Epson Printers vs all other ink jet printers: There are significant technical differences between Epson and all other ink jet printers. Epson uses a piezoelectric technology to...

Nate47 Loc: Kokomo, Indiana

There are significant technical differences between Epson and all other ink jet printers.
Epson uses a piezoelectric technology to disburse ink on the page. That is also why Epson paper is different. The Epson printers disburse smaller ink dots and consequently ink viscosity is critical.

All other ink jet printers use Canon's technology. In this case, the ink is heated up rapidly and is then forced out of the nozzle on to the paper. In this case, the viscosity of the ink may not be as critical as other factors. like boiling point of the ink.

That is why you should only use Epson or "Epson-like" inks in Epson printers. This is also why non-Epson paper does not render the best results.

Eventually using non-Epson inks in an Epson printer will eventually damage the print head.

Nate47

tramsey Loc: Texas

I understand that you can only use Epson ink also.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

Personal experience with using "compatible" cartridges in my Epson 1280 led me to avoid it so far in my Epson Artisan 1430. I can't help but notice that they keep claiming "made to Epson specifications" etc., and hear about people who use 'cis' systems of refillable ink on Epsons, so this is all pretty much BS from them? I am so tempted to find a way around the expensive Epson OEM inks. Someone pointed out that he was practically buying a new printer every time he replaced his cartridges. In the case of the 1430, it is not everytime, but twice, considering I got an $80 rebate and paid $220 for it total, I think the new price then was $299. and it is shocking when I realize that. What have I gotten myself into? I have checked the other brands but as far as I can tell it is similar. It seems I just buy another batch with my credit card, but my debt is just slowly rising while Epson gets rich. I keep raising my print prices but then sales slump, so I cut back a little to where they move.

Nate47 wrote:

There are significant technical differences betwee... (show quote)

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Nate47 wrote:

There are significant technical differences betwee... (show quote)

Based on my experience over the years with both, I believe Canon printers are more tolerant of different inks. Both brands are capable of brilliant results.

I prefer Canon because of their speed and ability to use generic ink.

bersharbp Loc: Texas

Years ago,I bought an Epson Artisan 800 and went through two printers in 3 years. The prints are great, but the ink costs and printer reliability suck. I use Canon now; so far, so good.

Somerset Lynn Loc: Somerset, NJ

I used cheaper inks on my canon 9900i only to have a major repair bill. I loved the color on that printer. Had it for 8 years. Now I have the Epson 3880 and wouldn't consider using anything other than Epson inks. Also love their paper. Especially Exhibition Fiber Paper. The colors of this printer are not quite as good as the Canon when using glossy paper.

Somerset Lynn Loc: Somerset, NJ

I used cheaper inks on my canon 9900i only to have a major repair bill. I loved the color on that printer. Had it for 8 years. Now I have the Epson 3880 and wouldn't consider using anything other than Epson inks. Also love their paper. Especially Exhibition Fiber Paper. The colors of this printer are not quite as good as the Canon when using glossy paper.

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

I had one Epson; kept it three weeks, had smeared ink on every photo I printed. took it back and bought another Canon.

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

amyinsparta wrote:

I had one Epson; kept it three weeks, had smeared ink on every photo I printed. took it back and bought another Canon.

Smeared ink sounds like you may have used paper intended only for dye-based ink ? The only time I ever had this result (I use Epson R1900 printer) was when I got a sampler from Ilford paper and I tried the dye based paper - it smeared. All other papers intended for ink-jet printing work just fine - they are handling proof dry when they come out of the printer.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Personally, I would NOT own a printer that can't handle black and matte black simultaneously. Epsons print just fine. But if you're serious about printing, get the Canons.
It's a shame to spend $1000 on a printer and have to manually purge the lines and swap the cartridge.
SS

CTTonymm Loc: Connecticut

SharpShooter wrote:

Personally, I would NOT own a printer that can't handle black and matte black simultaneously. Epsons print just fine. But if you're serious about printing, get the Canons.
It's a shame to spend $1000 on a printer and have to manually purge the lines and swap the cartridge.
SS

No purging on the Epson R1900 - has two types of black ink, no cartridge changes - except, of course, when they run out all too soon :)

Nate47 Loc: Kokomo, Indiana

The current business model for ink jet printer manufacturers is to make money on the inks. The hardware is essentially free.

You would not believe the profit margin on inks for Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark and others. The printer is simply bate to draw consumers into the ink jet printer market. Remember, laser printers were the original competition for the ink jet printers.

My history is with Lexmark in Lexington, Kentucky. I managed a team that developed ink jet print heads using the Canon ink jet technology.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

I stumbled through 3-4 HPs before switching to my current Epson WP-4540. I don't print a lot and it costs less than $100 to get all four cartridges (high capacity). I do that twice a year. The part I like is that the unit still prints when I ask it to (wirelessly) and it scans the way I need it to. And, it just keeps on doing it! I'd have gone through 3-4 more HPs in the time I've had this unit. I love it!

twanetta

My canon pixma ip8500 is close to giving out after 6 years of pretty rigorous use. Glad to hear there is real support for Canon. I can't tell whether you all feel that it's better to stay with Canon inks or is it Ok to get the Staples cheaper ones?

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I suspected as much. I think Epson is owned by the Mafia. It is better than loan sharking.
You would think someone would start to compete with the mob (Epson, Canon, HP etc seem to be in collusion on this...someone did say he heard there was an expensive ingredient for the OEM inkjet inks but your insider whistle blowing on their profit margins seem to nix that theory...I think that expensive ingredient is human nature) or is human greed just so pervasive: "why should I come up with a lower cost solution when I get rich gouging people legally?"
Also, what about the claim by some of "compatible" ink cartridge sellers that they are now made to 100% Epson specifications for instance? A few years ago I tried some compatibles and they had a strong odor like solvent or something that the OEM's didn't have, obviously different chemicals.
Is it really possible to get a "CIS" refillable system for the Epson 1430 for instance that gives results indistinguishable from the original?

Nate47 wrote:

The current business model for ink jet printer man... (show quote)