While probably not what you want, if you know you are not going to use it for a while Qimage can be set to print a nozzle check daily or weekly to keep the printer working.
Just to be safe, I print a nozzle check on my Epson 8550 once a week. I wish manufacturers would create an option to do this on a schedule to help us all.
Regarding Keith's mention in passing about humidity, when I got my Epson Stylus Pro 3880 in late 2014 I noted users reporting they had more problems with nozzle clogs when they lived in the dry southwest US compared to the more humid areas of the country. I adopted a proactive approach to keep the humidity high, particularly in winter. I purchased a solid-state humidity meter for about US $40 that could be calibrated and had a sensor on a short cable. I placed the sensor in the paper feed slot so that it was inside the printer, laid wet paper towels in the paper output tray, closed all the printer's access doors, put the large plastic bag the printer was packed in over the printer and tightened the bag around the printer's base. The humidity stays at about 60% to 75% RH until the towels are nearly dry. Despite only light personal use sometimes weeks apart I've had no serious clogs in over 9 years.
I make a small print every 2~3 days on my inktank to prevent any problems. Three years owning the printer and not a single problem so far, never even had to run a cleaning nozzle cycle. I usually do a small rainbow print so it uses all the inks and also the image needs to be tall enough so it uses al the nozzles. The printer prints perfectly and the amount of ink I use to make the small prints is practically zero since my printer is an ink tank and ink is so cheap that you can spill it down and still not feel a penny of it.
@@KeithCooper I have thrown two printers in the past because I didn't print with them for months and then realized they couldn't print normally ever again. Inkjet printers should come with this knowledge on the printer itself, like do a small print daily or every other day and the printer will last you forever. Some professional printers have an automatic way of self-cleaning every few hours, they use minimal ink to do so and it keeps the ink from ever drying.
@@aryaprincess2479 Yes - I've long told both Epson and Canon [since they ask] that their printers should have a 'Use me regularly' sticker on them... Unofficially - I'm told this would go down very poorly with some 'higher level' marketing since it could [would] be seen by some as an indication of problems. I noted that it did appear in the Epson P5300 manual which I read for the review, but then who reads a full manual! The auto cleaning tends to come with more reactive/specialised inks, but I don't see why some form of [optional] timer could not be incorporated in smaller printers.
@@KeithCooper Yes I saw the "auto-clean every a few hours" feature in a friend's professional plotter that used oil based inks. If those get dry they turn into plastic. You do not want nozzle holes to have set plastic in them because that means they are as good as garbage, there is no way you can unclog them. The home printers could benefit from something similar though.
Great advice as usual. Ever since I added that weekly calendar reminder to do a nozzle check, I have not had an unrecoverable nozzle clog. Regarding the comment about reusing the same sheet, I have a folder where bad test prints go, and I use those failed test prints for nozzle checks. You can print four nozzle checks on the back (one for each edge), and if the front had a wide margin around the failed test print, at least a couple of the front edges can be used for nozzle checks too. Good photo paper is too expensive to be using up blank sheets for nozzle checks.
I've been using an Epson Stylus Photo R2880 since 2009 and it's still working perfectly fine. During the years, it's sometimes been sat idle for weeks on end, then used again after a cleaning cycle. (Or maybe two cycles.) Just wanted to add some "positive noise" :-) Have a great 2024!
Excellent - I'm sure there are many old printers out there still performing just fine. Thanks for taking the time to note it!
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I bought a Canon ImagePrograf Pro 2000. I t wasn't used for more then a half a year, but it was such a good deal I couldn't resist. I bought it for 350 euros and 330 ml full inks. Just works perfectly. I am super happy with it. So even after half a year no use, it is in a perfect condition. (I have to mention that the printer has 25m2 print only. so in terms of use it was almost brand new.)
Yes, a bargain there... Do keep it regularly used though, lack of use can definitely limit printhead life, and they are not cheap Here's my original detailed review from when it came out. www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-imageprograf-pro-2000-printer-review/
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@@KeithCooper Yes I saw this publication, really deep and it was absolutely perfect for me. This played a huge role before I bought the printer. I really love your videos, they are really useful for a lot of us. A HUGE Thank you! Hope some day you will make some live videos as well so we can interract and chat. Cheers!
Thanks - I only started adding the videos in mid 2020 as supplements to the written ones. Not quite sure how I'd do 'live' videos? or for that matter what that entails [I don't personally use YT much :-) ]. It took quite a bit of arm twisting from someone at Canon for me to start the videos in the first place.
Thanks for all the valuable information Keith, I'm using a Canon Pro-1000 and its often goes without use for weeks or even months... for example my last print run was on 6-11-23 and today (8-1-24) after 2 months I have just complete the next run without any problems. The printer did its usual ink agitation and then got on with the job. The only advice I can give is to always keep the printer switched on.
thanks for noting that. I just got my Canon Pro-1100 and print once a day. I am going to Yellowstone in two weeks and was wondering how it will handle that. This is helpful
Hi Keith . I have a little story about printers being unused ! . I purchased a Canon pro-1000 on ebay ( fortunately only 10mls away ) , the owner got it 4 yrs ago and enjoyed printing her art projects until the ink ran out which was about a year . Not realising the cost to replace the inks she decided to put it in the loft . When I found out the history of the machine I negotiated a fair price with the risk it wouldn't work ! . I switched the printer on at home and it showed every cart . empty , how odd to all empty at the same time ! . I'm now in feet first so I order a complete set of Canon inks . ( Arrrrrrrrr ) . The size of the delivery package almost matched the cost , here we go . All the old carts out and in with the new , see what happens . NOT ONE BLIP I printed a nozzle check , alignment cleaning etc . all worked fine . My only issue after a week of use was to replace the Maintenance Cartridge . I may have been lucky , but I'd like to say well done Canon , I'm enjoying these fantastic prints .
Thank you Keith for your comments on this topic. I second your recommendation to get a warranty extension based on my personal experience with my Epson printers. I had Epson CoverPlus for my second Epson 4900 and my current Epson P5000. I used both printers on a nearly daily basis and I even had a software to print a test page on the 4900 every eight hours every day. However, both printers needed a repair at some time within the warranty extension period. The 4900 received a new printhead and the P5000 a new capping station some years later. Each repair technician came with a complete set of brand new ink cartridges and used them after the repair to get the printer going again, flushing the pipes, cleaning the printhead and so on. They left these ink cartridges here both times after the repair and they were almost full. These ink cartridges were well worth the cost of the warranty extension. Therefore, I had essentially the warranty extension for free. I do not know if this is a regular behaviour but I experienced it two times. My conclusion: The probability of a printer failure is high and when the printer breaks the warranty extension will be free at the end.
You mentioned it only once, but I've found it helpful to make journal entries. I put them in my digital journal where I note misc things I'm tracking. My goal is to print something at 3-7 day intervals. When I'm not sure how long it's been, I run a search on #printing and it pops right up. As you said, a nozzle check is ok. I also have a sample photo that uses all six colors that I print 4 x 6 on plain paper in draft quality. It's a balancing act where one side is wasting ink on throwaway tests, and the other side is dealing with all the messy things that happen if the printer clogs.
Fantastic information, exactly what I needed to know. Setting a weekly alarm on my phone is definitely the way forward for me when I finally invest in a more expensive printer... for which I am watching many more of your videos to find the right one for my needs. As one of the people who asked the question, thank you for such a comprehensive answer. 👍
My Canon pro 1000 needs to be used at least every three days "has been working like a charm for five years now with no issues whatsoever, and I mainly print borderless", preferably every day or every other day. If left unused for longer than that it wastes lots of ink lubricating the lines "flushing them out", the ink ends up going into the maintenance cartridge instead of photo paper. Even if used regularly the maintenance cartridge still gets used but to a much lesser extent. I use my notepad to chart down my print work, from date printed and photo printed and on what size paper the print/prints where printed on. I also use a cover for the printer. In regards to replacement heads for the Canon Pro 1000-4000, a new head runs $800 US.
@@KeithCooper There had been a few software updates since I bought it, at least three from what I can remember. The software updates have helped slightly with the ink waste, and it added an option for 44 inch "I could be slightly off on the exact length" panorama prints.
You don't need notepad - just install canon accounting manager - it records all print jobs oncluding paper size, time, consumed ink. Also possible export data to excel
I've been using A3 old model Epson printers nearly a decade, they are still working fine except the print quality needed to be best quality setting compare to normal quality setting on brand new printers. They are workhorses if you are using them heavily. I literally using daily in these period. Nearly a decade only replace 1 printhead and 3 dumpers and ink tanks. P.S: I always only use 3rd party inks. P.P.S: I've only done head cleaning when there is clog after nozzle check. Prior to nozzle check, I've always been printing 6 colors block on normal paper. Doing this, I rarely have nozzle clog. Yes, it print waste the ink (that's why I always only use cheap ink) and normal paper, but they earn me nearly zero nozzle clog and less maintenance.
I'm a newbie, so please do not shot the pianist. After reseearching a bit I wrote down a list of do's to be on the safe side. Essentially, the list converges on Keith's observations. 1) Put a water soaked sponge in the paper tray and an impermeable cover over the top to keep the moisture in (some people like to use a humidity meter to check the right value) 2) Print a nozzle check every week (or two) manually (much less ink consuming compared to a cleaning cycle) 3) Print a purge sheet (file) every week manually 4) Let printer and pc always on (possibly use a UPS) and let printing a purge sheet (file) every week (or two) automatically through specifi software or by means of "Task Scheduler" available in both win7 and win10 Thnals Keith for sharing your experience and knowledge. Greeting from Rome
"Beware the printer whinge!" I'd almost forgotten how much I like your videos. But I agree modern printers are much better at not being used for a while. I know I should use my Pro-300 every week, but I am guilty of not doing so. I like your idea of setting a calendar reminder. 🙂
Thanks. My 2+-year-old P900 has been very reliable and I generally try to use it at least once a week, but I've gone over two weeks without incident and I do run a nozzle check on occasion. I leave it "on" but it quickly goes into sleep mode. I've only had one case where it produced a print where it used way too much ink (I've no idea why, but I assume I probably screwed-up the settings). It was a messy print which took a long time to dry (actually, it was interestingly abstract) and I ran a cleaning cycle before trying another print, which was OK. I think that running at least one print (or nozzle check) per week, if practical (too bad there isn't a vacation mode for when you have to leave it unattended for longer and don't have anyone to run a check--or water your plants)...
First, though I’ve subscribed for years, a general and big thanks for the body of work on which you continue building: you are a remarkable resource, as is your website. My existing Epson P600 is nearly eight years old and despite having gone through one lengthy phase of no use, it still performs very well. Though I’m not given to making new year’s resolutions, I am resolving to print more frequently for the simple reason that I enjoy it so much. As you’ve said at length elsewhere, it isn’t easy to make a good print without attention to a myriad details preceding a press of that “print” button. The sense of satisfaction when producing a good result, however, is immeasurable. I have to say, I am leaning heavily towards adding a P900 and my main reason is simply because I crave that 17” width over the current 13”. If I had the space I would even consider a P5370 (here on the Canadian west coast) but that is simply overkill for this enthusiast. Again, many thanks.
So far I have run my Epson Eco 8550 in 'better safe than sorry' mode, i.e. I never added the first set of inks. Why not? From attending different channels on the Internet I realized that doing so, I would throw myself onto a dancing floor with hectic South American rhythms playing non stop, and I would not be able to leave the loop, until I were out of images to print - and my printer would dry out. So, being an amateur landscape photographer with a limited production - but a wish to print the best of my images - my plan has morphed into the idea of building up a portfolio of - let's say 52 images - to be printed in the A3 format. One print each weak will keep my precious printer alive for about one year. But here and now I learned, that if I replace the printing with a nozzle check each second week, the portfolio will be sufficient to let my printer last for two years. That means that in the meantime I could build up a new portfolio of 52 images - maybe. Does this sound as if my Eco 8550 will survive for at least a handful of years, Keith?
Yes - a simple nozzle check on plain paper is more than enough... I have to say though that with an 8550, what you suggested sounds way too pessimistic - Did those 'channels' sell ink ;-) :-)
I purchased an Epson ET-8550 last year to replace my Epson P-400 Which used eight ($$$) pigment cartridges. My pet peeve with the cartridge printers was that when replacing one cartridge (Cyan was used at almost double the rate of others) The printer would charge the entire inkset thereby wasting a lot of ink. Using Colormunki to profile I can tell almost no difference between the two printers on glossy paper. Do you or any of your connections at Epson or Canon know why a printer can not be built to clean or charge a single color at a time instead of wasting (selling me) the entire set of inks?
That aspect of printer design policy is way above the pay grade of anyone I know at either company ;-) However, looking at how printer cleaning [which is different to ink charging] works, it depends on the complexity of the cleaning mechanism and the size of the print head. That means individual channel [or channel pair] cleaning is something you only get on large format printers - the P5000 for example, allows localised cleaning - the P5300 has a smaller print head and cleaning station - it only cleans the whole head. The economics, design and marketing are issues I'll leave to others... ;-)
If you show at the starting sequence of your Epson printer ( I use a P800) you see that the longer you wait between two printing sessions, the longer the printer automatically cleans the heads before starting, so it's also an economical question about ink dumping. What is the more economical, cleaning shortly each week, or cleaning a long time once a month ? When I don't use my P800 for 6 months I have even to run manually the special deep cleaning sequence that can cost me up to 40,-€ or more ink dumping before being able to print. It would be interesting to assess what printing interval is the most economical with current printers.
Unfortunately I only get to test printers for a while and use them fairly heavily when they are here, so I don't get any useful info to pass on. The printers are loans [I am not allowed to live in a printer warehouse!] This is something to ask somewhere like the printing forum at dpreview.com - just don't believe every bit of 'forum wisdom' offered though... ;-)
Thanks Keith - good information. May I be so bold to ask for your view, if possible, on turning off my P900 using the button (hold 5 secs) as opposed to letting it go into a sleep ( currently set at 10mins and my power off timer is OFF) and leaving it sleeping all the time. Currently I leave it on all day if I am using it but shut it down with the button at night. It is still plugged into the power and the power is on to the printer all the time. Thanks
Hello Keith! Thank you for another very informative video. Do you know how to unclog a clogged cartridge where there is still much pigment left? I use a Canon PRO-300.
Keith, can you explain why it helps to leave the printer sit 10-15 minutes before running another cleaning cycle? First time I've heard this. I'd really like to understand this. Thanks!
I'm told by people in 'the industry' that many initial clogs/blocks are nothing of the sort, but are due to vapour/air locks. Microbubbles move quite slowly and are allowed for in the head/supply ink system. The suggestion was to run a check and if it failed, to clean and run another check after 30s to a minute - if this failed, to leave 10-15 mins if possible. Now, if it's a 'real' clog of some sort this may or may not help, but it paid to let the head 'settle' The worst thing is to just run clean after clean immediately - just wastes ink. There was no 'optimal' timing/sequence - things varied by printer model and make, but the key was to leave things well alone for a while for a while if a few cleans failed.
@@KeithCooper Wow! I've never heard of this microbubble reason and the idea of waiting in-between. Very interesting! Why don't they tell us these things in the manual? When I was still trying to maintain my Epson 7900 24-inch printer with regular cleanings (before I gave up on it after the yellow ink completely clogged), I would run a test print, and then only run ink color *pair* cleanings if only one or two inks were missing parts of lines. Sometimes the ink pair cleanings didn't work, and duplicating it didn't fix the problem. So I would then run a cleaning of all 12 channels/inks/heads, and that would usually solve it, which never made sense to me. Why would running all 12 inks clear a head better than running a pair of heads? It's been years now since I let the printer die, but I just checked some nozzle check test prints to make sure, and often, when a few (or even one) short segment of a line was missing, the same exact segment would be missing when I repeated the pair cleaning. Could a bubble not move at all during the second multiple-minute pair cleaning so those same small segments still didn't get ink? Is that possible? Could Epson should publish a paper explaining what's going on? ____________ Could this be a reason why waiting in-between cleanings could help? [There is no doubt that running a second pair cleaning right after a failed one too often doesn't work. So this is a very real problem.] Is it possible that a *hardened particle* is blocking part of a head, and that when we run a cleaning of a pair of heads wet ink moistens that dried particle, but it may take 10 minutes or longer for the dried particle to moisten thoroughly enough to release from the head so the ink can flow through that portion of the head? Or is it possible that the *bubble itself* was hardened, maybe because of the air inside of it drying out the ink touching it?? Would an Epson expert ever let you interview him/her on camera for a video to explain this for us? I am interesting in getting a pigment ink printer again someday, so I'm still very interested in this subject.
Why not in the manual? Needless complexity - don't confuse the punters [and some will be confused] BTW this is for Epson and Canon [probably others too] It is no more than general advice - absolutely no more than that. All sorts of physical reasons in different printers/ink types. As to getting someone on camera? First up, I don't do interviews... More to the point - not a chance of getting anyone [from any printer company], with suitable knowledge, with permission to discuss this on the record. Have you ever seen 'interviews' with Japanese company people at trade shows on DPReview etc.? Thirdly, I might reconsider point No.1, but not unless someone flies me out to Japan... :-) [Totally unsubtle hint that I'd love to visit the country]
@@KeithCooper Could bubbles account for entire lines not printing in test prints, and even entire adjacent lines? If I get a pigment ink printer again, I surely would like to have more information on head cleaning, because it's so frustrating, and even scary sometimes when multiple pair cleanings wouldn't fix the problem. I live in Alaska where we have no access to an Epson dealer and repair person. I would think that at least they could say in the manual to wait some minutes in-between head cleanings if the first one doesn't work. They don't have to explain why, but that would make life a lot easier and less stressful for users if that would often help.
Keith, Another great video! I learn a lot from them. I have had several Epson printers and currently have the P900 you mention. You talked about printer nozzle checks to exercise a printer. This is what I have always done or that Adobe all colors test print. But I always used plain inkjet paper. Anyway, do you use regular inkjet plain paper or photo paper for the nozzle check? When my P900 was new, I could print them on plain paper. Now plain paper jams in the window area. Regular photo paper prints photos and nozzle checks just fine. Have you seen this? I have an extended warranty but I don't won't to go through the hassle if the new one does the. Same thing. FWIW my old Epson consumer large format printers all worked well with plain paper. Thanks for your wisdom!
I just keep plain copier paper for a nozzle check. I've never seen any problems with feeding plain paper when I had a 900 here - it signifies something wrong...
@KeithCooper Thanks. Thought so but dreading the hassle😃. Will do an advance replacement and I guess transfer the half full cartridges to the remanufactured one. Then recalibrate, create profiled etc. etc.... LOL, o well.
Excellent video Keith. A quick question if I may - I had a Canon 10S which I left on all the time because it had an internal clock and performed a tiny clean after a certain time period - this was as opposed to a full clean every time it was switched on. As a result I never had any head clog issues because the printer took care of it. Do you happen to know whether the same approach applies to the Canon PRO1000? I've just purchased a PRO1000 making use of the Canon cashback offer and wondered whether this feature had been carried across. Many thanks.
I'm afraid I don't know for sure - I've not tested a pro-1000 since my original review when it first came out [2015 iirc] I'd ask on the printing forum at dpreview.com
Great advice 👍🏻 I have a canon Pro 1000, at what stage of level should I consider changing ink cartridges, should I change before they say empty ? Or change when notified by printer cartridges are low ?
Thanks Depends on how big a print you are doing, but I use the first warnings as a reminder to get a spare in stock. It's one of the things I look for in my reviews ;-)
I use a HP inkjet printer for home needs, kids prints, bills etc. Its becoming very expensive as HP uses color in B&W prints as well and without the the color cartridge or a depleted one it refuses to work, even with a full black cartridge. So planning to move to a ink tank printer which makes sense to me as we have good usage at home. Can you recommend a good model, preferably one that does not have this hidden caveats like HP which uses color for monochrome prints.
All B&W printing [other than black text] will use some colour However none of the Canon/Epson tank printers have limitations other than letting a tank run on empty [bad for any inkjet] I don't really cover printers for more general use, in any detail Look at the likes of the Cann G550 for example www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-g550-printer-review/
With modern formulations I'm told there is less of a difference - that said I don't have solid evidence for it, since ink chemistries vary, as does print head design and technology. I treat them broadly similarly but note that pigment ink printers will be more the expensive printers to replace when they go wrong
Exactly the kind of information I was looking for! I got Epson SC P900 but still haven't used it. As I understand if I keep it working at least once a week I should not expect problems? Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! - for the P900 weekly will do well. I'd suggest that bi-weekly is OK for the 900. It's a printer like my P5000 where weekly is much more important
@@KeithCooper I agree with you. However, I'm just sharing my experience. Once I didn't use my Pro-100 for about 18 months, another time it was about a year. Each time it began to print without any issue (for the second time I had to activate a single head cleaning). Then I began to print more often with delays for no more than 2-3 months. Also, without any issue. For just in case I then bought a used Pro-100s and now I've been printing on it a few images also every 2-3 months. Both printers don't need even head cleanings. On contrary, when I had a Canon Pro-9500 II, it needed just a few days to clog :)
Network power is not a thing with printers some will wake on network access - there are often config settings to turn of auto-switchoff @@adamarmfield1069
This is a very lazy design by Epson, they did not change even the ink bays (so you have a blank), and from the videos, it has an annoying fan even if we have years of having quiet fans. The price is too high for what it is. We have been waiting for years for a replacement for the P5000 (based on the P9570 technology) and it never arrived. Now we have this p5370 at the same price as a P5000 but inferior in terms of the ink set. Let's see if Canon takes advantage of this situation.
YMMV... Your lazy design could be thought of a clever re-use of effective reliable hardware. The noise comes with that - want a quiet printer, buy a smaller consumer model without a powerful paper vacuum system and ventilation to reduce ink/dust buildup. As to the ink set being 'inferior' - once again a contentious point - there is no black ink swap with the P5300 and having profiled both the differences to most people would not be noticeable - I will try and do some prints which show it, but any meaningful display on YT is wishful thinking [or a 'fix' in editing]. Have you seen the size of the print had in a P7500/9500? It would have made for a much bigger 17" printer than the P5000 Sales of the P5300 [and overseas variations] will be the real judge of whether Epson has judged market needs well enough. Meanwhile, since I don't sell printers and have owned Canon and Epson printers... Yes please Canon - an update for the 17" iPF5100 which I reviewed over a decade ago? Look for developments in the next month or so... changes in LFP print heads might give us some clues?
Does any one know of any software that can do a test print if it's not been used for say a month
Inkjet plumber [Mac] github.com/jt70471/InkjetPlumber
While probably not what you want, if you know you are not going to use it for a while Qimage can be set to print a nozzle check daily or weekly to keep the printer working.
If you have an iPhone you can create a Shortcut automation to print anything at any set time.
Just to be safe, I print a nozzle check on my Epson 8550 once a week. I wish manufacturers would create an option to do this on a schedule to help us all.
@@carlb401 i use qimage weekly to declog on schedule
Regarding Keith's mention in passing about humidity, when I got my Epson Stylus Pro 3880 in late 2014 I noted users reporting they had more problems with nozzle clogs when they lived in the dry southwest US compared to the more humid areas of the country. I adopted a proactive approach to keep the humidity high, particularly in winter. I purchased a solid-state humidity meter for about US $40 that could be calibrated and had a sensor on a short cable. I placed the sensor in the paper feed slot so that it was inside the printer, laid wet paper towels in the paper output tray, closed all the printer's access doors, put the large plastic bag the printer was packed in over the printer and tightened the bag around the printer's base. The humidity stays at about 60% to 75% RH until the towels are nearly dry. Despite only light personal use sometimes weeks apart I've had no serious clogs in over 9 years.
That's a very important note - low humidity is not a problem in the UK ;-)
I make a small print every 2~3 days on my inktank to prevent any problems. Three years owning the printer and not a single problem so far, never even had to run a cleaning nozzle cycle.
I usually do a small rainbow print so it uses all the inks and also the image needs to be tall enough so it uses al the nozzles.
The printer prints perfectly and the amount of ink I use to make the small prints is practically zero since my printer is an ink tank and ink is so cheap that you can spill it down and still not feel a penny of it.
Yes - that will do fine - it's leaving a printer unused which is not so good for inkjet printers
@@KeithCooper I have thrown two printers in the past because I didn't print with them for months and then realized they couldn't print normally ever again.
Inkjet printers should come with this knowledge on the printer itself, like do a small print daily or every other day and the printer will last you forever.
Some professional printers have an automatic way of self-cleaning every few hours, they use minimal ink to do so and it keeps the ink from ever drying.
@@aryaprincess2479 Yes - I've long told both Epson and Canon [since they ask] that their printers should have a 'Use me regularly' sticker on them...
Unofficially - I'm told this would go down very poorly with some 'higher level' marketing since it could [would] be seen by some as an indication of problems. I noted that it did appear in the Epson P5300 manual which I read for the review, but then who reads a full manual!
The auto cleaning tends to come with more reactive/specialised inks, but I don't see why some form of [optional] timer could not be incorporated in smaller printers.
@@KeithCooper Yes I saw the "auto-clean every a few hours" feature in a friend's professional plotter that used oil based inks. If those get dry they turn into plastic. You do not want nozzle holes to have set plastic in them because that means they are as good as garbage, there is no way you can unclog them.
The home printers could benefit from something similar though.
Great advice as usual. Ever since I added that weekly calendar reminder to do a nozzle check, I have not had an unrecoverable nozzle clog. Regarding the comment about reusing the same sheet, I have a folder where bad test prints go, and I use those failed test prints for nozzle checks. You can print four nozzle checks on the back (one for each edge), and if the front had a wide margin around the failed test print, at least a couple of the front edges can be used for nozzle checks too. Good photo paper is too expensive to be using up blank sheets for nozzle checks.
Thanks - just A4 copier paper here - multi use as you suggest ;-)
I've been using an Epson Stylus Photo R2880 since 2009 and it's still working perfectly fine. During the years, it's sometimes been sat idle for weeks on end, then used again after a cleaning cycle. (Or maybe two cycles.) Just wanted to add some "positive noise" :-) Have a great 2024!
Excellent - I'm sure there are many old printers out there still performing just fine.
Thanks for taking the time to note it!
I bought a Canon ImagePrograf Pro 2000. I t wasn't used for more then a half a year, but it was such a good deal I couldn't resist. I bought it for 350 euros and 330 ml full inks. Just works perfectly. I am super happy with it. So even after half a year no use, it is in a perfect condition. (I have to mention that the printer has 25m2 print only. so in terms of use it was almost brand new.)
Yes, a bargain there...
Do keep it regularly used though, lack of use can definitely limit printhead life, and they are not cheap
Here's my original detailed review from when it came out.
www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-imageprograf-pro-2000-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper Yes I saw this publication, really deep and it was absolutely perfect for me. This played a huge role before I bought the printer. I really love your videos, they are really useful for a lot of us. A HUGE Thank you! Hope some day you will make some live videos as well so we can interract and chat. Cheers!
Thanks - I only started adding the videos in mid 2020 as supplements to the written ones.
Not quite sure how I'd do 'live' videos? or for that matter what that entails [I don't personally use YT much :-) ]. It took quite a bit of arm twisting from someone at Canon for me to start the videos in the first place.
Thanks for all the valuable information Keith, I'm using a Canon Pro-1000 and its often goes without use for weeks or even months... for example my last print run was on 6-11-23 and today (8-1-24) after 2 months I have just complete the next run without any problems. The printer did its usual ink agitation and then got on with the job. The only advice I can give is to always keep the printer switched on.
Thanks for noting that
thanks for noting that. I just got my Canon Pro-1100 and print once a day. I am going to Yellowstone in two weeks and was wondering how it will handle that. This is helpful
Hi Keith . I have a little story about printers being unused ! . I purchased a Canon pro-1000 on ebay ( fortunately only 10mls away ) , the owner got it 4 yrs ago and enjoyed printing her art projects until the ink ran out which was about a year . Not realising the cost to replace the inks she decided to put it in the loft .
When I found out the history of the machine I negotiated a fair price with the risk it wouldn't work ! . I switched the printer on at home and it showed every cart . empty , how odd to all empty at the same time ! .
I'm now in feet first so I order a complete set of Canon inks . ( Arrrrrrrrr ) . The size of the delivery package almost matched the cost , here we go .
All the old carts out and in with the new , see what happens .
NOT ONE BLIP
I printed a nozzle check , alignment cleaning etc . all worked fine . My only issue after a week of use was to replace the Maintenance Cartridge .
I may have been lucky , but I'd like to say well done Canon , I'm enjoying these fantastic prints .
That's a lucky find - it's a very good printer.
Thank you Keith for your comments on this topic. I second your recommendation to get a warranty extension based on my personal experience with my Epson printers. I had Epson CoverPlus for my second Epson 4900 and my current Epson P5000. I used both printers on a nearly daily basis and I even had a software to print a test page on the 4900 every eight hours every day.
However, both printers needed a repair at some time within the warranty extension period. The 4900 received a new printhead and the P5000 a new capping station some years later. Each repair technician came with a complete set of brand new ink cartridges and used them after the repair to get the printer going again, flushing the pipes, cleaning the printhead and so on. They left these ink cartridges here both times after the repair and they were almost full.
These ink cartridges were well worth the cost of the warranty extension. Therefore, I had essentially the warranty extension for free. I do not know if this is a regular behaviour but I experienced it two times.
My conclusion: The probability of a printer failure is high and when the printer breaks the warranty extension will be free at the end.
Excellent comment - the head and capping station were replaced on the P5000 I have here
You mentioned it only once, but I've found it helpful to make journal entries. I put them in my digital journal where I note misc things I'm tracking. My goal is to print something at 3-7 day intervals. When I'm not sure how long it's been, I run a search on #printing and it pops right up. As you said, a nozzle check is ok. I also have a sample photo that uses all six colors that I print 4 x 6 on plain paper in draft quality. It's a balancing act where one side is wasting ink on throwaway tests, and the other side is dealing with all the messy things that happen if the printer clogs.
Yes - I set up a diary event so it actively nags me to do it - just a nozzle check usually suffice.
Fantastic information, exactly what I needed to know. Setting a weekly alarm on my phone is definitely the way forward for me when I finally invest in a more expensive printer... for which I am watching many more of your videos to find the right one for my needs. As one of the people who asked the question, thank you for such a comprehensive answer. 👍
Glad it was helpful!
...and thanks for asking - that's where many of my video ideas come from ;-)
My Canon pro 1000 needs to be used at least every three days "has been working like a charm for five years now with no issues whatsoever, and I mainly print borderless", preferably every day or every other day. If left unused for longer than that it wastes lots of ink lubricating the lines "flushing them out", the ink ends up going into the maintenance cartridge instead of photo paper.
Even if used regularly the maintenance cartridge still gets used but to a much lesser extent.
I use my notepad to chart down my print work, from date printed and photo printed and on what size paper the print/prints where printed on.
I also use a cover for the printer. In regards to replacement heads for the Canon Pro 1000-4000, a new head runs $800 US.
Thanks for that - it's quite a few years now since I reviewed the PRO-1000
Curious to see what appears when it's finally updated
@@KeithCooper
There had been a few software updates since I bought it, at least three from what I can remember. The software updates have helped slightly with the ink waste, and it added an option for 44 inch "I could be slightly off on the exact length" panorama prints.
You don't need notepad - just install canon accounting manager - it records all print jobs oncluding paper size, time, consumed ink. Also possible export data to excel
Canon accounting manager is covered in my original detailed PRO-1000 review
www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-pro-1000-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper does Epson have something similar as an accounting manager?
I've been using A3 old model Epson printers nearly a decade, they are still working fine except the print quality needed to be best quality setting compare to normal quality setting on brand new printers.
They are workhorses if you are using them heavily. I literally using daily in these period. Nearly a decade only replace 1 printhead and 3 dumpers and ink tanks.
P.S: I always only use 3rd party inks.
P.P.S: I've only done head cleaning when there is clog after nozzle check. Prior to nozzle check, I've always been printing 6 colors block on normal paper. Doing this, I rarely have nozzle clog. Yes, it print waste the ink (that's why I always only use cheap ink) and normal paper, but they earn me nearly zero nozzle clog and less maintenance.
Yes - there are many more options when you are using a printer at what I'd call 'commercial' usage rates...
I'm a newbie, so please do not shot the pianist.
After reseearching a bit I wrote down a list of do's to be on the safe side. Essentially, the list converges on Keith's observations.
1) Put a water soaked sponge in the paper tray and an impermeable cover over the top to keep the moisture in (some people like to use a humidity meter to check the right value)
2) Print a nozzle check every week (or two) manually (much less ink consuming compared to a cleaning cycle)
3) Print a purge sheet (file) every week manually
4) Let printer and pc always on (possibly use a UPS) and let printing a purge sheet (file) every week (or two) automatically through specifi software or by means of "Task Scheduler" available in both win7 and win10
Thnals Keith for sharing your experience and knowledge.
Greeting from Rome
Looks good, although I never bother with 'purge sheets' or the water - but then again I'm in the UK ;-) :-)
@@KeithCooper it seems that in a certain period of time in Italy we will need submersible printers to make sure that the ink does not dry out.
"Beware the printer whinge!" I'd almost forgotten how much I like your videos. But I agree modern printers are much better at not being used for a while. I know I should use my Pro-300 every week, but I am guilty of not doing so. I like your idea of setting a calendar reminder. 🙂
Thanks ;-)
The 300 is one of the more resilient printers in this respect - every few weeks would be OK...
@@KeithCooper If only the weather for landscape photography was as reliable as a modern Canon printer, I'd be able to use it more often! lol
@@KeithCooper This information is very precious. Thanks for all your videos and great advice ;-)
Thanks. My 2+-year-old P900 has been very reliable and I generally try to use it at least once a week, but I've gone over two weeks without incident and I do run a nozzle check on occasion. I leave it "on" but it quickly goes into sleep mode.
I've only had one case where it produced a print where it used way too much ink (I've no idea why, but I assume I probably screwed-up the settings). It was a messy print which took a long time to dry (actually, it was interestingly abstract) and I ran a cleaning cycle before trying another print, which was OK. I think that running at least one print (or nozzle check) per week, if practical (too bad there isn't a vacation mode for when you have to leave it unattended for longer and don't have anyone to run a check--or water your plants)...
Thanks - an 'auto check' feature is something I've often wondered about - there are software methods, but it would be great if it were included...
Great video - I wish I had seen this earlier. My Epson Workforce Pro WF-4630 clogged up. The only solution I see is a manual flush. Fingered crossed 🤞
Hope it works!
First, though I’ve subscribed for years, a general and big thanks for the body of work on which you continue building: you are a remarkable resource, as is your website. My existing Epson P600 is nearly eight years old and despite having gone through one lengthy phase of no use, it still performs very well. Though I’m not given to making new year’s resolutions, I am resolving to print more frequently for the simple reason that I enjoy it so much. As you’ve said at length elsewhere, it isn’t easy to make a good print without attention to a myriad details preceding a press of that “print” button. The sense of satisfaction when producing a good result, however, is immeasurable. I have to say, I am leaning heavily towards adding a P900 and my main reason is simply because I crave that 17” width over the current 13”. If I had the space I would even consider a P5370 (here on the Canadian west coast) but that is simply overkill for this enthusiast. Again, many thanks.
Thank for that - glad the stuff has been of help!
So far I have run my Epson Eco 8550 in 'better safe than sorry' mode, i.e. I never added the first set of inks. Why not?
From attending different channels on the Internet I realized that doing so, I would throw myself onto a dancing floor with hectic South American rhythms playing non stop, and I would not be able to leave the loop, until I were out of images to print - and my printer would dry out. So, being an amateur landscape photographer with a limited production - but a wish to print the best of my images - my plan has morphed into the idea of building up a portfolio of - let's say 52 images - to be printed in the A3 format. One print each weak will keep my precious printer alive for about one year. But here and now I learned, that if I replace the printing with a nozzle check each second week, the portfolio will be sufficient to let my printer last for two years. That means that in the meantime I could build up a new portfolio of 52 images - maybe.
Does this sound as if my Eco 8550 will survive for at least a handful of years, Keith?
Yes - a simple nozzle check on plain paper is more than enough...
I have to say though that with an 8550, what you suggested sounds way too pessimistic - Did those 'channels' sell ink ;-) :-)
@@KeithCooper Yes, and second agendas confuse the general image, I am sure. Thank you for bringing new optimism into my project.
My Epson r2880 has worked great for many years and still going strong. When it does die p700 or p900 will my choice.
Yes, I'm a strong believer in 'if it ain't broke...'
Thanks, Keith, for another informative video! I appreciate your advice.
Thanks
Thanks Keith and happy new year. Canon Pro100 still going, I bought it used a few years ago. I use Qimage and the half page scheduled test sheet.
Thanks!
For my Epson p800 I always leave the printer on and every week I print an unclog pattern sheet once when I have not used the printer for 7 days.
Yes - a good precaution.
Thanks Keith, great information, I like your style!
Thanks!
I purchased an Epson ET-8550 last year to replace my Epson P-400 Which used eight ($$$) pigment cartridges. My pet peeve with the cartridge printers was that when replacing one cartridge (Cyan was used at almost double the rate of others) The printer would charge the entire inkset thereby wasting a lot of ink. Using Colormunki to profile I can tell almost no difference between the two printers on glossy paper.
Do you or any of your connections at Epson or Canon know why a printer can not be built to clean or charge a single color at a time instead of wasting (selling me) the entire set of inks?
That aspect of printer design policy is way above the pay grade of anyone I know at either company ;-)
However, looking at how printer cleaning [which is different to ink charging] works, it depends on the complexity of the cleaning mechanism and the size of the print head.
That means individual channel [or channel pair] cleaning is something you only get on large format printers - the P5000 for example, allows localised cleaning - the P5300 has a smaller print head and cleaning station - it only cleans the whole head.
The economics, design and marketing are issues I'll leave to others... ;-)
Thanks. Also I really enjoy your videos and find them quite helpful.
@@KeithCooper
If you show at the starting sequence of your Epson printer ( I use a P800) you see that the longer you wait between two printing sessions, the longer the printer automatically cleans the heads before starting, so it's also an economical question about ink dumping.
What is the more economical, cleaning shortly each week, or cleaning a long time once a month ?
When I don't use my P800 for 6 months I have even to run manually the special deep cleaning sequence that can cost me up to 40,-€ or more ink dumping before being able to print.
It would be interesting to assess what printing interval is the most economical with current printers.
Unfortunately I only get to test printers for a while and use them fairly heavily when they are here, so I don't get any useful info to pass on. The printers are loans [I am not allowed to live in a printer warehouse!]
This is something to ask somewhere like the printing forum at dpreview.com - just don't believe every bit of 'forum wisdom' offered though... ;-)
Thanks Keith - good information. May I be so bold to ask for your view, if possible, on turning off my P900 using the button (hold 5 secs) as opposed to letting it go into a sleep ( currently set at 10mins and my power off timer is OFF) and leaving it sleeping all the time. Currently I leave it on all day if I am using it but shut it down with the button at night. It is still plugged into the power and the power is on to the printer all the time. Thanks
That's pretty much the way I tend to use printers. I don't think it makes a lot of difference with most
Great video! Really valuable (and practical) information!! THANK YOU VERY MUCK!!
Thanks - Glad it was helpful!
Hello Keith! Thank you for another very informative video. Do you know how to unclog a clogged cartridge where there is still much pigment left? I use a Canon PRO-300.
I've never needed to do it - the place to ask, I'd suggest, is: www.printerknowledge.com
Keith, can you explain why it helps to leave the printer sit 10-15 minutes before running another cleaning cycle? First time I've heard this. I'd really like to understand this. Thanks!
I'm told by people in 'the industry' that many initial clogs/blocks are nothing of the sort, but are due to vapour/air locks. Microbubbles move quite slowly and are allowed for in the head/supply ink system.
The suggestion was to run a check and if it failed, to clean and run another check after 30s to a minute - if this failed, to leave 10-15 mins if possible. Now, if it's a 'real' clog of some sort this may or may not help, but it paid to let the head 'settle'
The worst thing is to just run clean after clean immediately - just wastes ink.
There was no 'optimal' timing/sequence - things varied by printer model and make, but the key was to leave things well alone for a while for a while if a few cleans failed.
@@KeithCooper Wow! I've never heard of this microbubble reason and the idea of waiting in-between. Very interesting! Why don't they tell us these things in the manual? When I was still trying to maintain my Epson 7900 24-inch printer with regular cleanings (before I gave up on it after the yellow ink completely clogged), I would run a test print, and then only run ink color *pair* cleanings if only one or two inks were missing parts of lines. Sometimes the ink pair cleanings didn't work, and duplicating it didn't fix the problem.
So I would then run a cleaning of all 12 channels/inks/heads, and that would usually solve it, which never made sense to me. Why would running all 12 inks clear a head better than running a pair of heads?
It's been years now since I let the printer die, but I just checked some nozzle check test prints to make sure, and often, when a few (or even one) short segment of a line was missing, the same exact segment would be missing when I repeated the pair cleaning.
Could a bubble not move at all during the second multiple-minute pair cleaning so those same small segments still didn't get ink? Is that possible?
Could Epson should publish a paper explaining what's going on?
____________
Could this be a reason why waiting in-between cleanings could help?
[There is no doubt that running a second pair cleaning right after a failed one too often doesn't work. So this is a very real problem.]
Is it possible that a *hardened particle* is blocking part of a head, and that when we run a cleaning of a pair of heads wet ink moistens that dried particle, but it may take 10 minutes or longer for the dried particle to moisten thoroughly enough to release from the head so the ink can flow through that portion of the head?
Or is it possible that the *bubble itself* was hardened, maybe because of the air inside of it drying out the ink touching it??
Would an Epson expert ever let you interview him/her on camera for a video to explain this for us?
I am interesting in getting a pigment ink printer again someday, so I'm still very interested in this subject.
Why not in the manual? Needless complexity - don't confuse the punters [and some will be confused]
BTW this is for Epson and Canon [probably others too]
It is no more than general advice - absolutely no more than that.
All sorts of physical reasons in different printers/ink types.
As to getting someone on camera?
First up, I don't do interviews...
More to the point - not a chance of getting anyone [from any printer company], with suitable knowledge, with permission to discuss this on the record. Have you ever seen 'interviews' with Japanese company people at trade shows on DPReview etc.?
Thirdly, I might reconsider point No.1, but not unless someone flies me out to Japan... :-)
[Totally unsubtle hint that I'd love to visit the country]
@@KeithCooper Could bubbles account for entire lines not printing in test prints, and even entire adjacent lines?
If I get a pigment ink printer again, I surely would like to have more information on head cleaning, because it's so frustrating, and even scary sometimes when multiple pair cleanings wouldn't fix the problem.
I live in Alaska where we have no access to an Epson dealer and repair person.
I would think that at least they could say in the manual to wait some minutes in-between head cleanings if the first one doesn't work. They don't have to explain why, but that would make life a lot easier and less stressful for users if that would often help.
Yes, bubbles are always a potential issue.
I agree about mentioning more about cleaning, but I'm not working for a printer maker...
Good video and information Keith.
Thanks!
Keith,
Another great video! I learn a lot from them. I have had several Epson printers and currently have the P900 you mention. You talked about printer nozzle checks to exercise a printer. This is what I have always done or that Adobe all colors test print. But I always used plain inkjet paper.
Anyway, do you use regular inkjet plain paper or photo paper for the nozzle check? When my P900 was new, I could print them on plain paper. Now plain paper jams in the window area. Regular photo paper prints photos and nozzle checks just fine. Have you seen this?
I have an extended warranty but I don't won't to go through the hassle if the new one does the. Same thing.
FWIW my old Epson consumer large format printers all worked well with plain paper.
Thanks for your wisdom!
I just keep plain copier paper for a nozzle check.
I've never seen any problems with feeding plain paper when I had a 900 here - it signifies something wrong...
@KeithCooper Thanks. Thought so but dreading the hassle😃. Will do an advance replacement and I guess transfer the half full cartridges to the remanufactured one. Then recalibrate, create profiled etc. etc.... LOL, o well.
Excellent video Keith. A quick question if I may - I had a Canon 10S which I left on all the time because it had an internal clock and performed a tiny clean after a certain time period - this was as opposed to a full clean every time it was switched on. As a result I never had any head clog issues because the printer took care of it. Do you happen to know whether the same approach applies to the Canon PRO1000? I've just purchased a PRO1000 making use of the Canon cashback offer and wondered whether this feature had been carried across. Many thanks.
I'm afraid I don't know for sure - I've not tested a pro-1000 since my original review when it first came out [2015 iirc]
I'd ask on the printing forum at dpreview.com
Great advice 👍🏻 I have a canon Pro 1000, at what stage of level should I consider changing ink cartridges, should I change before they say empty ? Or change when notified by printer cartridges are low ?
Thanks
Depends on how big a print you are doing, but I use the first warnings as a reminder to get a spare in stock.
It's one of the things I look for in my reviews ;-)
I change my tanks when Pro-1000 says it's empty. However, if I am going to print a 42" pano then I might swap a tank early.
I use a HP inkjet printer for home needs, kids prints, bills etc. Its becoming very expensive as HP uses color in B&W prints as well and without the the color cartridge or a depleted one it refuses to work, even with a full black cartridge. So planning to move to a ink tank printer which makes sense to me as we have good usage at home. Can you recommend a good model, preferably one that does not have this hidden caveats like HP which uses color for monochrome prints.
All B&W printing [other than black text] will use some colour
However none of the Canon/Epson tank printers have limitations other than letting a tank run on empty [bad for any inkjet]
I don't really cover printers for more general use, in any detail
Look at the likes of the Cann G550 for example
www.northlight-images.co.uk/canon-g550-printer-review/
Great information, thank you. Is a pigment ink more or less likely to dry/clog than dye ink?
With modern formulations I'm told there is less of a difference - that said I don't have solid evidence for it, since ink chemistries vary, as does print head design and technology.
I treat them broadly similarly but note that pigment ink printers will be more the expensive printers to replace when they go wrong
@@KeithCooper Thank you.
Exactly the kind of information I was looking for! I got Epson SC P900 but still haven't used it. As I understand if I keep it working at least once a week I should not expect problems? Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! - for the P900 weekly will do well. I'd suggest that bi-weekly is OK for the 900. It's a printer like my P5000 where weekly is much more important
my P900 has gone a month turned off and restarted with no issues.
Always so helpful. Thank you.
Thanks!
Thanks for the video, love the insight =)
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for this Keith. When running a test print would you use plain paper or do you need to use coated paper ?
I use copier paper with a nozzle check...
Quality of the print doesn't really matter
@@KeithCooper That's what I thought, but needed to ask. Thanks.
Canon Pro-100/100s can print flawlessly not only after a month but more than a year (with OEM inks)!
Or it might not...
One example does not make it an advisable strategy, and it is a discontinued model now.
@@KeithCooper I agree with you. However, I'm just sharing my experience. Once I didn't use my Pro-100 for about 18 months, another time it was about a year. Each time it began to print without any issue (for the second time I had to activate a single head cleaning). Then I began to print more often with delays for no more than 2-3 months. Also, without any issue. For just in case I then bought a used Pro-100s and now I've been printing on it a few images also every 2-3 months. Both printers don't need even head cleanings.
On contrary, when I had a Canon Pro-9500 II, it needed just a few days to clog :)
Yes, reassuring to know, but I'd still not want to rely on it ;-) @@OrelRussia
Geez, Louise - Keith, you are fast :)
Ha - does depend what else I've got to do - or want to avoid doing ;-)
I suppose a plug in timer would be another solution for holidays, comes on once a week or something
Depends if your printer starts up just by switching on the power, and what it does.
i presume you can power a lot of these on via a network as well, or at least rouse them out of sleep mode @@KeithCooper
Network power is not a thing with printers
some will wake on network access - there are often config settings to turn of auto-switchoff
@@adamarmfield1069
This is a very lazy design by Epson, they did not change even the ink bays (so you have a blank), and from the videos, it has an annoying fan even if we have years of having quiet fans. The price is too high for what it is. We have been waiting for years for a replacement for the P5000 (based on the P9570 technology) and it never arrived. Now we have this p5370 at the same price as a P5000 but inferior in terms of the ink set. Let's see if Canon takes advantage of this situation.
YMMV... Your lazy design could be thought of a clever re-use of effective reliable hardware.
The noise comes with that - want a quiet printer, buy a smaller consumer model without a powerful paper vacuum system and ventilation to reduce ink/dust buildup.
As to the ink set being 'inferior' - once again a contentious point - there is no black ink swap with the P5300 and having profiled both the differences to most people would not be noticeable - I will try and do some prints which show it, but any meaningful display on YT is wishful thinking [or a 'fix' in editing].
Have you seen the size of the print had in a P7500/9500? It would have made for a much bigger 17" printer than the P5000
Sales of the P5300 [and overseas variations] will be the real judge of whether Epson has judged market needs well enough.
Meanwhile, since I don't sell printers and have owned Canon and Epson printers...
Yes please Canon - an update for the 17" iPF5100 which I reviewed over a decade ago?
Look for developments in the next month or so... changes in LFP print heads might give us some clues?
the ink set in the P900 (poor man's P5370) is excellent!