Anyone use a Continuous Ink System?

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Anyone here use a CIS. I have an epson 2100 and it seems like every time I switch it on, one of the cartridges is empty? I have researched them and there seems to be mixed views, some people love them and others have had problems. I am considering the Permajet one.

 

Cheers

 

Graeme

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[kamilsukun]

every time I switch it on, one of the cartridges is empty?

Graeme

 

Graeme,

Yes exactly. I have the same printer and the problem. EPSON wants us to buy loads of cartridges and change them continously. If anyone may suggest a solution I too would be grateful.

[erl]

I have been using CIS systems for about 4 years now. They do seem to need constant 'tinkering'. Mainly head cleaning, but that is the same for proprietary carts anyway.

 

Systems are constantly getting better. The dye tpe inks are cheaper, brighter colours and far less permanent. Pigment inks are more prone to cogging, if left unused, but are very good for archival purposes. I currently use dyes in my printer, Epson 1290. I have decided I will not use it for clients who want permanent prints because they fade very quickly when exposed to any amount of sunlight. Curiously, I have 5 - 12"x16" framed prints behind glass hanging in my office for 12 months now and they are perfect, so far. They get a daily dose of sun each morning. Go figure.

 

I am considering switching to pigment inks, but meanwhile, any hardcopy for clients goes to the lab, which hurts.

 

Costing of inks (dyes) = Approx. $200 for the equivalent of $1000 of Epson carts!

 

Pigments are slightly dearer, but not much. Cost wise it is a no brainer. Setting up is a bit fiddly the first time, but a breeze after that. AND ... you NEVER run out of ink.

 

Hope this helps, a little.

[cbretteville]

I recently acuired a second hand 2100 that I intend to use as a dedicated B&W printer. As a compromise I'm opting for refillable cartridges and MediaStreet's Generations Quad inks in bulk bottles. I've read too much about the feed lines clogging up and close to impossible installation prodecures to use a CIS. This middle ground will allow me to use the same bulk ink bottles. These inks weren't stocked by my supplier, so I'm in a waiting mode (and what else is new?) for this.

 

I decided on MS' inks rather than the K7 inks I've tested on the R800. K7 inks only work with matte papers - prints on Hannemüle Photo Rag are beautiful, the GQ inks work with lustre, pearl and semigloss as well. In addition it has a gloss optiomizer (also on the 2100). I'm really looking forward to testing this. I'll have to use QTR for printing, but that's fine with me.

[xrogers]

I've used two CIS systems, one from MIS supply (missupply.com) and one from the Piezography guys (inkjetmall.com).

 

The MIS setup worked fine at first, but eventually ink clogs in the tubing itself became too much trouble to bear. I switched to the inkjetmall CIS, and it was better (it appears the tubing is less permeable), but still required very regular use to perform well. I eventually junked both CIS systems.

 

The people with fewest complaints about CIS systems either got them recently or print multiple prints daily (keeping the ink moving seems necessary). If you print only on weekends, I would recommend sticking to some sort of cartridge system (either Epson's or refillables).

 

Until later,

 

Clyde Rogers

[norm_snyder]

Graeme,

 

I've been using CIS systems for about seven years for all my black and white printing. Initially, this was on an Epson 1200, then on the 1280. The former is no longer an issue, but for the 1280 I've not had too many difficulties. Head cleaning is a not infrequent issue, but I would recommend a head alignment following nozzle checks whenever doing a serious "run" of prints, anyway. For clogs that are more persistent [now rare withthen current cop of inks available], a few drops of undyed "Fantastick" or Windex on the sponge pad the head rests on in its parked position, then left overnight [directions on the inkjetmall site] generally solves the problem quickly, with no ill effects to the printer. Setup is not too difficult, if you proceed carefully, and familiarize yourself with directions. The result is a great deal of money saved on inks--a fraction of the price of carts.

 

The piezography inks from Cone Press [inkjetmall] on the Hahnemuhle papers are my preference, with various matte papers [mainly Epson or Ilford] for "work prints." The site has useful tips, but doing nozzle checks every day is helpful to keep the heads clean and unclogged, if you're not printing every day. No fading on exhibition prints that have been hanging in people's homes for more than five years.

 

The black and white pigment inks from MIS are excellent, too, and they have been great when tech support was need. The "ultrachrome" inkis are signfiicantly less expensive than the piezography inks, for about 90% if the "look" that I try to get. Less problems with head clogging, as well.

 

My experience with color pignment based inks in CIS systems parallels that above. Pigment inks still don't seem to have quite the gamut of dye-based, but won't fade in normal display.

 

Good luck.

 

Regards,

 

Norm