Ink outdated

[Hellstan]

I have a few cartridges for my Z3100 which are outdated this month.
Those which are loaded now are far from empty.
If I install the outdated ones in only a month or two, will my prints
be ruined ?

PS : I'm used to shoot with outdated film without any glitch, but
inks is not gelatine.

PS 2 : I saw that Hefger Media sold refillable cartridge of their own making.
Anyone knows about quality level of these ?

[Ernst Dinkla]

I have a few cartridges for my Z3100 which are outdated this month.
Those which are loaded now are far from empty.
If I install the outdated ones in only a month or two, will my prints
be ruined ?

PS : I'm used to shoot with outdated film without any glitch, but
inks is not gelatine.

PS 2 : I saw that Hefger Media sold refillable cartridge of their own making.
Anyone knows about quality level of these ?

If the volume you print is that low I wouldn't recommend to use third party inks. The ink price can not make the difference and the risks of pigment settling in intermittent use is real.

A quote from someone who's more familiar with HP policies:

>The Design jet Series Inks (all but z6100 and 8/9/10000s Series) inks
> rely on a pair of dates. One, On the box is the Install By Date,
> Usually 1 year into the warranty of the cartridge/print head. the
> second on the actual print head, is the expiry date (both are listed
> YYYYMMDD (eg 20081122)
>
> For all Z and T Series People, these inks CAN be used after those
> dates... They just are not guaranteed by HP, if you do use them after
> that date.... SHAKE THEM HARD... I mean HARD.... more than 10 Minutes
> if possible, this will cause the pigments to mix properly giving you
> good color

snipped from the Wide Inkjet list.


Ernst Dinkla

Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/

[Hellstan]

If the volume you print is that low I wouldn't recommend to use third party inks. The ink price can not make the difference and the risks of pigment settling in intermittent use is real.

A quote from someone who's more familiar with HP policies:

>The Design jet Series Inks (all but z6100 and 8/9/10000s Series) inks
> rely on a pair of dates. One, On the box is the Install By Date,
> Usually 1 year into the warranty of the cartridge/print head. the
> second on the actual print head, is the expiry date (both are listed
> YYYYMMDD (eg 20081122)
>
> For all Z and T Series People, these inks CAN be used after those
> dates... They just are not guaranteed by HP, if you do use them after
> that date.... SHAKE THEM HARD... I mean HARD.... more than 10 Minutes
> if possible, this will cause the pigments to mix properly giving you
> good color

snipped from the Wide Inkjet list.


Ernst Dinkla

Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/

Thanks a lot, Ernst.
I know you're more senior than me in all things Z3100, but I've also read this :

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/documen...;product=448402

Besides, my point is I will have a lot of prints and test prints to do in the coming weeks.
Reason why I thought of using third party refillable and don't want to throw my outdated
genuine HP either.
Is there a risk of pigment settling in cartridge  , or in the Z3100's ink circuitry      ?.

[Ernst Dinkla]

Thanks a lot, Ernst.
I know you're more senior than me in all things Z3100, but I've also read this :

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/documen...;product=448402

Besides, my point is I will have a lot of prints and test prints to do in the coming weeks.
Reason why I thought of using third party refillable and don't want to throw my outdated
genuine HP either.
Is there a risk of pigment settling in cartridge  , or in the Z3100's ink circuitry      ?.

In no way I can give a guarantee that that ink will be compatible in every aspect. The manufacturer might but I doubt he will give you some heads to replace the ones where the nozzles are blocked ...........
What I know of my own use of third party inks in Epsons is that the printer that is working continuously has a better chance to give consistent prints (color, clogs, banding, etc) with third party inks than one that is used from time to time. Pigment settling happened in the cart and in the lines. It may have been improved meanwhile but the Z is so frugal on ink that I do not see the gain on ink costs as important.
Been there and no desire to go back.


Ernst Dinkla

Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/

[neil snape]

I have a whole large box full of outdated inks I just found in the basement. They will be less than ideal but for most purposes I cannot see why not to use them or let someone else do so.

There seems to be a difference in glossiness between old ink and new, but if you're printing on photo media with GE you wouldn't see it.

[Hellstan]

I have a whole large box full of outdated inks I just found in the basement. They will be less than ideal but for most purposes I cannot see why not to use them or let someone else do so.

There seems to be a difference in glossiness between old ink and new, but if you're printing on photo media with GE you wouldn't see it.

Thanks, dear Neil.
And what about third parties ink ?
This one is proposed here (Canadians, by the way):
http://cgi.ebay.fr/HP-70-cartridge-Kit-Ref...1742.m153.l1262

With a forum item here :
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat...2638&page=4

BTW, how are you ?
Will you be at Paris Photo ?

[rdonson]

Personally, I wouldn't risk my Z3100 with non-HP inks.  Its simply not worth it to me.

I would use out of date HP inks.  

Right now all my inks are in warranty and all my heads are out of warranty.  I don't worry about it as long as the prints look good.

[neil snape]

Thanks, dear Neil.
And what about third parties ink ?
This one is proposed here (Canadians, by the way):
http://cgi.ebay.fr/HP-70-cartridge-Kit-Ref...1742.m153.l1262

With a forum item here :
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat...2638&page=4

BTW, how are you ?
Will you be at Paris Photo ?

Well , looking forward to new discoveries in printing....
Paris photo, I could go, let me know and I'll get there if possible.

I wouldn't try third party inks. unless the image quality was not a part of the equation.
You would be able to get by , the colours may be close to HP, but the lightfastness would not be. In a worst case scenario you would loose a print head or two, but on a Z that is not a big deal.