🏷️ Wash Care Labels
SEW‑C35 — Complete Setup & Usage Guide
Epson ColorWorks C3500 + Polyester Taffeta Printable Sew‑In Fabric
Established 1997 • www.washcarelabels.co.uk • Version 1.0 — October 2026
1. Unboxing & Initial Printer Setup
1.1 Check Your Contents
- ✅ EPSON ColorWorks C3500 (TM‑C3500)
- ✅ Power cable & USB cable
- ✅ CMYK DURABrite™ Ultra Pigment Ink Cartridges
- ✅ Maintenance Box
- ✅ SEW‑C35 Polyester Taffeta Printable Fabric Roll
- ✅ Driver disc / download link
- ✅ This Guide
1.2 Physical Setup
- Remove all protective tape and packaging from inside and outside the unit.
- Place on a flat, level surface — leave 10cm clearance at the rear for ventilation.
- Install the Maintenance Box into the slot on the right — push until it clicks firmly.
- Insert ink cartridges matching colour to slot — press down until seated. Charging takes 2–4 minutes.
- Connect power → switch on → wait for the Ready light.
- Connect via USB or Ethernet → install drivers from epson.co.uk/support or the included disc.
2. Loading the Polyester Taffeta Fabric
- Open the top cover fully.
- Place the roll on the spindle — printable side UP as it feeds toward you.
- Thread the leading edge through the guides — align guides so they gently touch the fabric edges (do not pinch).
- Set the media shutter (marked inside the cover) to match your fabric width exactly.
- Close the cover → press Feed — fabric advances to ready position.
⚠️ CRITICAL: Taffeta is continuous — no black mark / gap detection. Set detection mode to No Detection / Continuous in driver settings.
3. Driver Settings — Create Your SEW‑C35 Preset
Save this once → use for every print job:
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Setting
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Value
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Preset Name
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SEW‑C35 Taffeta
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Media Form
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Continuous Paper (No Mark Detection)
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Media Type
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Synthetic — essential for correct ink laydown
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Resolution
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360 × 360 dpi (standard) / 720 × 720 dpi (premium logos)
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Print Speed
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Standard (slower = sharper on taffeta)
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Ink Density
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Default — reduce by 5–10% if ink appears wet
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Auto Cutter
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On — cut after label / batch as preferred
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Additional Drying Delay
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0.5–1 second — prevents smudging
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How to Save:
- Printers & Scanners → TM‑C3500 → Manage → Printing Preferences
- Media Definition → New → enter table values → Save as SEW‑C35 Taffeta
- Set as Default → Apply → OK
4. Designing Your Labels
Recommended Sizes
- Standard Care Label: 30mm × 70mm
- Brand/Size Tag: 25mm × 40mm
- Safety Margin: 1.5–2mm clear border on all sides — do not print edge‑to‑edge
Design Tips
- Minimum font size: 6pt (8pt+ ideal for care instructions)
- High contrast = sharpest results — black on white taffeta is best
- Full‑colour logos work beautifully — keep solid colour blocks under 80% coverage
- Software: NiceLabel SE (included), Bartender, Illustrator, or free design tools
5. Printing & Drying Times
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Stage
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Time Required
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Surface dry to touch
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2–3 minutes
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Safe to cut / handle
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10–15 minutes
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Fully cured / wash‑fast
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24 hours — do not wash before this
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- Always print one test label first → check alignment, clarity, and dryness before full batch.
- Do not stack freshly printed labels — ink may transfer.
- Fan drying (cool air only, ≤40°C) speeds surface drying — never use high heat.
6. Cutting & Sewing Best Practice
Cutting
- Use sharp fabric scissors or rotary cutter + mat
- Single firm cuts — avoid pulling or sawing motions
- Pinking shears on short ends = extra anti‑fray protection (optional)
Sewing
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Detail
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Recommendation
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Needle
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70/10 or 80/12 Universal — fine point
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Thread
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Fine all‑purpose polyester thread
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Stitch Length
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2.0–2.5mm — longer = stronger on taffeta
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Tension
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Slightly reduced — prevents puckering
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Fastening
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Sew 1.5–2mm from top & bottom borders
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Handling
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Use clips not pins — avoids permanent holes
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Speed
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Sew slowly — taffeta can shift; guide gently
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7. Wash Performance & Care Advice
For Your Customers
- Machine wash max 30°C — delicate cycle
- Turn garment inside out
- Mild detergent — no bleach / optical brighteners
- Do not tumble dry — air dry flat or line dry
- Cool iron only — never directly on the label — use a press cloth
- Suitable for dry cleaning
Durability
- Pigment ink is wash‑fast, fade‑resistant & smudge‑proof when fully cured
- Expected life: 50+ washes under recommended conditions
- Always allow 24 hours curing after printing before first wash
8. Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Routine Care
- Wipe exterior with dry soft cloth — no liquid cleaners
- Run Head Cleaning via printer utility if lines appear faint or missing
- Replace Maintenance Box when indicated on the control panel
Common Issues & Fixes
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Problem
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Cause
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Solution
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Ink smudges when touched
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Drying time too short / Media Type wrong
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Set Media Type = Synthetic; add 1s delay; wait 10–15min before handling
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Fabric jams
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Guides too tight / shutter misaligned
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Re‑align guides; match shutter to exact width
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Faint / streaky print
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Print head needs cleaning
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Run Head Cleaning utility → test pattern
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Ink bleeds / blurs
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Ink density too high / coverage too heavy
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Reduce density setting; simplify solid colour areas
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Frayed edges after cutting
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Blunt blades / pulling fabric
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Use sharp scissors; cut in single smooth strokes
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Labels lift after washing
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Not fully cured before washing
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Allow full 24h drying time prior to laundering
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9. Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
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Step
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Action
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Load Fabric
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Printable side UP → guides gently aligned
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Settings
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Select SEW‑C35 Taffeta → Media Type = Synthetic
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Test
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Print 1 → check → dry 10 min → cut
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Cure
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24 hours before first wash
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Sew
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Needle 70/10 → stitch length 2.5mm → light tension
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Wash
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30°C max → air dry → no direct ironing
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Wash Care Labels • Viking Self Storage, Hambridge Road, Newbury, RG14 5AW • info@washcarelabels.co.uk
Since 1997 • UK Supplier • SEW‑C35‑GUIDE‑V1.0
