Posted by Rick Dunn on August 13, 2006 at 12:17 PM
I know we've discussed the frustration with Epson's approach to ink management in the past. I usually print for a while after the warning message appears on my 1280, and thought I'd pass this along. I got the warning for the color and b&w cartridge within 2 prints of each other. I ordered more, but while waiting for them to arrive, I kept printing.
After the warning/exclamation point graphic appeared, I printed two 8x10 color prints, five 5x7 color proofs and two subsequent 13x19 prints, all on matte paper (mostly mid-tone colors with a moderate amount of blacks and/or dark colors). I think I'll keep going until I get a bad print. In the past, I'd replace after two or three prints - probably wasted a lot of ink....
Posted by Fred Stearns on August 13, 2006 at 2:27 PM
Rick, I think all the printer manufacturers play it safe with the out of ink messages. When I was using an Epson, I used the warning as notifaction that I better make sure that I have a spare on hand. Eventually, it would tell me I was out of ink and it flat would not work again until I had replaced it.
I also had another problem that I hear that they have fixed that also relates to this problem. When I moved to Denver with my Epson, I had to make sure that I only left it on when I was printing, otherwise it would plug up the print heads. The low humidity and low vapor pressure played havoc with the print heads. That required several deep cleaning sessions to get the heads working right again. Sometimes that didn't work and I would have to replace the ink cartridges early. Then the dumb printer told me that the ink was out when I still had plenty of ink and I found no way to fake it.
I now use Canon printers and they still give the low ink warning alarm long before the out of ink warning light comes on. I have never openned any of the old cartridges, so I can't tell you if Canon imherently makes better use of the ink supply or not. I think that it is all a plot to make us buy more ink cartridges. I am convinced that the ink is cheep and the cartridges is where they make their money. Otherwise, we could buy the cartridges and refill supplies from the original manufacturer.
Posted by Rick Sroka on August 13, 2006 at 10:09 PM
Posted by Scott Buckel on August 14, 2006 at 12:32 AM
Rick - I recently noticed something rather cool. On my R1800 Epson printer I ran it until an ink ran out. The ink ran out, I replaced the cartridge an the printer completed the print looked perfect. I have not tried this on the 1280 as I have not used it much in recent times.
I used to think that the waste of sheet of paper and the remaining ink, and found that I got several prints after the change ink light came on my 1280.
On my R200 Epson, I disabled the ink warnings, so now it doesn't give me all those blasted warnings, until it flat will not work when the ink finally runs out. I haven't taken apart a cartridge either; I'd be interested to know how much ink was left.
As a side note, on my HP DesignJet 130 wide format printer, it doesn't give any warnings about ink levels on the computer, it just shows approx amounts on the printer screen, and I ran it out of light cyan right in the middle of 13x19 print, changed the cartridge, and it kept right on going, and you couldn't tell the difference. I took the old cartridge outside and broke it apart (very tough to do, by the way ), and I was really happy with the tiny amount of ink left in there. That's a 69 ml cartridge, and there was barely enough to get any color on my gloves when I finally got the ink sack open.
I always carry on printing untill the printer says the ink is out.
The ink is extremely expensive here in the UK,(more expensive in fact than vintage champagne,according to a recent survey) so I prefer to try and get my money's worth.
I can't see their being a problem with air being sucked in to the system as there is always loads of ink left in the cartridge,even after being informed the ink is out.
My Canon i9900 gives a low ink warning. I always keep printing until the out of ink warning comes on and the printer will not print at all. When I remove the cartridge I notice the ink resivour is completely empty while there may be a tiny amount in the cotton feeder side. This can't be more than a drop or so, so I feel comfortable continuing to use the ink in this manner.
Posted by Marcie Hixson on August 15, 2006 at 12:59 PM
I have several epson printers. I keep printing through the warning lights that I am almost out of ink until the printer head completely stops (on both epson printers 2200 & 340). It is only then that I replace my ink cartrages. It will stop in the middle of a photo - but once it starts up again, you cannot tell were the printer had stopped. The ink I replaced had nothing in them. The red lights actually are warning me that I am getting ready to run out & it gives me time to replace the ink. (That can be tough with my 2200 because here in my area I have to order it).
Posted by Andy Richards on August 20, 2006 at 9:30 AM
Scott - It works on the 1280, too. I have done it several times.
Discussion
8 repliesAfter the warning/exclamation point graphic appeared, I printed two 8x10 color prints, five 5x7 color proofs and two subsequent 13x19 prints, all on matte paper (mostly mid-tone colors with a moderate amount of blacks and/or dark colors). I think I'll keep going until I get a bad print. In the past, I'd replace after two or three prints - probably wasted a lot of ink....
I also had another problem that I hear that they have fixed that also relates to this problem. When I moved to Denver with my Epson, I had to make sure that I only left it on when I was printing, otherwise it would plug up the print heads. The low humidity and low vapor pressure played havoc with the print heads. That required several deep cleaning sessions to get the heads working right again. Sometimes that didn't work and I would have to replace the ink cartridges early. Then the dumb printer told me that the ink was out when I still had plenty of ink and I found no way to fake it.
I now use Canon printers and they still give the low ink warning alarm long before the out of ink warning light comes on. I have never openned any of the old cartridges, so I can't tell you if Canon imherently makes better use of the ink supply or not. I think that it is all a plot to make us buy more ink cartridges. I am convinced that the ink is cheep and the cartridges is where they make their money. Otherwise, we could buy the cartridges and refill supplies from the original manufacturer.
I used to think that the waste of sheet of paper and the remaining ink, and found that I got several prints after the change ink light came on my 1280.
Scott
As a side note, on my HP DesignJet 130 wide format printer, it doesn't give any warnings about ink levels on the computer, it just shows approx amounts on the printer screen, and I ran it out of light cyan right in the middle of 13x19 print, changed the cartridge, and it kept right on going, and you couldn't tell the difference. I took the old cartridge outside and broke it apart (very tough to do, by the way
The ink is extremely expensive here in the UK,(more expensive in fact than vintage champagne,according to a recent survey) so I prefer to try and get my money's worth.
I can't see their being a problem with air being sucked in to the system as there is always loads of ink left in the cartridge,even after being informed the ink is out.