Software – Knowledge Base

Banding Solutions for the OmniDTF

“Banding” refers to the appearance of visible horizontal lines or streaks on a printed image that appear in the left & right direction of printhead carriage movement. Rather than a streak of white or colored ink smearing across film that would indicate a head strike, banding appears as inconsistent ink coverage (see example photo below).

Most Common Banding Solution

When troubleshooting a banding problem the first step is to print a nozzle check. This is done to distinguish between ink flow issues from mechanical or configuration issues.

If the nozzle check isn’t looking great when you experience banding there’s a good chance the issue can be resolved by simply running a printhead cleaning. This is because banding can occur during longer print jobs due to ink mist from the printing process building up and beginning to dry on a printhead’s nozzle plate. So if you’re currently experiencing a banding problem, run a nozzle check now and follow that with printhead cleanings, as needed, to resolve a poor nozzle check.

Lower humidity environments will typically require more frequent head cleanings since the ink will be more prone to drying on the nozzle plates.

If head cleaning doesn’t result in getting a good nozzle check, something may be limiting the ink flow that will require more troubleshooting to resolve, which we’ll get into momentarily.

But first, if you are getting a good nozzle check but still have banding, there are a few software settings to check and confirm that it is optimized to provide great quality prints.

Let’s look at those software settings now.

OmniDTF UI Software Settings

*OmniDTF UI Settings screen, Feed Adjustment*

On the Settings tab of the OmniDTF UI software, check the Feed Adjustment section’s Mode and Type options. We want Mode set to “Heavy” and Type set to “Strong” for the best results.

These are the normal, default settings of a new OmniDTF UI software installation, and it’s a super easy fix if your settings aren’t right.

Print Pro Environments & Printing Resolution

Another possible software solution for light banding is to increase the ink density that you’re printing by selecting a higher resolution Environment when setting up your Layouts in Print Pro DTF.

If currently using the 720×1800 Environment then try 720×2400, or if using 720×2400 then try 720×3600.

With those software settings out of the way, let’s dig into potential ink flow causes and solutions.

Ink Flow Limiting Causes & Solutions

Low ink level in ink bottles
This is a simple but often overlooked fundamental cause of color dropouts and banding.

It’s important to keep an eye on ink levels and make sure they never drop below their defined minimum levels (see below image) before being refilled to ensure consistent ink flow.

OmniDTF ink bottle minimum and maximum levels

Air pockets or bubbles in ink lines
All of the components in the printer’s ink flow path are designed to maintain an air-tight system. In normal operation, with proper maintenance, there should be no air in the ink lines.

If you find air pockets or bubbles in one or more ink lines, use the Load ink feature for the white or color (or both) printheads to “prime” out the air pockets. As always, keep an eye on the waste ink bottle when using the Load ink and Printhead cleaning features and empty it as needed to ensure that it doesn’t overflow.

Clogged, damaged, or worn out damper
Dampers are consumable parts whose functions are critical to good ink flow. If a) you’re getting bad or inconsistent successive nozzle checks that aren’t resolved with head cleaning, b) your ink levels are good, and c) there’s no visible bubbles or air gaps in your ink lines (or air keeps returning to the lines after priming it out) then it’s recommended to contact OmniPrint technical support about replacing the damper for the problem channel(s).

There’s a link at the bottom of this page to another knowledge base article with details about dampers, in case you’re interested in more details about 4 things that dampers do to help maintain good ink flow.

Clogging in ink lines
Normal use and maintenance will prevent clogging of the ink lines, but excessive air in the ink lines or longer-term idle periods with no ink flow can result in dried or drying ink clogging the ink lines.

If your printer will be idle for more than 3 weeks (even if wet capped) we recommend contacting OmniPrint technical support to schedule an appointment and prepare the printer for extended downtime or storage.

Routine Preventative Maintenance
Finally, we recommend cleaning out your white ink bottles at least once per year to remove any sediment that may be collecting there due to the heavier pigment needed to product white ink.

Likewise, don’t forget to regularly agitate the white ink bottles to keep the white ink well-mixed and circulate the white ink during your routine startup process.

How to Manually Change DirectRIP’s Resolution Setting (video)

We normally print at the default resolution of the DirectRIP Environment selected for a given print job. For example, the FreeJet 330 TX and the FreeJet 330TX Plus TX Quality mode Environments both print at a high resolution of 1440 x 1440, while the Production modes for both printers use the 1440 x 720 resolution for higher speed printing.

The below video explains how to manually bump up the print resolution to 2880 x 1440, which can be helpful to lay down a higher density of ink when printing on thicker, more absorbent garments such as denim, canvas, and hoodies.

How to Use DirectRIP’s Dot Size Feature (video)

When printing on thick, plush garments it can be helpful to use larger ink drops. The below video explains how to use the Dot Size of DirectRIP, the Rip software provided by OmniPrint with all Freejet printers.

The Print Direction feature is also recommended to be set to Unidirectional when increasing the dot size, as also covered in the video.

How to Use DirectRIP’s Color Strength Feature (video)

The below video explains how to use the Color Strength feature of DirectRIP, the Rip software provided by OmniPrint with all Freejet printers, to boost the intensity or strength of all colors.

How to Use DirectRIP’s Fuzziness Feature (video)

The below video explains how to use the Fuzziness feature in DirectRip, the rip software provided by OmniPrint with all Freejet DTG printers, to expand the near-white shades that will receive additional white ink during the color printing pass.

Print Pro Queue Manager Deep Dive (video)

In the below video and the following step-by-step instructions, we demonstrate how to rip an image or Layout to get the ink cost without printing. We’ll also show you how to save the ripped Layout to a file, including all sizing and configuration settings, and also how to load a previously saved rip for immediate printing.

Rip Without Printing

Once you have images and Layouts fully configured and ready to print, it’s simple to rip them without printing. Features of Print Pro’s Queue Manager can then be used to do things like determine the cost of ink needed to print the rip or to save the fully configured rip and quickly load and print it in the future.

For a refresher on how to set up images and Layouts see the Setting Up a Print knowledge base article.

Here’s how to rip an image or Layout in Print Pro.

First complete your image(s) and Layout setup, including sizing and creating the white underbase choke for the images.
Place the image(s) onto a Layout if you want to rip the full Layout.
Select the image or Layout you want to rip by clicking on it.
Click on the Add Job icon in the Queue Manager toolbar — the 2nd icon from the left.
Right-click on the new item added under the Queue Manager’s Job Info heading, then click on Rip. You may instead select the new line, then click the Rip Job icon on the Queue Manager toolbar — the 8th icon from the left.
Queue Manager’s Status column will display “Ripping…” as it begins ripping the job. This message will change to “RipDone” when the rip is finished.

Viewing Ink Costs of a Ripped Job

Click on the ‘+’ symbol to the left of the ripped job’s name in Queue Manager’s Job Info column.
Scroll down the expanded view in the Job Info column to find the amount and cost of each ink color used in the design, as well as the total ink cost.

Saving a Ripped Job

Saving a ripped job is a two-step process. We first tell the software where we want the file to be saved, then we save it.

Review the Save Location for the ripped file in the far right column of Queue Manager. If you want to save the rip to the currently designated location, skip to step 5.
Under the Save Location heading, click on the line of the ripped job that you want to save.
Click on the ellipses (“…”) that appear at the right end of the line that you clicked on.
In the “Save As” window that appears, navigate to the folder where you want the rip to be saved, and click on the Save button. This does not save the rip. It simply lets you edit the filename to be used and saves the location where the rip will be saved when you do save the rip in the next step.
Click on the Queue Manager’s Save Job button (a disc icon) to save the rip to your designated location.

Loading a Saved Rip

Loading a saved rip is quick and easy. Since all image and Layout parameters were included when the ripped file was saved, once the rip is loaded it can be immediately printed.

Click on Queue Manager’s Load Job icon. The first icon from the left, with the appearance of an open folder.
In the File Open window that appears, navigate to the folder where the rip file you want to print was stored, then select the rip file and click Open.
When the saved rip appears in Queue Manager’s Job Info column, right-click on it and select Print or click on the Print Job icon in Queue Manager’s toolbar.
- If the print options are grayed out, ensure your printer is selected in Queue Manager’s Printer Name column.

Ethernet Configuration for OmniDTF & DTF Mini

The OmniDTF & DTF Mini printers use the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) over an Ethernet connection to communicate with your PC. This requires a one-time configuration in Windows, which OmniPrint Training sets up for you during your initial training session.

The following information will help you to perform that same configuration if you should ever need to update your PC’s Ethernet adapter or if you’ve reinstalled the OmniDTF UI and Print Pro software onto a new PC.

Your OmniDTF printer and its software implementation are not designed to communicate over the Internet or any other network. We use a simple point-to-point connection between one PC and the printer, directly connected with a single Ethernet (“RJ45”) cable.

There are two pieces of software where we configure TCP/IP parameters: Microsoft Windows (Control Panel) and Print Pro. We’ll cover both in that order.

Microsoft Windows

Windows Control Panel’s Network and Sharing Center is where any Ethernet adapters to be used in a Windows PC are configured. Use the steps in the below video or the following written instructions to configure an Ethernet adapter for use with the OmniDTF & DTF Mini.

Run Windows Control Panel.
Click on Network and Sharing Center.

If you don’t see Network and Sharing Center in Windows Control Panel, it is because Control Panel is in the Category View mode. In that case, first click on Network and Internet, then click on Network and Sharing Center.

Select Change adapter settings
Double-click on the Ethernet adapter to be used (or right-click on the adapter and select Properties).

Your Ethernet adapter may have a different description than the Ethernet 4 pictured above. Don’t be concerned if there is a red ‘x’ on the adapter, which simply means that it isn’t currently connected to anything.

The ExpressVPN TAP Adapter does not represent a physical (actual) Ethernet hardware port and is not usable. This is strictly a “virtual” adapter built into Windows for creating VPN connections and has no purpose for the OmniDTF.

Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) (or single-click on it and then click the Properties button).
Click the Use the following IP address radio-button (if it isn’t already selected) and enter the following, then click ‘OK‘.
IP address: 192.168.127.12
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

The Windows Control Panel Ethernet configuration is now complete!

Print Pro

Also, Print Pro needs to know the IP address to use for its communication with the printer. Follow the steps in the below video or the following written instructions to set that up.

Run the Print Pro program.
From the Home tab, click on Printer Name Mapping.
Double-click on the first cell space under the Physical Printer Port heading.
Click on the drop-down lists’s down-carat symbol (downward pointing triangle) at the right end of the cell/box.
Select “127.0.0.1,9100 (TCP/IP ,RAW)”.
Double-click on the first cell space under the Printer Model heading.
Click on the drop-down list’s down-carat symbol.
Select “Omni DTF” or “Omni DTF Mini”, depending on your equipment.
Double-click on the first cell space under the Printer Name heading.
Type any preferred name for the printer, such as “DTF” or “Mini”.
Confirm that your settings look like the image below (depending on your printer model and Printer Name choice), then click on the green checkmark icon to save the settings.

The Print Pro Ethernet configuration is now complete!

How to Update Print Pro DTF Environments

About Environments

Print Pro DTF Environments are collections of preset options used to select the printing resolution and other parameters when setting up a print job for the OmniDTF or Omni DTF Mini.

Installed Environments are found in Print Pro DTF by selecting the Layout tab, then clicking on New and hovering over Omni DTF or Omni DTF Mini.

To update the Environments in Print Pro for your DTF printer, download the file for your model at the bottom of this article and follow the instructions in the below video or the following written steps. The process is identical for the OmniDTF and the Omni DTF Mini.

Video Demonstration

Installing the Environments

The installation process of the Environments is quick and easy.

Download the Environments file to the PC on which you’ve installed Print Pro.
- See the download links at the bottom of this article.
Unzip the contents of the downloaded .zip file (a single .kiee file).
- Placing the downloaded file on the Windows Desktop is recommended to easily find the file. It can be deleted after this installation process.
Run Print Pro.
Select the Home tab, then click the Import button.
Select the .kiee file that was downloaded, then click the Open button.
If prompted with a message of “Already ‘Omni DTF-720×3600’ environment exist.” (The actual environment name will vary), click the Yes button.
- If prompted to Select environment settings to use, select ‘Use new environment settings only’ and click OK.
Click OK on the “Media packages imported successfully” window.
Exit out of the Print Pro program, then restart it.

The OmniDTF or Omni DTF Mini Environments have now been updated and are ready for use.

Print Pro Environments download links

DirectRIP “Can not open file” Error

While the below-pictured DirectRIP error message may seem alarming, it is easy to resolve using the steps detailed below.

Your exact file path and filename in the message may differ, but the same solution applies.

Why is this happening?

This error will occur if a DirectRIP installation has missing or corrupt files that are needed when an Environment is selected.

How to resolve the issue

There is a video following these instructions which demonstrates steps 3-6.

Close the DirectRIP program if it is running
Download the ‘RIP Files.zip’ archive file from the link at the bottom of this article to your Windows Desktop
Right-click on the downloaded ‘RIP Files.zip’ and select ‘Extract All…’
Click the ‘Show extracted files when complete’ checkbox, then click the ‘Extract’ button
Right-click on the DirectRIP shortcut, select ‘Properties’, then click on ‘Open File Location’ from the ‘Shortcut’ tab in the ‘DirectRIP Properties’ window
1. This will open the DirectRIP application folder in another File Explorer window
Copy the three folders from the newly created ‘RIP Files’ folder to the DirectRIP application folder
1. Allow Windows to replace any & all existing folders and files when prompted

Solution video clip

Expand the below video to full screen for the best viewing experience.

Next time you start DirectRIP, the Environments will work as expected without the error message.

Installing & Configuring DirectRIP for the Freejet 330-Series

Plastic container with USB thumbdrive and security dongle.

Plastic case with a USB thumb drive containing a copy of DirectRIP and a security key “dongle”

In order to operate your FreeJet Printer, you will need a working installation of DirectRIP on your Windows PC. You may be a first-time user, or possibly have recently acquired a new PC and are looking to migrate your installation, but in any case, the below video and the following step-by-step instructions will show you how to install DirectRIP.

Verify your Equipment

Before we start your installation, ensure that you gather the following components, which are included with your printer purchase:

USB hub
USB thumb drive containing installation files & folders
USB security key “dongle” (Sentinel HASP key)
DirectRIP plastic case which the USB thumbdrive & security key came in

USB thumb drive and security key dongle

USB hub

Insert the two DirectRIP USB devices from the plastic case into the USB hub as shown above, and connect the hub to a USB port on your PC. If applicable for your hub, ensure the buttons on those USB slots are enabled (depressed).

Installation

With all components connected to your PC, if Windows didn’t automatically open its File Browser to display the contents of the USB thumb drive when it was connected, run File Browser and navigate to the USB thumb drive.

Run ‘Setup’ from the thumb drive to initiate the installation of DirectRIP.

The installation program will prompt you to enter the CD Key from the plastic case. Enter the full key (including the dash!), along with your name and company name, then continue. (You can use anything you like for the name and company name.)

The DirectRIP CD Key is always “776-3691394”.

You will then be asked for the serial number. Enter the serial number from your USB device packaging (it starts with ‘RPQL’, as pictured above).

Your DirectRIP Serial Number will be “RPQL####WVK”, but replace #### with just the numbers on your thumb drive and security key dongle labels. For example, the serial number for the USB devices pictured above is “RPQL2242WVK”.

Select the installation location and options as desired to proceed with the installation of the DirectRIP Software. Using the suggested defaults is fine.

Once the installation of DirectRIP is complete, a small window will appear asking “Install HASP Driver?” Select ‘Yes’ to begin the installation of the Sentinel encryption key software. This install will typically hang for a few moments when its status bar reads around 75%, but after a delay, it should rapidly climb to 100% and complete the installation.

If you don’t see the “Install HASP Driver” prompt, minimize all other programs because this prompt may have launched behind other windows on your Desktop, hiding it from your immediate view.

At this point, you can check the installation by opening DirectRIP from the shortcut that the installation program placed on your Desktop. If DirectRIP and the Sentinel key driver are installed correctly, the program will load & run.

Once you’ve confirmed that DirectRIP loads you can store the thumb drive in a safe place because it is only needed during the installation process. On the other hand, the security key dongle must always be plugged into the USB hub in order to run DirectRIP.

Configuring Environments

Once DirectRIP is installed, you’ll want to do some initial configuration on the program to reduce clutter and improve ease of use.

First, let’s configure the DirectRIP Environments. You can think of the Environments as macros or as a set of presets that simplify selecting settings for printing on a particular type of shirt.

Start by clicking on the icon of a globe & wrench that is to the immediate right of the Environment selection drop-down box in the DirectRIP toolbar.

This will open the ‘Manage Environment’ window.

The next step is to select an Environment row labeled “OmniPrint FreeJet 320 TX” in its ‘Environment Group’ column, then tap your keyboard’s delete key or click the ‘Delete Environment’ icon (a globe over a sheet of paper with a red ‘x’) to delete the selected Environment row.

Repeat the deletion for each ‘OmniPrint FreeJet 320 TX’ entry.

If using a standard FreeJet 330TX (not the Plus model):
Also delete any environments with the “FreeJet 330 TX Plus” in the Environment Group Column.

If using the FreeJet 330TX Plus:
Also delete any environments with “Omniprint FreeJet 330 TX” in the Environment Group column, with the exception of the “FreeJet 330TX Photo” Environments, which have value for both the Freejet 330TX and the 330TX Plus.

Click the green checkmark icon at the lower-right corner of the ‘Manage Environment’ subwindow to accept changes and close the window.

All DirectRIP Environments are organized into Environment Groups, which you can think of as folders in which Environments are stored. The next step is to remove the Environment Groups that are now empty.

To edit Environment Groups, click the folder icon next to the Environment dropdown box to open the ‘Manage Environment Group’ subwindow.

Then, highlight an Environment Group for which all Environments were deleted in the previous step, and click the ‘Delete Environment Group’ button to delete the group. Repeat until you have deleted all of those now-empty groups.

Configuring Ink Costs

At the top of the DirectRIP window, click the Options menu, then click the ‘Ink Cost’ menu item.

In the ‘Ink Cost’ window, enter the per-liter cost of each color of ink, and leave “Other” at 0.00.

Click the green checkmark to save your changes and close the subwindow.

Configuring the Workspace

The first time that you run DirectRIP after installing it, a ‘Page Layout’ subwindow will be open. This feature isn’t needed and isn’t used with Freejet printers, so you’ll want to close it. To do this, note the two X’s near the top-right corner of the DirectRIP window (see below) and click the inner or lower one.

After closing the Layout subwindow, the next step is to open the ‘Q Rip’ window, which is very instrumental for setting up prints. To do this, select the ‘View’ menu at the top of DirectRIP, then select the ‘Show QRip’ option…

……and then re-enter the ‘View’ menu and select ‘Channel Pallete’, then ‘Show’.

Finally, arrange the ‘Q Rip’ and ‘Channel Palette’ subwindows to your preference. I like to align them at the right edge of the DirectRIP window, so DirectRIP looks like this when the program loads in full-screen mode:

Now you’re all set! DirectRIP is now ready to start running print jobs with all the features that you need at your fingertips.