Photo printer for occasional use

[speedbump]

I have been through several inkjet photo printers/AIO. I've had HP, Canon and Epson all with the same result. Usually after about a year or less, the y get hopelessly clogged and become worthless. I have tried different methods to clean them, usually with no success.

I think the main problem is that it only gets used occasionally, often with weeks or months between uses.

I did make the switch to a laser printer for most of our needs, but the wife wants a photo printer for scrapbooking.

Is there such a thing as a inkjet photo printer that will not quit working if only used occasionally? I am not interested in constant cleaning and flushing with windex/alchohol/ammonia/whatever mix between uses.

Maybe my problems are a result of the ink I used? I have always bought generics or refilled. If I stick with overpriced name-brand ink, will it save me from buying a printer every year?

I have typically bought cheaper/midrange units (the last one was a Canon Pixma MX700, prior to that an Epson RX600).

If I step up and get a better model will my experience improve? I've been looking at the Pixma Pro 9000 Mark II.

I've still got my old printers laying around. Can they be resurrected or do they have any value?

Any info is appreciated.

 

[printfan1138]

Yes, using a printer daily is one good way to keep it working well so here is a thought. If you don't have a CIS system in your printer why not get one and then go to a site that has software to install and some are free or very affordable and what they do is give you the ability to automatically print a purge page or full color photo even when your on vacation or on a business trip! With a CIS system the ink costs will be negligible and you can load enough cheap paper to last while your away. That daily automatic print job should go a long way to keep your printer head free of clogs. The only hitch is that you need to leave your computer on for the time your away but a lot of people leave computers on 24/7 and say that is no problem. Also don't throw away any printer until you have tried everything to clean the head including printing with cartridges that have head cleaning solution in them. I have seen these offered for under thirty dollars and they work! Does this help? I get some good tips on InkJetCarts tutorials and also in here! My wife is an Artist/Photographer and I bought her an Epson refurbished 1400 Stylus which puts out excellent photo prints. The printer has been offered refurbished for $149.00, I think they were about $500.00 when they first came out. It is set up with a good CIS system and she is up to about 400 or more prints at this time all excellent and is still working off her first bottles of ink. She likes to do calendars for friends and family! I was reluctant to go with refurbished units but knowledgeable friends told me that Epson goes through the units and they are even better checked out than their new units. So far no problems! Happy Printing my friend!

 

[speedbump]

Thanks for the response.

I usually leave my PC on all the time anyway since we use it for a DVR and it is always scheduled to record TV shows; an automated print job wouldn't be a problem.

I've never seriously looked into CIS, any recommendations for a place to start?

 

[Mowerman90]

I myself am a Canon fan but if you want a CIS the only way to go is with an Epson. They are much more CIS friendly. I'm sure someone with an Epson will chime in with reccomendations.

 

[qwertydude]

The only real option for occasional use would be an HP with tri-color cartridges as the print head is built into the cartridge. If the print head clogs simply buy a new cartridge. They are also easily refillable as long as you don't let them run out. A good matched inkset is easily available from any Image Specialist ink dealer, I recommend sticking with new OEM if you're going to be refilling them. Print quality is pretty decent with them too, not up to par with the 4 color and 6 color inksets but plenty acceptable.

 

[speedbump]

I myself am a Canon fan but if you want a CIS the only way to go is with an Epson. They are much more CIS friendly. I'm sure someone with an Epson will chime in with reccomendations.

If I wanted to go Canon, is there a way to keep it from getting clogged if it is not used regularly?

(In general or specific to the 9000 MkII)

 

[The Hat]

speedbump

Yes as it has being said on here many times before, only use OEM cartridges for refilling and make sure that you refill with good quality inks.
Compatible cartridges can sometimes be a receipt for disaster and using cheap inks makes it come that bit quicker.
The cost difference between OEM inks and quality third party ink is about 80% (a huge saving) so trying to save another 5% on cheap inks
is in my mind ridiculous and its your printer that pays the cost in the long run, err (short).
If you go with the advice above you'll quickly find that youll be printing far more than you have done before,
because it costs so little to print with this type of setup.
Using OEM cartridges and quality inks, you are limiting you chances of head clogs to a minimum..

 

[printfan1138]

If personal experience is any help, my wife is as I type this, printing with an Epson 1400 Photo Stylus printer which I bought refurbished for $149.00 and it is set up with a Damper type cis system which we bought from Ink Republic and her prints are still excellent afte hundreds of full page color photo's. Since then I have been using InkJetCarts for several reasons. The price is better but the inks are still designed to fit the printer which in this case is Claria type dye based ink. They both have the damper systems both with the tubes and for those that don't print a lot they have the same damper type cartridges without tubes and last but not least this site has a ton of very informative tutorials and back up help! Check it out and i'd love to hear your own opinion later! Happy Printing!

 

[printfan1138]

I forgot to mention that I have empty cartridges along with a large bottle of head cleaner that I'm filling this week for use in my Epson C88+ printers. I intend to pop those into the cartridge bay and just print in the normal way except instead of firing colors the head will be firing head cleaner right through the nozzles. It remains to be seen how much time and how many prints it will take to clean the heads but I can't think of a better way to do it can you? Happy Printing!