Epson vs Brother Printhead Clogging – What You Need to Know
Whether you run a DTF printer, DTG shop, or a wide-format setup, printhead clogs are a constant threat to your workflow. And depending on whether you’re using an Epson or Brother GXT printhead, your risks — and your recovery options — are very different.
In this guide, we’ll break down the clogging behavior of Epson and Brother printheads, and show you how to avoid unnecessary replacements in Australia and New Zealand.
🧠 Understanding How They Clog
Epson Printheads (XP600, i3200, DX5/6/7, etc.)
Use Micro Piezo technology (mechanical ink ejection)
Prone to clogging from ink sediment, low humidity, or pauses in use
Ink dries in nozzles or micro-channels
Often affected by poor ink flow or back-pressure issues in DTF systems
⚠️ Common in DTF & eco-solvent printers
Brother GXT Printheads
Used primarily in DTG printers (Brother GT-3, GTX series)
Designed for white ink (heavier, more pigment = more clogs)
Tight integration with OEM firmware makes DIY cleaning risky
Clogs often cause full colour dropout or system lockouts
⚠️ Expensive to replace — and not widely available outside OEM
💰 Replacement Costs (AUD)
| Model | Typical Replacement Range |
|---|---|
| Epson XP600 | $750 – $1100 |
| Epson DX5 | $1845 – $2200 |
| Epson i3200 | $1600 – $2100 |
| Brother GXT | $2600 – $3600 |
And that’s without factoring in downtime or shipping delays.
🧽 Cleaning Options (and What Actually Works)
At Printheadtech, we clean both Epson and Brother GXT heads with advanced ultrasonic + chemical recovery methods — without damaging the fragile nozzle array or electronics.
✅ What You Get:
Free evaluation & nozzle health report
Same-week turnaround (AU & NZ)
No-fix, no-charge policy
Fixed cost starting from $320 AUD
🧼 Supported Models:
Epson: i3200, 4720, i1600, DX5, DX6, DX7, XP600
Brother: GXT (GTX, GT-3 series)
🛠 Clogging Behaviour Comparison
| Feature | Epson Heads | Brother GXT |
|---|---|---|
| Ink type | DTF, Eco-solvent, Pigment | Water-based DTG (white + CMYK) |
| Common issue | Dried ink, air bubbles | Pigment sediment, poor flushing |
| Software recovery | Moderate success | Often locked or blocked |
| Replacement cost | High | Very high |
| Cleaning success rate | High (XP600, i3200, DX5) | Good (GTX) with expert handling |
| DIY cleaning risk | Medium | High (due to firmware lockout) |
🧪 What’s the Best Option?
In nearly every case, professional cleaning is the smart first step.
✅ It’s safer than trying DIY flushes
✅ It can restore performance to 85–95% in many cases
✅ It avoids unnecessary $1000–$3000 replacements
📬 Ready for a Free Evaluation?
Whether your Epson or Brother printhead is skipping nozzles, producing gaps, or failing white ink firing:
👉 Send it in for a health check
👉 View cleaning prices and info
Don’t replace it until we check it. Most heads can be saved — and fast.
