Printing with a couple of empty carts? Can damage really be done?

[GLO]

My Canon MP780 (which uses the same cartridges and heads as the Pixma IP4000) has supposedly 2 empty carts now.

I am curious, if i continue to print could i be damaging the print heads of the empty colours?

What about if i am only printing in greyscale and not using the colour mode?

I know its kinda trivial but im curious because when i fit a CISS to it, i have to replace all the carts, so, i just want to use up the other colors first before fitting the CISS.

Please share your experience and knowledge.

Thanks in advance.

 

[fotofreek]

If you want all the colors to print when you install the CIS you should not print with any carts empty as the nozzles fed by the carts you let go empty will either clog, or burn out, or both!

 

[ghwellsjr]

I am curious, if i continue to print could i be damaging the print heads of the empty colours?

What about if i am only printing in greyscale and not using the colour mode?

First off, there is still a lot of ink in the sponge part of the cartridge and you can continue to print until you see the printout lacking one of the colors.

However, you can print in greyscale on plain paper as long as you don't select duplex or booklet printing. If the print comes out very fast, you know it is only using your pigment black. See my article for detailed information:

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1275

Also, this post shows how the printer uses colors when you print in greyscale on photo paper:

http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1447