JaiGieEse Loc: Foxworth, MS

The OEM inks for the Epson SureColor P800 are pigment-based. - $51 per cartridge, but they are 80ml cartridges - and they last a long time.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Ink is not created equal except for a few specific cases.

Non-OEM ink will fade prematurely, sometimes clog the printer, will be completely inconsistent with respect to color, will react oddly with all sorts of paper, and no, if you are looking at your prints carefully, they will not look the same even after a few weeks. Color consistency is usually so terrible that each time you change a cartridge you'll have to profile your printer.

Using OEM ink is consistent, can be used with non-OEM fine art paper with the paper mfgr's profiles, generally will be consistent from batch to batch so you can change a cartridge without needing to re-profile and may have wider gamut.

The one popular exception is Cone ink - which is a direct color-for-color replacement for Epson ink, with the exception of Photo Black, where the Epson product is visibly better.

I would not advice using cheap replacement ink in a printer you care about. They may be better now, but it isn't worth the risk of damaging the printer from clogging. You are less likely to experience problems with OEM ink.

It reminds me of people who spend the $$$ to buy a Mini-Cooper, but insist on putting in regular gas when BMW specifically indicates premium-only. Not a great car to buy used, because many suffer long term damage from preignition. But, gas, is gas, and it's all the same, right?

wildweasel

I have a Canon iPF6400 that uses 12 cartridges, I printed with the canon carts that came with the printer and then bought a complete set of new carts from Ink Owl. I can see no difference in the colors of my prints and some of the other photographers I print for have commented on how the colors pop on their prints. Give them a try, you won't be disappointed.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Quality is wildly variable! Permanence testing by Wilhelm Research may be of use here.

SOME third party inks are decent. SOME will fade quickly. SOME will simply ruin your printheads with a nasty clog. Caveat emptor...

sidpearce

Have used compatibles for over 25 years on both Epson and Canon A3+ printers for competition work. Keep the print head clean and use the Utility regularly. Pigment ink prints last the longest away from light and buy inks from a reputable company. ie B & H or Adorama in the States. Premier inks in UK

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I’ve seen many printers ruined with third party ink refills, and many faded prints made with “professional quality” replacement inks. To me, the “savings” are an illusion and not worth the risk.

Prints made with EPSON Ultrachrome inks in 2005 at the lab where I ran the digital printing departments still look good.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

No one in their right mind prints at home to save money. It’s all about:

Control over end results
Maximizing color gamut
Maximizing print longevity
Choice of substrates (paper, canvas, art board...)
Immediacy
Privacy

You want cheap? Use a pro lab. You want cheaper? Go to Costco.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Check precision colors. Also check you tube , for Jose Rodrigues vids. He covers that printer.

JaiGieEse Loc: Foxworth, MS

And this is exactly why I produce my own prints.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I use a Canon Pixma Pro-10 and recently tried ink cartridges from a non-Canon ink company. After getting very red toned prints with all the new cartridges, i contacted the 3rd party company and they offered to either replace the set of cartridges or fully refund the price of the cartridges. I was out the shipping to return the ink, but was pleased that the company made things right for me.
For now I will stick with Canon ink, but if I increase my printing volume, I may try Precision Inks the next time around.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

3rd party inks will no doubt clog your printer eventually and you will lose any cost savings you had in increased cleaning cycles. Spoken from years of experience.

Gary Hosking

I work for a company that sells and services large format equipment and 3 parts inks kill the equipment. They all say they ink is the same, but from the service side it is not. Canon can tell when non OEM is used in a machine and it will void all warranty and most support from dealers like ours. What this really means is if you use non OEM ink and you have a equipment problems, then you are buying a new machine.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use Cartridge America inks for my Canon Pro 100 without any problems

WayneL Loc: Baltimore Md

I use Jarbo ink from Amazon for my Canon IX6820 for 2 years with no trouble.

John Geyer

Many Epson printers use pigment ink, Epson SureColor P800 around $1200 or less with promos and rebates. Quite a bit less than $10000. Prints last 140 to 200 years depending on paper type and surface.