Do I need different black inks to refill my Canon CLI-8BK and PGI-5BK?

[bfrechem]

I have read quite a bit about the fact that the Canon CLI-8BK and PGI-5Bk cartridges use different type inks (Dye-based vs. Pigment-based), but I have not seen a conclusive resolution to the question of whether I will damage my printer if I use the same ink for refilling both cartridges, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, where can I get different blacks to refill the different cartridges?

Thanks for any help.

 

[ghwellsjr]

I recommend and use Inktec inks because they have shown the best fade resistance in this test:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1003&message=12198835

You can buy them at:

http://www.inkjetcartridge.com/canon1.html

The fade test above did not cover the pigment ink but if you use a genuine pigment ink, you will not have to worry about fading. Be forewarned that many suppliers of ink intended for the pigment black cartridge "water it down" with dye black ink as noted in Neil Slade's warning here:

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1518

I discovered that the very popular Formulabs pigment black ink is watered down and requested other forum members to post their experience with their inks:

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1630

The Inktec pigment black ink is the blackest I have ever seen and is 100% pigment.

To answer your question: you will definitely damage your printhead if you put pigment black ink in your CLI-8BK cartridge, it will simply clog and you probably will not be able to unclog it. The nozzles for the dye ink are smaller than the nozzles for the pigment ink. You probably won't damage your printer if you put dye ink in the PGI-5BK cartridge but it may leak out according to Neil Slade, but why would you want to give up the advantage of using the pigment ink on plain paper? Follow this link for a discussion of the difference between the two kinds of ink and when they are used:

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=8390#p8390

 

[on30trainman]

Hobbicolor inks also sell both kinds of BLACK inks - a dye based (UW8-BK) and a pigment (PMT-BK) version. They also sell what they call a Pigmented Black which is a dye/pigment Black mixture - I don't know what any advantages/disadvantages of this mixture are, but I opted for the Pigment black in my recent order.

Steve W.