Have 2 questions about pigment ink and the Epson WF 3540 printer

[still learning]

I am researching for a printer, and have read 2 things that I need verification on, please!! I'm looking at the Epson WF 3540 all-in-one printer. I've read that with pigment ink, if you don't print often, the print heads can clog up. Is that true? How often do you have to print with pigment ink for the heads to not clog up? Also, can dye inks be used in place of pigment ink in the Epson WF-3540 printer?
Thanks very much!!
I appreciate your time and attention!
Still learning

 

[costadinos]

Epson printheads usually manage both pigment and dye inks well.
And that's especially true if using dye in a pigment based printer. Dye particles are much smaller that pigments, so clogging should be less of a worry.

Regarding how often you'd need to print to avoid clogging, that would depend on the ink you use. Buy ink from a respected maker (OCP, ImageSpecialists etc) and you shouldn't worry about clogging, even when not printing for weeks at a time. But do avoid those very cheap no-brand inks, especially if they are marketed as "universal"...

 

[still learning]

Cyprus,
How many weeks do you think a pigment printer(Epson WF 3540) can sit without printing and not clog, if you buy ink from a reputable dealer?
Thanks!
still learning

 

[costadinos]

Well, I have on occasions left some of my pigment printers sit for 2-3 weeks with no clogging. Other times they just clog after sitting overnight (but the same goes for those using original ink, in fact my large format 7900 running on OEM ink clogs more often than the rest with the 3rd party inks).

Anyway, even if you get some clogging, it's not the end of the world. A couple of cleaning cycles should take care of it, and since 3rd party ink is cheap, there's no worries on wasted ink.
Just print a nozzle check page every week or so to keep ink flowing, if it's perfect leave it, otherwise just run a cleaning cycle.
(Cyprus is a country by the way, not my name )

 

[still learning]

Thanks Costadinos for the info. Because of your thoughts on pigment ink jet printers, would you say that you would be comfortable purchasing a pigment printer and not use it for weeks at a time ? I'm not worried about the price of ink. I'm more concerned about the printer being harmed by the clogging.
Thanks!
still learning

 

[costadinos]

I wouldn't worry about the head being physically damaged from clogging due to large periods of inactivity.
Any printhead will periodically clog, but that won't damage it. Even if cleaning cycles don't resolve the issue there are simple ways to remove a clog with special cleaning liquids.
I've owned and used several pigment printers in the past and never had a clog that wouldn't resolve eventually. And those were all used with 3rd party inks.

 

[bobjoek]

The Workforce 3540 printer should be relative free from head clogs. The new generation of Epson printers are much, much less likely to clog. I have an Epson Workforce 840 that has never experienced a clog, even when unused for three weeks at a time.

Bob

 

[still learning]

Thanks guys for your help!
still learning