BS: Epson compatable inks??

Subject: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,12 STRING STAN
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 06:15 AM

Hi. Got a shit load of typing and printing to do coming up, meaning a lot of ink is going to be used.
Genuine epson ink is expensive enough here in Ireland, and compatables hard to find.
Does any one know of somewhere, that sell cheap compatables, and will send them to Ireland, or am i just as good to stick with the originals.
I'm only a struggling muso and have to squeeze the pennys you know!!!

Your thoughts and comments appreciated

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: Sooz
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 06:20 AM

Try Photoglossy they do a very good mail order service of both the real thing much cheaper and compatibles.

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 08:05 AM

I'd assume you've looked at whether "draft mode" printing is suitable for your use. Most inkjets, and quite a few lasers, offer this option. The print is a little less "crisp" but usually usable, and it can use a lot less ink or toner.

If you're using a color inkjet, you probably realize that some color ink is usually used in default mode even when all you're printing is b/w text, supposedly to "brighten the black." Many color inkjets will revert to "making black" from the color inks if the black ink runs low, but eat the color ink very quickly if you let them do it. In this mode, it takes nearly the same amount of each color ink to make a dot as would be used with black only.

Some color printers allow you to print with the color ink cartridge(s) removed for b/w only, which at least avoids blowing a lot of the (usually) more expensive color fills. The black cartridges are frequently larger, and cheaper on a "per ml" basis than the color inks. You may have to dig pretty deep into your printer specs to find out if this is a "legal" option with your printer. (With some printers, the ink in unused channels dries out and clogs the printer if you operate without a cartridge in place - even if the printer will let you do it.)

Depending on your job requirements, the cheaper laser printing costs may make it feasible to take a disk to a local printshop and let them laser print from your disk files, if one of them offers that service in your area. It's a very close trade-off though, in my area, so you need very accurate estimates of your per-page costs on your own printer to be able to judge whether it can save money.

If sufficient multiple copies are needed (over 1,000 pages perhaps) the best of my local printshops can duplicate a single set of b/w master pages quite a bit cheaper than I can self-print on laser, and easily beat inkjet costs (for b/w copies) even for smaller runs. (Note that 10 copies of a 100 page document should be the same cost as 100 copies of a 10 page document. Either is 1,000 "pages" printed, the usual way of "costing" print shop duplicating.)

Not really what you asked for, but I'm all in favor of saving money any way you can.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 09:29 AM

There are a number of firms doing 'compatible' Ink cartridges at fair prices , but John's advice re local printers does indeed hold good IF you are doing sufficient copies !

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 01:18 PM

I've been buying ink from Meritline for about two years; excellent results and pretty good prices for Epson (not as good for HP)

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 02:48 PM

Don Firth turned me on to Carrot Ink (www.carrotink.com). I've got an Epson Stylus 800 (now old enough that I can't always find ink locally, at any price) and I've been happy with ink, price and service. They are in Texas, however, and I don't know if they ship overseas.

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,12 STRING STAN
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 01:58 PM

Ta for the info lads. will chase up them leads.
Much appreciated.

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: RichardP
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 08:37 PM

Regarding JohninKansas point about some colour being used in black printing, my Epson C60 driver has an option which allows this to be turned off for a particular print job, thereby saving the coloured ink. It is well worth checking in other models.

Also note that the chipped Epson cartridges usually signal that they are empty with up to a third of the ink remaining. A chip zapper gets you access to that otherwise wasted ink. It also allows those cartrides to be refilled, although I have not tried refilling any yet.

Richard

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 09:13 PM

Happily satisfied with Carrot Ink. You can buy from their website---

www.carrotink.com


Fraction of the Epson price and many times they have sales.


Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: Flash Company
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 07:58 AM

Stan- picstop.co.uk based in the Isle of Man offer good priced Epson compatibles and a next day (really next day!) delivery.

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,12 STRING STAN
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 01:52 PM

Ta again people
Here's what I'm going to do, keep suggestions rolling in till the weekend, then I'll take all sugestions and check them out, so as not to go for one, then find another, better
Thank you for you input

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,John Smithers
Date: 05 Dec 04 - 11:56 AM

I use http://www.lowprice-ink-cartridges.com

I received my goods 12 hours after my order, the product was first class, I've never gone elsewhere since. Absolutely top drawer service and quality products.

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,Paranoid Android (Dublin)
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 11:56 AM

www.e-inkjet.co.uk I have used their products for some time with no problems. The prices are rock bottom and there are reductions for three packs.

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,Paranoid Android
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 12:02 PM

www.e-inkjetcartridges.co.uk    This url gives you quicker access

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,Jenny Smithson
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 05:21 AM

I bought mine from http://www.cheap-compatables.com The price was right and the quality was as good as or if not better than the originals

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: nutty
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 10:14 AM

Before you think about buying new cartridges try reinstalling the one that the printer says is empty.

I always do this and get at least a half as much again out of the original.

Taking it out and putting it back in again fools the printer into thinking that a new cartridge has been installed.

I've done this successfully with both Epson and HP printers.

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: mooman
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 10:24 AM

The German firm Pelikan also do Epson-compatible ink cartridges at about half the Epson price.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,Paul Rodgers
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 12:49 PM

Like Jenny I use www.lowprice-ink-cartridges.com - have used them for the last two years now, their cartridges last longer and print quality is superior to the originals!

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,12 STRING STAN
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 03:19 PM

Thanks For all the recomendations people. I have plenty of fodder to chew on now.
Must try replacing the old ones again, interesting that...

Subject: RE: BS: Epson compatable inks??
From: GUEST,inkuser
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 10:08 AM

For 7 or 8 years now i have been refilling my cartridges. I have used the same cartridge for over 2 years now. I fill it about twice a week.
I save over £200 a year this way.
You can get refill kits in (UK) supermarkets. And Epson chip zappers.
When I have run out of ink altogether in the past I have used fountain pen Ink.
I think the cartridge industry is big con.