Epson Ink Management

[Hans Berkhout]

Epson advises to shake ink cartridges prior to installing them into the printer. I can't find info if , once in the printer - sometimes several months- they need to be taken out and shaken again. If the answer is no, then what's the purpose of shaking them in the first place. If yes, thanks: how often?

[Kirk Gittings]

What is the printer? I have a 3800 that I use about every 6-8 months and all it takes is one light cleaning and off it goes.

[Paul Cunningham]

Good question.
My guess is that Epson thinks you should use them up within 3-6 months. If not, then take them out, throw them away and shake some new ones. But we know better than that.

[Peter De Smidt]

Some pigment particles will settle if the cartridges aren't periodically shaken. This happens with all pigment ink, although some are more susceptible than others. With OEM ink, I'd agitate the cartridges every couple of months.

[Jim Jones]

I have no problems with not shaking cartridges that have been my 3800 for months and even years.

[Darin Boville]

I can't hurt if they sit for many months. Takes bout two minutes. With third party inks I would definitely shake* every few months if they are just sitting there.

--Darin

* You don't really mean "shake"? Just rotate them like a wheel rolling a few times...

[Peter De Smidt]

I do a gentle shake. You don't want foaming. The pigment will settle if it's not agitated occasionally, which is why Epson has you agitate the cartridge before installing. Whether that will be a problem will depend on the specific circumstances. Some inksets, such as Eboni 6, do require regular agitation. The OEM inks are better in that regard. As always, do what works for you.

[Hans Berkhout]

I use the r3000.

I note that the Luminous Landscape forum has had some discussion on this topic as well. Some shake (gently) every 6 months or so, others don't.

Thanks all for your input.