PixMax™ CISS (Continuous Ink

Supply System) instruction manual

The PixMax™ CISS (continuous ink supply system) is an essential product for anyone looking to
print on alternative ink types such as sublimation and polymeric through an ink jet printer. The
CISS presents a cheap and simple solution to the cost of sublimation printers, allowing the user
to print designs for transferring onto t-shirts, mugs and other products.

Air tube plugs

Ink Tube Ink tank plugs

Battery
Ink Tank
Cartridge head chips Cartridge head

1
 CISS setup

1. Firstly, remove the big rubber plugs that will allow you to insert the ink
into the ink tank. You will notice a second set of smaller rubber plugs; these
are for the air filters that allow air to escape through the ink tank and tubes.
These must be left alone until instructed. Ink MUST be poured into the
respective containers on the ink tank, which can be done safely using the
syringes provided (Fig. 1.). These are clearly marked ‘CYAN’, ‘BLACK’, Figure 1: Ink tank plugs

‘YELLOW’ and ‘MAGENTA’.

Note: Ink needs to be poured slowly and carefully into the CISS
otherwise it may reservoir at the top and over-flow. Always pour ink
in a safe environment to prevent any spillages on clothing or other
objects. Use tissue underneath the ink tank to protect the surface
Figure 2: Air filters
underneath.

2. Remove the rubber air plugs and replace

them with the plastic air filters, gently placing
the thicker end into the gap. Please note Figure 4: Printer properties menu maintenance tab.
there is no need to push them heavily into
place, they should be placed in loosely (Fig. 2.).

3. To install the cartridge head component of the CISS, open

the printer properties and go to the ‘Maintenance’ tab. Find
and select ‘replace cartridge’. This will either be done via the
Figure 3: Ink cartridge replacement
printer software on the computer, or on the printer itself.
Once the cartridge holder has moved into position for removal you should
power off the printer and remove the cartridges that are already in place by
depressing the clip and pulling outwards. Once you have done that OR there are
no cartridges currently in the cartridge holder, then proceed to insert the CISS
cartridge head by placing the cartridge head into the holder with the big clips at
the front and push until it clicks (Fig. 3. 4. & 5.).
Note: Do not touch the green plastic chips on the cartridge head. This could
cause damage to the CISS system or cause an unclean print. Figure 5: Cartridge
removal position

2
 CISS setup

4. Next, you must tidy up the ink tube by

removing the paper covers from the
sponge tape. The one closest to the
cartridge head must be placed roughly half
way across the printing area to allow for it

to extend to the boundaries of the print Figure 6: Attaching the ink tube
area. This needs to be placed inside the
printer casing. The second sponge tape can be attached to the exterior of the printer casing to
neaten up the ink tube (Fig. 6.).

5. Check to ensure the ink tube will move and keep parallel across the width of the print area
by making the cartridge holder move from right to left and vice versa. If the ink tube needs more
length or needs shortening, lift the top of the clip slightly and adjust the ink tube to your
requirement.

6. Turn the printer back on. The computer may remind you that the cartridge could not be
recognized. This is because the ink amount levels need to be reset. If the cartridge holder is back
in the default position, repeat the process of moving the cartridge holder into the replacement
position. On the CISS cartridge head there will be a green chip sticking upwards that sits at the
top of the cartridge head and that connects to the battery. On the chip there is
a white button that needs to be held in for 10 seconds to reset the ink levels.
Complete the cartridge replacement instructions to return the cartridge holder
back to the default position. The ink levels should then show as full or 99% (Fig.
7.).
Note: The ink levels reset must be done before using the printer. The chip
reset button must be pressed carefully to avoid damage.

Figure 7: Ink reset button

7. Once the ink levels reset process has been completed move onto the printer nozzle check.
This checks whether the colour and the lines are printing through as they should. If they are
printing through fine, it will show an image with complete lines with no breaks and all the
colours (black, cyan, yellow and magenta) will be present and complete. If there are breaks in
the image then there are lines missing and if one or more colours are not present on the image
then there are colours missing. If this occurs then go through the process of cleaning the print
heads, this can simply solve the problem and can be checked by repeating the nozzle check. If
the same lines and/or colour is broken or not present after three nozzle checks then turn the
printer off for an hour or two as the nozzles may have air blockages and resting the printer will
allow them time to dissipate.

3
 CISS setup

8. To remove the CISS replace the air filters with the air plugs. Go through the cartridge
removal process so that the cartridge holder is in position to remove the cartridge head. Detach
pulling outwards. Place the cartridge head on tissue with the ink flow holes facing downwards
and keep it level with the ink tank.

9. If the ink levels drop below the white lines on the labels on the ink tank then the ink should
be refilled.

10. If during printing there are ink drips or a bad output on the paper then the air
balance tubes require checking. Remove the air filters and check to see if there is ink inside
them. If there is, then used the syringe and needle to remove the ink from the balance tube and
re-insert the air filters.

Caution:
- During printing, do not touch or disturb the external ink tank.
- Make sure the ink tank is at the same level as the printer at all times.
- Operate the system in a clean environment and within a 15-35°C temperature range.
- Ink may start to clot after a week of no use, we heavily advise to print at least one sheet of paper
per couple of days to prevent this.
- In extreme situations the printer may leak ink after prolonged periods without use. When facing
this problem, do not turn the printer on and send the system to the maintenance centre to avoid
damaging the printer.
- During shipment or storage, do not lean or turn the CISS system upside down. Always ensure
that the holes are sealed with plugs to prevent ink leakage.
- Do not shake the cartridge head to prevent leakage.
- Do not pull out the ink flow connecting tubes from the system.
- Do not tear off the seals on the bottom of the cartridge head.
- Do not touch of scrape the chips on the cartridge head.
- Keep out of reach from children
- Do not consume the ink. If this does happen seek immediate medical advice.
- Do not get the ink in your eyes. If this does happen try to wash them out and seek medical
advice.

4
 CISS troubleshooting guide

The troubleshooting guide aims to provide solutions to any problems that may arise with the quality
of the print or the CISS system itself. Please consult the chart below if you feel you are experiencing
any difficulties with the print.

1. Missing Print
Potential problems:
I. Print nozzle blocked. - After cleaning several times there is still print missing in the same
place.

Check the printer head by cleaning it three times, printing out a test sheet via the nozzle check
option after each clean. If the nozzle check image is becoming more complete, or if it indeed clears
up the problem then the problem should be resolved. If nothing changes, turn the printer off for 1-2
hours. After the printer has rested, perform another nozzle check and check the image. If it is still
not right install the original ink cartridges and repeat the above processes to determine whether
there is a problem with the printer or the CISS system. If the problem is still apparent contact the
distributor.

II. Air trapped in the printer nozzle. - After cleaning several times there are still lines missing in
different places.

Check the printer head by cleaning it three times, printing out a test sheet via the nozzle check
option after each clean. If the nozzle check image is becoming more complete, or if it indeed clears
up the problem then the problem should be resolved. If nothing changes, turn the printer off for 1-2
hours. After the printer has rested, perform another nozzle check and check the image. Sometimes
small air bubbles in the connector tube will restrict the ink flow. If the printer and the CISS system
are allowed to rest the bubbles will dissipate to the cartridge head where they are released,
therefore removing the problem. This is known as forge blockage.

III. Ink supply tube blocked. - When printing, one colour is always missing OR when cleaning
the printer head, one colour cannot flow into the cartridge.

Perform a nozzle check to see which colour is missing. Clean the print heads and repeat the nozzle
check. After comparing the test sheets you find the same colour is still missing it is likely that the ink
tube is blocked. Remove the cartridge head and raise it up to try and encourage the air blockage to
move. Re-Install the cartridge head and perform another head clean, the air should move forward
and disperse through the cartridge head. Print a test sheet to see if the colour returns.

If this does not work then pull the blocked tube out of the cartridge head and raise it above the
cartridge. If the ink drains back into the ink tank then tube is not blocked and the problem lies with
the cartridge. Check the cartridge concerned. Use the injector without the needle to pump ink from
the ink flow hole on the cartridge. If you cannot draw ink then the cartridge is blocked and you will
need to contact the distributor for further help.

IV. Air leak on the system – There is a lot of air in the connecting tube.

5
 CISS troubleshooting guide

If there is an air leak on the connecting tube or at the joint, you will find a build-up of air at the lower
end of the tube. When cleaning the print heads, the air will flow into the cartridges. If there is an air
leak on the cartridge, the whole connecting tube will be filled with air, resulting in the omission of
the affected colour during printing. After locating the problem areas contact the distributor for
further information.

V. No use over a period of time – Line missing or colour missing.

There are various situations that can occur if the CISS system is left unused over a period of time. Air
can seep in through the printer nozzle causing air bubbles in the ink flow tubes. These bubbles will
cause lines to be missing from the print. Air can also seep into the print head and will clog and
oxidize causing a blockage and a lack of ink being printed. Finally, if the CISS system has been subject
to the wrong conditions such as hot temperatures, direct sunlight or dry environments then the ink
will volatize and dry out. This may be more apparent in the ink tube which is transparent, thin and
therefore affected quicker. To solve this use the printer once every few days to make sure the print
is good and then ink stays fresh.

2. Poor print quality – The nozzle check test paper is good, but the image print is not.

The printer settings are incorrect or the software is not compatible. Please check the printer settings
especially the resolution and the colour management to ensure the settings are suitable for the
purpose of the print.

If the printer ink spots are too big or the printing result is poor because the print head settings are
wrong. Check the printer attributes to rectify the print head settings.

If there are many irregular colour lines on the image this could be because the print head is moist or
because it is near the end of its usability. Please contact your distributor for further help.

3. The cartridge cannot be recognized – Ink indicator stays on even after the printer is reset and
the computer reads “wrong cartridge” or “change cartridge”.

The cartridge is not properly installed or the cartridge chips are not in the right place. Check that the
cartridge clicks when it is pushed into place. When it does it should be installed. If the problem lies
with the chip you need to adjust it using a screwdriver. You can remove and replace the chip or try
to raise the chip with the sticker on the back of the chip.

If the printer still won’t recognize the cartridge, try installing the original cartridges. If these still
don’t work then the cartridge holder chip pin may be deformed. This can occur if the cartridges have
been inserted or removed too vigorously or if a cartridge has been installed without a chip or with a
badly fixed chip. If the cartridge holder chip pin is deformed then seek skilled assistance via your
distributor.

4. You cannot reset the chips – During first use if the ink indicator light is on and the computer
alerts you to change the cartridge even if it is correctly installed and the chips are fine and
resetting the printer for a minute is no use, then check these options.

6
 CISS troubleshooting guide

Connect the printer with the computer and open “printer settings”. Click the “maintenance tab” and
click on “Epson status monitor 3”. Once on the status monitor click on change ink cartridge but don’t
remove the cartridge, just skip through the instructions and check to see if the printer is now
working.

If not, then turn on the printer and unplug the power wire for three minutes. Plug the power wire
back in and check to see if the problem persists.

The final option is to go back to the cartridge change option and let the cartridge holder move into
place. Take the cartridge head out and install it back into place. Press the stop/maintenance button
to reset the cartridge holder. If the problem still persists then contact your distributor.

5. During printing, the cartridge holder crashes against the sides of the printer – If the cartridge
holder is moving erratically or crashing against the sides of the printer, or the mechanisms don’t
look or sound as they should.

The cartridge holder rail may be dirty or may have wear and tear. Use paper to wipe any dirt off the
rail carefully and add a bit of oil on to the paper to apply to the rail (you cannot apply oil directly to
the rail). If the rail is seriously damaged, then a replacement can be ordered and easily replaced.

If this is not the problem then the light controller above the rail may be faulty. If ink has got onto the
light controller then it will not do its job and not keep the cartridge holder in the right place. Remove
the light controller and give it a clean. If this is still no good then the light controller is damaged and
requires replacing.

6. Installation problem – The power and paper control lights are on and the computer shows up
“ordinary problem, please remove foreign body”.

If during printing the cartridge holder won’t work and is making a strange noise then the connecting
wire may not be long enough. Adjust the wire and lengthen to allow a freer movement.

Some foreign bodies may have fallen into the printer, check the printer and remove any objects that
should not be there.

If the problem still exists then the printer parts may be damaged and require skilled assistance.
Contact the distributor.

7. Showing full in the “waste ink indicator” – Indicator lights are always on or flashing and/or the
computer relays the message ” the parts have come to the end of their lifetime, please consult
with distributor” (different models show different messages/ indications)

You will require professional assistance to service your printer. Please consult with the distributor if
you face this problem.

8. Ink tank leak – Ink leaking from the tank

Locate the leak on the ink tank (usually this is caused by a break in the seal on the lower ridge).
Contact the distributor to order a replacement.