How did the first batch work? Perhaps you got a bad batch this time? "Feeling" is not a good troubleshooting method. I use Hobbicolors dye based inks for my Epson printers too for about a year now. The colors are not different from OEM. They look fine to my eyes. You may want to check out your refillable cartridges. I used them and they usually stopped working after some number of refills. I refill OEM carts only now.burning said:I have a strong feeling, it has to do something relating to the ink. I'm on my second batch of Hobbi Color Inks. I've talked to them aswell, and they suggest it has to do with an altered setting inside the drivers somewhere which is causing this problem. I've double checked and verified all the settings were the same..but have had no luck.