Continuous ink systems (CIS)                                                                    Updated May 2010

Do you print a lot and find yourself constantly refilling or replacing ink cartridges?  Looking for a cheaper / easier ink solution? A continuous ink system might be the answer. CIS printers don't use traditional ink cartridges which need replacing, or refilling when the supplied ink runs out. Instead, CIS printers are fitted with external ink reservoirs and the ink cartridges are supplied (topped up) with ink automatically - as you print.
Sounds good? You can find CIS for your Canon, Epson, HP printer, buy CIS + printer combo or CIS parts to build / repair your CIS by clicking the respective link. Or read on for some CIS tips and info.      What is continuous ink? Typical CIS consists of purpose built (or modified genuine) ink cartridges, connected via flexible plastic tubing (one tube per colour) to large ink reservoirs, positioned outside the printer.  CIS work on a very simple principle of pressure balance. The whole system is usually sealed, except for a vent hole in top of each ink reservoir. As soon as the printer starts using ink (eg printing, priming, cleaning), negative pressure builds up in the cartridges, which then "pulls" the correct quantity of ink up from the reservoirs. This keeps the cartridges topped up all the time. When ink in the reservoir is depleted, more can easily be added, using a funnel, or with a large syringe. All Inkbank CIS come with 60ml ink reservoirs, which is equivalent to 6-10 typical ink tanks (per colour). In other words, CIS can extend your printer ink capacity by 10 times between refills. The external ink reservoirs are clear and it's easy to see how much ink you have left.       .      Why continuous ink? CIS combine the low cost of refill ink with added convenience of ink cartridges that never run out, or need replacing. A suitable ink printer, properly set up with a quality CIS is hard to beat for convenience, ease of use and running costs. CIS printers can be 95% cheaper to run than their non-cis cousins, so the conversion will pay for itself very quickly (especially if you print a lot). If you are considering buying a colour laser printer to save money...think again. A good CIS inkjet printer can not only be much cheaper to buy, but as much as 95% cheaper to operate than a colour laser.   What's the catch? Unsuitable printer, fitted with a "cheap" CIS, set up incorrectly or not used enough, is a recipe for disappointment. If you don't print much, aren't prepared to buy a decent CIS system / ink and maybe new printer, you might as well give continuous ink a miss. Take a look at refill kits or a refill friendly deal for your printer instead. Continuous ink is for medium to heavy ink users and converting a printer that only gets turned on every now and again, is neither economical or practical.   Even some good printers fitted with quality CIS and running premium ink can be problematic if you don't use them enough. It's harder to keep the ink supply balanced with CIS and more frequent printhead cleaning may be necessary to maintain 100% print quality. This is rarely a problem with medium to heavy users, but occassional users may have to clean the printheads 3-4 times more, than with regular ink cartridges / ink tanks.        Can any printer be set up with CIS? In theory, almost any ink printer with adequate space around the ink cartridges to hook up the ink tubing, could be fitted with CIS. In reality, only some Epson, Canon, HP and Brother printers can be converted (and work). And being able to find a CIS for your model printer somewhere is no guarantee it will actually fit, or work with that printer model. Most CIS are built in China these days and compatibility can be marginal at best.      Minimum requirements for a (reliable) CIS printer:                                         1) separate print head (not part of cartridge)                                         2) enough space & clearance for ink tubing to run freely                                         3) good print head cleaning mechanism                                         4) CIS compatible cartridges available (genuine might be ok)                                         5) CIS ink chips available (if chipped) or possible to disable ink monitor In addition to this, any potential CIS printer should be fairly new. There is no point setting up a printer that is half worn out already. New printers are cheap and in most cases it makes more sense to buy a new printer than service an older one. There are exceptions to this and in some cases a printer might be worth keeping, even if it needs a repair or service. How to buy a continuous ink system? If you already have a printer in mind for the CIS conversion and want to set it up yourself, we can supply a system filled with your choice of ink (dye, pigment, heat transfer, archival, black & white etc). Most Inkbank CIS are supplied fully assembled, prefiled and ready to hook up to your printer. If you are buying a new Canon or HP printer for CIS, the ink cartridges that come with it can sometimes be incorporated. Setting up a CIS printer gets even cheaper this way and you still reap all the benefits.     Even a beginner should be able to fit a pre-filled Inkbank CIS in less than an hour. Some systems only take 10-15 minutes to install. Most people manage the CIS conversion without any problems, but it is more involved than replacing ink cartridges. Printers we offer CIS for have been selected for their suitability and easy installation, but some models may require some additional work (eg cutting a hole in printer housing). You may also need some basic tools (eg screwdriver, hacksaw, ruler) with different printers. These are not supplied.  If you are technically challenged, prefer to have the installation done professionally, or if your printer model is not supported, send it in and we'll set it up for you. We can also help you select the right printer, if you don't already have a suitable one. Inkbank can also supply a complete package (printer + CIS + ink). This is the most convenient way and in some cases can even work out cheaper than you buying the printer & CIS individually and setting it up yourself. Ink cartridges supplied with new printers can sometimes be incorporated into the CIS, which can reduce the overall cost. If you could use a new printer anyway, or aren't confident in fitting the CIS yourself, this is the easiest way to go.  100% satisfaction guarantee

Select your printer make below to find a CIS for it, or contact us, if you need more information.