ip4500: need a dependable and cheap way to print photos

[yanomilano]

Hi,
My mom likes to print a lot of photos for herself. She owns an ip4500 and it is running out of ink. I am looking for a more economical option to print than using the Canon carts.
I already have a few empty ones but I am not sure about the chips? I am looking for an safest option - she does not print a lot but she needs the work.
What do you recommend?
Please provide links to resellers.
I am not looking for perfect quality and long-lasting effects this more for putting up on the wall or in a family album.

Cheers,
J

 

[msmart]

Welcome to the forum J. Here's a thread I participated in for refilling my iP4500.

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4150

The link to the ink I bought:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Precisi...085QQ_sidZ98545621QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Link to the "OM" resetter I use:

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Tales-of-Tamoor

The first time you refill it takes a little effort (prepping the tank) but after that, it's easy.

Click on the Search link at the top of the page and search for "ip4500" to find threads that will get you on your way.

 

[stratman]

Refill the Canon ink cartridges yourself with good quality bulk ink. This will cost one tenth (or so) the cost per refill compared to the cost of a new OEM cartridge.

Directions and observations of mine as follows:


A) Refill Ink

Anyone of the following will give good results:

http://www.inksupply.com/ selling MIS inks(reported to be Ink Specialty inks)

http://www.precisioncolors.com selling Ink Specialty inks

http://hobbicolors.com/ selling Hobbicolors inks

http://www.inktec.com/english/main.asp fot InkTec inks (Google "Inktec" for retailors)

Aftermarket ink from these retailors can be added to and mixed with Canon OEM ink still left in the cartridge.

Advanced User Tip - If you want the best color output then you will need to purge the Canon OEM ink out completely (see below) (or run a couple cartridges full of the aftermarket ink to wash out the Canon OEM ink), refill with one of the inks listed above, then obtain/purchase an ICC Printer Profile for your printer, ink and paper combination. You can purchase one from places like http://www.cathysprofiles.com/. Many casual hobbyists do not purchase an ICC Printer Profile and are satisfied with their color output. You'll know whether you're happy with the colors in your photos after printing out a few pictures. Much has been discussed about ICC Printer Profiles in this forum. Do a search if interested.

CAUTION: Some bulk ink retailers sell a "pigment only" black PGI-5 ink and/or a combination "pigment plus dye" black ink for the PGI-5. Make sure to get the "pigment only" PGI-5 if you want the best results, particularly for highlighting. It will cost a bit more but has the best chance of mimicking Canon OEM PGI-5 ink.

B) Refill Methods

Most people recommend using only Canon cartridges/chips for refilling as they are well made and last a long time with less risk of failure. Having a spare set is a good idea too as this helps decrease lag time in printing when you need to refill and swap in a fresh cartridge on demand (which always seems to happen in the middle of a print job you need to expedite).

There are several methods for refilling cartridges. You could vacuum refill - search for it in this forum. Several people on this forum use vacuum to refill with excellent result, though I think it is better for higher volume refilling than one cartridge at a time like most hobbyists. Then there are the two basic needle and syringe methods of refilling - a standard hole in top of cartridge method or the Durchstich/German method with hole on side towards bottom of cartridge. You can search for both methods in this forum as well.

If you prefer the standard method of refilling, then start by looking at the threads found in the "Refilling Inkjets" Forum. In fact, most all the knowledge you seek is contained within that forum. Whatever isn't will be added when the resident brainiacs, inventors and/or problem solvers figure it out.

A link to the text instruction for the Durchstich method at http://www.druckerchannel.de/artikel.php?ID=1830

A link to instructional videos on both standard and Durchstich methods of refilling plus on about purging cartridges found in post #7 at http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewto 45#p13145.

C) Cartridge Purging

Purging a cartridge entails running water through the cartridge to flush out old ink. It is useful if you change inks and do not want a mixture of previous brand ink with new brand ink, crud inside the cartridge, the cartridge is old and ink has dried up on the sponge which could impede ink flow, or there are streaks or missing ink when printing from poor ink flow out the cartridge for a yet unknown reason(though this could be a printhead issue).

A text version on purging cartridges using Grandad's Method is at http://www.nifty-stuff.com/canon-BCI-6-cartridges.php

Here is the equipment I put together for purging Canon CLI-8 and PGI-5 cartridges that evolved from that discussion:

Purging unit parts from Hope Depot.

1) 3/8" inner diameter clear vinyl tubing (outer diameter 1/2"), 3 feet ~$1.00 worth.

2) One Sweeper Nozzle, Model 56171 at Home Depot, $2.97 (similar to but with some plastic: http://lawn-garden.gillroys.com/Hoses_ &_Sprinklers/Hose_Nozzles/ BRASS_SWEEPER_ NOZZLE-s761223.html) . This screws onto my utility sink's threaded fawcet like a typical garden hose would.

3) One Hose Clamp 7/32" to 5/8" to secure #1 to #2.

4) 2mm hole drilled into the top of the spongeless area next to the edge of the decal (near where the ball is located) to let the purge water out.

The flexible tubing easily fit around the exit port of the cartridge. Warm water washed the sponge clean in well under one minute and I have no ink on my hands. I held onto the cartridge and directed the purge stream down the drain hole, but any ink in the sink washed completely out without staining.

D) Glue Gun Use For Sealing Purge Hole

1) Let the glue gun heat up to the proper temperature. This will cause a lot of waste glue to drip out on some guns, but the glue you do shoot will be hot enough to get he job done.

2) Don't use really old gluesticks that have "spoiled".

3) Use the right kind of gluestick, don't use wood glues for plastic cartridges for example.

4) Make sure the glued area is clean. Wipe off ink residue and peel away old glue if refilling a previously glued cartridge. It also helps to slice drill residue off the hole with a razor blade, as the plastic shreds can interfere with sealing.

5) Glues have different "open times" so allow the right amount of time for the glue to set.

6) For sealing holes on drilled cartridges, shoot a tiny glob to plug the hole, let sit for a few seconds, then shoot a secondary "sealing glob" over the plugged hole. Press the sealing glob flat with a flat heat resistant metal object. It helps to use a non-stick spray on your pressing object to prevent glue from sticking to it. I have found this method to be very effective in preventing leaks.

7) To remove the plug for later refilling, simply use a small needlenose pliers and peel off/pull out the glue.

E) Cartridge Resetters

There are a several different models of cartridge resetters now available. Search eBay for "Canon Chip Resetters" to see a myriad of resetters available. If you live outside the USA, and your nation's eBay does not list chip resetters, if you have an eBay at all, then ask for more help in finding a resetter in your area of the world.

It is another matter entirely if a resetter is necessary. People have been "eye-balling" their ink levels for years and not experienced a printhead failure from no ink while printing. It is, like most things, personal preference and money.

F) Ink Level Monitoring

Simply take the cartridge out and visual inspect for ink in the spongeless side. Until you are confident, refill your cartridges just before or just when the spongeless side is empty of ink. The sponged side will always appear to have ink left in the sponge, never turning completely white and free of ink - I have heard that up to 1 ml of ink remains in the sponge even when Canon declares it empty. Best not to tempt fate, though if you do, when a color startrs streaking or missing you will know the ink is used up (OR you have developed a problem like a clogged or burned out printhead). STOP printing and refill!

Removing the cartridges in order to refill or inspect ink levels will initiate a cleaning/priming cycle after the cartridge(s) are returned to the printer. Canon's purge much less ink than Epson's, and, with bulk ink the money loss is minimal.

To cut down on these initiated ink purgings, there is a novel way of visually inspecting ink levels WITHOUT removing the cartridges. Read about it at http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2492.

Also, there is a clever program developed by a poster on Nifty-Stuff that keeps track of print jobs and helps alert you when ink is running low depending upon how YOU set it up. The program can be found at http://inkmon.org/.


For all these seemingly overwhelming instructions/tips, refilling a Canon ink cartridge is as simple as poking a hole in the cartridge, filling it with ink from a syringe and needle, and sealing or not sealing the hole (depending on the method used). The process takes 2-3 minutes per cartridge once you've done it a couple of times. Cost is about 10-15% of an new OEM Canon cartridge per refill.

 

[msmart]

So, why do I feel my post is suddenly lacking something? Hmm.

 

[stratman]

So, why do I feel my post is suddenly lacking something? Hmm.

Not at all. Your info was good.

I just got tired of re-typing some of the same things over and over again, so I created this as help for anyone. I've got a few other canned text responses for certain topics. Makes it a lot easier answering certain questions than searching the forum or re-typing.

I keep wishing that Nifty-Stuff admin would make a sticky of these and other basics of refilling.

 

[yanomilano]

wow...thanks for detailed info...I did search the forum for this answer before I posted but did not find it...so I nominate you write up for a sticky so people like me would not have to waste time of people like you

 

[stratman]

wow...thanks for detailed info...I did search the forum for this answer before I posted but did not find it...so I nominate you write up for a sticky so people like me would not have to waste time of people like you

Hope it helps you.

No waste of time - I already have this saved as a text file so it's ready to go in a couple of clicks.

Have no control over sticky posts. Admin probably doesn't read every post so has never seen the request for a sticky. Maybe he does not want to show any favoritism to one brand or method. It still would be nice to have so those new to the forum would have a clear introduction of basics to get started easily.