Aligning Print Cartridges

tourerfogey · 7th July 2007, 12:33

The 'aligning print cartridges' sequence everytime you fit a new cartridge to a printer is just a con to make you use and waste some of the ink isn't it?

Rich · 7th July 2007, 13:09

No, honest, you will notice a difference if you don't do it each time, the measurements on inkjet printers these days are so accurate that a fraction of a millimeter can and will show up on a picture!

BMC123 · 7th July 2007, 16:11

My Epson's don't do that? they "recharge" the ink cartridge yes, but I only need to realign if i notice something in the picture, and so far I have not had to do that.
I have 3 printers, 2 epson photo printers (R220 & R360) and a Minolta Colour laser, and none of them has needed alignment in the past year (although the R360 is only 6 months old)

Rich · 7th July 2007, 17:35

Lasers calibrate themselves automatically, seems a popular thing on inkjets though as the print head is often built into the cartridge itself.

tourerfogey · 7th July 2007, 18:18

Just my cynical nature then....

T-Cut · 8th July 2007, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by tourerfogey

The 'aligning print cartridges' sequence everytime you fit a new cartridge to a printer is just a con to make you use and waste some of the ink isn't it?

There are basically two types of cartridge, those with a built-in print head (eg.Hewlett Packard) and those with a permanent printhead as part of the cartridge holder/carriage (eg.Epson).
When you install new carts in the first type, you effectively fit a new set of jets, so the head alignment should be checked to ensure the ink droplets are delivered to the correct point on the paper. Installing new carts in an Epson does not upset the head settings so an alignment routine isn't called for. However, both systems go through a head cleaning routine to ensure the ink system is hydraulically locked/primed. This does waste some ink, particularly in the Epsons. Many Epson owners use the Russian freeware program 'SSC Utility' instead of Epson's own maintenance software. I fully recommend SSC to any Epson owners. Check if your model is covered by going here:http://www.ssclg.com/epsone.shtml

TC

7th July 2007, 12:33	#1
tourerfogey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Aligning Print Cartridges The 'aligning print cartridges' sequence everytime you fit a new cartridge to a printer is just a con to make you use and waste some of the ink isn't it?

7th July 2007, 13:09	#2
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	No, honest, you will notice a difference if you don't do it each time, the measurements on inkjet printers these days are so accurate that a fraction of a millimeter can and will show up on a picture! __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

7th July 2007, 16:11	#3
BMC123 Posted a thing or two 2004 1.8 Connoisseur SE, 1999 XJ8 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	My Epson's don't do that? they "recharge" the ink cartridge yes, but I only need to realign if i notice something in the picture, and so far I have not had to do that. I have 3 printers, 2 epson photo printers (R220 & R360) and a Minolta Colour laser, and none of them has needed alignment in the past year (although the R360 is only 6 months old) __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

7th July 2007, 17:35	#4
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Lasers calibrate themselves automatically, seems a popular thing on inkjets though as the print head is often built into the cartridge itself. __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

7th July 2007, 18:18	#5
tourerfogey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Just my cynical nature then....