Vacuum hole dust spots on fabric

[artifacture]

When I print fabric on my flatbed, I end up with little spots where the vacuum holes are that appear to be dust filtered from the air by the fabric. Wiping with a damp rag, and compressed air doesn't seem to remove it. The only way I can think to prevent it would be some sort of tacky board I can stick the fabric to for printing. Aside from a dusting of spray adhesive on a sheet of MDF, I can't think of a way to achieve that. Are there any other methods I could use? I guess I can partially close the zone valve on the table but I worry that too little holding the fabric will allow it to lift from the air currents of the print head passing over it. Any suggestions?

 

[netsol]

not an expert on this, but, i would imagine that you have hot air heat?
that keeps just floating and never allows it to settle

one of those misting humidifiers would probably go a long way towards minimizing this effect

 

[cornholio]

I'm pretty sure your "dust" is ink mist. Thats why you can't remove it. Try a MDF to spread the vacuum.

 

[White Haus]

I'm pretty sure your "dust" is ink mist. Thats why you can't remove it. Try a MDF to spread the vacuum.

This, or try bleeding some of your vacuum off so it isn't pulling as much, might help.

 

[DL Signs]

Try like Cornholio says, sheet of MDF.
A flatbed printer doesn't have real powerful vacuum like a CNC, so you'll want a thin sheet. If yours has enough vacuum to pull through it you should be good. You may have to cover any area around the fabric with tape/ paper/ premask/ etc if the sheet of MDF is bigger to get as much suction as you can. If it's not quite enough tape the edges down too so you don't lose vacuum at the ends.