> Solving Problems > It is Time to Replace the Ink Cartridges > Ink Cartridge Handling Precautions

Ink Cartridge Handling Precautions

Storing precautions for ink
  • Epson recommends storing ink cartridges in a cool and dark place.

  • For best results, Epson recommends using up ink cartridges before the best before date printed on the package, or within six months of opening the package, whichever is earlier.

  • After bringing an ink cartridge inside from a cold storage site, allow it to warm up at room temperature for at least three hours before using it.

  • Do not open an ink cartridge package until you are ready to install the ink cartridge in the product.

  • Do not drop or knock it against hard objects; otherwise, the ink may leak.

Handling precautions for replacing ink cartridges
  • Do not touch the IC chip in the ink cartridge. Otherwise, you may not be able to perform operations or print properly.

  • Install all ink cartridges; otherwise you cannot print.

  • Do not turn off the printer during ink charging. If the ink charging is incomplete, you may not be able to print.

  • Removed ink cartridges may have ink around the ink supply port, so be careful not to get any ink on the surrounding area when removing the cartridges.

  • This printer uses ink cartridges equipped with a green chip that monitors information such as the amount of remaining ink for each cartridge. This means that even if the cartridge is removed from the printer before it is expended, you can still use the cartridge after reinserting it back into the printer.

  • To ensure you receive premium print quality and to help protect your print head, a variable ink safety reserve remains in the cartridge when your printer indicates to replace the cartridge. The yields quoted for you do not include this reserve.

  • Do not disassemble or remodel the ink cartridge, otherwise you may not be able to print normally.

  • Do not move the print head by hand; otherwise, the printer may be damaged.

  • While cartridges are in storage, keep the ink supply ports free of dust. The ink supply port has a valve in it so it does not need to be capped.

  • Do not allow foreign objects to fall into the cartridge installation section.

  • When the printer is powered off with the (power) button, the print head is automatically capped to prevent the ink from drying. Do not pull out the power plug or turn off the breaker while the power is on.

  • If one of the installed ink cartridges is expended, printing cannot be performed.

  • If an ink cartridge is expended while printing, you can continue printing after replacing the ink cartridge.

  • If you continue to use ink cartridges that are running low, you may need to replace the ink cartridge while printing. If you replace an ink cartridge while printing, especially on glossy paper, colors on the printout may be uneven depending on how the ink dries. For best results, we recommend replacing the cartridge before printing.

  • You can still use the removed ink cartridge in the future until the ink cartridge is expended.

Consumption of ink
  • All colors of ink are used during head cleaning and other non-printing maintenance operations to ensure that the print heads remain in good condition.

  • Even for monochrome printing, all the ink colors are used in an operation designed to maintain the printing and print head quality.

  • Depending on the paper type and print quality settings, colored inks may also be used for high-density blacks in monochrome or grayscale printing.

  • The ink supplied with your printer is used during initial setup. In order to produce the highest quality prints, the printer needs to be and will be fully charged with ink. After setup is complete, the ink remaining in the cartridges, and the service life of the maintenance box will be limited. Even if ink levels are low, or the service life of the maintenance box is nearing an end, you can continue to print until the printer displays replacement instructions. However, we recommend being prepared with replacement ink cartridges and a maintenance box.

  • Quoted yields may vary depending on the images that you are printing, the paper type that you are using, the frequency of your prints and environmental conditions such as temperature.