Old Epson inks - Continued demand? Suitable alternative manufacture?

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I've recently been reviewing a few things to do with legacy inks and printers back to the era of Epson R2400, R800 and the like and in conversation with suppliers it seems that manufacturers like STS-inks are now actively abandoning some formulations due to lack of demand as well as changes in the available component minerals, etc..

So, in the process of determining two things.

1. Just how much demand there is for refill ink for the older printers like the R1900, R800, R1800, etc... where there's a non standard colour like Orange, Blue, Red, etc...?

... and,,,

2. What alternatives still available would be considered reasonable replacements for those inks comparable (or better) than the old Image Specialists inks.

Does anyone have any views on this and/or intel on the latter as I'd prefer not to abandon those old printers when I know there's a small but significant number of active machines still out there.

Input/ideas welcome.

 

[pharmacist]

The R2400: Inktec Powerchrome K3, Orange/Red: P400 compatible inks, Blue: Violet ink for the P900. I am not sure which suppliers could deliver those last 3 colours besides maybe Inktec.

 

[websnail]

The R2400: Inktec Powerchrome K3, Orange/Red: P400 compatible inks, Blue: Violet ink for the P900. I am not sure which suppliers could deliver those last 3 colours besides maybe Inktec.

Yeah, it's that last bit that's proving the challenge. Inktec don't formulate for those at all unfortunately.

 

[The Hat]

Does anyone have any views on this and/or intel on the latter as I'd prefer not to abandon those old printers when I know there's a small but significant number of active machines still out there.

Your only option left is to formulate these special colour inks yourself while you have stocks to make up these blues, reds, oranges and greens..

But be warned its very time consuming, one to get the correct colour and two to see if the colour components mixed successfully and don’t separate or go duff..

I know you have the experience, but do you have the time and temperament to stay the course, doing it for one colour is straight forwards, but for several it can become a pain in the butt, especially when the smaller batch works, and the larger batch goes slightly off.. Good luck..
P.S. you may also have to use some OEM colours as a starter..

 

[websnail]

Your only option left is to formulate these special colour inks yourself while you have stocks to make up these blues, reds, oranges and greens..

Thankfully we're not at that stage yet but as I mentioned above, part of my query was wondering out loud how much demand there actually is for those older machines with the unique Orange/Blue/Red inks. The R2400 with its LBK, LLBK and standard inks beyond that is thankfully still very much in demand so that's all good. It's the "oddity" inks proving more elusive.

Mostly my thinking is to provide a final bolt hole for those last few holdouts particularly as the Printer Potty kits have been as effective as hoped in keeping those old machines in service waaaay past the anticipated lifespan.

Additional input more than welcome though...

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

2. What alternatives still available would be considered reasonable replacements for those inks comparable (or better) than the old Image Specialists inks.

Chinese suppliers via Aliexpress could always be an option, I see that Aomya - and probably others - are still selling inks for the R800/1800

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/681133761.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_groupList.8148356.22.1a0222f1r499CT&pdp_npi=2@dis!EUR!€ 8,67!€ 7,37!!!!!@2100bdf016660815700886019e8041!54048852667!sh

or for the R2400 or the P400 and other phased out models, navigation on their website can be a little bit confusing.

I had been using Aomya inks for a while and never had problems with shipments, customs etc , but as always - such inks need to be tested with the papers you are using, it's difficult to say if such ink is 'better' or ''worse' than an ink by another supplier.

 

[pharmacist]

Aomya and Ocbestjet seem to be good suppliers for pigment ink. From Ocbestjet I use the K3 in on of my Epson P800 printer. Good gloss (even the critical magenta inks), but very matte photo black (I solve this by mixing 1 part of Ocbestjet PB + 3 parts of the overly glossy and shiny OCP PB to mute down the shiny almost metallic OCP PB and it works well). Also the grey inks are bit off: ABW-mode is not neutral like Inktec Powerchrome K3 ink does and prints more sepia. I use a custom profile to overcome this problem. The Ocbestjet inks also seem not to clog the print head at all (not worse than Inktec Powerchrome K3 inks).