How to Setup an Ink Jet Printer to Avoid Using Photo Ink

Add Comment | Related Links | TrackBack
Related Content

How to Setup an Ink Jet Printer to Avoid Using Photo Ink

A fascinating site which I found when trying to solve the following problem which may or may not be relevant to this thread.
I always design my own Christmas cards and this year's version is photo-intensive, using both sides of an A4 sheet. I printed out using a new HP Photosmart Plus but after refuelling it three times with the required 364 and even a 364XL reload (with superb borderless results),I turned to my old Canon i950. I always play safe with original 6 series cartridges after having the print head replaced by Canon 'because I was using cheap alternative inks'. I have since used 3 series for the basic cyan, magenta yellow without blockages but not on the same job so wouldn't know if there was a quality issue.
However, with the i950, the photo cyan and magenta bore the brunt of the printing and after a further 25 cards (50 sides), they have run out again! The other basic cartridges including black have hardly been touched so I am in a quandary as to how to set the printer to work without the photo inks. Or do I have to turn the pics into object graphics and pretend to be a limey Andy Warhol?
P.S. Stephens Greetings to one and all!

steve P
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:49:14 +0000

While the world across the pond slept, I found an adequate solution to my own problem. I removed the two photo cartridges, changed the Canon i950 settings to default normal/plain paper and fed it with the same 240g glossy card. The quality of the photographs was perfectly acceptable and not dissimilar to that of the HP Photosmart Plus. What's more, the ink usage was negligible and the status monitor did not change after printing a further 25 two-sided cards using the remaining four 6 series cartridges. However, I made one other change which may have had a significant effect on the economy and that was unticking the borderless box and setting 1cm margins. The attached JPEG file will give you an idea of the card cover -- the reverse is a lightened repeat of the background pic without inserts.

I hope my self-learning exercise may be of use to somebody or other.

Attached Image:

Family Card.jpg

steve P
Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:03:56 +0000

Sometimes it's really that simple, isn't it? I feel a little stupid for not thinking of this myself/earlier, though.

ставки на рулетку
Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:00:03 +0000

I cannot believe this is true!

vinna roulette
Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:22:11 +0000

I can't promise it will work on all printers with dedicated photo inks but my old faithful Canon i950 does produce acceptable half-tone results, if not meeting professional standards. To support my point, here are two pics - one with the photo magenta cartridges fitted and one without; the print-outs speak for themselves (subject to limitations of the Net, of course.

Try it yourself, Vinna -- if the photo inks cost as much as they do in UK, you can save a lot of money!

Attached Image:

With Photo Inks.JPG

steve P
Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:37:03 +0000

... and here is the other pic.

Attached Image:

Without Photo Inks.JPG

steve P
Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:38:56 +0000

I have a canon s800 which is supposed to use the 6 series but I have been using the 3e series c, m and y for several years. I still had to buy the photo inks in the 6 series though (no photo inks in the 3e series) and I had to replace the photo cartridges often. quite costly! I have cases of the 3e series because I used to work for a marketing company and received free ink so I really need to use this ink. I am going to try removing the photo inks. I thought my printer would not work if all slots weren't filled with cartridges. Hope it works!!

P.S. If anyone wants to purchase some canon ink let me know. Will sell it cheap as I have lots of it.

m edwards
Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:19:08 +0000

Please let me know how you get on with the S800's photo inks. Also a clue to whereabouts in the world you live regarding buying some of your 3 series cartridges.

steve P
Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:10:13 +0000

Add Comment | Related Links | TrackBack
Related Content

Did your message disappear? Read the Forums FAQ.

Add Comment

Spam Control | * indicates required field

TrackBack

TrackBack only accepted from WebSite-X Suite web sites. Do not submit TrackBacks from other sites.

Send Ping | TrackBack URL | Spam Control

No TrackBacks yet. TrackBack can be used to link this thread to your weblog, or link your weblog to this thread. In addition, TrackBack can be used as a form of remote commenting. Rather than posting the comment directly on this thread, you can posts it on your own weblog. Then have your weblog sends a TrackBack ping to the TrackBack URL, so that your post would show up here.

Messages, files, and images copyright by respective owners.

Fun for Photographers