A Mimaki JV300 or JV330 that is maintained on a schedule will outprint and outlast an identical machine that is only repaired when something breaks. The difference is not operator skill – it is a checklist that takes ten minutes a day and a couple of hours a year.
This is the schedule we recommend to print shops running the JV300 series (JV300 / JV150) and the newer JV330 series. Where the two generations differ in parts, we say so.
Know Which Generation You Have
The JV300 and JV150 use Epson DX7 printheads. The newer JV330 series uses Epson i3200-class piezo heads in a staggered two-head layout. That matters because the two generations use different dampers, different head cables and different head replacement procedures – ordering the wrong part is the most common and most expensive mistake we see.
If you are unsure, check the head part number on the head itself or in the printer’s service menu before ordering anything.
Daily (2-3 Minutes)
- Nozzle check. Print the test pattern before the first job of the day. A single missing nozzle caught in the morning is a five-minute fix; the same nozzle caught next week is a new head.
- Run the automatic cap and wipe cycle and confirm the head parks cleanly on the cap. If the cap is sitting crooked or has dried ink on the rim, fix it today.
- Check ink levels and the waste bottle. A full waste bottle mid-job can spill ink into the machine.
- Wipe the media path free of dust. Dust under the head becomes a head strike.
Weekly (10-15 Minutes)
- Clean the wiper blade with a lint-free swab and the correct cleaning liquid. Pull the ink off the blade edge rather than smearing it around.
- Clean the capping station. Remove the dried ink ring around the cap rim and check that the cap seals. A cap that does not seal lets eco-solvent ink dry inside the nozzles within hours.
- Check the dampers for air bubbles or ink weeping at the seal. Bubbles mean air is entering the ink line.
- Clean the encoder strip with a dry lint-free swab. On the JV300 this is a five-minute job that prevents a whole family of banding faults.
Monthly (30-60 Minutes)
- Inspect the wiper, cap top and dampers for wear and replace anything that is flattened, cracked or discoloured. These are consumables; three to six months of production is a normal life.
- Clean the mist filter and fan area. Blocked filters raise the temperature around the head and shorten head life.
- Check the ink tubes for kinks or air and the waste ink tube for dried blockages.
- Run a media feed calibration if you see stepping or overlapping bands in solid fills.
Quarterly and Annually
- Quarterly: replace the wiper and cap top as a set, inspect the capping station for wear on the lifting mechanism, and check the head cable connectors for ink mist contamination.
- Annually: replace the ink pump and capping station as preventive maintenance, inspect all tubing, and have a technician verify head voltage and alignment.
Parts Worth Keeping in Stock
| Part | Why keep one |
|---|---|
| Wiper blade | Cheapest part on the machine, directly responsible for nozzle recovery |
| Cap top | If it stops sealing, the head dries out overnight |
| Dampers | Air leaks cause missing nozzles that cleaning cannot fix |
| Cleaning liquid | Used daily; the wrong type of liquid can destroy a head |
| Waste ink bottle | Stops a job mid-run when it fills |
If you keep only two spares, keep a cap top and a wiper – they cost very little and they are the parts that decide whether the printer starts cleanly tomorrow morning.
FAQ
How often should I clean the head on a JV330?
Let the automatic cycle run daily and clean the wiper and cap weekly. Manual head cleaning should follow a bad nozzle check, not a calendar.
Can I use the same cleaning liquid on the JV300 and the JV330?
Both are eco-solvent machines, but always match the liquid to the ink in the machine. Never use water-based cleaner in a solvent head, or the reverse.
When should I replace the printhead?
Only after the cheap causes have been ruled out – cap, wiper, dampers, air in the line. Our printhead replacement guide walks through the decision.
Keep the Consumables on the Shelf
We stock wipers, cap tops, dampers, cleaning liquid and waste bottles for the Mimaki JV300, JV150 and JV330 series – see our spare parts range, or browse cleaning and flushing liquid and printheads. Tell us your model and serial number and we will confirm the right part before you order: contact us.