Can all newer epson ecotanks models use pigmented ink?

[wintersky]

I’m in Japan and my god- the model numbers here are different so I dunno what is what and I can’t seem to find an answer.

I’m looking to buy an inkjet printer for printing heat transfers and stickers. I hear ecotanks will get the job done (even if they originally use dye-based) and I can use a 3rd party pigmented ink refills. It’ll be brand new so I figured I can just fill them with that right from the start.

However- I also heard that some printers won’t work with pigmented ink? At the same time, I heard the more recent Ecotank models can. I’m confused…

Could I get some insight?

By the way, this is the printer I plan on getting!


https://amzn.asia/d/8ZeSIEr

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I’m confused…

No wonder because it is just not possible to make such statements like 'all Epson printers can run on pigment inks' or similar. It's not just the printhead but the overall ink supply situation which may cause problems.
What is your printing volume ? Why do you select just this Ecotank model ?
Why don't you just start with a lower end printer running already on pigment inks - like the WF2010W - it may have a different model number in your country - and do refill on this one. This can get you some practice in case of problems like printhead flushing which is easier to handle on such a printer than on an Ecotank printer - the access to the printhead carriage is much easier, there is no scanner on top. And please be aware that you risk to loose warranty on your Ecotank printer if you switch to pigment inks.
If you look technically to the Epson printheads e.g. the one in the WF2010W with 180+3x59 nozzles you'll find that this printhead is widely used since years in lower end printers - workforce WF- office type models with Durabrite pigment inks or with dye inks in Expression Home XP- models. So yes - printers with this printhead can use dye or pigment inks, but if you switch inks via refill you may have to do some cleaning cycles and/or printhead flushing if you switch the ink types until you get it working again w/o problems. So people who don't get it working will tell you it won't work, and other people will tell you that it is possible. So it's all your risk.

 

[ClarenceL]

No wonder because it is just not possible to make such statements like 'all Epson printers can run on pigment inks' or similar. It's not just the printhead but the overall ink supply situation which may cause problems.
What is your printing volume ? Why do you select just this Ecotank model ?
Why don't you just start with a lower end printer running already on pigment inks - like the WF2010W - it may have a different model number in your country - and do refill on this one. This can get you some practice in case of problems like printhead flushing which is easier to handle on such a printer than on an Ecotank printer - the access to the printhead carriage is much easier, there is no scanner on top. And please be aware that you risk to loose warranty on your Ecotank printer if you switch to pigment inks.
If you look technically to the Epson printheads e.g. the one in the WF2010W with 180+3x59 nozzles you'll find that this printhead is widely used since years in lower end printers - workforce WF- office type models with Durabrite pigment inks or with dye inks in Expression Home XP- models. So yes - printers with this printhead can use dye or pigment inks, but if you switch inks via refill you may have to do some cleaning cycles and/or printhead flushing if you switch the ink types until you get it working again w/o problems. So people who don't get it working will tell you it won't work, and other people will tell you that it is possible. So it's all your risk.

Recent EPSON cartridge model would be a little trouble on 3rd party cartridge, since they add more protection.
I am using XP-2101, there's no 3rd party chip for cartridge. The only choice would be chipless fw, but it's a pain need to check cartridge frequently.
So, for less cartridge chip protection technology, you might need to check what refill cartridge you can get & the supported printer model. Might only available on 2nd hand or some old models announced before 2015.

The EW-M634T1 seems like PrecisionCore printhead, the print resolution 4800x1200dpi. From that I would guess it's 400/128x3 nozzles. From the recent repair experience on WF-2651(alternative to L655), I would say the PrecisionCore printhead could easily disassembly by 4 screws to 3 main parts & clean by ultrasonic. Technically it's much easier & tough to unclog. The only problem for me is , I never saw a 4 dye inks model with this printhead. That said, it always equip with at least pigment black ink + 3 dyes inks or 4 colors pigment ink.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I mentioned the WF-2010W which is on the market since 10+ years and still selling in Germany, there are no issues with 3rd party cartridges and ARC chips and refill, newer models come with the precisioncore printheads with a higher nozzle count; I don't consider them any better - in ref to the word 'precision' - than the previous generation; it's much more about lower production cost via higher automation. the drop in droplet resolution from 720/5760 to 600dpi/4800 is not visible to the user , it's more a question how the different quality levels are implemented in the driver

 

[bjornhk]

I just got an Epson ET-8550; does anyone know if there is cyan/magenta/yellow pigment ink available for it?

Thanks!

Bjørn

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

And you want to initialize the printer with pigment inks ? Why not just using Ultrachrome HDX like refill inks or original inks out of larger cartridges ? It's all our risk as described above - I wouldn't do it on a new unit.

 

[bjornhk]

I need waterproof inks, and pigment inks seem to offer that.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

I need waterproof inks, and pigment inks seem to offer that.

And what type of waterproof media are you planning to use for waterproof prints - PE foil ?

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

Or you start with an Ecotank model which uses pigment inks like the ET-5150 and similar or a ET-16150 - model numbers may vary in your business region.

 

[bjornhk]

I plan to print on plain paper, mostly, to make film props. And they need to be waterproof.