Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

How often do you print?
What size do you print?
Sounds like you rarely print.
For the 4x5 go to the drug store and larger the same or Walmart or or an online provider.
I have a printer/scanner combo but only use it for documents. For the serious prints it is cheaper to send them out.

Barbcity Loc: Berkeley, California

I have an epson 2200 and an epson 3880. I have successfully unclogged the 2200 by using a product called cloggbuster cleaning fluid with a hypodermic missing the needle. I took out all the inks and put many paper towels under the inkjet nozzles. Then I injected some fluid into each ink nozzle and waited 24 hours. I did this 3 or four times until all nozzles we’re running clear. I put back the inks and was ready to go. I don’t know that I can do this with the epson 3880, but it doesn’t clog very easily. I have had to run the printer nozzle cleaning utility a number of times on some occasions when it has been hot for weeks at a time. You can find all sorts of instructional information on YouTube. Perhaps there will be information to unclog your printer.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You can run the head cleaning cycle and print test pages (under the maintenance tab, if I recall correctly). This is pretty wasteful of ink. I had an old Epson I used for years that I had to do this often... It would clog if it wasn't used for even a couple days and got too pricey with wasted inks (6 individual tanks cost $75 for a set).

I've used rubbing alcohol to clean print heads successfully. It's messy, but will clear clogs. Remove the ink tanks one at a time and use a Q-tip or toothpick to put as small as possible drop of the alcohol on the point where the ink is supposed to flow into the printer. Also clean the tip of the ink tank where it inserts into the socket, where the ink comes out. Be prepared with tissues and paper towels, to try to keep the mess to a minimum. The idea is to remove dried ink that's clogging both these. It might be necessary to replace the ink cartridge, if it's dried up and solidified inside.

Next time you buy a printer, you'll probably have better luck. Newer printers and inks seem to clog less often. I use a Canon Pro 100 and have never had any issues, even when it sits for a week or two in hot, dry Summer conditions.

Some printers (like my Canon Pro 100 and an older, now-discontinued HP B9180 I've also got) have removable and user replaceable print heads. This makes them a lot easier to clean or, if necessary, completely replace. It's a feature I'd recommend looking for, on any printer you buy from here on.

BTW, the Pro 100 is wide format and has eight ink colors, much like your Epson. The Canon printer is often on sale for around $125, after a rebate. I got mine for free with the purchase of a camera and after various discounts and rebates (and it usually comes with a half full "starter" ink set and a pack of 50 sheets of 13x19 paper too). A full set of the inks for it cost around $125. The HP B9180 uses MUCH bigger ink tanks, which is nice... but they're very pricey. There are eight of them that run about $35 or $40 apiece! I'm considering refilling them myself, but have avoided doing so out of concern for problems with color fidelity or clogging.

Clogging can be a problem for infrequent users. The best thing is to simply use the printer at least once a week. That will usually help keep it in top form. Generally speaking, it's probably best to use OEM inks in it, too... since they're often are formulated to resist clogging. There's no guarantee that cheaper third party inks would work as well.

But other advice you got might be the best answer.... simply out-source your printing instead of trying to do it at home. That way you don't have to worry about printer clogs!

OlinBost Loc: Marietta, Ga.

Wishful thinking

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Print head clogging is why I turned to Canon from Epson. My canon is also used to print a few color and B&W documents from time to time to avoid the clogging issues.

MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ

I have an Epson R2880 and if I don't print for a while I have to run the cleaning process a couple times but that is it. When not printing I close it up. Both the indeed and outfeed to keep household air from drying things out. I have gone 6 moths without printing. I would start with the cleaning cycle.

Bipod

Has anyone tried a 1200 dpi color laser printer for images?

http://www.photoreview.com.au/tips/outputting/printing-photos-with-a-laser-printer/

Designdweeb Loc: Metro NYC & East Stroudsburg, PA

I'm remembering Unique Photo sales person in Fairfield, NJ saying the newer generation of Canon ink and pigment printers, Pro 100, Pro 10, etc., are not so subject to the dry ink problem, maybe call them, or your local photo shop, not a big-box store, for more info.

Norm W. Loc: Southern CA

Had a Epson 2200 for a number of years. It sat idle for months and nozzles would clog however we were always able to get it working with repeated head cleanings, sometimes that required much ink for head cleaning.
I have always enjoyed processing and printing my images.
Good luck in solving your printer issues.

Anna M-W Loc: New York City

May I suggest the University of U-tube. I had great success rebuilding and old Epson Monster printer I think it was called a P 1000 the biggest problem was lifting the dam thing. It weighed about 30 kg.

Best regards Anna

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

Consumer Reports says most of the time it is not worth using your own printer. They claim that commercialy available printing such as Walgreen, Walmart, Costco, etc. is not only cheaper cost but does a better job. You may wish to look the article in a recent Consumer Reports up.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Make it three things with the first being
* Clean the heads. There are instructions in the owner's manual. Do this before turning it off.

Snapperjdj Loc: Bury, England

I think it's less about brand and more about how you care for your printer. We can all have good and bad experiences that shape our perception of different printers but this shouldn't be confused with incorrect set up, operation and maintenance. I have an Epson P600 and use it for everything from exhibition A3 prints down to 4X6 snapshots for the family album. As already said, regular printing avoids clogged heads. I suspect the cost of ink cartridges deters many from 'wasting' ink on a maintenance print each week even though it can save in the long run. As for ink, I invested in a set of Marrutt refillable cartridges (www.marrutt.com). Their professional inks are superb and a fraction of the cost of Epson's. Of course, as with any printer/ink set, you need to use a profile to match the paper you're putting through.
I can't help feeling that users often fail to cover all the bases and then direct their dissatisfaction to the printer manufacturer.

photonutt1970

Just run the Head cleaning, Nozzle cleaning and print head realignment functions and you should be back on track

wideangle Loc: Wisconsin

Wondering if a short spray of WD 40 wouldn't revive anything.