Compatible inks (UPDATE)

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Ok, I know some of you are totally against the idea of compatible inks and so was I, always worried about the damage these can do to the printer, but it's come to a point where I only use my printer for printing some documents, DVD -Bluray- or CD disc covers the printer, not used that often for printing decent photos.
As inks are still very expensive for my ageing Epson R265 I feel it's time for some money saving.

Can anyone advise on a decent compatible ink supplier please.
Thanks....
 
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Thanks Gramps. :)
They seem to have decent reviews, no quibble return so must be confident in there sales.
Just ordered my first set.
Regards,...
 
If thinking of going down this route for photos, would it make sense to replace ALL the original inks with compatible ones? And presumably it throws any canned printer profiles out of the window?
 
Not sure myself, but I have ordered a full set. Will be interesting to see how they perform on prints,Personally not to worried as most of my prints on done online, much cheaper as well.
 
Thanks Gramps. :)
They seem to have decent reviews, no quibble return so must be confident in there sales.
Just ordered my first set.
Regards,...

Used them for years when in business (not photo printing) and never once had a problem :)
 
I use them on all my printers, never had any issues at all although I've also heard the usual stories of printheads clogging etc. I have yet to see any proper evidence. Just make sure you get some good quality inks.

If you get some that are OEM matched you can replace them one by one rather than as a whole set and you won't have to worry so much about profiles etc.
 
I used comparable inks a few years ago in my old Epson printer - with poor results, colour wise they were nearly there, but I had issues with the heads clogging up if they weren't used very regularly...
 
I used comparable inks a few years ago in my old Epson printer - with poor results, colour wise they were nearly there, but I had issues with the heads clogging up if they weren't used very regularly...
How often is regular? The more professional printers of these days are very good at keeping things clean. The printheads are often stationed on pads that are automatically kept moist to keep them drying out.
 
How often is regular? The more professional printers of these days are very good at keeping things clean. The printheads are often stationed on pads that are automatically kept moist to keep them drying out.

It was a few years ago now, but if I left it for a week or two, without printing, I started with issues...not sure re the pro printers though...
 
It was a few years ago now, but if I left it for a week or two, without printing, I started with issues...not sure re the pro printers though...
Sometimes you can get an issue with print dust, fibres etc. collecting on the heads. This muck dries out, causes problems and kind of gets wetted when doing a printhead clean but dries out again before long. I have this issue with my large format printheads. There are two heads in the printer each costing £300 each and I have another set which I clean using isopropyl alcohol/water mix and preserve for a future use.

I have a couple of other printers that never have any issues but they're only really printing on the same media most of the time.
 
I've used Fotospeed in my Epson 2880 and now in myR3000 without any problems, prints are great and they do a good job of profiling your printer/paper/ink combo free of charge.

http://www.fotospeed.com/

I would definitely replace all the inks together in case of incompatibility between the chemicals, though I know it hurts to throw away genuine cartridges that are still part full.

I use the replacement cartridges, not the inkflow (tubed) system, and find them easier to maintain if you are not printing on at least a weekly basis.

HTH.
 
Hi All.
Thanks for the additional details.
UPDATE;
As said I am using a dated printer and inks are getting very expensive, I don't use my printer for photos as I use a online company and only use the printer for CD and Bluray covers, therefore there had to be another option. so my update on using the link Gramps left above, Ordering is easy,I had my batch on compatible inks arrive yesterday, Nicely pro packaged and sealed, placed one colour into the printer, excepted with no issues, printed off a few disc covers and some text, no issues, in fact they came out perfect. So I can say thus far all is good.
If I do find any issues I will return and place my findings here.
Considering my Epson inks would cost £45 for a full set, I have just replaced the set for £11.99 including post, I am feeling good.
 
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