when to replace ink

[RalphLambrecht]

I use an Epson 3880 for B&W with K3 inks and are very happy with he quality but I never know when exactly to replace ink cartridges with new.When do you do that? first warning; low warning or when completely empty?

 

[faberryman]

I don't replace at first warning. I usually make a couple of more prints after the warning, but I don't wait until the cartridge is completely empty. That usually happens mid-print, and paper is more expensive than ink. I'd rather leave a little ink unused than waste a sheet of paper.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I would think that most printers will hold your printing hostage until you buy is some ink. Some printers will stop working until all ink tanks are full. The heads can get damaged if there's no ink in the tank when it's printing.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I wait until they are empty.

 

[markbarendt]

I wait until they are empty.

Smart.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I would think that most printers will hold your printing hostage until you buy is some ink. Some printers will stop working until all ink tanks are full. The heads can get damaged if there's no ink in the tank when it's printing.

thanks for the tip; don't want that to happen.

 

[Canuck]

I just wait until it stops and tells me to replace. Never had any problems after 6 years of heavy use of a 3800 in a school.

 

[plummerl]

I've changed empty cartridges mid-print with half a dozen prints on my 3880. I've never seen any sign of it on my prints.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I've changed empty cartridges mid-print with half a dozen prints on my 3880. I've never seen any sign of it on my prints.

thanks for a lot of good tips. the original cartridges are harder to get here than they were in the US. I will have to stock up on them to be prepared. It seems that dutch copies are available for a fraction of the price bu, none-original Epson replacements make me nervous about losing warranty.