Knowledge Center
What Is a Print Head Check and Nozzle Check?
A nozzle check is a test print that shows whether each nozzle in the print head is spraying ink correctly; broken or missing lines point to a clogged nozzle or an alignment issue.
When a Nozzle Check Is Done
A nozzle check is run before daily printing, when a shift in color consistency is noticed, or when banding or streaking shows up in a print; the test print is taken from the machine's own test pattern.
Why Issues Show Up in the Test
Broken or missing lines in the test pattern are usually caused by dried ink in a nozzle, an air bubble, or a shift in print head alignment; the cause is narrowed down by where and how it appears in the pattern.
What to Check Based on the Result
A small number of scattered gaps is usually resolved with a cleaning cycle; a gap that keeps recurring in the same spot means the print head or feed line needs to be examined by the technical team. The test result should be recorded and compared against the next check.
When Self-Cleaning Isn't Enough
If the machine's automatic cleaning cycle doesn't fix the result after repeated attempts, the issue may go beyond the nozzle to the feeding system or print head; at that point, getting technical service support is recommended.