Epson I3200 / I1600 / 5113 capping unit
The Epson i3200 / i1600 / 5113 Capping Station is a replacement cap top for DTF (Direct-to-Film), UV DTF, and eco-solvent printers built on the Epson i3200-A1, i1600, 4720, and 511 3 printhead platform. The capping station seals the printhead during idle and overnight shutdowns — preventing DTF and UV inks from drying in the high-density i3200 nozzle array — and provides the inlet for the printer's purge and cleaning cycles. Horizontal type, ID 2mm ink tube inlet. Compatible with the full range of i3200/i1600-based DTF and UV production printers listed below. A compatible version is also stocked separately — contact us to confirm which version is correct for your printer and tube configuration before ordering. Confirm your ink tube diameter before ordering. This capping station has an ID 2mm ink tube inlet. If your printer uses ID 3mm ink tubes, you need a different cap top variant. Check your printer's ink tube diameter before ordering — installing a cap top with the wrong inlet diameter prevents correct ink flow during cleaning cycles and waste ink evacuation. Product Details Specification Detail Orientation Horizontal Ink tube inlet diameter ID 2mm (contact us for ID 3mm variant) Compatible printheads Epson i3200-A1 / i3200-U1 / i3200-E1 / i1600 / 5113 / 4720 Compatible printer types DTF, UV DTF, eco-solvent, water-based using i3200/i1600/5113/4720 platform Replacement interval Every 4–6 months in production (4+ hrs/day); every 6–12 months lighter use White ink head interval Every 4–6 months — TiO₂ deposits degrade cap faster than CMYK Compatible Printers Allwin / Stormjet / Sinocolor • Allwin AW EP-180 (S/W) • Stormjet TC1932 • Sinocolor DTF-400A / WJ-240S Yuxunda DTF • Yuxunda DTF-300plus / DTF-300 Pro Max • Yuxunda DTF-400plus / DTF-400 Pro Max • Yuxunda DTF-600 Pro Max Fedar DTF • Fedar FD60 DTF / FD65-2 DTF / FD70 DTF Potry • Potry HT-0604IA-01 / BC-0302X-HT01 Oric DTF • Oric A-6202 / A-6203 / A-6204 • Oric OR-A3 Mini330 DTF • Oric OR-6202 / OR-7602 / OR-6203 / OR-7604HT DTF / OR-6204 DTF / OR-620 Pro If your i3200/i1600/5113-based DTF or UV printer is not listed, contact us with your model to confirm compatibility and the correct tube inlet diameter before ordering. What Does the i3200 Capping Station Do? The capping station performs two essential functions. First, when the printer is idle, it seals against the i3200 nozzle face, creating an airtight enclosure that prevents the ink in the 3,200 nozzles from evaporating — particularly critical for DTF white ink, which contains titanium dioxide particles that settle and form hard deposits rapidly when exposed to air. Second, during cleaning cycles, the printer's waste pump creates a vacuum through the cap to draw ink and debris through the nozzle channels, flushing blockages and refreshing the nozzle menisci. The quality of the cap seal directly determines the effectiveness of both functions: a worn or imperfect seal allows evaporation during idle and reduces purge vacuum during cleaning, leading to progressive nozzle loss even with regular maintenance. ID 2mm vs ID 3mm — Why Tube Diameter Matters The capping station's ink tube inlet connects to the printer's waste ink line. i3200 and i1600-based DTF printers use either ID 2mm or ID 3mm waste ink tubes depending on the printer model and manufacturer. This listing's cap has an ID 2mm inlet — correct for the majority of compatible printers listed above. If your printer uses ID 3mm ink tubes, the ID 2mm inlet will not seat correctly on the tube, preventing proper waste ink evacuation during cleaning cycles. Check your printer's waste ink tube diameter before ordering — contact us if you are unsure which variant is correct for your machine. White Ink in DTF — Why the Cap Degrades Faster Standard CMYK inks dry gradually and can be re-wetted relatively easily during cleaning cycles. DTF white ink is a suspension of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles — a material that settles out of suspension rapidly and forms a hard, chalky deposit when dried. When white ink residue accumulates in the capping station rubber, it hardens into deposits that prevent the cap from forming a clean seal, compromise the suction path during purge cycles, and can physically abrade the nozzle face on contact. This is why the white head capping station wears significantly faster than the CMYK cap in a dual-head DTF printer, and why the 4–6 month replacement interval for high-production white head caps is correct maintenance practice rather than waiting for visible nozzle loss to appear. Capping Station Maintenance — Daily and Weekly Practices Daily: Wipe the rubber rim with a lint-free swab dampened with cleaning fluid every morning before printing. Dried ink crust on the rim breaks the vacuum seal — a 30-second daily wipe prevents this entirely. Weekly: Drop 2–3 mL of cleaning fluid into the cap. If it drains away quickly, the waste lines are clear. If it drains slowly or pools, there is a partial blockage in the waste tubes — flush immediately to avoid back-pressure that pushes waste ink onto the nozzle face. Always: Clean the wiper blade and capping station together — a dirty wiper drags dried ink onto the cap rim, breaking the seal. Treat them as a single maintenance unit. Scheduled replacement: Every 4–6 months in production environments (4+ hours printing daily); every 6–12 months in lighter-use environments. White head cap: 4–6 months regardless of visible condition. Signs Your i3200 Capping Station Needs Replacing • Nozzle dropout or banding appearing after overnight shutdown but partially clearing after cleaning • Ink flooding or pooling in the cap during purge cycles — degraded suction path • Visible cracking, permanent ink staining, or white TiO₂ chalk deposits on the rubber (white head cap) • Increasing frequency of cleaning cycles required to recover nozzles • Nozzle problems appearing immediately after a new printhead installation — worn cap failing to protect new head during idle i3200 Printhead Installation — Full Consumable Checklist • Capping station (this listing) — replace at every head installation; white head cap every 4–6 months in production • Data cables — all 4× 14-pin FFC cables per i3200 head; never reuse • Dampers — replace all dampers (A1 water-based or U1 UV variant depending on your printer) • Wiper blade — replace together with capping station; dirty wiper contaminates new cap Why Buy from Digiprint USA • In stock in Doral, Miami FL — same day shipping before 2PM EST • ID 2mm inlet — correct for listed compatible printers; contact us for ID 3mm variant • Compatible version also available separately — contact us to confirm which version is correct for your application • We also stock i3200-A1 printheads, 14-pin data cables, A1 and UV dampers • Ideal for Latin American DTF operations and UV print shops using Miami freight forwarders View our full range of i3200 printer spare parts and maintenance consumables stocked by Digiprint USA. Frequently Asked Questions How do I know if I need the ID 2mm or ID 3mm capping station?Check the diameter of your printer's waste ink tube — the tube that connects to the bottom of the capping station. If the tube's inner diameter is 2mm, this listing is correct. If it is 3mm, contact us for the alternative variant. When in doubt, contact us with your printer model and we will confirm before you order. How often should I replace the capping station?Every 4–6 months in production environments running 4+ hours per day; every 6–12 months in lighter use. For the white ink head specifically, the 4–6 month interval applies regardless of visible condition — titanium dioxide from white DTF ink hardens inside the cap rubber over time and prevents clean sealing even when the cap looks intact. Do not wait for nozzle loss to trigger a replacement. What is the difference between this listing and the compatible (-copy) version?We stock both versions of the i3200/i1600/5113 capping station. Contact us to confirm current availability, pricing, and the exact specification of each version for your printer model. Both serve the same function and fit the same printer range — the distinction may be in manufacturing source or quality grade. We will confirm which is the better choice for your application before you order. Do you ship i3200 capping stations to Latin America?Yes — same day shipping from our Doral, Miami FL warehouse. Ideal for Latin American DTF operations, UV printing facilities, and eco-solvent print shops using freight forwarders in the Doral area.
