I've read that CISS require more maintenance to keep the nozzles clear? I've got an Epson R260 and an HP Officejet 7310. I'm considering setting one of them up with a CISS. I do dance/theatrical shows so I typically run a few hundred disc and insert prints every few months but I don't use the R260 everyday. Would that be a problem?

Also, did you have to modify your printer anyway to get the tubes into it?

Thanks for the info,

Garrett

There're some maintenance... but very minimal. compared to the money saved, it totally worth it.

You just have to use your printer regularly. Don't put the tank physically above the printer. Have to be same level.

Get yourself some latex glove. =)

You will need to cut out something in the printer ink cartridges compartment to allow tubes coming out of the printer. It's hardly consider DIY... very easy to do. Your CISS supplier shall provide instructions.

I use the excellent RIHAC system as do many of my full time pro stills photography colleagues. Not for client prints I hasten to add because that type of ink can have poor longevity regardless of whether its Epson or 3rd party ink; you need pigment based inks for "proper" prints or just FTP the files to a lab as its probably cheaper anyway.

But for printing discs you can't beat it.

RIHAC Digital Solutions (http://www.rihac.co.uk/)

You do have to make a few minor modifications to your printer but its well documented and the Support service is good.

You should consider the Epson Artisan range rather than the 260. They are far far faster at disc printing than earlier models. I have the Epson PX810FW. These also can act as fax machines and scanners. You wouldn't use one to scan negs or transparencies for clients but they work great as photocopiers etc. They can be wireless as well.

Pete

I also second the Artisan. I was running two R290's and they were quite slow printing a disk..we now have a 720 and a 730 and it spits out a full colour disk in around 30 seconds or less !!

Just be careful if you are using generic ink!! Test the CISS suppliers ink before you buy the system..I found that my Epson's had a huge problem with the formula used for the yellow cartridge and all my prints had a magenta cast...if you are using Epson inks (more specifically the Claria ink) then you don't have an issue!!

Chris

Thanks all,

It looks like a Artisan 730 is very reasonably priced. I honestly only got my R260 because is was dirt cheap. But considering how many discs I have to print it may be a good time to upgrade to a faster system. I've got a 7 to 1 disc duplicator and that has helped to speed up production so now the printing is the slowest step.

I'll look into various CISS too.

Thanks again,
Garrett

I am using Artisan 50. Got it for $30 brand new at ebay =)

Just emailed you the vendor I bought CISS from.

ALso make sure you go with Dye but not pigment based ink.

I am using the Ink Republic CISS and they make a system specific to each Epson Printer, so it works seamlessly. Here is the R260 system:

InkRepublic - R2880 CIS, 3880 CIS, 3800 CIS, R1900 CIS, R2400 CIS, R1800 CIS, R800 CIS, R280 CIS, 1400 CIS, C120 CIS (http://www.inkrepublic.com/R260.asp)

The ink is great quality and comes from the same manufacturer as Epson inks so the colors almost always match. I do have to tweak some files every now in then because they may not print as true as I would wish, but nothing too dramatic. The containers sit next to my printer and the tubes run in through the side. The kit includes a stopper to allow the lid to be lifted and a bar to mount the tubes with that sticks on with double sided tape included. It took me about 20 minutes to setup and has required little maintainence.

I do run a head cleaning every week or so, but only as a precautionary measure. Be sure to give the printer time to sit after installing the system so the heads will fill completely and then printing will be smooth. I have a feeling the Artisan 50 will die before the ink system fails.

My last Epson Artisan 50 died from waste tank overflow. It refuses to operate. It was because I run the heading cleaning process regularly (or unnecessary). It costs so much to ship back to Epson to empty the waste tank. Then I found it ebay $30 a brand new one with local pickup. =)

I put together a list of things I use to make DVD and BluRay printing at home =)

Professional DVD and BluRay Production at Home | L.A. Color Blog (http://lacoloronline.com/blog/?10199-Professional-DVD-and-BluRay-Production-at-Home)

The kit I posted comes with a waste ink tank. Once it fills up just dump it and you are back in action.

That's good to know! I will look into it for my next CISS purchase. Thanks for sharing

Thanks all, very good stuff. How fast can an Artisan printer complete a full page (8 1/2" x 11") color print? Almost the full page will be filled, basically the insert for the DVD Case.

Thanks again, and now I'm off to look for the best price on a new printer :-)

Garrett

Found an Artisan 730 cheap so picking that up.

Jeff, do you know if the place you recommended has a CISS for the 730? I looked an they didn't list it on their website but it was a bit confusing since I'm not really familiar with all of the Epson line of printers.

Taky, Thanks for the info on your supplier. I'll check it out too.

-Garrett

I am not seeing one specifically for the 730, but a lot of the printers have the same 6 color system and chipsets. Send them an email and see if any of their existing systems would work. They are great about responding to email.

Thanks Jeff,

Email sent asking about the availability.

Thanks,
Garrettt

Garett, just curious how does your Artisan 730 working out for you? And which CISS you ended up going with? My Artisan 50 is acting funny these days. I'm in the market for a new CD printing inkjet and CISS.

Hi Taky,

The 730 is working out great. Much faster and cleaner printing than my old printer. I have to go back and double check but I believe I got the CISS from cisinks.com. I've run over 500 DVD's through it and am getting ready to do another run of about 150 in the next week.

so far it hasn't given me any problems. Even if it dies in the next year or so I found the printer no sale for under $100 so it would end up being a very worth while investment.

Sounds good Garrett. The 730 is now selling at $100 at amazon. It's an awesome price for a AIO printer.

Please check where you have your CISS. I will definitely follow your advice. :)

Taky,

I did get my CISS from CISinks.com. They didn't have one specifically listed for the 730 but the Artisan 700, 710, 725, 800, 810 and 835 all use the same cartridges so whichever one is listed for one of those printers was the one I got.

Thanks Garrett!! But i'm checking the site I couldn't find any CIS system for the Artisan 700, 710, 725, 800, 810 and 835. Do you mind share a link of the one you have?

I'm on this page but couldn't find it there
Continuous Ink System,Refill Ink Cartridges,DIY Bulk Ink Refill Bottles,CISS,CIS,Printer Ink,EPSON,HP,CANON,Brother,Continuous Ink System with UV Ink (http://www.cisinks.com/-c-91_95.html)

Can't find a link but the box it came in says Item No. HF-CISS(CLASSIC)/A800.

Here's what the electronic invoice says for the product:

1 x [Continuous Ink Supply System] For EPSON Stylus Photo Artisan 600 700 710 725 800 810 835 Inkjet Printers CISS CIS (D01-EA835)

I found all of the websites I looked at to be pretty confusing. Some listed the printer and others didn't. I email two other places and they all said the same thing, that the Artisan 600, 700 and 800 series use the same systems. I also looked at the part numbers for the cartridges on the Epson website and they all matched.

Just looked at the CISink site and I don't see the one I got. You might have to email them and see which one would work.

Thanks for the effort! I am going to call them tmrw to figure that out :)

Doesn't look like they have that system anymore. Good luck.

Just had an online chat with them. They don't carry that particular model anymore :/

Too bad. Did they give an indication of why they no longer carry it? Any recurring problems?

No I didn't ask. I'm sure there're other vendor who carries it. Thanks for your info Garrett.

In the search printer I type the Epson 730, and did got a hit:

I am not sure if this is what you need.

[Continuous Ink Supply System] For EPSON Stylus Photo Artisan 600 700 710 725 730 800 810 835 837 Inkjet Printers CISS CIS B (http://www.cisinks.com/continuous-ink-supply-system-for-epson-stylus-photo-artisan-600-700-710-725-730-800-810-835-837-inkjet-printers-ciss-cis-p-1528.html)

Bad link earlier

[Continuous Ink Supply System] For EPSON Stylus Photo Artisan 600 700 710 725 730 800 810 835 837 Inkjet Printers CISS CIS (http://www.cisinks.com/continuous-ink-supply-system-for-epson-stylus-photo-artisan-600-700-710-725-730-800-810-835-837-inkjet-printers-ciss-cis-p-682.html)

Finally, I got a unit through eBay by this company.

http://www.inkxpro.com/Continuous-ink-system-CISS-for-Epson-Artisan-730-p/ciss-epson-artisan-730-ex.htm

It's cheaper at $69 from eBay. I have it setup and running now. I just like the look of it with an enclosure. It looks elegance.

Then, I got some simple questions while installing. I emailed them. Andy from their customer service replied to me within 15 minutes even though today is Sunday. I am impressed with the product as well as their customer service.