White ink is one of the most important specialty inks for UV printing — here's why:

• Printing on dark surfaces: Without White, printing CMYK colors on black or dark materials produces invisible or washed-out results. White creates a bright underbase that makes colors vivid and accurate.
• Printing on transparent materials: Glass, clear acrylic, and transparent film require a White underbase to make the design opaque and visible.
• Printing on metallic surfaces: White ink prevents the metallic sheen from bleeding through the color layers — essential for clean, accurate results on aluminum and stainless steel.
• Two White options: Standard White for rigid surfaces, Flexible White for materials that bend — choosing the wrong one can cause cracking on flexible substrates.

Both create a white underbase, but they're engineered for very different surfaces:

• Standard White (W): Formulated for rigid surfaces — glass, metal, wood, hard plastics, ceramic. Cures to a hard finish that's extremely durable on non-flexing materials.
• Flexible White (W Flexible): Formulated for surfaces that bend, flex, or stretch — silicone wristbands, leather, soft PVC, TPU cases, canvas. The ink remains flexible after curing so it doesn't crack when the substrate moves.
• Which to choose: If your material bends at all during use — go Flexible. If it's completely rigid — standard White is fine and typically produces a brighter, more opaque result.

Glossy ink is a clear, transparent coating ink — not a color:

• What it does: Printed as a top layer over your design, Glossy ink adds a high-shine, lacquer-like finish that makes colors appear deeper and more vibrant.
• Is it necessary? No — your E1 prints beautifully without it. But adding Glossy transforms a standard print into a premium-looking product that clients and customers immediately notice.
• Best use cases: Product labels, branded merchandise, custom packaging, phone cases, and any item where a professional finish matters.
• Matte alternative: Printing without Glossy produces a satin or matte finish — some applications and materials actually benefit from this look.

Regular cleaning is essential for printhead longevity:

• After every session: If you're not printing daily, run a cleaning cycle before and after each printing session to prevent ink from drying in the printhead nozzles.
• When switching inks: Always run a cleaning cycle when swapping between ink types — especially before and after using White ink, which is more prone to settling and clogging.
• When print quality drops: If you notice banding, missing colors, or inconsistent output, a cleaning cycle usually resolves the issue immediately.
• Storage: If storing the printer for more than a week without use, install the Cleaning Cartridge to protect the printheads during the idle period.

Pro tip: The Ink and Cleaning Cartridge Kit includes one Cleaning Cartridge — order extras if you print frequently or work with White ink daily.

Technically possible, but strongly not recommended:

• Warranty risk: Using non-eufyMake ink in your E1 may void the manufacturer warranty — eufyMake only guarantees performance with official cartridges.
• Printhead damage: UV inks have precise viscosity and curing chemistry. Third-party inks formulated for other printers can clog E1 printheads — repairs are costly and sometimes irreversible.
• Color accuracy: eufyMake ink is color-profiled specifically for the E1's UV LEDs and ICC profiles. Third-party ink produces unpredictable color output that doesn't match your screen or design files.
• Bottom line: The cost saving from third-party ink is minimal compared to the risk of printhead damage or voided warranty. Official cartridges at $42.99 each are the safest and most reliable choice for your E1.