Printer issues?

rustysurfer79 said:An HP OfficeJet Pro wouldn't even make it through a single fiscal year with demands like yours.
Why?
4 * 300 = 1200 * 12 = 14,400 = roughly 48 * $33 (that's just black and white prints; color will be significantly higher)
The printer from $533 simply cannot burn through four times that much ink money and survive a full 12 months.

So, what is the recommendation?
I haven't seen the price for this unit drop below $943, but even then, who knows??
Here is the situation: if I buy something like this, should I use my current printers for standard A4 tasks and reserve this one strictly for A3 scanning and color printing?
Or is there a better way:
For example, using standalone devices: an Epson SureColor series scanner paired with an Epson SureColor series printer. I'll pick up a setup like that once I become a graphic designer; for now, while I am still an engineer, I will settle for whatever is 😉
available.

Dennis Young57 said:So, what's the move?
I haven't seen this printer go for less than $943, and even then, who knows??
Basically: if I grab something like this, am I stuck using my old printers for A4 stuff and just using this beast for A3 scanning and color printing?
Or is there a better way:
Like having separate gear: an A3 scanner like the Epson SureColor series plus an Epson SureColor series printer. I'll probably pull the trigger on that once I finally make it as a graphic designer, but for now, while I'm still just an engineer, whatever works will do.😉

Look, if you try to find one single machine that does everything, you're basically walking into a store as easy prey for a salesperson. Neither you nor they actually know how long that "all-in-one" headache is going to last.

Why?

Because it's a new piece of kit, and nobody really knows how it's going to hold up under your specific workload. That said, if you overspec everything by 100%, you’re at least more likely to hit your targets. Honestly, anything less than 7-$2667 isn't going to cut it for what you want, and in this category, you won't find any decent all-in-one MFPs.

I am always caught off guard because you never truly know when a piece of equipment is going to fail you.
That is precisely why having a secondary printer ready as a backup is a sound strategy.
Since this model handles A3 printing, A4 duplexing, and even A3 scanning, I believe it serves as an excellent recommendation for engineering tasks. It isn't intended for high-end graphic design work.
Nevertheless, your comments have prompted me to specifically look into A3 scanners—a component I had previously overlooked for my engineering workflow.
What are the best options available? I see that the HP DesignJet scanner is being offered at a reasonable price.

Dennis Young57 said:I'm the kind of person who's always waiting for something to break.
That's why having a backup printer isn't a bad idea.
Since this one handles A3, does duplex A4, and even scans A3, I figured it'd be a solid recommendation for engineering work. I don't need it for high-end graphic design.
Still, you guys got me thinking about A3 scanners (that was the missing piece for me), specifically for engineering stuff.
Any suggestions? I see there's a budget-friendly HP DesignJet scanner available.

Alright, now we're actually getting somewhere. So, the move is to get a dedicated scanner.

If you're looking at printing 300 pages a week, you either need a tank system or a printer with an ink capacity of at least 40ml.

Look, I don't want to lead you down a rabbit hole here. Go hunt for an A3 printer that fits those specs, then come back and let me know what you find.

I believe the HP OfficeJet Pro (perhaps even the more budget-friendly HP OfficeJet Pro which lacks the dual trays and A4 duplexing) will be perfectly sufficient for my specific workflow.
My need for an A3 scanner is growing, and I also require some A3 printing capabilities.
I need a printer that can serve as a reliable, rapid backup should anything happen to my current A4 setup—which consists of both laser and inkjet models—so this seems to be my only viable path.
If there are any other suggestions out there, please let me know!
Initially, I considered replacing my current printers with this unit entirely. However, based on the feedback, it clearly isn't built for heavy-duty use. But as a secondary option that provides A3 printing plus, most importantly, A3 scanning, it remains an excellent choice for me. 🙂

Dennis Young57 said:I think an HP OfficeJet Pro (maybe even the cheaper HP OfficeJet Pro if I skip the dual tray and A4 duplex) would be plenty for my workflow.
I'm finding myself needing an A3 scanner more often lately, plus some A3 printing too.
I basically need a printer that acts as a solid backup if my current A4 setup (lasers and inkjets) ever craps out, so this feels like my best bet.
If there’s anything else out there, please let me know!
Initially, I thought about replacing my current printers with this, but based on the replies, it might not be heavy-duty enough. Still, as a backup + some A3 printing + most importantly that A3 scanner = it's actually a pretty great option for me. 🙂

Just so we're clear here,

we're talking about a workload of 300 full-color prints a week, which is roughly 4 * 20 ml of ink.

The capacity for one set of tanks on the HP OfficeJet Pro is 7.5 + 3*5.5 ml.

Get real for a second.

Incorrect!
The ink tank capacity for an HP OfficeJet Pro is either 56.2ml or 32.2ml
But it doesn't matter!
My initial plan was to swap out our current A4 printers for a more versatile machine capable of handling 300 prints a week. However, I now see this is a fantastic alternative to our existing setup, especially since it offers A3 printing and A3 scanning capabilities too!
You have actually convinced me to rethink my entire purchasing strategy for this new printer!
I am dead serious about buying one. 😉

Dennis Young57 said:Wrong!
The ink tank set for the HP OfficeJet Pro is either 56.2ml or 32.2ml
But whatever!
At first, I was just looking to swap out my current A4 printers for something more versatile that could handle about 300 prints a week. Now I'm realizing this thing is actually a killer alternative to what I have, plus I get some A3 printing and A3 scanning in the mix!
You guys actually talked me into changing my mind about what kind of printer I need!
I am dead serious about picking up a machine like this. 😉

Stop joking around

Why?

Because that's the total capacity for all 4 tanks combined.

3* 7 + 11.2

Sure, XL tanks exist, but manufacturers aren't ever going to roll those out. It doesn't make sense for them to stock stuff nobody wants to buy because most customers are just as clueless as everyone else and go for the cheapest option. Plus, it’s just better for the retailer's bottom line.

Why is this constant lack of seriousness happening again?
For instance, why wouldn't the HP OfficeJet Pro be a solid choice for scanning A3+ and handling some color A3+ printing as a reliable backup for standard A4 printers?
The issue is simply that not every retailer carries models with large ink tanks.
I am looking for a superior suggestion to the HP OfficeJet Pro—something capable of A3+ scanning with a lower volume of A3 color printing (I have decided I don't need A4 duplex functionality anymore).
There are options like Epson EcoTank systems,
and there are also versions available for the Epson EcoTankCISS models.

Dennis Young57 said:Why is it always the same thing? Seriously, why can't anyone just get it together for once?
So, why wouldn't something like the HP OfficeJet Pro be a solid choice for scanning A3+ or doing some wide-format color printing? I'm thinking about using it as a reliable backup for my standard A4 setup.
Why doesn't every single shop carry those bigger tanks?
I'm looking for a solid upgrade over the HP OfficeJet Pro. I need something that handles A3 scanning like a pro, but since I don't really need much A3 color printing, I can skip the A4 duplex feature. Any suggestions?
I guess there's also... Continuous Ink Supply System,
Does anyone know if there's anything available for the HP OfficeJet Pro too? Continuous Ink Supply System

Are you actually being serious about this? Because...

So, turns out that 300 isn't even a factor anymore.
Because those heads usually only last about 10,000 to 15,000 prints on average.

Look, if you go through the trouble of installing a Continuous Ink Supply System, you aren't exactly going to be sticking with original HP ink anymore. You’re just going to hunt down whatever cheap ink looks decent enough to work with your setup. At that point, you’re basically looking at a lifespan of maybe 5,000 to 6,000 pages before the whole thing gives out. You should ask someone else in this thread who thought the same way—how many prints they actually managed to squeeze out of a similar DIY setup. To get a CISS to actually function, someone has to play guinea pig with specific ink brands over a huge volume of prints. And by the time you figure out what works, that printer model isn't even being sold anymore. The manufacturer designs things this way on purpose. They have zero interest in having some random guy out there picking the "best" third-party ink and trying to service their machines for them. That kind of independence doesn't put money in their pockets, so they don't build for it.

And that’s exactly why your whole approach is just a joke.

I didn't mention the Continuous Ink Supply System to talk about how much ink you think defines a quality printer. That isn't my point at all.
I plan to pick up a set of larger tanks alongside it. Given my volume of A3 blueprints, that supply should easily last me a full year. I won't even touch the A4 settings until my current machine is scheduled for service. Most importantly, scanning those A3 prints will be effortless. 🙂
Printing 10,000 A3 blueprints—that should keep me busy until retirement. 😉
Am I sounding a bit more serious now? 😁

Since we are discussing replacing an existing color A4 printer that handles about 300 prints a week, and since we’ve already touched upon Continuous Ink Supply Systems:
What are your thoughts on my upcoming printer setup?
A basic A4 color duplex printer. HP OfficeJet Pro WP-4025DW It features built-in Wi-Fi. It comes equipped with larger ink tanks, holding 109.1ml each. This model handles standard letter-sized color printing and supports automatic duplexing.
I might just pick it up with a Continuous Ink Supply System or those refillable tanks.
I am looking for an alternative to the HP OfficeJet Pro. I need a reliable machine for standard letter-sized color printing, though I also require the ability to handle occasional tabloid-sized prints. Scanning capabilities are equally important; the device must be able to scan both letter and tabloid documents. Finally, I am specifically interested in models equipped with high-capacity or continuous ink supply systems.
This setup seems like my best bet for my future office. However, I am open to hearing if anyone has a superior printer configuration. Please provide your suggestions and critiques.

Dennis Young57 said:So, since we're already talking about replacing an old A4 color printer and hitting around 300 pages a week, and we touched on the whole CISS thing:
What do you guys think of my upcoming printer setup?
Just looking for a basic A4 color printer that can handle double-sided printing. HP OfficeJet Pro WP-4025DW It’s got Wi-Fi and those bigger 3.7 oz ink tanks. Perfect if you need to knock out some color A4 stuff or double-sided prints.
I might just grab one that comes with a CISS or those refillable tanks.
I'm looking for an HP OfficeJet Pro to serve as my go-to for color printing on standard letter size. I also need it to handle some occasional tabloid-sized prints and scanning, specifically for those larger blueprints and docs. Ideally, I'd want something equipped with a Continuous Ink Supply System or at least some high-capacity ink tanks.
This looks like my dream setup for my future office, but I'm wondering if anyone has a better idea for a printer configuration. Please hit me with your suggestions or any critiques you've got!

I was checking out some info on the HP OfficeJet Pro WP-4025DW. It looks like a pretty solid setup if you're trying to make things run smoother at home or in a small office. If you’re looking to save a bit on those constant ink refills, setting up a Continuous Ink Supply System might be the way to go. It definitely beats running back to the store every time you print a stack of documents.

I was digging through some old files and found this info on the HP OfficeJet Pro. It’s pretty straightforward stuff if you're looking to get the details on how it handles things like ink and overall performance. Just thought I'd share in case anyone else is hunting for specs on this model.

Man, we’re seriously repeating ourselves here... you’re gonna get the actual receipt delivered right to your doorstep during lunch.

Nobody actually knows what kind of code they're running on these latest models. Only the manufacturer knows exactly what kind of mess they've cooked up behind closed doors. If you don't believe me, just look at this fresh printout right here.

If you’re asking little Perica which ink he’s going to use to refill his cartridges, the answer is simple: whatever is cheapest. To him, ink is just ink. And honestly, that’s exactly how Chinese manufacturers think when they make those third-party replacements. But here’s the catch—the manufacturer basically set a trap for us. See, the latest series of HP printers doesn't have the same number of Black nozzles compared to the color ones. For the Chinese guys making the refills, they figure Black and color ink are basically the same thing. They just swap out the chip and call it a day. The problem? On these newer printers, the Black nozzle count is actually three times higher than the color nozzles. It’s like taking an eye dropper and drilling a hole three times larger in the bottom. You know what happens next? Overnight, all the ink just drains right out of that cheap replacement cartridge. And then little Perica is left crying because those cheap cartridges didn't even last a week. From now on, I'm sticking strictly to OEM ink. Meanwhile, the manufacturer is just sitting back there laughing at us. Yeah, they really played us.

It’s basically the same thing, just from a different angle. Since those CYMBk replacement cartridges use the exact same design and we're dealing with a 3-nozzle setup here, you technically can print three times faster. That means you can burn through ink three times quicker, too. But here's the catch: since the replacement cartridges are built identical to the originals, if the flow isn't perfect, the whole design falls apart when you try to crank up the speed. You run out of ink mid-job and the print head starts failing. Suddenly, you're seeing these annoying white lines everywhere. The pressure balances out through the neighboring nozzles, and sometimes tiny bits of paper dust get sucked in and clog everything up. And honestly? The manufacturer still gets to act like the hero. They basically screw us over. "Why didn't you just use our expensive OEM cartridges?" they ask, like it was our fault all along.

And you guys just follow orders like good little sheep and pay up.

That’s just how it goes with all these new printers. Nobody even looks at the older models anymore because everyone already knows the drill. You and guys like you have already figured out all the tricks and workarounds.

Selecting a printer is a solid decision.
One must simply ensure that low-quality ink isn't purchased.
How does one identify high-quality ink?
When a company like rustysurfer79 sells printers equipped with a Continuous Ink Supply System, it is evident that these are reliable machines.
Are customers satisfied with such a choice?
Discussions on various forums regarding ink have concluded that products from Inkrepublic, Inkjetcarts, Inkjetmall, and Inkjetfly are excellent; nobody reports the kind of issues little Perica deals with.
Thus, the market is not as bleak as it might initially appear.
Older printer models are proven to be fine, yet I see no reason to purchase used goods.

Dennis Young57 said:So, picking the right printer is fine.
The real trick is making sure you don't buy garbage ink.
How do you actually spot high-quality ink?
When a company like Inkrepublic sells printers with a Continuous Ink Supply System, it’s usually a sign they're solid.
Are customers happy with those setups?
Looking through some US forums, people seem to agree that stuff from Inkrepublic, Inkjetcarts, Inkjetmall, and Inkjetfly is top-tier, and nobody's complaining about the issues little Perica is running into.
Basically, the market isn't as bleak as it looks at first glance.
Those older printer models are proven to work, but I'm personally not feeling the whole "buying used" thing.

Good questions.

You won't really get the full answer until these printers become old models that aren't even manufactured anymore.

It's like you think older printers were never brand new. People weren't asking these same questions back then.

Alright, we have settled the printer issue.
However, from what I can see, rustysurfer79 offers several different types of ink for these machines.
What is the actual difference between these inks, and which one serves which specific purpose?
Furthermore, how does the choice of ink impact the longevity of the printer, as well as the overall durability and quality of the prints?

Dennis Young57 said:Alright, we settled the printer question.
But looking at the shop, rustysurfer79 offers a bunch of different ink types for these machines.
What’s actually the deal with all these inks—what is each one meant for?
How do they affect how long the printer lasts, plus the overall print quality?

I usually have about 20 different types of ink in stock. We can break them down into a few main categories:

1. Dye class >> This is the cheapest option for everyday use and causes the least amount of headaches if you match it right with your refillable cartridges. We split this into two tiers: Budget and Premium. The Premium stuff is basically the best we could find on the market, and it runs about 4x the price of the Budget line. The Budget line is pretty much what everyone else is selling, except ours is fresh because we ship it by air. Most other guys import by Sea and have no clue what they're actually getting. Here, we get direct feedback through our service department regarding quality and any issues. The real difference between Premium and Budget comes down to calibration and color intensity.

2. Artis class >> Water-resistant pigmented ink. For anyone wanting to put something permanent into a CISS setup. It’s about 4 times pricier than the cheapest option. Since it's pigmented, it's not the perfect choice for a high-end PHOTO consumer. However, using it for stickers or on rubber transfer paper gives awesome results. It also works great for making scented keychains. It’s also solid for printing on PCB boards because the ink contains a polymer that makes it water-resistant once cured, without clogging the nozzles. Only one version available.

3. Sublimation class >> Specifically for transferring designs onto polyester shirts and mugs. Just one version.

4. Edible ink >> For printing on communion wafers and things like that. Use rice paper or cellulose. Doesn't work on Epson. Only for Canon. There are two versions: one with natural pigments and one with synthetic ones. The difference is that synthetic pigments are closer to standard CMYK colors, while the natural ones are the healthier choice.

5. Eco-solvent ink >> Only for Mimaki and Roland plotters.
6. Sticky ink >> Only for HP printers using the Adobe Hybrid print system.

etc.

Basically, your best bet is grabbing a package of permanent cartridges plus Colibri ink. Based on experience, your printer's lifespan will be about 2 * 4 * 100 ml of ink or 2 * $43 + tax. Do the math on how much you save compared to OEM cartridges. After that, just go buy a new printer. Everyone wins.

Thanks for the reply.
So, this ink would provide waterproof prints on the printers mentioned, and it isn't hard on the nozzles either.
Things are much clearer now. I don't intend to use photo glossy paper.
The price for that ink would be 4*100ml=$43 plus tax, right?
One more question:
What exactly is this pigment photo ink? For example, the EPSON R2000 / R3000 or Canon PRO-1 / PRO-10 use pigment photo inks to make photos and posters for home use.
On foreign forums, it's considered top-tier ink, but only for the best models
or those with CISS systems.
However, from what I can see, this is mostly for graphic designers, though it would be nice to print some posters and photos at home!
How suitable are these types of printers for work in, say, an engineer's office?

Dennis Young57 said:Thanks for the reply.
So, using Artist ink on those printers would give me waterproof prints, and it's pretty easy on the nozzles, right?
That clears things up! I don't really plan on using glossy photo paper anyway.
So, what's the damage on price for that ink? Is it 4 * 100ml = $43 plus tax, or what?
One more thing:
What kind of "photo pigment ink" are we talking about here? Because, for example, the EPSON R2000 / R3000 or the Canon PRO-1 / PRO-10 use pigment photo inks for making photos and posters at home!
On foreign forums, people say this stuff is top-tier, but only for the high-end models
or those with CISS systems.
From what I can see, this is mostly aimed at pros, but it would be cool to print some posters and photos at home!
How well would these types of printers actually work in a setting like an engineer's office?

Let's take this one step at a time.
Here are 3 or 4 examples using Artis ink.

1. Printed on standard 80lb Sticky cellulose paper. The left side uses Artis ink, while the right side uses a super fine Dye ink. After 30 minutes—with zero heat treatment—I dunked the paper into a tray of photo developer water and just left it there overnight.
Check out the results:

2. Same printer, same ink. This was printed on some mesh. Basically, the surface has to be porous.

3. Everything else is the same, but printed on rubber transfer paper and heat-pressed onto twill. The whole thing was washed, crumpled, and even torn.

4. Same ink again, just a different printer, but this time it's printed on water slide paper and transferred onto twill.

Dennis Young57 said:Thanks for the reply.
So, using Artist ink on those printers would give me waterproof prints, and it’s supposedly easy on the nozzles.
That clears things up! I don't really plan on using photo glossy paper anyway.
So, what's the damage for that ink? Is it 4*100ml=$43 plus tax or what?
One more thing:
What's the deal with pigment photo ink? For example, the EPSON R2000 / R3000 or Canon PRO-1 / PRO-10 use pigment photo inks for making photos and posters at home!
On foreign forums, they call it top-tier ink, but only for the best models
or ones with CISS systems.
But this seems geared more toward graphic designers, though it’d be pretty cool to print some posters and photos at home!
How suitable are these kinds of printers for something like an engineer's office?

Pigment ink and photo ink just aren't the same thing.

Even if we have that pigment Premium PHOTO ink for the R 2000.

Why is dye ink better?

Because it offers way more shades and deeper tones within the same color family.

How?

With dye PHOTO, you get that Ink Stacking effect.

See, since pigment ink is basically an opaque coating, you don't get consistent color interpretation when printing bi-directionally because of how the nozzles hit the page. This means the printer has to run uni-directionally. That's why it ends up being about 50% slower than a Photo printer using dye ink. Plus, with pigment ink, "stacking" doesn't actually create a new shade—the color is strictly limited by the pigment itself. But with dye ink stacking—whether through multiple passes, dot-on-dot, or varying droplet volume—you can pull almost any tone from light to dark using the exact same base ink.

For engineering work, you honestly don't need anything more than a 4-color system.