epson 3880 for black and white only

nwilkins · Feb 5, 2014

hello there,

I am thinking about getting an epson 3880 just for black and white printing. My question is whether I can just leave the colour ink cartridges on indefinitely (well past expiry) and then only need to buy the black cartridges. Is that a possibility or will there be any resulting complications? Otherwise it says the ink expires after 6 months so that would be over $550 every six months just for ink which seems crazy.

jeffreyg · Feb 5, 2014

I may be wrong but I believe the color inks are also used in black and white prints. I have an Epson 2200 that is mostly used to make black and white prints and the color cartridges run down as well. It is recommended (at least for the 2200) to print something every week using the colors to keep the nozzles clear. I just do a print head check if I haven't been using the printer for several days. The expiration date should be on the box the cartridge comes in.

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Tinchohs · Feb 5, 2014

From looking at black and white images printed using the Advanced Black and White Epson driver, I can tell you it for sure uses yellow and magenta. Please take a look at attached files as reference. So you cannot get rid of the other inks. What many are doing is removing the Epson inks and going for all black inks (K7 or Carbon Inks). The most serious and in depth analysis of printing with the Epson driver that I've come across is this one (Printing Insights #45). Enjoy.

L Gebhardt · Feb 5, 2014

The 3880 does use the color inks for printing black and white. And you can get significantly more than 6 months out of cartridges when they are installed in the printer. Your plan should be fine.

However if you really only want black and white and can settle on just one tone you might want to look at the Cone system. It should result in smoother prints. I haven't switched because I like to tone my prints, and all are done slightly differently. If you got the Cone inks when you get the printer you might be able to sell the factory inks here.

Johnindc · May 16, 2014

I've had the same inks in my 3880 for more that two years and they are fine. I do make a fair amount of prints and the 80ml cartridges really last. I print mostly B&W or toned monochrome so all of the inks get used.

nwilkins · Jul 3, 2014

thanks everyone

RalphLambrecht · Jul 3, 2014

thanks for the link.it addresses my paper hitting the print head issue but doesn't tell me how to change the platten gap setting?

L Gebhardt · Jul 3, 2014

Ralph, the Platten Gap can be set in the driver. On the Mac it's under Advanced Media Control. You can also set it in the printer menu, but I think that gets overridden by the driver setting.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 3, 2014

thanks, I found itbut by holding the paper when it comes out(supporting its weight), it works well. this was a great help though;never would've found that myself.

epson 3880 for black and white only

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