Epson printer users

What's up with the expiration date on cartridges? Why do they slowly "die"? Is it the "life" of the ink (after all, these are "archival" inks), or is a clogging thing? And how do you work around the latter problem?

See, I think Epson makes most of it's money in the printing end on inks, and they are super protective of that market, so much so that they have successfully stopped third party ink makers jumping into the game. So, of course, they are going to convince us that we need new stuff every year or so. Even if we don't.

I'm talking about the K3 inks for the 4800/7800/9800. Although, if they have dates on the lower printer cartridges, I guess the same question applies.

All of the printer makers make the money on the ink.
I replaced my last office HP with a Canon that was $20 more than new cartridges were for the HP.

There are some of the Epson printers that have advantages over the other brands- first the ink cartridges are just that, ink cartridges only- no print head buiilt in to the cartridge also like a few brands. Also the printers have separate ink tanks for each color and black, some use the tri color cartridge which require changing the cartridge when only 1 color gets down.

That being said, if the cartridges sit for a long period after they have been opened then they do dry out and clog. Also Epson had issues where some of their cartridges reported they needed replacement and they still had ink. There was a class action law suit on this that was settled for either some money for Espon supplies or a check back.

Do a google on your model and class action law suit to see if it was included in the series of printers eligible for the settlement.

Here is the official settlement web site: http://www.epsonsettlement.com/

As a 4800 owner, the only thing I've found is it's helpful to really shake the inks up if'in they've been sitting for awhile. Plus running a cleaning cycle helps if the printer hasn't been used for a bit. I think Epson's inks are worth the cost, mail order.

ink dries out if unused, as they aren't made airtight. Often expired cartridges just won't work. While they are overpriced, the expiration dates aren't a scam, they're so the stores know when to pull them so they don't have angry customers on their hands.

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Originally Posted by Schralper

As a 4800 owner, the only thing I've found is it's helpful to really shake the inks up if'in they've been sitting for awhile. Plus running a cleaning cycle helps if the printer hasn't been used for a bit. I think Epson's inks are worth the cost, mail order.

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How's the 4800? How long have you had it? I've heard that it has problems. That's why I'm looking at the 7800 for another grand. I work right next to four of them, and they never break - although that may be a great argument for constant use over letting them sit for weeks at a time, because these guys are busy.

Do you think storage conditions can lengthen unopened cartridge life?

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Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Do you think storage conditions can lengthen unopened cartridge life?

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Yes, store them in a cool place that isn't too dry, but isn't too damp either. Generally though, you'll only want to have 1 set of extra carts around, as some things are inevitable.

I've got an old 4000 that we pulled out of storage the other day. Hadn't used it for about a year or so and the ink has been in there even longer. After one of the basic cleaning cycles (not the ink gobbling power clean) it was working fine. These aren't the K3 inks but they're very similar.

And Benny, something you might want to consider if the only reason you're looking at the 7800 over the 4800 is because of print issues/problems, buy the 4800 and spend the extra $1000 on a good RIP software (I swear by ColorByte's Image Print). It'll make your printer run much faster, smoother and you will probably pay for the program itself in the ink and paper you'll save over time.

Yeah, the rip. I am approaching this with a perspective that I can handle printing without a RIP initially, but I know I'll be using one soon. I have access to the stuff that falls out of pro geek's ears who study RIPs, but I am being arrogant by believing I know color management enough to operate from Photoshop direct. It's all about saving a lot of money at the start, and some people are basing their costs on a subscription pricing model, and I don't want that.

I work very close to Color Management experts, and have read a lot. Too much for non geeks. But I went to a presentation by http://www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/, as he was talking to photographers at Jacob Javits in NYC, and he feels that RIPs aren't necessary. I hope he's right. He prints real nice stuff on the Epson.

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Originally Posted by Benny Profane

How's the 4800? How long have you had it? I've heard that it has problems. That's why I'm looking at the 7800 for another grand. I work right next to four of them, and they never break - although that may be a great argument for constant use over letting them sit for weeks at a time, because these guys are busy.

Do you think storage conditions can lengthen unopened cartridge life?

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Fine so far. The BIG print capabilities are AWESOME! So far only 16x24. Gotta get the 16x48 pano done, soon. Still cleaning it up in PS. I'll post again once I run it as the printers been sitting for awhile.

BTW- I don't think there's a good ROI on RIP software unless printing LOTS.

RIPS and similar solutions offer a few advantages. Just like print servers or slower printers with huge memory installed (ie plotters), they free up the computer from the print job processing. If you have an ocasional need for big print jobs, and can afford to tie up the computer while it processes and sends the job, fine, and wait for the print job to complete. If you are in a production mode (with either a single heavy user or multiple users hitting the printer at the same time) where you do this daily and need the computer, then the RIP is one of the ways to go.

I get my cartridges refilled at a local kiosk for about a third of the price of the epson ones. I mostly print dvd's and the quality is really good, although I think the original epsons do produce better images. Try finding a good re-filler and save a few bucks.