The biggest problem with using 3rd party inks is no two guys use it the same way or with the same paper so there can never be a credible test done on any of these inks, unlike OEM.
OEM ink works beautiful and best on its own branded papers and in an ideal world that’s what all of us would love to be using, but for the outrageous costs.
With 3rd party inks it is subject to all sort of contaminations from the home user, for a start its can be mixed with OEM ink, Water, Windex Detergent Ammonia, Acetone and a pleather of other solutions that we probably never even heard of, not to mention hygiene, any one of these would effect longevity.
Then we move onto paper again there are so many papers available to print on that are not made or suitable for 3rd party inks, so to compare the longevity of all the 3rd party inks with OEM is grossly unfair.
There are so many variables working again 3rd party inks, including very poorly made formulas and none of the OEM ink makers actually test their inks on any of the cheaper alternative papers available that we use.
Here is an example of Papilio vinyl paper in action.
I printed this four years ago using I.S. pigment inks but a couple of months ago I touched up the eyes with some enamel paint because it began to fade, but not the mouth.
So four years on and even using pigment inks, fading is evident on this type of paper, Now can I ask:- would OEM ink fair out any better in this situation, I won’t give any comment..

click to enlarge.
Yes I named him Wilson…