Safety data | Ask support@am.co.za for the safety data sheet (SDS) | Listed on the uvinks.co.za safety page; see uvinks-safety.md |
About agitation. The 2021 safety page said "agitate every two weeks while in use" as a minimum best practice. The current product data is stricter: shake before filling and agitate the tank once a day and before printing. Follow the current product data.
Keep light away from the ink
UV ink is made to cure the moment UV light hits it. That is what makes it dry instantly on the print, and it is also why stray light inside the printer is a problem. The uvinks.co.za conversion guide and the AM.CO.ZA product range use black, UV-resistant parts for every place ink is held or moves.
| Part | AM.CO.ZA SKU | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk ink system | F-INK/BULK/UV | CMYK and white bulk ink system with ink level sensors and a white ink agitation motor |
| Bulk tank, CMYK | F-INK/TANK/BULK/UV | 2 litre UV-black tank with bottom flow outlet for continuous feed |
| Bulk tank, white | F-INK/TANK/BULK/N3/UV | 2 litre UV-black tank with three top nipple outlets for white ink |
| Manual feed tank | F-INK/TANK/UV | 1,200 ml black UV-compatible tank for the FastCOLOUR Lite bulk ink system |
| Tank agitator | F-INK/TANK/MIXER | 24 V DC motor agitator that keeps ink mixed inside a 2 litre tank |
| Ink tubing | F-INK/TUBE4/UV, F-INK/TUBE4/UV/6 | Eight-in-a-row 4 mm black tubing, solvent and UV resistant |
| Dampers | F-INK/DAMPER/DX5/UV, F-INK/DAMPER/I1600/UV | Black UV-resistant dampers for DX5, XP600, I1600 and I3200 heads |
| One-way valves | F-INK/ONE/UV | Stop ink flowing back in UV ink lines |
| CMYK filters | F-INK/FILTER/5C/UV | 5 micron UHMW-PE capsule filters for CMYK UV and solvent inks |
| White and varnish filters | F-INK/FILTER/10C/UV | 10 micron capsule filters for white ink and varnish |
Also tighten ink bottle caps when the printer will not print for a long time; AM.CO.ZA shows this in Cleaning Liquid Wet Dust Free Fabric for Printhead, Tighten Ink Bottles If Not Print for Long Time (2023-07-22).
White ink and varnish need extra care
White UV ink carries heavy pigment that settles faster than colour inks. The uvinks.co.za maintenance routine (see uvinks-maintenance.md) sets these rules:
- Purge white ink every morning at start-up, and every 4 hours during the day even when white is not being printed.
- Do not close white ink line valves and do not switch off spitting or other automatic standby and maintenance functions.
- Check the sub tank for sedimentation once a month. If there is any, suck it out with a syringe and clean the sub tank with a lint-free cloth.
- Use the 10 micron white and varnish filter, F-INK/FILTER/10C/UV, not the 5 micron CMYK filter.
- A bulk system with an agitation motor (F-INK/BULK/UV) or a tank agitator (F-INK/TANK/MIXER) keeps white ink moving between prints.
Keep the print room clean
These points expand the original post below.
| Risk | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical mist in the air | Acid or solvent mist (for example from cleaning glass with acid) settles on the printer and printheads and blocks nozzles | Keep chemical work out of the print room |
| Wrong substrate prep fluid | Residue stops ink adhering | Use IPA (isopropyl alcohol) with 97% purity |
| Wrong cleaner on heads or carriage | Cleaner can react with the ink | Use the matched UV cleaner F2-UV/CLEAN; never wipe the nozzle area with flush |
| General cleaning sprays | May be incompatible with the ink | Test or avoid household cleaners on printer parts |
| Dust | Dust on media causes white spots and poor adhesion; dust on the faceplate builds ink up and causes defects | Keep doors, windows and vents closed or filtered; wipe with static-free wipes such as F-UV/WIPE |
| Reflective substrates | Mirrors and reflective media bounce UV light back onto the faceplate and cure ink in the nozzles | Do not print onto mirrors or reflective substrates |
| Lamp heat on media | Some media curl or bubble and crash into the printheads | Watch heat-sensitive media and keep the head height right |
| Static | Static on media causes defects and nozzle problems, worse in dry air | Keep humidity in range or use anti-static bars |
Hard surfaces such as glass and some plastics may also need a primer for adhesion, for example F-UV/PRIMER/GLASS or F-UV/PRIMER/PLASTIC. Store primers with the same care as ink: closed, dry and out of sunlight.
Keep the curing lamps cool
LED-UV lamps on AM.CO.ZA UV printers are water cooled. The F-CHILLER is a 220 V, 500 W water chiller for 3515 LED-UV lamps with LED signal control, and the 7015 curing kits (F2-UV, F2-UV/D) use water-cooled 200 W lamps such as F-LED/4. A hot lamp area also warms the ink near the carriage, so keep the chiller and room temperature in range during long runs. See #SortIT, What is UV Upgrade Kit for FastCOLOUR ONE Large Format Printer, About LED-UV Lamps &Chiller (2020-01-15).
Storing the printer when it stands idle
The uvinks.co.za maintenance page gives a shutdown routine for each length of downtime. In short:
| Downtime | Colours and clear (varnish) | White |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight | Purge, wipe with a clean lint-free cloth (no flush on the cloth), check nozzles, close valves, park the carriage low, switch off. Do not fill heads with flush | Same as colours |
| Weekend, up to 1 week (colours) or up to 4 days (white) | Same as overnight | Fill the heads with the matched cleaning solution (purge system or manual flush), close valves, park, switch off |
| Longer than 1 week (colours) or 4 days (white) | Empty and clean the main tanks, fill with cleaning solution, purge the lines until the flush runs clear, close valves | Same as colours |
| Restarting after flush | Replace the cleaner with ink, purge at least 300 ml of ink through the lines, bleed out air, then purge as for daily start-up | Same, and fit a new printhead filter |
AM.CO.ZA does not recommend capping systems that touch the nozzle area (cling film, sponge, foam rubber or cloth) on UV printers, and does not recommend built-in flushing systems for overnight storage.
For a long holiday or when moving a printer, AM.CO.ZA shows how to seal the dampers, flush the head with the cleaning solution for the ink type and store it, in How to Safely Remove Printhead for Long Holiday or Transportation Demonstrated on FastCOLOUR XP600 (2022-12-31). For a sudden power cut, Printhead Emergency Maintenance When Load Shedding and Process to Protect Your Large Format Printer (2023-03-19) shows how to cap the printhead by hand and switch the machine off so a power surge cannot damage it. Pre-sealed printheads such as EPSON-XP600/SEALED are sealed to prevent over-flushed ink from spilling.
Which inks this page covers
The storage rules apply to all AM.CO.ZA UV-curable inks and the UV ink cleaner. For the full ink list, see the uvinks.co.za signpost page uvinks-site.md. Examples:
| Range | Example SKUs |
|---|---|
| FlexiFlow Glossy and Hard Finish UV-DTF and universal UV ink | H-UVDTF/C, H-UVDTF/W, H-UVDTF/V, H-UVDTF/INK/COMBO/8 |
| Premium Hybrid and FlexiFlow hard-finish UV ink | F2-UV/BLACK, F2-UV/VARNISH, F2-UV/COMBO/WHITE/WIPE, F2-UV/COMBO/VARNISH/WIPE |
| FlexiFlow flexible, stretchable soft-finish UV ink | F-UV/FLEX/BLACK, F-UV/FLEX/WHITE, F-UV/FLEXI/CMYKW2 |
| Cleaner and wipes | F2-UV/CLEAN, F-UV/WIPE |
In April 2026 AM.CO.ZA announced a reformulated one-for-all UV ink that takes the gloss, brightness and scratch resistance of its UV-DTF ink and works in large-format, flatbed and UV-DTF printers, and said older UV ink types will be phased out over time (Universal UV Inks for Glossy and Hard Finishes, More Scratch Resistance, and A LOT Cheaper (2026-04-08)).
Buy what you will use
The AM.CO.ZA terms on these products say there is no warranty or refund on consumables. 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. Since ink that has been stored badly cannot be returned, buy quantities you will use in a reasonable time and store them as above.
Related pages
- uvinks-maintenance.md: daily, weekend and long shutdown routines
- uvinks-safety.md: hazard statements and SDS contact
- uvinks-conversion.md: converting a printer to AM.CO.ZA UV ink
- 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 UV ink, printhead care and printer downtime:
- Universal UV Inks for Glossy and Hard Finishes, More Scratch Resistance, and A LOT Cheaper (2026-04-08)
- #SortIT How UV Printer Works, How LED-UV Lamp Instant Dry UV-Curable Ink for Better Printing Quality (2020-01-15)
- #SortIT, How LED-UV Ink Works and Why UV Ink Cured Instantly with Better Printing Quality (2020-01-28)
- #SortIT, What is UV Upgrade Kit for FastCOLOUR ONE Large Format Printer, About LED-UV Lamps &Chiller (2020-01-15)
- Printhead Service, Large Format Printer Maintenance with New Hybrid UV Ink Flushing and Conversion (2021-12-04)
- Convert to Premium Hybrid Inks for FastCOLOUR Flatbed UV Printer, Ink Tubing & Dampers Also Changed (2021-12-09)
- Cleaning Liquid Wet Dust Free Fabric for Printhead, Tighten Ink Bottles If Not Print for Long Time (2023-07-22)
- How to Safely Remove Printhead for Long Holiday or Transportation Demonstrated on FastCOLOUR XP600 (2022-12-31)
- Printhead Emergency Maintenance When Load Shedding and Process to Protect Your Large Format Printer (2023-03-19)
- #SortIT, How Auto Clean Function on FastCOLOUR Large Format Printer Works to Keep Printhead Cleaned (2020-01-15)
- Howto Flush and Clean a Clogging Printhead Demonstrated (2017-04-24)
- Epson XP600 UV Printhead Cleaning Service for Benoni Client FastCOLOUR UV Large Format Printer (2022-01-17)
- Printhead Unclogging Service Free of Charge For Our Printer Clients with Ultrasound Cleaning Options (2023-06-08)
- Presealed Printhead from AM.CO.ZA Provide Solution for Over Flushed ink Spillage Damages Prevention (2023-04-25)
- Innovation of Printhead Care, EPSON XP600 Printhead Ink Spill Protection to Free Unclogging Services (2023-06-19)
- Printhead Installation Steps, Epson XP600 Printhead Installed on UV Ink Dampers Demonstrated (2023-02-21)
- directTOFILM UVDTF 300mm Printer Printhead, Cables, Inks, Damper and Media Installation Process (2023-07-11)
- New 2023 FastCOLOUR Wide Format Printer with Bulk Feeding Ink System for UV/ECO-Solvent/Sublimation (2023-04-02)
- EPSON L1800 DTF Modified for DTF Printing Bulk Ink System with White Ink Circulation and Agitation (2023-09-20)
- How to get a 100% Nozzle Test from an Ink Pump inside Hosonsoft (2023-07-31)
FAQ
What temperature should UV ink be stored at? Between 5°C and 35°C, in storage and in transit, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight and not directly on the floor.
What room conditions does a UV printer need? 19°C to 28°C with 30% to 80% relative humidity, non-condensing.
How often should UV ink be shaken? Shake each bottle well before pouring it into the tank, and agitate the ink tank once a day and before printing. Purge white ink at start-up and every 4 hours.
What is the shelf life of AM.CO.ZA UV ink? The AM.CO.ZA product data does not publish a shelf life in months. Ask AM.CO.ZA support if a bottle has been stored for a long time or outside 5°C to 35°C.
Can I use F2-UV/CLEAN on my sublimation or DTF printer? No. F2-UV/CLEAN is for UV-curable inks only. Water-based, sublimation, DTF and DTG inks use F-AQUA/CLEAN.
Why can't I print on mirrors with UV ink? The mirror reflects UV light from the curing lamp back onto the printhead faceplate, which cures ink in the nozzles.
Why do UV printers use black tubes and tanks? Light cures UV ink. Black UV-resistant tanks, tubes, dampers and filters stop stray light from curing ink inside the ink system.
Can I return ink I no longer need? There is no refund on consumables. Unused, intact (unopened if sealed) consumables may be exchanged by written agreement.
Original 2021 post (uvinks.co.za/storage)
The text below is the original post as published on uvinks.co.za. Contact details in it are as published then.
Source: https://uvinks.co.za/storage
- published: 2021-10-22 15:20:29
- modified: 2021-11-05 10:15:34
Chemical contaminants:
- Air born chemical contaminants can lead to print head blockages. As an example, cleaning glass with acid would lead to airborne mist of acid which settles on the machine and the print heads.
- Ensure the correct substrate preparation fluid is used. It is recommended to use IPA with a purity of 97%.
- Ensure the use of the correct cleaning solutions on the print heads and around the carriage. AM.CO.ZA provides a matched cleaning solution, Hybrid Cleaning Solution, for our Hybrid UV Inks.Note: Do not wipe the nozzle area of the print heads with flush.
- Be careful with the use of cleaning solutions for cleaning of dust or other marks from the machine as this may be incompatible with the ink.
Dust particles:
- A dusty environment will lead to dust settling on printer parts, on substrate surfaces as well as potentially on print head face plates.
- Dust on substrate could interfere with adhesion or could lead to white spotting and other defects.
- Dust on print heads will aggravate the accumulation of ink on the print head faceplate leading to printing defects and more regular cleaning requirements.
- Ensure dust and dirt cannot enter the print room through ventilation, or doors and windows that are open.
Substrate:
- It is not recommended to print onto mirrors or reflective substrates. Reflection on the surface of these substrates could reflect UV light onto the print head face plates and lead to ink curing in the nozzles.
- UV curing lamp heat can cause some media to curl or bubble which will lead to media crashing against the print heads resulting in scratches and other damage.
- Some substrates are more prone to static electricity charge which leads to print defects and could lead to nozzle issues. This is aggravated in low humidity conditions as described above. Ensuring a higher humidity environment helps reduce this effect. Another method is the use of anti-static bars to neutralise this effect
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.
For further enquiries please contact the AM.CO.ZA Hybrid UV Ink Technical team at +27766666655 or Chat to us by sending “hi” on Whatsapp: 060 600 6000
DISCLAIMER: This information is based on the present knowledge known to AM.CO.ZA Hybrid UV Ink and shall not constitute a guarantee for any specific product features nor shall it establish a legally valid contractual relationship. Under no circumstances should AM.CO.ZA Hybrid UV Ink be responsible for any damage to print heads, including arising from improper capping fluids used by the dealer or end user, either directly or indirectly. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, damages arising from improper and inaccurate flushing and maintenance procedures. Statements regarding validity of standards and compliance certifications are valid for a year from publish date and could be subject to change should formulation changes be required. E&OE