All printers require careful use, a clean environment, and healthy consumables in order to survive. The Alps printers are no exception. Follow these tips, and you will have many years of use of your brand new Alps MD-5500 printer (Not to mention an intact 12 month warranty!).

• No printers like dust. The MD-5500 is no exception. Alps printers have a (mostly undeserved) reputation for blowing head elements. I say undeserved, as in 99.9 percent of the cases, the damage to the head is caused by some foreign object getting trapped between the ribbon and print media, and once there, the head rides over it, instead of pushing it out of the way, and thus the element array in the head loses a large chunk of itself. As a responsible parent (Ooops, I mean 'owner'), you can minimise the risk of damage by:
  • Not using or storing the printer in a location where there are a lot of airborne particles. If you're going to remdodel the study, and there's going to be sawdust, plaster dust, etc., flying around, put the printer in a cupboard somewhere. The same goes for consumables. Using the printer down a coal mine will definitely VOID your warranty!
  • Covering the printer when not in use. Fellowes (An office supplies company) manufacture a non-static vinyl printer cover that is perfect for this.
  • Use the paper tray cover supplied with the printer - it's included in the box for a reason.
  • If printing decals, ensure that the decal paper is free of any nasties that might damage the head. Store the paper in a closed envelope to keep the nasties off.
  • Ensure your ribbons are free of nasties. Store them in their boxes in a cupboard or drawer.
• The MD-5500 is a domestic grade product, not a commercial grade one. It is not made to churn out print after print, day in, day out. If you absolutely have to use the printer commercially, bear in mind that an excessively high monthly band count will void your warranty.
• Allow a little time between printed sheets. Remember, it takes at least four full passes through the printer to print a single page, many more if you are printing decals. Allow some time for that built-up heat to dissipate.