Refilling for the first time

[FryingSaucer]

I will soon be refilling my original Canon CLI221 cartridges with Image Specialists ink for the first time. Currently the iP4600 ink monitor says there is about 25% ink left. Will there be any problem if the original Canon ink gets mixed with the Image Specialists ink? Would it be better to wait until the cartridges are as empty as possible of Canon ink before refilling? It would be easier to fill them all together now rather than filling each individual cartridge when it becomes empty.

Also, I think someone suggested filling the sponge as full as possible to reduce the frequency of the intensely annoying iP4600 cleaning cycles. I'm not sure why this would mean less cleaning cycles, and I can't find the original post, but how do I know when the sponge is completely saturated? Is it OK to keep filling until there no bubbles at all at the top of the ink compartment? Does it cause a problem if I fill until the ink starts leaking out? I'll be using the German method.

 

[The Hat]

FryingSaucer

There should be no need to flush out the OEM cartridges it will be ok to add your Image Specialists ink to them. If you refill as each cartridge empties you will get a very slight difference in colour until all the cartridges are of the same ink. On the other hand if you are looking for colour consistency you could flush out all five cartridges together and start a fresh, but in my opinion that would be just wasting good ink.. :|

 

[ghwellsjr]

If you are not doing profiling and really particular about your colors, then it shouldn't matter if you mix the inks from different manufacturers.

If you are refilling with the German method, don't purposely inkjet ink into the sponge compartment, just refill the reservoir. It will automatically saturate the lower sponge material leaving the upper sponge material relatively dry for the proper flow of air into the cartridge to replace the ink as it is used.

 

[FryingSaucer]

Thanks for both replies