When should I refill ink? Should I wait until printer stops printing?

[Redbrickman]

I tried the butter containers but it's a real mess when you remove them again, the butter sticks to the cart

Sorry, couldn't resist that.

I like the filling clips idea to store them. it seems to me that the clips fare the best idea as they are designed to fit the outlet.

The original orange clips are OK on the 521 carts as long a you ensure that are held on tight with rubber bands.

 

[OM2]

i take that back a little...
i can't find anywhere to buy those clips in the uk
any idea where in the uk i can buy?
thanks

 

[fotofreek]

I tried the butter containers but it's a real mess when you remove them again, the butter sticks to the cart Sorry, couldn't resist that. I like the filling clips idea to store them. it seems to me that the clips fare the best idea as they are designed to fit the outlet. The original orange clips are OK on the 521 carts as long a you ensure that are held on tight with rubber bands.

Are you telling us that the cholesterol from the butter will clog up the carts????

In addition to the clips or the rubber-banded orange caps, I keep them in a sealed margarine container (less cholesterol!). I used to put a damp towel in with them , but I found that the towel sometimes got moldy. Someone (Granddad?) once advised that the paper towel can be dampened with a mixture of water and alcohol.

 

[OM2]

wet towel?
to stop drying out?
inside a sealed margerine tub?
sounds great - all good advice - thanks

my printer has run out of ink now!! aaaah!
i have to decide whether to order a new one or just start refilling now

 

[fotofreek]

OM2 - I stopped putting the wet towel in the container years ago and it didn't appear to make any difference.

 

[OM2]

lol, ok thanks, i'll go without the wet towel

 

[jopereira]

OM2 When should I refill?

That is really up to you but, I usually refill when the printer is showing the low warning or
you can wait till the printer stops altogether either will do.

I've been a refiller for some time with my Brother MFC-440CN - but then, these Brother compatible cartridges I bought are just tanks, BIG tanks !! (30-40ml each color). They last a full year !!

But now, these Canon cartridges are a bit more sofisticated.

My big question is: do I really need to flush original ink to refill with Image Specialists inks (as I'm expeting to buy from Octoink)?

 

[stratman]

My big question is: do I really need to flush original ink to refill with Image Specialists inks (as I'm expeting to buy from Octoink)?

Depends.

If you are wanting precise color output, then flusing before refilling PLUS printer profiling with the new ink and paper choice would be the optimal method.

If you are not as particular to exacting, precise color fidelity, you can mix OEM Canon ink with Image Specialists inks without much shifting of colors or worry of a reaction between the two inks. In time, ie more refillings, the amount of OEM Canon ink will become negligible to none without flushing. Many find the color output to be sufficient when these two inks are mixed and do not perform printer profiles or flush before using IS inks. You may feel differently. There is no wrong answer here.

If you are unsure how long the ink cartridges have been stored, or what conditions the cartridges have been stored in, and are concerned about bacterial or fungal growth, then a flushing should be considered. If you are currently using these cartridges, then no flushing is necessary.

Dye ink cartridges use water soluble inks. Even old, dried out dye ink cartridges may work perfectly once new ink is refilled. All the dried ink gets re-hydrated. The pigment ink cartridges are different as the ink is not so much water soluble. An old dried pigment ink cartridge may need a flushing to take up newly injected ink into the sponge and perform properly.

 

[jopereira]

Thanks stratman, I guess "precise color" is not exactly my thing. I do like colors to be right, but I think you meant something else .

Unless printing/head problems are due to this, I guess flushing is overdoing in my situation.

 

[OM2]

... Brother MFC-440CN - but then, these Brother compatible cartridges I bought are just tanks, BIG tanks...

this is entirely my own opinion and nothing else: but that printer + others brought out at the same time are some of the worst printers ever made by mankind!
it's slow... prints are aweful... prints are wet!
sorry... jopereira... nothing against u... i've just vowed never ever ti get a brother (or lexmark) printers!
had to get that off my chest!