Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   caulbox
   Member

   I love my (relatively cheap) Epson R220. I bought it three or four years ago after my (equally loved) Epson 640 finally popped it's little clogs! But I did learn a valuable lesson....

   Unlike Hewlett Packard printers (which have print heads in their cartridges), Epson printers have fixed print heads, and their cartridges are effectively little more than ink tanks. Although this tends to make Epson cartridges cheaper than HP, there is one MAJOR drawback. If the printer is used only occasionally, then inevitably the print heads will dry out and become blocked. If left for too long before cleaning, your printer might eventually be beyond repair (the fate of my 640).

   Usually minor clogging will be detected early, either by substandard printing or a nozzle check. In such cases one (or sometimes two or more) head cleaning cycles will correct any problems. But the Epson head cleaning process uses a great deal of ink!

   I can't afford genuine ink either. I use compatible cartridges with my Epson R220 which cost £4 on eBay (delivered) for a set of six. In spite of the price, the printing quality is excellent - and it's become very rare indeed for me to encounter further clogging issues.

   Prevention is better than cure for me! What I've learnt to do somewhat religiously, is to make sure that I print (just one copy of) an image about once every week. I choose to print a sample image (which was once included with the virtualPhotographer plugin) that I'm certain contains the full spectrum of all colours. What I've learnt over the years, is that to (almost entirely) eliminate print head clogging occurrences, it is necessary for me to print this image about once about every 10 days in winter - but maybe once every 5 days in particular hot (untypical UK) weather. I've actually created a PaintShop Pro printing template which prints two (scaled down) copies of my image on a single A4 sheet, as well as leaving a space at the bottom for my nozzle check - optimistically labelled nozzle check ok :)

   The only time I now encounter print head clogging is when I forget to do my routine weekly print. Printing my 'safeguard image' uses extremely little ink, when compared to that which is used for head cleaning. I'm only guessing here, but I reckon I could probably print 30 or more such pages (i.e. safeguard my printer for more than 6 months) at the cost (in ink) of my forgetting to do so one week - and hence requiring a couple of head cleaning cycles. At £4 for 6 cartridges I'm happy about 'sticking' with my compatibles!

   Posted 15 years ago #
2. 

   Buckleysmom
   Member

   Caulbox.....hmmmmmmm...... are you telling the truth? (LOL I looked at your occupation).

   Seriously.....good deal! I love it when someone finds a way to beat the printer companies at their own game. I say this because I think it is totally outrageous the prices they charge for refills.
   BK

   Posted 15 years ago #
3. 

   caulbox
   Member

   Yeah all absolutely true - £4 for 6 cartridges delivered. Clogging now practically non-existant. I'm currently using AMMO brand carts, which come in nice yellow self-contained boxes of six. I'm really pleased with this ink, but I've been supplied with other brands of compatible ink in the past, which performed equally well (certainly with regards to clogging).

   I think the real value of my tip probably lies in the 'fastidiously recognised' time-scale (5-10 days depending on conditions) which only long-term experience has taught me.

   ps - my job satisfaction might take a little longer (if you know what I mean)

   Posted 15 years ago #
4. 

   Anonymous
   Unregistered

   Could be Buckleysmom as I ordered up 2 sets of cartridges for my Brother DCP115C from Amazon Marketplace and before postage they cost me £6.80 for the 8 cartridges.

   Posted 15 years ago #
5. 

   caulbox
   Member

   ....Just to be more accurate, I did actually buy 30 inks (5 full sets) for £19.95 delivered. But even for lesser quantities (from the same seller) the price is still reasonable (e.g. 14 inks for £10.95 delivered).

   Posted 15 years ago #
6. 

   Terri218
   Member

   Hey guys some of us don't use pounds - LOL. I did print something on Sat and that was the last thing that printed. It seems to me if you have to keep printing to keep your printer from clogging, you're still wasting a lot of expensive ink. The whole system stinks.

   As always, thanks for all the suggestions.

   Posted 15 years ago #
7. 

   caulbox
   Member

   Just one thing I did omit to say - when I print my weekly sample image sheet, I only use the (mid-range) "Text & Image" quality option (rather than the more ink-demanding Photo or Best Photo choices).

   I can only re-echo it takes hardly any ink at all. For example, say I'm running out of ink when I print the safeguard. I might then receive a message from my Epson status monitor, telling me that I've (only) enough ink left to print another 50 or 60 pages like the one I've just printed! I'll leave you to work out the math! Honestly, the cost really isn't significant!

   Posted 15 years ago #
8. 

   Buckleysmom
   Member

   Caulbox & Knighthawk....how's the quality of the ink? Do you have any problems with ink running if it gets damp or wet. I've printed addresses on envelopes and put them in the mail on a rainy day (which we've had lots of lately) only to have the ink run to the point where they're practically unreadable. Or if I forget myself and lick my fingers while going through pages I have the same problem. My last ink purchase was from 4inkjets.com, whose address I gave above, but I haven't used that ink yet so I'm hoping it's better quality than what I have in my printer now. But the last 3 or 4 places I've purchased from has been the same way.....runny ink. In fact I used to have that problem with my last 3 or 4 printers which have all been Epson or HP's.

   I'm gonna go check it out and see what the price would be for my model. I'll be back.....

   BK

   Posted 15 years ago #
9. 

   scubaguy (R.I.P.)
   Member

   Buckleysmom
   Check your e-mail

   Posted 15 years ago #
10. 

    Buckleysmom
    Member

    Scuba......nothing yet......I'll keep watching.

    Posted 15 years ago #
11. 

    Buckleysmom
    Member

    OK....I checked out Amazon and found this.....

    My printer takes black + 5 colors. My last purchase was for 3 blacks and 2 of each color....total for 13 cartridges was $59.99 (no shipping). At Amazon the lowest price I found was.......drumroll please....for the same 13 cartridges......$135.74 and that does NOT include shipping.

    Posted 15 years ago #
12. 

    Buckleysmom
    Member

    Scuba......check yours!

    Posted 15 years ago #
13. 

    caulbox
    Member

    To be honest, in all the years that I've been using compatible ink (many diverse brands) I've never had cause to complain about printing quality in general (comparable to genuine ink)

    ....but now you mention it, I do recall (albeit years.ago) encountering a similar rainy day envelope address problem. I think I was cursing the weather, rather than the ink at the time. On reflection, maybe there is something to be wary of with some inks?

    Though, I've nothing but praise for the ink I'm currently using, I must confess that it's never been crucially tested for reaction to moisture on paper. But in recognition of your concern, I'll answer 'with forked tongue' if I may....

    As well as general quality of printing, one thing I particularly like about the ink I'm currently using is that it 'seems to' do a great job when used on printable DVD surfaces. Although my printing software warns me to leave the DVD to dry overnight, I usually find that (for all intents and purposes) it's already become quite (if not fully) dry after just a few minutes. I don't know if this is a good thing, a bad thing, or maybe just related to the DVD media I am using. Also, I did once print a blank DVD with the wrong image, and later tested to see if it might be possible to 'wash off'' the ink carefully with a sponge. I wasn't 100% successful, but it was surprisingly easy to make inroads. Maybe this is to be expected, or is more related to the DVD media I was using, rather than the ink quality?

    Posted 15 years ago #
14. 

    Terri218
    Member

    Buckleysmom, I have had that same problem with ink running with the expensive "genuine" cartridges.

    Posted 15 years ago #
15. 

    Anonymous
    Unregistered

    To all those concerned about runny ink I did hear on one of the shopping channels that it is a common problem with ink jet printers. The only type which stays dry is the dye sublimation type as it uses a different process.

    Posted 15 years ago #
16. 

    copmom
    Member

    I've got the same problem, I have an HP Photosmart All in 1 printer and I use the genuine HP ink and their Vivera 'quality'. It has one black and 5 color cartridges. I've gotten in the habit of putting a piece of scotch tape over the return address when I sent out mail because of the same thing.. it runs when damp or wet. I did call HP tech support a long time ago about this telling them that their vivera brand of ink stinks! I've always used HP in the past and never had any problems when there was just one black and ONE for the colors!! Seems when they 'fixed' what worked they really messed up! By the way, I have found that Wal-Mart sells a combo pack with the black & colors a LOT cheaper than if I buy them individually, even comes with a batch of 4x6 photo paper.
    Terri.. you say the real ink is too expensive and you'd rather pay 15 cents a page at the library? Well, considering the gas to get there, time spent, etc., I still think you'd be better off paying for what your printer needs and using the Epson brand.
    I must say one thing though, Caulbox seems to have found a pretty good deal with his/her inks.. would you care to share with us where you get them so reasonably priced?

    Posted 15 years ago #
17. 

    Terri218
    Member

    Copmom, you don't know me very well - I'm ALWAYS at the library (when I'm not at home playing Hidden Objects games.

    Posted 15 years ago #
18. 

    caulbox
    Member

    As I said earlier, I get my inks from eBay UK. There are many at competing prices, but I probably purchase from the most popular (and maybe cheapest) power seller (can't miss the featured listings if you search for any Epson carts).

    What I am now beginning to realise is just how fortunate I was in purchasing my printer when I did. I think it cost me something like £45 all inclusive. I bought the printer on eBay as well. I knew it was a great bargain, but even so - shortly after committing to purchase on eBay, I saw the same printer at Amazon UK going for even less (with a set of genuine ink Epson cartridges included). But I've certainly no complaints. My printer still looks, and performs, like brand new.

    As a consequence of this topic, I've been curious to seek out the current price/availability of my Epson R220 - and I'm staggered to see some of the prices that are now being asked. I've seen it going for as much as $450. The comments in the linked forum may partly explain such a crazy pricing trend. I now reinforce my earlier advice! Though I rarely have the need to clean print heads anymore, I've now forearmed myself with the software that will defend me from a possible locked printer, and (inescapable) erroneous service request, at some future date. I'm grateful to this topic for directing my attention there.

    http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/is-epson-r220-now-history-t321211.html

    Posted 15 years ago #
19. 

    Quantum Dragon
    Member

    One nice trick (and possible solution) for runny ink (at least for envelopes) is to buy transparent address labels.

    I started using this trick @ work and still do use it now that I am retired.

    Here is how it works:

    1) Print what you need on your envelope first and let dry.
    2) Apply as many labels over your print as you have printed blocks*

    and voila!

    *By blocks, I mean the upper left sender's info and the addressing part in the lower middle (maybe also some print on the back flap)

    P.S.: It is also good for when you use a pen that you fear will run!

    Quantum Dragon AKA Paul

    Posted 15 years ago #
20. 

    copmom
    Member

    Quantum, that's a great idea.. using transparant address labels, except I don't print on the envelopes with my printer. I use the pin fed continuous feed address labels on the typewriter, since I do a lot of different ones and then just cover them with a bit of scotch tape to cover that ink since it's a 'correctible typewriter'. I do print out all of our return address labels on the printer,(since I have a picture on them), so I need to use the printer for those sheets of labels, but again, cover them with a bit of scotch tape so that ink won't run. It has nothing to do with dry time either.
    Knighthawk, yes, that's a problem with these newer inkjet printers, except all my other older HP printers were and are all inkjet and don't run. So, again, I think it's since HP switched to having different cartridges for each color as opposed to the ones that had ONE color cartridge.

    Posted 15 years ago #
21. 

    Buckleysmom
    Member

    I do that too except I use clear tape....not the invisible kind (I hate that stuff) but regular old fashioned cellophane tape. I always have a roll of 2 inch wide stuff here which is great for the outgoing address cause it's always big enough to cover the whole thing.
    BK

    Posted 15 years ago #
22. 

    copmom
    Member

    Hummmmmmm, never thought of 2" wide tape.. I've been using 3/4" regular. That seems to work just fine on the return or outgoing addresses. I do use a lot of tape!

    Posted 15 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Topic Closed

This topic has been closed to new replies.