First steps refilling an iP3000

Hi, I have an iP3000 and live in the UK. The printer is used for general printing duties but also photo-printing. I'd like to find out more about whether it's possible to go down the refilling route with this model without compromising the photo printing quality. Ideally I'd like to match the output from the current OEM inks but would be prepared to invest time in setting up a new printer profile if the refilling route looks like a long-term solution. Can anyone point me in the right direction to get me started?

banana_racer said:

Hi, I have an iP3000 and live in the UK. The printer is used for general printing duties but also photo-printing. I'd like to find out more about whether it's possible to go down the refilling route with this model without compromising the photo printing quality. Ideally I'd like to match the output from the current OEM inks but would be prepared to invest time in setting up a new printer profile if the refilling route looks like a long-term solution. Can anyone point me in the right direction to get me started?

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You couldnt have a better printer to refill than the iP3000 with its BCI-6 cartridges.

If you have any difficulty in getting some spare BCI-6 carts then just use the CLI-8s instead,
they are exactly the same cart but with a chip fitted that is all.

There is a site in the UK that I can recommend for all youll ever need to get started refilling,
and with pages of helpful advice for a beginner second to none.

The inks that they sell are as close to OEM ink as you can get and you probability wont have to do any
profiling at all to get a very good match. http://www.octoink.co.uk/categories/Bulk-Ink/

Thanks for that info. I couldn't find my printer listed on the site though did find reference to kits for refilling the BCI-6 cartridges although they seemed to have more inks than my printer uses (I have CMY & black) - I'll wait until the site is open in the New Year and contact them for advice.
I didn't see any 'how to' guides there though - was I missing something or did I misread your post? Thanks for taking the time to post

I use the BCI-6 carts in some of my printers and I usually use the same ink for BCI-6 and CLI-8 carts,
its the same as far as I can see but here is a direct link to it.

http://www.octoink.co.uk/categories/Bulk-Ink/Canon-Compatible/BCI%2d6-{47}-BCI%2d3e/

The how to guide can be viewed in Support /FAQs again a link http://www.octoink.co.uk/kb/

There are PDFs on refill techniques for the several different filling methods available
and very good personal support also:- support@octoinkjet.co.uk

banana_racer said:

Thanks for that info. I couldn't find my printer listed on the site

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Hi
dont worry that your printer is not listed, you just need bci-6 ink
i can also endorse www.octoink.co.uk ink
almost indistinguishable from original Cannon ink.
IMHO its best to refill genuine Cannon cartridges, compatibles can give problems.

These are the proper Image Specialists inks for the iP3000: http://www.octoink.co.uk/products/Canon-Compatible-BCI%2d6C-Ink-%2d-Cyan.html , http://www.octoink.co.uk/products/Canon-Compatible-BCI%2d6M-Ink-%2d-Magenta.html , http://www.octoink.co.uk/products/Canon-Compatible-BCI%2d6Y-Ink-%2d-Yellow.html and http://www.octoink.co.uk/products/Canon-Compatible-BCI%2d3eBK-Ink-%2d-Black.html .

For the pigment black there is also an alternative KMP-U ink, preferred by some: http://www.octoink.co.uk/products/Canon-Compatible-KMP-Universal-Ink-%2d-Black.html

I hope this helps.

Fantastic, thanks! One last question before I dip my toe in the water: From reading on the Octoink site it's recommended that you stick with OEM ink if you want the print to last an optimum length of time. So is it possible to run two sets of cartridges at the same time, ie swapping between a refilled set for everyday use and an OEM set for special jobs, or do they dry out and become unusable if sored 'open' off the machine?

banana_racer said:

Fantastic, thanks! One last question before I dip my toe in the water: From reading on the Octoink site it's recommended that you stick with OEM ink if you want the print to last an optimum length of time. So is it possible to run two sets of cartridges at the same time, ie swapping between a refilled set for everyday use and an OEM set for special jobs, or do they dry out and become unusable if sored 'open' off the machine?

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You have brought up a very good point about the longevity of your prints when using 3rd party inks.

Firstly yes, you can use two sets of cartridges with different inks inside them with no problems at all;
you just have to recap the bottom outlets with the orange clips holding them on with a rubber band to store them safely.

To switch from 3rd party ink to OEM inks just run a normal cleaning cycle and print a colour test strip to use up any ink that maybe left
inside the print head and then your good to go, and there is no need to do this when your changing back.



But some advise OEM inks are suppose too last longer than 3rd party inks if printed on guanine Canon papers but not on other brands of paper,
so if you intend using the other brands of paper then the 3rd party ink will be as good if not better than the OEM inks are. (Food for taught)