The Best CIS ?

[Print For Less]

Ok, thanks for the heads up.

[sobpanic]

Thanks PrintForLess, but can I ask where you get you sublimation inks and what brand/quality they are? I've been looking around the net a lot it it looks like most of the sublimation inks sold are specially made name brand ArTanium with ICC color profiles and all that jazz. They're unreasonably expensive and I'm wondering what I'm giving up by going with an alternative, not to mention where to find them. By the way, I don't think posting for sale mentions should be looked down upon, especially because it's within the very specific context of conversation, and especially because these are somewhat speciality items that are difficult to find.

Thanks again,
Mike

[Print For Less]

I get my ink from Tiawan. I dont know what brand it is. There are no ink profiles with it. I put it in the Refillable smart Cartridges in my CX4600 and print on plain paper. I have transfered pictures of my kids to tshirts, wood, and ceramic surfaces. It worked great. I was impressed. I know it works and the pictures look great. As for posting sales info here, the reason i joined the forum is to help answer sme questions for people with CIS and refillable cartridges. If any one needs sales information they can email me at printforless@verizon.net
Tim

[grimby]

Well I've finally decided to dive into the realm of CIS and printing my own labels. Yesterday I received my InkJetsUSA CIS kit in the mail. I went down to the local OfficeMax and picked up an R200. They must be clearing them out for the new model, as I had to buy the display (only $69 so I'm not complaining). I tested it out with the included ink cartridges and it seems to be working just fine.

I printed out a couple CD labels last night with Ritek hub-printable CD-Rs. They came out pretty decent, but the alignment was off just a bit. I'll have to play around with the settings on the Epson software and see if I can fix that.

Anyway, I've read through a good chunk of this thread and I seem have the same problem as Idle -- couple of the tubes had creases in them when I unpacked everything. I'll try running them under hot water and see if I can get them to come out.

Any other suggestions before I start putting this thing together?

[Print For Less]

You can adjust the size to 20 and 120 that is the best you can do. I use the 16X printable supermedia brand at supermediastore.com they work great
Tim

[Print For Less]

If you have problems priming the cartridges then the creases will be a problem. If you can pull the ink easily when priming, then the creases will not hurt you.
Tim

[Idle]

The creases in mine were quite bad, but a couple of applications of moderate heat and squeezing whilst warm brought them out enough for flow to be OK.

Over a couple of months use they seem to have disappeared entirely.

Of greater concern with these particular tubes is that they're somewhat less flexible than others I've seen and don't bend far enough to fully clear the top of the printer frame.

[Print For Less]

There is a new type of CIS out. I have not had the time to test them. They seem to have thicker tubing and will not leave creases as easy as the ones that are out there right now. I hope to be able to test one soon but i will not be offering them untill my current style is gone.

[grimby]

The creases in mine don't seem to be nearly as bad as the ones you describe, Idle. The two tubes that are creased don't seem like they'd constrict ink flow enough to cause problems. Still, I don't think I'll take the chance. I'll try your warm water method.

[FreeDiver]

Hope someone can help with this one. I have the "Way to Print" cis system and am currently using Stratitec ink. As far as the printing and problems with clogs and all that other stuff, I have had no problems so far, very happy with the dependability of my CIS and it's going on 2 months now. The problem I have is that I notice that the colors are really light. Whenever I print something (photo quality) the colors look really faded and especially the skin tones look really white....can anyone help with this or am I stuck with this? I tried looking at the advanced printer settings and tried to mess with contrast and stuff, and it began to look a little better, but still it just doesn't look right. By the way, what exactly does "Contrast" do for the print anyway? I heard some of the peeps here talk about a color profile or something..will this help and if so, how can I get it? I am currently using the default settings and have not messed with anything...any help would do.

[Idle]

There are no specific settings for the printer that will guarantee you'll get the results you want -- there are too many variables.

For instance, I can print a digital camera shot taken with good lighting just as it comes from the camera and it will be fine.

Repeat exactly the same shot on a very dull day and it has to be tweaked in Photoshop, otherwise it will print too dark.

A 'print profile' is simply a combination of capture, graphics program and printer settings that produces a particular result with a given printer, ink and paper -- change any one of these and it has to be done all over again.

Really picky people will also spend lots of time (and often money) to first profile their screen to get its display as near as possible to natural appearance, followed by even more time and money matching the printer's output to the screen.

Then the paper or ink manufacturer changes their product just a little and it all has to be done again (in other words, it's a right can of worms...)

I've never seen Stratitec ink, but I believe it's very cheap -- there's usually a reason...

For most well-exposed digital photo's with the ink I'm currently using (which I can't pick from the Epson OEM ink at the same settings) I find the results are acceptable using the printer settings of 'Best Photo' and 'Photoenhance' together with selecting the paper type (right now I'm using the last of a batch of glossy photo paper that went off the market some time ago, so telling you what it is wouldn't help.)

Besides, when it runs out and I switch to another brand (or change inks) I'll probably find those settings are wrong and have to experiment (profile...) again.

So, in a nutshell: Try the printer settings I've given you, but be prepared to experiment a bit.

[nickelzy]

Ok, well my cis system (the original cws system has finally bit the dust after about 8 months of use). It was fantastic while it worked, but now one of the tubes doesn't pull ink and it also appears I have a clog. I really don't want to invest in these darn things every 8-10 months (sort of defeats the purpose - SAVE MONEY!!).

So, where do I go now? I was on this board when these threads first formed and spent countless hours discussing related topics. However, I've been away for a couple of months so I'm not sure what is new. I've tried to catch up a bit, but I may still be missing some things. I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping to get answered so I can make a decision as what to do so I can use my r200 printer!!

1. If I go with refillable cartridges, where the heck do you find a complete system with everything that you will need to make it work? I don't see anything on eBay

2. If I go back with a CIS - what is the consensus as which one you folks would go with now? I've read posts, but am confused. I see one on ebay for a reasonable price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=6807336909

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

3. For someone who does a moderate amount of printing (nothing that crazy), would refillable cartridges be the way to go? What would you folks suggest for somone like myself who uses the r200 a moderate amount - cis or refillable? Then the question, is which one specifically (i.e. brand).

I've got to make a purchase VERY soon because I need a working printer at home. Thanks for any help and advice you can offer!!

[scubasteve2365]

I brought print for less refill system.

He has everything you need, the carts with chips, ink, syringes and everything were about $90 after shipping. About the same price as your going to find from Way to Less or other popular vendors on Ebay.

the refillable carts I have, have sponges in them. Which regardless as to what some may say, its a good thing. The factory carts have sponges in them as well, and Epson didnt put them in there because of their looks, the sponges serve a purpose.

. I personally havnt used the carts yet, because Im still working on the OEMs that came with the printer. The ones That I do have are the two hole kind, where you fill up the sponge side (that stays charged once in printer), and you then fill the tank side. As you use the ink, the tank side will drop, and you can just fill it up while in the printer. This saves on wear and tear with the connection pins.

Refillables seem to be the reliable way over CIS. But only time will truely tell.

[poolenglish]

Nick;
I bought from print for less (2 sets) refillables with ink....my use of the printers is moderate to high and refilling is a breeze., the carts are clear and you can see on the top chamber(small line of ink) when you need to refill.
I will not go with cis any more, too many parts to go wrong!
No matter who you buy from - GO WITH REFILLABLES, with arc; clear ones are the best, so you can see how much ink you have left.
I just got back from vacation and the printer was idle for 10 days, and i just printed 10 disks without a flaw.

[nickelzy]

Poolenglish - thanks, I'm sold. I don't want to mess with those darn CIS systems any longer. Like you wrote, too many parts to go wrong. Refillable seems like the way to go for me. So, looks like I'll go with the print for less as well. I see that they have them for $49.99. Just wondering though, why did you buy 2 sets? And what is with arc (as you put it?) Thanks -

[poolenglish]

Poolenglish - thanks, I'm sold. I don't want to mess with those darn CIS systems any longer. Like you wrote, too many parts to go wrong. Refillable seems like the way to go for me. So, looks like I'll go with the print for less as well. I see that they have them for $49.99. Just wondering though, why did you buy 2 sets? And what is with arc (as you put it?) Thanks -

Nick;
I bought 2 sets because I have 2 printers.... arc is Auto Reset Chips best of luck and yw

[shtrpumf]

Do you have a solution for this problem

I saw a message yesterday that my printer life was near end, so i decided today to get out my jwl kit and put the original epson cart back with the cover because my printer is still under warranty for 2 years at futureshop, the problem is when i power off the printer, 2 light red flash on ink and paper and i cant move the cartridge to to get them out

Thanks in advance

[FreeDiver]

Thanks Idle, I've used those settings but still the photo's are light..guess it's the ink after all. I'll play with the settings and stuff. The photo's are pretty crisp and all, it's just the darn lightness of the colors..but thanks for the advice. After this system dies, maybe I'll go with the refillables as well, but I read someone above states that Epson uses sponges in their carts so there's nothing wrong...but the way I look at it is this, they don't make their carts so that they last forever. They realize that after you run out of ink you have to buy new ones, thus no worries about the sponge deteriorating, and possibly plugging up the nozzles. However, the refills are meant to be used over and over again, and unless it's a new special sponge, it'll break down over time (I can attest to almost every sponge breaking down sooner or later, I've used many different types on detailing my car) and POSSIBLY (not a guarantee) block the nozzles...just my two cents!!! Don't bite my head off!

[Idle]

Nickelzy:

my cis system (the original cws system has finally bit the dust after about 8 months of use). It was fantastic while it worked, but now one of the tubes doesn't pull ink and it also appears I have a clog.

Re not pulling ink, have you tried removing the cart and pulling ink though with a syringe? Those systems didn't have good sealing 'O' rings at the outlet and sometimes pull air instead of ink.

Keep pulling ink through until you don't see any more bubbles -- you can put the ink back in the bottles, so it doesn't matter how much you pull through.

Re clog, if it actually is a clog and not an air bubble, try the Windex treatment -- you'll find it detailed in many places, including this forum.

If you have a clogged tube (unlikely) the syringe priming method will probably clear it.

Freediver:

I read someone above states that Epson uses sponges in their carts so there's nothing wrong.

Epson's 'R' series carts don't have sponges as the older ones do, and which are mainly there to stop surging in the cart and consequent foaming.

These carts prevent foaming by having a solid column of ink in a confined space -- hence the labyrinthine ink passage and multiple chambers, plus the stop valve which they had to devise so the ink wouldn't just run straight through.

The refillables with foam are a return to the older technology -- which is not to say they don't work...

[nickelzy]

After further consideration, I've decided to completely jump ship. Instead of investing $65 in refillable cartridges and continuing to use a printer (R200) that may die any day, I'm going to buy a Canon Pixma 4000 instead and just modify it to allow the cd/dvd printing. I figure this way I should end up with a more reliable printer, better quality, faster printing and cheaper ink solution.

[Idle]

After further consideration, I've decided to completely jump ship.

Do let us know how you get on -- we'll all be interested.

From what I've picked up on other forae, life isn't a bed of roses there either...

[jeff d]

I had started another thread asking about moving a CIS and how to do it with out getting ink all over the place. I didn't get any responses, so I wanted to ask here where the eyes are.

Anyone know how to move a JLW CIS without getting ink all over the place?

[nickelzy]

Yes, I'll come back and let you all know how things turn out. I bought the Pixma 4000 today along with a cd/dvd tray (total price for both items after shipping was $113). Not too shabby in my opinion. When I get the printer I'll have to do the mods which I hope aren't too complicated in order to utilize the cd/dvd printing tray.

As for the Pixma not being a bed or roses either; I'm sure it's not. I've never owned a printer or really any tehnological device that hasn't had it's moments. However with the r200, I've grown tiresome of its quirky ways. The ONLY reason I put up with it for as long as I did was the cd/dvd printing. It's just not built very well and we all know about the ink usage and costs associated with that (hence the reason for refillable cartridges and CIS systems). At any rate, I'll let you know how my Pixma turns out after I get it up and running.

[jakol]

[quote="FreeDiver"]Thanks Idle, I've used those settings but still the photo's are light..quote]

In advance tab, try to set the saturation level higher 4 or more.

[skeg64]

what kind of paper are you printing on? lower quality paper usually comes out looking lighter.

[samgodwill]

Hi,nickelzy
Where you get the canon cd tray. I have Epson R200 and Canon ip3000. I already modify the Canon and print CD. But I have make 5 cardboard CD tray and only one works. I will like to buy one that save a lot of time. R200 is good if you use refillable cartridge and modify the waste ink tube and freeze the ink counter. Otherwise the printer will die after the ink counter reach preset value.

[Idle]

I had started another thread asking about moving a CIS and how to do it with out getting ink all over the place. I didn't get any responses, so I wanted to ask here where the eyes are.

Anyone know how to move a JLW CIS without getting ink all over the place?

Just do the reverse of what you did installing it...

For safety's sake, put the printer on a newspaper or something and have a fairly damp cloth ready in case there's the odd spot of ink (it cleans up with plain water whilst wet.)

Once out, turn the carts upside down and store with the carts higher than the tanks in case one or more of the valves leak.

[nickelzy]

Sam - search on eBay. I got a tray (including shipping) for 26 bucks. They are brand new, factory sealed cd/dvd trays. You will find most of them for about 25-35 bucks (after shipping)

[FreeDiver]

Sorry, I"ve been busy and haven't been reading the responses. I tried the saturation thing, but the pics don't look quite right. When I upped the saturation, the pics look like the contrast is too strong and the color separation is really apparent...am I making sense? Basically the outlines look really dark on everything.
As for the paper, I use Kodak glossy photo paper and the pics don't look right after I switched inks. I guess the question I have for all of you printing guru's is this, is it the cis itself or is it the stratitec ink? I read that others have used it (the ink) before with no problem, but if this ink is causing such a big problem, then can anyone else reccomend another ink to try? Unfortunatley I have a case each of this darn ink! IF I switch ink, I'll have to drain the old ink completely, correct???? Thanks for the help guys....and gals...

[Idle]

Epsons aren't really keen on Kodak paper -- experiment with other brands (NOT HP!)

I saw some recommended settings somewhere for Kodak in the R200 -- will scratch my head a bit...

Later edit: Try here:

http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=9/36/1963&pq-locale=en_US

The testing has probably been done with OEM ink, but it will be somewhere to start.