How to look after a printer

[Andyvon]

I've just had to dump my Epson printer which I only bought last year as the printer heads were completely clogged. Cartridge World had the printer overnight and they said it was hopelessly clogged. They could dismantle it but it would be better to buy a new one. It's my fault as I hardly ever print colour and the last time was a test page I printed in August when I installed my new computer.

I bought a new Epson printer today (an SX515W) which is also a scanner and copier. Could someone please advise me what is the best way to care for the printer and keep it in good condition. I intend to print a page every week or two so that it doesn't clog again. Is this a good idea? If so, then how frequently should I do that?

[woofgang]

My sis prints one page a week and that seems to keep her printer in good nick. She just does the test print (NOT the head clean)

[Hugh Spencer]

Don't print out a large item every week, just put something small on the bed which is very colourful and use that sheet for future tests. Incidentally, because I have had trouble with compatibles in the past, I use genuine cartridges through Amazon, around £7 each.

[SlackAlice]

Just print out a test page every week. Can recommend 'Jettec' cartridges as replacements. Top quality and cheaper than Epsons own brand. Many years ago In another job I had we used to have an Epson engineer round to service the firms equipment and he suggested I use them.

[boxtops]

if you just want to test, do a photocopy - uses the same amount of ink but means you can copy an ad from a magazine, or something else suitably colourful. Good idea.

[Andyvon]

Thank you everyone.

I will print a page every week then and I'll order some Jettec cartridges.

[Wak]

If you don't use the printer very much then printing a small article every week is a good idea to keep the jets running free.
I always print a short line of CAPITAL LETTERS of each colour (red, yellow, blue & black) as, this way you can see if any jet is clogged (by the horizontal streaks) and exactly which colour jet it is.
If one colour is clogged I then run half a page of that colour until it runs clear.
This uses far less ink than the general built-in cleaning process which cleans all jets whether they need it or not.
Just an idea which you might find useful.

[Andyvon]

Thank you Wak.

I did have it in mind to print a sheet of large Xs which I had coloured so that is what I will do. It's also handy to know not to use the head cleaning facility too often so I'll print letters in one colour if I have a problem. I'll check the printer every week as I've just ordered a set of Jettec cartridges as SlackAlice recommends and they are a very reasonable price.

[welshlibranr]

It's a throwaway society now Andy!....our's went on the blink a few months ago, seems that they have a built in counter, and when you have got to the amount specified, then it breaks down!...........but if you don't use it enough then the ink dires out!............no win situation!.......no point in repairing!.......cheaper to buy another one!..............sad though, isn't it?................

[Andyvon]

Hi Welshlibrarn,

The Epson R200 that stopped working was new in August when I installed it on my new computer (after my old PC died). I printed off a test sheet - then didn't need to use it again until this week when it wouldn't print. Cartridge World ran cleaners through it and soaked the heads overnight but they said it was so clogged it was ruined. I'm very pleased with the new Epson though. I can't tell the difference between a colour copy and the original!

The R200 still looks so good that it's still sitting here. I can't bring myself to throw it in the bin yet! As you say, it's very sad how everything is so throwaway now.

[welshlibranr]

yes Andy, very true that we need to use the printer, so that it doesn't clog!...but if we use if lots, then the counter kicks in, and decides that the printer has had it's life!....