Carbon content in black ink

[Colin]

Roland SP-540i

The K-head that I had replaced about a year ago is shot; deflections started again after only a few months. I’ve tried everything to get this relatively new K-head to print better, but it won’t, so have to replace it again. I’m told that this common problem is due to the higher carbon content of the OEM Roland ink (Eco-Sol Max). Apparently the newer printers and their inks don’t have this problem.

In the 5.5 years of ownership, I’ve always used the OEM inks, but on my last order I bought the Rite-Media ProColor inks through All Graphic Supplies (half the price of Roland ink). I haven’t started in on the Pro-Color Black cartridge yet, but just a thought and question:

Is it possible that the Pro-Color inks might not have that same high carbon content? If so, then it follows that it would be wise to first burn through the OEM black ink that I have, and get a ProColor cartridge started before putting in a new head.

 

[Ragnabrok]

The black head does tend to deflect much sooner than the others, but doing so after only a few months isn't right. It's a mixed bag of results going from OEM ink to others, some people get much more trouble, others don't notice a difference.

If it's not a busy printer, and the ink sits still in the cartridge for a while it can create more issues with deflection, which is why VS series got the user to shake the ink periodically.

I can't say if there is a difference of carbon levels between inks, heck they might not use carbon at all for black and use some other pigment.

 

[Colin]

I can't say if there is a difference of carbon levels between inks

Thanks, yes, I thought that this would be a tough one to truly know about, but thought that someone might have some insight.

 

[Gino]

The last poster, Ragna, brings to mind something I was told a long time ago. How many hours a week do you think you print with your machine and do you save it all for one day or spread it out over the entire week ?? Ours used to get about 35 to 45 hours of use a week. We're now down a bit, due to adding a flatbed, but we still get about 20 to 25 hours a week for printing alone on our Roland. Cutting is a different story. I did about 6 hours myself, today. With that kinda usage, you are replacing the cartridges more frequently, so perhaps your inks aren't being rotated enough.

 

[Colin]

Yes, being a one-man-show, it doesn't get used as much as larger, busy shops, although I have had many times where it's going flat-out for days in a row, so it's all over the map. Even when it is slow, I do a CMYK print every 2-3 days.