Revised for the latest refillable cartridges - March 7, 2008
Prefilled Easyrefill Cartridges Instructions
Using Prefilled Easyrefill Cartridges - Read the complete instructions carefully before installing the cartridges.
- Print head clog - A new set of cartridge will not clear already clogged print heads. At the same time, banding, or blank
horizontal lines, is not always caused by clogged print heads. Air bubbles trapped in the print heads will cause banding on
prints similar to the banding from clogged print heads. To make sure the print heads are in good shape it is a good idea
to have a set of cleaning cartridges to clean out the print heads before switching to 3rd party inks. A print test will verify if
the print head is in good condition.
- Tips to avoid print head clogs
Always leave the cartridges in the printer, even when the ink monitor showing the cartridges are empty. By not removing
the "empty" cartridges, the print heads will remain moist. Chances are, there will still be a some ink left inside that will
keep the print head moist. If the cartridges are removed from the printer, the inks inside the print heads will dry and will
clog up the print heads. A special cleaning fluid may have to be used to get the printer back to working condition.
The recommended steps to installing the prefilled Easyrefill Cartridges:
- Before switching to the refillable cartridges and our bulk inks, print the purge page ( the multi-color solid color blocks
) to confirm the printer is printing perfectly. If there is a clog, or banding, fix it before using the new refillable
cartridges. If the print heads are clogged, a new set of cartridges will not fix it. Use the extra cartridges in the
ink/cartridge package to make your own cleaning cartridges.
Print the purge page for test using best photo setting with regular paper. A perfect print will have no banding. This
confirm the print heads are in good shape. This print pattern will be used again after the cartridges are installed.
- Click to download the purge pattern.
- Once it is confirmed the purge print test is good, the purge pattern comes out without blank lines get the refillable
cartridges ready for installation. Again, if the purge pattern is bad, clean the print heads first. The vent plugs must be
removed to allow ink flow. The printer will not print if the vent plugs are not removed. The refill plugs must be firmly in
place or gravity will pull inks out of the cartridges.
How to unclog Print heads in case if the print heads are already clogged?
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Reminder - blank lines on the print is not always cause by clogged print heads. If the print test done before switching to the
refillable cartridges comes out perfectly, the blank lines is most likely caused by air bubbles in the print heads.
How does one clear the air bubbles in the print heads?
This suggestion is from a customer. I want to thank George Hawkins in the UK for giving me this suggestion. George
uses the refillable cartridges in his Epson 2100 and the Epson R2400. When trying to set up the refillable cartridges,
George had a hard time getting a good print pattern. He cut out the tips of the Q-tip and use it as a straw. Incidentally, a
straw that fits the cone part in the cartridge carriage should works just the same. This straw was inserted into the cone in
the cartridge carriage. Drip enough ink into the straw until ink fills the particular nozzle. Some ink will leak out from the
print head so do not flood the print head with ink. After filling the particular nozzle with ink, air bubbles is pushed out and
the than cartridge is replaced. He did this to the nozzle he could not clear using the Epson driver cleaning utility.
Should I shake the cartridges like I shake the original cartridges?
Yes, it will be a good idea to gently shake the cartridges before removing them from the package. To avoid inks
splashing, do not shake the cartridges after the plugs are removed or the cartridge have been installed. The cartridges
should be left in the upright position of at least 12 hours after shaking. This helps to allow the air bubbles that might have
been trapped in the cartridges to rise to the top. The cartridges are ready to be installed. Again, do not remove the
original cartridge from your printer before these refillable cartridges are ready to be installed.
Should I install the cartridges as a set?
Yes, the cartridges should be used as a set. Be sure the chip did not come off while in transit. Seat the cartridges firmly to
hear a "click". Press the cartridge down on the rear corner and the front corner a couple of times to ensure the cartridges
are seating correctly. Inspect the cartridge to make sure the chips did not come off in transit. Never install a cartridge
without a chip.
How to identify the vent plugs?
The vent port
After the cartridges are installed, the printer will do a self clean. Make sure the vent plugs are removed, the cartridges are
seated by pressing down on the two top corners and a click is heard. Print the purge pattern again three times at best
photo setting. Observe if the print test purge pattern is getting better. After three pages, the pattern is not improving, use
the SSC utility to do an Initial Charge or Powerful Cleaning. Print the purge page again. Repeat printing the purge test 3 -
4 pages on regular paper and observe if the pattern improves. If you have doubt when doing the print test, send me an
instant message by Skype or by email. Skype is an instant messaging service that will allow faster respond to your
support questions and will help me provide support more efficiently.
For empty cartridges : The vent port
How to get a good nozzle check without wasting too much inks:
Do not use the Auto nozzle check and clean, the Auto Nozzle Check and Clean could empty the cartridges in minutes.
Use the SSC utility to clean. The SSC works much better and does not waste much ink. However, the SSC has no Mac
support. Windows
Download the SSC utility
1. The SSC allows cleaning only black or just color.
2. Initial charge should be used after the cartridge has just been replaced.
3. Powerful cleaning
4. Normal cleaning
If black is not printing correctly, use Black head cleaning. If one color is not printing right, use Color head cleaning.
The SSC should be used and the Auto nozzle check and clean in the Epson driver utility should be avoided.
Print the purge pattern.
Print 3 - 4 pages of the purge pattern, this will give you a good idea if air bubbles are trapped in the print heads. If the
purge pattern is showing large blank section, see if it will improves after printing 2 - 3 pages. If not, run the SSC initial
charge. It it is just blank lines, run the powerful clean. Print the purge pattern again, it should be much better. Print a few
more pages to see if it improves.
When the cartridge is full, the cartridge could drip in the beginning during the initial set up. This dripping will stop after
printing 4 - 5 pages.
Keep printing the purge page and do not swap the each time a cartridge is removed, air will be introduced into the print
heads. If you must clean, use the SSC utility.
The software monitor ink level cannot be used to monitor the actual ink level.
High capacity refillable cartridge has more ink in the cartridge. The software ink monitor level will not show an accurate
level. When the ink monitor is showing the cartridge is at half, you are likely to have the cartridge 80% full. If the cartridge
goes empty, you will know. The prints will not come out right.
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