[paintergirl]

Hi All,

I had just decided to look into a new CIS system and printer when I read a post which mentioned refillable carts. I never heard of them before. What are they, and what are the (dis)advantages over CIS?

By the way, I print artwork for heat pressing, if that makes a difference.

Thanks,

Paintergirl

 

[Girlzndollz]

Oh geez, Paintergirl, your question went by everyone...

Did you find out the answer yet? In case you haven't, I'll add what I can for you:

The CIS's are the most costly to get into, but save you the most $$ over time with ink refills. Generally, you have to print everyday, because these systems tend to clog easily if not printed with regularly. If you have high volume, regular printing, these systems are the most economical in the long run.

The re-fill carts are ink cartridges that you can re-fill with ink. Instead of using Epson's OEM carts, you buy a set of these, and a bottle of ink to refill them with, and you are good to go.

These are much cheaper to get into than the CIS's (bulk ink), and they do save a ton of $$ over using Epson's brank of ink (just using Epson as an example), but they do not save as much money the CIS system.

Benefits are that there is the lower initial cost outlay, and they tend to have less problems with clogging than CIS.

You can buy these refill carts from alot of the same suppliers that sell CIS. A few suppliers that folks really like here are inkjetcart.us, shopdyesub.com, and inkjetfly.com. I know inkjetcart sells the refill carts that folks love... not sure what carts if any the others sell, but I am sending those names along so you can check them out. I've heard favorable reviews from forum folks on all of those suppliers.

 

[paintergirl]

Hi Kelly,

My dumb___ figured out what "carts" are the next day, after I'd had some sleep (getting ready for inventory at the job). I've just been too brain dead lately to know my own name. It will be done this Thursday. Yeahhhhh!

I just bought a new Epson 1400, then found out my ancient computer was not compatible, so now I have a new computer too. I tried to print a picture I had scanned with my all-in-one, and it printed one fourth of the pic on each of four sheets of paper. Fortunately I was smart enough to try on cheap printer paper before using Alpha Gold and wasting that. I'll have to learn how to use it.

Thanks for the info on the carts and ciss. I was going to go with the cis, but I will probably go several days up to a few weeks between printing, so you may have saved me some aggravation (maybe even $ ).

Well, I have spent the better part of my Saturday trying to figure out computer probs, so guess I'd better call it a day. Talk to you later, and thanks again.

Paintergirl

 

[badalou]

after working with several CIS systems I would suggest empty refillable carts. kelly gave several sources. I would go that route over CIS. You will probaly save at least 75% of ink cost over a period of time.

 

[DTFuqua]

Hi Kelly,

My dumb___ figured out what "carts" are the next day, after I'd had some sleep (getting ready for inventory at the job). I've just been too brain dead lately to know my own name. It will be done this Thursday. Yeahhhhh!

I just bought a new Epson 1400, then found out my ancient computer was not compatible, so now I have a new computer too. I tried to print a picture I had scanned with my all-in-one, and it printed one fourth of the pic on each of four sheets of paper. Fortunately I was smart enough to try on cheap printer paper before using Alpha Gold and wasting that. I'll have to learn how to use it.

Thanks for the info on the carts and ciss. I was going to go with the cis, but I will probably go several days up to a few weeks between printing, so you may have saved me some aggravation (maybe even $ ).

Well, I have spent the better part of my Saturday trying to figure out computer probs, so guess I'd better call it a day. Talk to you later, and thanks again.

Paintergirl

If your printer might set sometimes awhile between uses, you might want to know about a feature of that 1400. Above the power/on button are two more buttons. One has a design that is shaped like a drop of something in liquid form. after you have turned the machine on, you can press that button for like 5 seconds and when the power light starts to blink again, let go and it will do a self clean. I realy like my 140 ( would love a versacamm) and am now using the refill cartridges and claria compatible inks from inkjetcarts and have had no trouble out of them. One thing, when you fill them for the first time, don't try to put 15 MLs/CCs whatever the measurment is. that amount will slightly overfill the cartridges and contribute to rainbow collored fingers and a mess all over the table Try just 13,5 or 14 "measures" and leave a little air to keep any excess from making a mess. I'm rambling now so good luck.
Terry

 

[paintergirl]

Thanks everyone. I think the problem I had last night may be that I don't have 8.5x11 paper setting. Reading the book helps!

I'll definitely try the carts. It will also take up less room, and space is at a premium here.

How messy is the refilling process? I've heard bad things about the kits from office supply places, but they are made to refill many types of cartridges. Are these systems easier to work with?

Paintergirl

 

[DTFuqua]

Don't know about the refillable carts from office supply places but their transfer paper wasn't the best and I just assume their ink products are the same for generic things like refill ink and such. I think you'll even save money at inkjetcarts over the office supply. Can't realy say for sure since its been years since I bought refill kits from them. Also, you surely don't want the refill kits that don't have "the" refillable cartridges and try to refill the OEM cartridges tha came with the printer. Good luck.
Terry

 

[uncletee]

we have been using refill carts for years, alot less problems then with ciss, it dose'nt take that long to fill them. just try and keep track of your printed page numbers, so you have an idea of when to refill. good luck