Pixma Pro-10 Low Ink Warning: I've gotten to the point where my newish Pixma Pro-10 is displaying a low ink warning when printing. I have replacement cartridges but don't want to waste...

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I've gotten to the point where my newish Pixma Pro-10 is displaying a low ink warning when printing. I have replacement cartridges but don't want to waste ink.

Is this a final/only warning? How much more printing can you expect to do after this warning comes on? Will I have any problems if I keep printing until the cartridge is exhausted, e.g., wasted ink priming the new cartridge?

Thanks!

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

OddJobber wrote:

I've gotten to the point where my newish Pixma Pro-10 is displaying a low ink warning when printing. I have replacement cartridges but don't want to waste ink.

Is this a final/only warning? How much more printing can you expect to do after this warning comes on? Will I have any problems if I keep printing until the cartridge is exhausted, e.g., wasted ink priming the new cartridge?

Thanks!

If the Pro 10 is anything like its predecessor the 9500 Mk ii, it will prompt you to change the cartridge when it has insufficient ink to complete the job you have asked to be printed. I've never had it start a print and then run out of a color mid-print; it just doesn't allow the printing to start. The cartridges I take out appear to have no ink remaining, so I don't think there is much waste involved in the switch over.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

OddJobber wrote:

I've gotten to the point where my newish Pixma Pro-10 is displaying a low ink warning when printing. I have replacement cartridges but don't want to waste ink.

Is this a final/only warning? How much more printing can you expect to do after this warning comes on? Will I have any problems if I keep printing until the cartridge is exhausted, e.g., wasted ink priming the new cartridge?

Thanks!

I use the Pro 100. With this printer I can get about 5 to 8 prints (8.5 x 11) after a low ink warning. When the ink is depleted the printer will stop printing, even if in the middle of a print. Then, when the cartridge is replced it will continue to finish the job without any visible error with the final print.

Gobuster Loc: South Florida

Photographer Jim wrote:

If the Pro 10 is anything like its predecessor the 9500 Mk ii, it will prompt you to change the cartridge when it has insufficient ink to complete the job you have asked to be printed. I've never had it start a print and then run out of a color mid-print; it just doesn't allow the printing to start. The cartridges I take out appear to have no ink remaining, so I don't think there is much waste involved in the switch over.

My experience is entirely the opposite, there seems to be plenty of ink left when the warning first appears (it will continue to appear every time you print until you change the cartridge). I always use each cartridge until they run out completely which is usually many jobs after the warning (somewhat dependent on which color).

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

dugole wrote:

I use the Pro 100. With this printer I can get about 5 to 8 prints (8.5 x 11) after a low ink warning. When the ink is depleted the printer will stop printing, even if in the middle of a print. Then, when the cartridge is replced it will continue to finish the job without any visible error with the final print.

I have a 9000mkII, and have the same experience. I always keep a set of replacement inks, but run them right to the end with no problems, although when they are low I keep an eye on each print so that when the printer screams for new ink I can do it straight away.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Gobuster wrote:

My experience is entirely the opposite, there seems to be plenty of ink left when the warning first appears (it will continue to appear every time you print until you change the cartridge). I always use each cartridge until they run out completely which is usually many jobs after the warning (somewhat dependent on which color).

Agreed

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Gobuster wrote:

My experience is entirely the opposite, there seems to be plenty of ink left when the warning first appears (it will continue to appear every time you print until you change the cartridge). I always use each cartridge until they run out completely which is usually many jobs after the warning (somewhat dependent on which color).

Yes, when the warning first appears that is true. But when the printer prompts me to actually change the tank, the tank will be empty.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Thanks for the quick responses, guys.

I've printed one 8X10 after the warning. A little more research and help from you Hoggers indicates that the low ink warning does not mean ink out. Even when it stops doesn't mean empty. Manufacturers' way of avoiding problems with clogged heads.

I'll keep printing until it quits! :)

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

OddJobber wrote:

Thanks for the quick responses, guys.

I'll keep printing until it quits! :)

Yep, that's what I do, damn ink cartridges are expensive enough as it is.

will

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

If you are using Canon inks the printer will just stop when empty.

If you are using third-party inks where you mess with the chip you need to be very careful. The ink acts to cool the print head; running dry can result in a damaged print head.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

OddJobber wrote:

I've gotten to the point where my newish Pixma Pro-10 is displaying a low ink warning when printing. I have replacement cartridges but don't want to waste ink.

Is this a final/only warning? How much more printing can you expect to do after this warning comes on? Will I have any problems if I keep printing until the cartridge is exhausted, e.g., wasted ink priming the new cartridge?

Thanks!

I read an article recently about an Epson printer that said it needed ink, but there was lots of ink still in the cartridges. My HP gives me a warning when ink is getting low, but it keeps printing. At some point, it will refuse to print. That's when I replace the cartridge.

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I have a Pro 9000. The ink warning just lets you know the ink in that tank is getting low. Mine will keep printing until the ink runs out; then, it stops printing until you replace the depleted tank(s). Never had a problem with print results.

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

Photographer Jim wrote:

If the Pro 10 is anything like its predecessor the 9500 Mk ii, it will prompt you to change the cartridge when it has insufficient ink to complete the job you have asked to be printed. I've never had it start a print and then run out of a color mid-print; it just doesn't allow the printing to start. The cartridges I take out appear to have no ink remaining, so I don't think there is much waste involved in the switch over.

I have had the identical experience.

nikonwaddy

Same thing with my PRO-1. Low ink warning pops up way before ink is out but when starting to print if ink is insufficient to complete a task the printer will warn you to replace a tank. My big problems with these printers are high cost of ink, general unavailability of the pgi-29 tanks at local retail level (so far found at only one outlet here in Austin TX) and the printers non-ability to print 11X14 without a hack and third party paper...

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

ralphc4176 wrote:

I have a Pro 9000. The ink warning just lets you know the ink in that tank is getting low. Mine will keep printing until the ink runs out; then, it stops printing until you replace the depleted tank(s). Never had a problem with print results.

I have the same printer but MK II, and have no clue what the MK II means, but I ignore the warnings when it shows a !. When it shows a red X, I can' still do a few more 11x 14 prints, but then change it.

I'm not sure whether having it stop in process or wasting a little ink would be more irritating. I don't mind the high price of ink on a 'as needed' basis, but the cost of a new printer on a "can't wait for a sale" basis can be some serious money, so I don't want to be Scrooge and ruin the printer! :thumbdown: