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Post by Dania on Sept 30, 2010 9:41:35 GMT -5
Gail does your gray ink run out a lot?
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Post by AnnaMatrix on Sept 30, 2010 12:30:21 GMT -5
Hi, Dania. Doesn't seem to run out any faster than my other colors, but its more of a hassle cause its hard to find. Just ordered 8 gray cartridges from Canon online so I'll have plenty of backup. My printer has a large black reservoir for text, then smaller gray, black, cyan, yellow and magenta cartridges for photo printing. It does a great job, but having to order the gray is annoying!  What printer do you use?? Gail |
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Post by Dania on Sept 30, 2010 12:45:41 GMT -5
Hi, Dania. Doesn't seem to run out any faster than my other colors, but its more of a hassle cause its hard to find. Just ordered 8 gray cartridges from Canon online so I'll have plenty of backup. My printer has a large black reservoir for text, then smaller gray, black, cyan, yellow and magenta cartridges for photo printing. It does a great job, but having to order the gray is annoying! What printer do you use?? Gail Ok - we must have the same printer. But I'm frustrated because they say that the ink should last for 420 prints. These were the inks that came with the printer that are running out, so I'm wondering if they were only partial. I have not printed 420 pictures. I just got the message, so I'm assuming I still have some juice left. I ordered all the colors from Amazon this morning. Have you tried the generic ink? |
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Post by AnnaMatrix on Oct 1, 2010 8:15:47 GMT -5
Dania, I've only used the Canon ink so far... By all means keep printing once the warning that "ink is running low" comes up - you'll get a ton of prints before you totally run out! Once that happens, the printer will stop and cue you to change the cartridge. Just like you've done, I make sure I've got a backup cartridge on hand once I get the initial warning, but wait to change until the last drop is gone! ;D I've never really noticed how many prints I get from a cartridge, but it sure isn't 420! However, my prints look so great, I'm not gonna complain. I figure the convenience of being able to print any picture, any size at a moments notice is worth it! I bet you have the newer version of my printer (I've had mine for about a year), which is the Canon MP390. This one also scans, so I can scan in old pix to reprint, too. Had a different Canon printer before, and it was OK, but this one is definitely better! Hope you enjoy yours! Gail |
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Post by Susan on Oct 1, 2010 8:28:25 GMT -5
hey ladies - just my .02 - - - whenever a printer mfg. makes a statement like "420 prints per ink tank" I always roll my eyes. I think REALLLY? How do they know if I'm printing all 8x10/300dpi black and white prints - or 4x6/72 dpi nature prints. how in the world could they know how long an ink tank is going to last??? when we used to buy black toner printers the mfg. would always say how many "sheets" the toner cart. would print. THAT made more sense - but still not perfect sense. I write the date on the ink tank when I replace one, and then pay attention to that. I tend to think in months instead of prints. I know the sizes, types, resolutions, quantities and colors of pictures I print - so I tend to think in "black tank lasts me 2.5 months...magenta lasts 3-4 months" etc. I have a Canon Pixma and love it to pieces - it's older than the hills and dying! So when I shop for my next one - I'll be taking all of those "print per tank" with a huge grain of salt. Just wanted to chime in...  |
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Post by Dania on Oct 1, 2010 9:46:33 GMT -5
Thanks girls. I have a Canon MP990. I got it in June. I have only printed 4x4, 4x6 and 2 or 3 5x7. I can honestly say that if I printed 100 pictures it was too much. I print as I need and I know the pages and projects I have completed since I started printing. All I can think of is that the Included cartridges were partial. I'll keep printing today until I get that notice Gail. And Susan when I replace the cartridges I'm going to start noting them - great idea. Oh and the printer is beautiful. Wireless and I just discovered that it scans negatives for printing. WooHoo. I haven't done it yet. But I don't have a wedding album  but I have proofs and negatives.  Thank you both. |
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Post by scrapkatze on Oct 1, 2010 10:17:02 GMT -5
I think my Canon Pixima came with partial cartridges, when I bought it, years ago. I've noticed that when I don't print for two or three weeks, it takes longer to clean the printing heads and I'm sure that it uses quite a bit of ink then.
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Post by AnnaMatrix on Oct 1, 2010 10:38:57 GMT -5
Excellent points, Scrapkatze and Susan. My former Canon was a Pixma too! (In fact the new one uses the Pixma cartridges as well.) I'm really fond of Canon printers for their ease-of-use and print quality. Susan, I think I'll start putting dates on my cartridges - great idea! My printer also goes through an automatic print head cleaning if I haven't printed in a while, and I'm sure you're right Scrapkatze, that that means a bunch of ink down the drain! Oh well, still think its a small price to pay for what I'm getting! Gail |
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 1, 2010 11:20:00 GMT -5
Where were you guys a few months ago? I replaced our home printer (wireless  ). It does a fine job printing and scanning, but I think the pics look over exposed so I don't print more than the occasional print with it. However, when I get the low ink message, I can still print for weeks. Granted, I'm printing paper copies, not photos. But I would just go until you don't have any ink left. For my printer, it prints fine until it just doesn't print anymore. And ALWAYS have an extra cartrige(s) on hand! Because you know you will run out when you need it the most! Michelle |
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Post by Dania on Oct 1, 2010 12:38:52 GMT -5
Michelle are your settings for photo? I get the best quality when I select Photo printing.
And yes this Canon does print beautifully. I do like the flexibility of cropping and printing at home. I find many times that I can get a good picture to scrap by setting it up on Photoshop as a 4x4.
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Post by AnnaMatrix on Oct 1, 2010 13:25:07 GMT -5
Michelle, I agree with Dania - be sure you're set to photo print. Also, are you using some kind of photo editing software? I'm using ACDSee, which doesn't have as many features as photoshop, but is a cinch to use. There is an "Auto exposure" button, which improves my pix by a million percent ( ;D maybe a slight exaggeration). Also, since you use a point-and-shoot like I do, I find my indoor pix are often over-exposed if I leave the flash on, so I often shut the flash off and get a better result. Just a few thoughts that may help.  Gail |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2010 14:45:21 GMT -5
I have never taken the "printer running low on ink" messages too seriously...like Michelle, I can still print a LOT on either of our printers (one is a dedicated 4x6 photo printer), so I just keep an eye on the quality until I see some fading or weird colors. And I try to keep extra print cartridges on hand...something I need to go out and get, since I have approximately 700 pictures from our recent vacation! (No, I'm not going to print them all, and some will be printed in wallet-sized  |
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 1, 2010 23:04:16 GMT -5
I edit in Photoshop and use the photo settings. I used the really good paper the other day and ended up just throwing that pic out. It was of apple picking, so it was outside and the day was sunny, but the photo was taken in the shade. I had already had it printed (at Target), but wanted a reprint in a smaller size to fit the Blox better.
The printer was under $100 and DH bought it for my birthday. I was happy to have the wireless printer and it fit the budget. I'm sure the movers will have the opportunity to break this one, too. Well, truth be told, we ruined the last one. Note to self: take the ink cartridge out of the printer before you move it. We had a pool of ink inside the box when we opened it. Ugh. That stuff never did dry--we just threw the printer out.
Michelle
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Post by Dania on Oct 2, 2010 23:14:32 GMT -5
I have never taken the "printer running low on ink" messages too seriously...like Michelle, I can still print a LOT on either of our printers (one is a dedicated 4x6 photo printer), so I just keep an eye on the quality until I see some fading or weird colors. And I try to keep extra print cartridges on hand...something I need to go out and get, since I have approximately 700 pictures from our recent vacation! (No, I'm not going to print them all, and some will be printed in wallet-sized 700 pictures - wow. That will be a project. What ink do you buy so I can invest in their stock.  My son went to Europe and Japan and both trips he came home with over 400 photos. It is overwhelming. With his Europe trip I just sent them out to be printed and had him stick them in 4x6 page protectors that had a place where he was able to write what the picture was about. We stilll haven't done it for the Japan trip. |
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Post by Dania on Oct 2, 2010 23:17:54 GMT -5
I edit in Photoshop and use the photo settings. I used the really good paper the other day and ended up just throwing that pic out. It was of apple picking, so it was outside and the day was sunny, but the photo was taken in the shade. I had already had it printed (at Target), but wanted a reprint in a smaller size to fit the Blox better. The printer was under $100 and DH bought it for my birthday. I was happy to have the wireless printer and it fit the budget. I'm sure the movers will have the opportunity to break this one, too. Well, truth be told, we ruined this one. Note to self: take the ink cartridge out of the printer before you move it. We had a pool of ink inside the box when we opened it. Ugh. That stuff never did dry--we just threw the printer out. Michelle I'm sorry Michelle. I understand the frustration. I hated the way my pictures were printing. DH for my last birthday invested in this printer for me. I've had it for three months and I'm finally starting to use it. I just never thought that there was any difference in printers, but there is. |
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Post by Basketlady on Oct 3, 2010 0:46:10 GMT -5
There definitely is a difference! But luckily, I didn't buy the printer intending to print my own. I usually use Snapfish or a place like that. Lately I'm using Costco because they are only 15 minutes from the house, but I think they print their pics dark. I refuse to think it's my photography! But if my printer prints them so light and Costco prints them dark, I can't help but think that the real thing is right in the middle and perfect!
Michelle
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Post by Dania on Oct 3, 2010 8:45:08 GMT -5
There definitely is a difference! But luckily, I didn't buy the printer intending to print my own. I usually use Snapfish or a place like that. Lately I'm using Costco because they are only 15 minutes from the house, but I think they print their pics dark. I refuse to think it's my photography! But if my printer prints them so light and Costco prints them dark, I can't help but think that the real thing is right in the middle and perfect! Michelle It's not your pictures Michelle. I have the same problem at my Walgreens. Horrible what the do with pictures. I took the same pictures to get developed at Wolf Camera and the difference was night and day. |
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Post by crazy4pink on Oct 3, 2010 16:15:56 GMT -5
I have the Epson Stylus Photo printer but I only print pictures if absolutly have to. It uses soooo much ink and the pictures seem sticky for a very long time- days even. I use Target to print pics. I love to go there and use there machine with my memory card. I can crop, remove red eye, enlarge- they turn out very well. They are usually ready in less than and hour. And since I am there several times a week anyway....  Cindy |
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Post by Dania on Oct 3, 2010 18:52:48 GMT -5
I have the Epson Stylus Photo printer but I only print pictures if absolutly have to. It uses soooo much ink and the pictures seem sticky for a very long time- days even. I use Target to print pics. I love to go there and use there machine with my memory card. I can crop, remove red eye, enlarge- they turn out very well. They are usually ready in less than and hour. And since I am there several times a week anyway.... Cindy Good to know. I haven't tried Target and Wolf Camera is kind of pricey. |
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but I have proofs and negatives. 
