Electronicferrum
Print Lurker
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2026
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 1
- Printer Model
- Epson sc-7200
Hi everyone,
I’m based in Spain (Europe) and I run an online art print store (posterdesign.es) selling canvas prints, framed prints and posters — mainly fine art reproductions on glossy photo paper with high ink coverage.
I’m upgrading from my current Epson SureColor SC-7200 (24”) to a 44” machine, and I’m very seriously considering buying the Canon imagePROGRAF GP-4600S. Before I commit to this purchase, I have one critical question that I cannot find answered anywhere — and it would mean a lot to me if someone who ACTUALLY OWNS THE GP-4600S could reply.
Background — why ink cost matters so much:
I print around 5 m² per day. At OEM ink prices the running costs are unsustainable for my margins. A 100×70 cm print at 70% coverage costs roughly €4.30 in OEM Canon ink. But with third-party bulk ink in refillable transparent cartridges, that drops to around €0.42 per print. That difference is the difference between a viable and an unviable business model at my volume.
The alternative I’m considering is the Epson SC-P8500DL, which has cheaper OEM ink (€2.28 per 100×70 cm print) but practically no third-party cartridge ecosystem due to its newer chip architecture. So the Canon with third-party ink is a much better deal — IF it works smoothly in daily production.
What I’ve already confirmed:
Canon’s official online manual for the GP-4600S includes a documented section called “Ink Level Detection” that explicitly explains how to disable the ink detection function for refilled tanks: install an emptied cartridge → navigate the touchscreen warnings → hold Stop for 5+ seconds → detection disabled for that color. Canon includes this in their own FAQ. So the procedure exists and is officially documented.
My specific question — ONLY GP-4600S owners can really answer this:
Once ink level detection is disabled on the GP-4600S, what is the day-to-day experience?
a) Does the printer print completely uninterrupted — no recurring warnings, no confirmation screens before jobs, no prompts on power-on?
OR
b) Does it keep showing ink-related messages, ask for confirmations periodically, or interrupt print jobs in any way?
I plan to use transparent refillable cartridges and monitor ink levels visually. I fully understand the sub-tank risk and will manage levels manually. What I need to know before buying is whether the machine becomes a nuisance in daily production printing after detection is disabled.
If you own a Canon imagePROGRAF GP-4600S and have tried refillable or third-party cartridges — please share your experience. Even if you haven’t tried third-party ink, knowing how the printer behaves after disabling detection would be incredibly helpful.
Thank you very much in advance!
I’m based in Spain (Europe) and I run an online art print store (posterdesign.es) selling canvas prints, framed prints and posters — mainly fine art reproductions on glossy photo paper with high ink coverage.
I’m upgrading from my current Epson SureColor SC-7200 (24”) to a 44” machine, and I’m very seriously considering buying the Canon imagePROGRAF GP-4600S. Before I commit to this purchase, I have one critical question that I cannot find answered anywhere — and it would mean a lot to me if someone who ACTUALLY OWNS THE GP-4600S could reply.
Background — why ink cost matters so much:
I print around 5 m² per day. At OEM ink prices the running costs are unsustainable for my margins. A 100×70 cm print at 70% coverage costs roughly €4.30 in OEM Canon ink. But with third-party bulk ink in refillable transparent cartridges, that drops to around €0.42 per print. That difference is the difference between a viable and an unviable business model at my volume.
The alternative I’m considering is the Epson SC-P8500DL, which has cheaper OEM ink (€2.28 per 100×70 cm print) but practically no third-party cartridge ecosystem due to its newer chip architecture. So the Canon with third-party ink is a much better deal — IF it works smoothly in daily production.
What I’ve already confirmed:
Canon’s official online manual for the GP-4600S includes a documented section called “Ink Level Detection” that explicitly explains how to disable the ink detection function for refilled tanks: install an emptied cartridge → navigate the touchscreen warnings → hold Stop for 5+ seconds → detection disabled for that color. Canon includes this in their own FAQ. So the procedure exists and is officially documented.
My specific question — ONLY GP-4600S owners can really answer this:
Once ink level detection is disabled on the GP-4600S, what is the day-to-day experience?
a) Does the printer print completely uninterrupted — no recurring warnings, no confirmation screens before jobs, no prompts on power-on?
OR
b) Does it keep showing ink-related messages, ask for confirmations periodically, or interrupt print jobs in any way?
I plan to use transparent refillable cartridges and monitor ink levels visually. I fully understand the sub-tank risk and will manage levels manually. What I need to know before buying is whether the machine becomes a nuisance in daily production printing after detection is disabled.
If you own a Canon imagePROGRAF GP-4600S and have tried refillable or third-party cartridges — please share your experience. Even if you haven’t tried third-party ink, knowing how the printer behaves after disabling detection would be incredibly helpful.
Thank you very much in advance!
