From where to import Ink for Canon IP3600 to India

[photoprashanth]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and I am from India. I love to print my photographs on my own.
I purchased Canon IP3680 (it is IP3600 in US) after doing some research.
In India we get lot of chinese ink which I am scared of trying on my printer.

I did not find any reliable dealers for well know inks like OCP, Hobbicolors, Lyson.
Though OCP and Lyson dealers are there, but it is very difficult to deal with them because they mostly cater to large printing houses than selling 250ml ink bottles to individuals.
And availability of Canon ink is also a problem.

I have only option left with me is importing it from US or Europe.

Guide me on which ink shall I import for my Canon IP3680.
I feel this (hobbicolors from ebay) option is good for me as it is cheaper (I cannot post url as I am new member here)

But I hear lot about OCP inks are best in this forum.
How much better OCP inks are compared to Hobbicolors?

Shall I import only OCP inks even though it turns out to be comparitively costly for me?

Regards,
Prashanth

 

[turbguy]

Hobbicolors DYE inks have always work fine for me, BUT THEIR PIGMENT BLACK HAS CAUSED CLOGGING PROBLEMS WITH THE PURGING SYSTEM, FOR ME AND FOR OTHERS..so I would avoid their Pigment Black ink (which is in the PGI-220 Pigment Black tank that your printer uses). I have switched to Precision Colors Black Pigment ink.

Reference this thread:

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5674

Wayne

 

[stratman]

Some time ago, forum member ghwellsjr did a test with various prigment black inks concerning clog potential. While not a perfect test by any means, his results have been incorporated into general guidance on pigment ink purchase.

I used Hobbicolors Pigment Black ink in my Canon MP830 for about one year. The Pigment Black ink did not clog or harm my printer or cartridges. You will find a mix of people who have had no problem with Hobbicolors Pigment Black ink and some who have. Probably the same can be said for any pigment ink given sufficient circumstances. Regardless of alleged propensity to clog, I switched back to Precision Colors Pigment Black because it had less streaking when using a highlighter compared to Hobbicolors Pigment Black.

I have been quite satisfied with Precision Colors inks for several years. Precision Colors sells Image Specialists ink and is sold on eBay by forum member Mikling from Canada. Another forum member websnail sells Image Specialists inks from his own web site Octoinkjet out of England. Both vendors are honest retailers and very pleasant and helpful people.

Maybe other forum members can direct you to other European or more local vendors of high quality third party inks.

 

[photoprashanth]

Hi,
Thank you for the suggestions. I think I will go with any of these.
While reading about these inks, I came to know these inks are closer to OEM inks in characteristics.

Does this mean I really do not need any Custom ICC profiles if I use these inks?

Regards,
Prashanth

 

[stratman]

Does this mean I really do not need any Custom ICC profiles if I use these inks?

That depends upon how satisfied you are with your printers output. If colors are pleasing to you for your purposes then no other printer profile is needed. It's your decision.

 

[photoprashanth]

Does this mean I really do not need any Custom ICC profiles if I use these inks?

That depends upon how satisfied you are with your printers output. If colors are pleasing to you for your purposes then no other printer profile is needed. It's your decision.

Thank you all.

Will try the ink first.

 

[stratman]

You're welcome! Let us know how things work out.

 

[photoprashanth]

Hi,
I ordered Precision Colors ink, Its on the way.
In the mean time, I would like to know where you buy "value for money" papers online?
And which papers go well with Precision colors ink?

I might also have to import some papers. Please suggest...

Regards,
Prashanth

 

[jtoolman]

Precision Colors inks are from Image Specialist here in the USA which are excellent top quality inks.
I have been able to use them with great success on just about any paper, expensive or otherwise. Don't too cheap, as in Chinese papers from ebay. Paper is where you will have to consider not trying to save too much as there are some really horrible generic papers out there.

 

[The Hat]

Hi,
I ordered Precision Colors ink, Its on the way.
In the mean time, I would like to know where you buy "value for money" papers online?
And which papers go well with Precision colors ink?

I might also have to import some papers. Please suggest...

Regards,
Prashanth

Your local stationers, copy shop or supermarket should have some A4 copy paper.

The average copy paper is a worldwide standard and if it works in a laser printer then
its more than good enough for an inkjet printer, besides it is the cheapest paper in the world..