Ink for Epson Stylus Photo R220

[Gerlinde]

I use my Epson R220 as my everyday printer ( Photos, DVDs, etc...). I used so far only genuine Epson ink, but I am currently looking into alternatives, since the ink is so expensive.
It seems that remanufactured cartridges could be a good alternative at a fraction of the cost. Does anyone have experience with those?
I welcome any advice on the topic too. Due to recent life changes I need to cutback on the cost of my hobbies

[TreeTopsRanch]

I have had good luck with clickinks.com

They offer new inks and re-manufactured inks. I have tried both from them and both seem to be good.

I would recommend that you order a small quantity first and try them in your printer.

[George Tyndall]

I welcome any advice on the topic....

Depends on the intended use. If highest quality and longevity the goal, I use only Epson genuine inks with genuine Epson or Red River papers (which you told me about)...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Genuine-Epson-Ink-T0481-T0486-R200-R220-R300-R320-R340-RX500-RX600-RX620-T048-/140684358283?pt=BI_Toner&hash=item20c170f28b

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-EPSON-T048920-T048120-R200-R220-R300-R320-R340-RX500-RX600-RX620-T0489-/220937432706?pt=BI_Toner&hash=item3370e5ae82

but for general use I use refillables

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Non-OEM-Refillable-Cartridges-Epson-Stylus-Photo-R200-R220-T048-48-/200675132589?pt=BI_Toner&hash=item2eb92b84ad
plus
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Non-OEM-Bulk-refill-ink-Epson-R200-R220-R320-/130524506140?pt=BI_Toner&hash=item1e63dde81c
and
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Resetter-EPSON-Reset-cx5400-R200-R340-rx600-chip-/260289249252?pt=BI_Toner&hash=item3c9a72bfe4

Re the last item, if you want your printer's status monitor to accurately reflect how much ink you have remaining, then you must reset the cartridge's chip each time you refill it.

Tip: If ever your printer fails to "recognize" any of the chips, then wipe the chip a bit roughly with a paper towel. You should test all your new cartridges as soon as they arrive and return for exchange any that are not recognized.

[Gerlinde]

Thank you very much for your responses, I will check out the links and websites.

George, I have a couple of questions for you, if you don't mind.

...for general use I use refillables

Did you ever have problems with clogging, I found many people complaining about that.

if you want your printer's status monitor to accurately reflect how much ink you have remaining, then you must reset the cartridge's chip each time you refill it.

How would I do that?

And lastly, do you swap cartridges depending if you do everyday printing or photo printing? If yes, how do you prevent the cartridge not in use from drying out?

I do have a second Epson printer (Stylus R1800), I could use this one for high quality printing with Epson ink. But I do like to print DVD labels with the R220.

[George Tyndall]

Thank you very much for your responses, I will check out the links and websites.

George, I have a couple of questions for you, if you don't mind.

...for general use I use refillables

Did you ever have problems with clogging, I found many people complaining about that.

1.Before I start a new print job for the day, I perform a nozzle check. If necessary, I run a head cleaning cycle, wait a few minutes, then run another nozzle check. One cycle of head cleaning will usually suffice with my Artisan 50, which is the printer I run only with Epson ink. With the R340 (see below), if it's been sitting for a while, I may need to do two or three (three being the maximum).

if you want your printer's status monitor to accurately reflect how much ink you have remaining, then you must reset the cartridge's chip each time you refill it.

How would I do that?

2. Instructions come with the cartridge resetter in that last link. Basically, you hold the resetter's prongs against the chip until the red light turns green and stops flashing. You do this only with the refillable cartridges.

And lastly, do you swap cartridges depending if you do everyday printing or photo printing? If yes, how do you prevent the cartridge not in use from drying out?

I do have a second Epson printer (Stylus R1800), I could use this one for high quality printing with Epson ink. But I do like to print DVD labels with the R220.

3. I do my high-quality and DVD printing with the Artisan 50. I was doing the other with an R340 and refillable cartridges, however, I hardly have any of that to do. If ever I do use it after it's been sitting for a while, I perform #1 above. If i'm going to give DVDs away for advertising purposes, I print the DVDs with the R340, but if the DVD is for a client, then I use the Artisan 50

BTW, I see that OEM ink for the Stylus 1800 sells on ebay,from a top-rated seller and with free shipping, for about half what Epson wants.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=epson+stylus+1800+ink&_sacat=0&_odkw=epson+r220&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

[TreeTopsRanch]

I have never had any luck with re-manufactured cartridge's from ebay. They all seem to come from China and nine out of ten failed.

[George Tyndall]

I have never had any luck with re-manufactured cartridge's from ebay. They all seem to come from China and nine out of ten failed.

I buy only OEM (original equipment manufacturer=genuine Epson) and refillables on eBay and rarely had a problem (and only with the refillables). If ever a refillable was not recognized by my R340, the seller would replace it free of charge (free shipping).

I've never tried the re-manufactured cartridges.

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

I have bought ink, CISS and refillable cartridges directly from the company below and I have never had any problems with either that company or with my printers - Canon IP4850 and Canon Pro9000 MkII.

http://www.linexports.com/en/index.html ... 73c545dee8

[Gerlinde]

Thank you guys, you gave me a lot to check out and think about
The refillable cartridges look like a good option. That would also cut down on the amount of empty cartridges piling up in my drawer

And George it says on your ebay link:

Auto Reset Chip. No replacing chips from old cartridges and No resetting ink levels.
Printers use chip-set technology to measure ink levels. Our chips are of the highest quality
for the best productivity and efficiency.

Does this not work? Do I still have to buy the chip reset tool?

[George Tyndall]

Does this not work? Do I still have to buy the chip reset tool?

I haven't tried those cartridges, so I cannot answer. Personally, I would pay the $5 for the resetter just in case.

Tip: The process of refilling those reusable cartridges with the inks and syringes is actually quite satisfying, as while doing it you tend to think about the significant amount of money you are saving, however, be sure to wear latex or other gloves during the process.

[Chuck Engels]

I am going to get one of these for my R220
http://www.amazon.com/CIS-System-CISS-E ... XAYLZODUX2

[Gerlinde]

Nice find Chuck

I like that one too.

[tjodork]

One more vote for CISS !
I've been using for several years..

They do need a little more maintenance than an OEM cartridge but WORTH it for the savings.

Heres what I do...
I have windows scheduler automatically print a sheet with ALL the colors, then if there is any issues with the colors, I do a few head cleanings to resolve any issues.

Over time, the tubes from the tanks to the "cartridges" can get air in them. I pull out the cartridges and do the following procedure- very simple http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vmScQRfIso

last the little filters on the tanks get ink in them somhow.....I'll take them out and whack them on some old paper and then put back in. I'd actually like to buy a few spare but haven't gotten around to buying any...looking for a good deal.

Good Luck !!

[Gerlinde]

Thank you tjodork for the additional info on the CISS. I don't mind the additional maintenance and your solution to use windows scheduler to automatically print a sheet is great. I never thought about doing that.

The only thing I am wondering about is, currently only 2 cartridges are low on ink, and it looks like with the CISS all cartridges are being replaced at the same time. Is this correct or is there a workaround?

[George Tyndall]

One more vote for CISS !
I've been using for several years..

tj, when I was exploring alternatives, a few years ago, to OEM ink, my adviser stated that a Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS) would not be a good choice for me as "there are problems with CISSs if you don't print regularly and make lots of prints. They are intended for high-volume users."

Are you saying that programmng Windows to regularly make a test print solves that problem?

How often does that usage need to be and how many prints each time?

Does it matter which paper one uses for the test prints?