Epson P800 Print Cartridges

[steverap]

Hi, I have an Epson P800 printer. Recently I read that ink cartridges should be removed and shaken periodically due to sediment buildup (one article said the white cartridge should be shaken daily, the others monthly), but Epson tech support said it's not necessary. What do other Epson printer owners do about this - anything? Thanks.

[BobShaw]

I have never shaken the cartridges once installed. Shake them prior to installing.
Removing and replacing would probably do more harm in letting in air and wrecking the seal.
I think that the printer shakes enough in use.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

I have never shaken the cartridges once installed. Shake them prior to installing.
Removing and replacing would probably do more harm in letting in air and wrecking the seal.
I think that the printer shakes enough in use.

That echoes my own practice and view completely.

[nirpat89]

Interestingly, my P400, the more consumer version of the SureColor series, has something called Ink Density Optimization which shakes the carts mechanically on its own.  You can set it on auto or invoke it manually from the driver.  The question is why did they do this only on this machine and not on its more expensive siblings?  Is it that it is not required in P600 or P800 or it is because it can be implemented more easily in P400 because of smaller tank sizes and the fact that the cartridges sit on top of the heads which allows them to be moved around.  If it supposedly helps to shake the carts in P400, OP's question remains: would it not help in the others? 

[rdonson]

I've never shaken the ink carts in my P800 after they are installed.  I've had it since July 2015.  One thing I have done is follow Jeff Schewe's advice to gently agitate a new cart before putting it in.  Agitate it like you do would a film tank. 

[Joe S]

My P800 is mounted on a flexible stand that allows me to rock it back and forth as it prints.  I can rock the ink this way without concern for seal damage or air leaks.   I recall some of the older Epson large format stands seemed to work somewhat like this.