✓ Royal Mail Authorised Inspector since 2008 | Trading since 2005
IS240/IS280 Printing Support
Quadient IS240 / IS280 · Printing
How to fix printing problems on the Quadient IS240 / IS280: clean or replace the HP45 ink cartridge, clear cartridge contact errors, and align and clean the print head.
Why is my IS240 / IS280 not printing properly?
Poor, faint or missing print on the IS240 / IS280 is almost always the ink cartridge. It uses inkjet technology, so the print head nozzles need cleaning regularly. The machine cleans the head automatically or on request, and you can also clean it by hand if automatic cleaning is not enough.
How do I clean the IS240 / IS280 ink cartridge?
Cleaning the cartridge clears no-print, half-print and poor-print problems caused by a blocked or dry head. You will need the faulty cartridge, a folded warm damp cloth, folded tissue or kitchen roll, and a mug of boiling water.
- Remove the ink cartridge from the franking machine.
- Press the cartridge down onto folded tissue to see if the ink flows.
- Place the tip of the print head into boiling water and hold for around 30 seconds.
- Press the cartridge onto a warm damp cloth for around 10 seconds.
- Press the cartridge onto the tissue again to check the ink flow.
- Aim to get two parallel tram lines.
- Refit the cartridge and run a test print. If the problem persists, repeat the process.
How do I fix ink printing problems on the IS240 / IS280?
The IS240 / IS280 uses an HP45 ink cartridge, which can clog with paper dust or dry out if the machine is unused for a while. Priming the head usually restores a clean print.
- Remove the cartridge: press Menu, scroll to Cartridge and press OK, then select Remove and press OK. Take out the cartridge.
- Holding a few sheets of tissue against the head, point the brass print head down and away from you and shake well. Ink may leak, so take care.
- Check the ink is flowing – you should see solid tram lines like the example below.
- If you see broken tram lines or no ink like the example below, repeat the process.
- If the problem persists, clean the brass print head with a cloth and warm soapy water, then repeat.
How do I clear ‘Not Registering’ or ‘No Cartridge Found’ on the IS240 / IS280?
These messages usually mean the cartridge contacts are dirty. Cleaning the gold contacts re-establishes the connection. You will need the cartridge and a rubber or an alcohol wipe.
- Remove the ink cartridge from the franking machine.
- Carefully clean the contacts on the cartridge with a rubber or the alcohol wipe.
- Wipe away any residue and let it dry.
- Refit the cartridge into the machine and test again.
How do I check the ink level on the IS240 / IS280?
You can display the ink level and cartridge data, including ink consumed, colour, status and first-used date.
As a user:
- Press the Menu button.
- Select Ink Cartridge and press OK.
- Select Ink Cartridge Information and press OK.
As supervisor:
- Press the Menu button.
- Select Maintenance and press OK.
- Select Cartridge and press OK.
- Select Ink Information and press OK.
How do I align the print head on the IS240 / IS280?
Align the print head if there is a gap between the top and bottom of the imprint. The machine asks you to align after each cartridge change.
- Press Menu.
- Select Maintenance and press OK.
- Select Ink Cartridge and press OK.
- Select Headset Alignment and press OK.
- Insert a piece of paper in the mail path – the system prints a test pattern.
- Use the Up / Down keys to select the letter beside the straightest, most complete vertical line.
- Press OK to validate, then press Back to return to the menu.
How do I clean the print head on the IS240 / IS280?
Run an automatic clean first; if printing is still unclear, clean the head by hand.
Automatic clean:
- Press Menu.
- Select Ink Cartridge and press OK.
- Select Cleaning Process and press OK – the clean runs automatically.
Manual clean:
- Open the cover.
- Remove the ink cartridge.
- Clean the head with a soft damp cloth.
- Refit the cartridge.
- Close the cover.
How do I change the ink cartridge on the IS240 / IS280?
Replace the cartridge from the Cartridge menu, then align the new print head when prompted.
- Press Menu, select Cartridge and press OK, then select Headset Replacement and press OK.
- The cartridge moves to the replacement position and asks you to fit a new headset.
- Open the cover by pulling it towards you from the top left.
- Pull the left side of the blue lever to unlock the cartridge.
- Pull the cartridge towards you to remove it.
- Remove the protective strips from the new cartridge.
- Insert the new cartridge and push it forward until it stops.
- Return the blue lever to its place and close the cover.
- Press OK to validate, then align the print head when prompted.
IS240 / IS280 Printing – Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my IS240 / IS280 not printing or printing faintly?
The HP45 print head has usually clogged or dried out. Clean and prime it against tissue until two solid tram lines appear, or deep-clean with hot water, then refit and test.
How do I clear a No Cartridge Found message on the IS240 / IS280?
Remove the cartridge, clean the gold contacts with a rubber or alcohol wipe, refit it and test again.
How do I change the ink cartridge on the IS240 / IS280?
From the menu select Cartridge then Headset Replacement, open the cover, release the blue lever, fit the new cartridge, close the cover and press OK.
Do I need to align the print head after changing the IS240 / IS280 cartridge?
Yes. Run Headset Alignment from the Maintenance menu and select the straightest test line after each cartridge change.
Still having printing problems with your IS240 / IS280?
Our technical team are Royal Mail Authorised Inspectors and fully qualified franking machine engineers. Call us on 01543 572 776 – Mon–Fri 8:30 to 17:00.