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Our Opinion of Epson Inks

Recently, Epson has created a considerable marketing advantage by promoting long-lasting, slow-fading inks. We've heard from customers that the Epson inks "last a hundred years without fading." Others maintain that Epson ink "is completely waterproof". What is the reality?

Fading

Much of Epson's non-fade claims are based upon their use of pigmented color inks instead of dye-based color inks, as is common in most inkjet printers. Because pigmented inks have larger color particles than dye-based inks, as a general rule they will fade slower than dye-based inks.

However, there are two disadvantages to pigmented inks. In general, pigmented inks do not have the same vibrancy as dye-based inks. Also, pigmented inks cost more to formulate and manufacture.

Epson used Wilhelm Research as the source of the claims for 100+ year life. There are many seperate papers on this website, with many different results.

When we read the fine print, we drew two conclusions:

It was noted that the choice of paper is very, very important to the fade process. Also, the lighting is very important, as is exposure to the air.
On one test, Epson pigmented ink tested at 90 years. On the same test, HP dye ink tested at 73 years, and Canon dye ink tested at 38 years. While these results seem like substantial differences, they are extrapolated from a very short term testing procedure and can vary tremendously if you change the paper, lighting, or air exposure conditions.

Our comment after reading the articles and talking to many of our more expert customers is this: Why bother?

If you put the photo in a darker area of the room (or put it in a photo album), you can do more for the life of the photo than by your choice of printer ink. Also, select no-acid paper and put the photo in a sealed jacket in a photo album.
The key concept that occurs to us is that Epson is fighting the last war. In the past, we took a photo and protected it carefully because it faded over time. The negatives also faded with time.
Today, if we take a photo with a digital camera, we will probably email the photo to our daughter, who will save it on her hard drive or even burn a CD with it. When she wants a print of the photo, she can print it out. If the photo fades in ten years, she can print out another copy. We no longer need "fade-proof" prints.

We also know from customer feedback that if you purchase the Epson because you want to put a sign in your window that will last for years, you will be disappointed. Regular inkjet prints will last a few weeks in bright sunlight and air, while the pigmented Epson inks will last a few months. It's an improvement -- but you'll still need to reprint that signage.

Water Proof

Epson inks are shown in one ad being dipped into water. Let's understand the issue in detail.

Most color inks are dye-based. Dye-based inks dissolve in water just like sugar in water. Although dye-based inks dry after a few hours, they are never safe from water.

Pigmented inks, such as the black used in HP and Lexmark, and the new Epson black and color inks, have the advantage of sticking to the paper after they dry. Although they are damp and vulnerable for several hours after printing, after they dry, they tend to stay in place -- within limits. Text usually remains readable. The Epson advantage is found in a few limited cases.

For example, if we take an Epson print and stick it into water, lift it carefully out, and lay it back down, the print will have only minor damage, since 95 percent of the ink will stay in place. A dye-based photo print would be unreadable.
In a second example, if we take an Epson print and drip a few drops of water on the print, we will find barely noticeable water spots on the print a few hours later after it re-dries. The water spots will be less noticeable than with dye-based inks.
Third, if we put a drop or two of water on the Epson print, then rub it off, we will find that the ink has smeared, similar to dye-based inks.
Finally, if we print out a label using the Epson printer, we will find that rubbing it with moist hands causes smearing - just like dye-based inks.

In contrast to the careful set up of the ad, the reality of Epson printing is that it improves water protection for a few specific situations. Once again, the Epson ink is improved over the dye-based competition, but not as improved as you may think. If you need real waterproof capability (for example, if you are printing labels for a shampoo bottle), you will need to use either a laser printer or petroleum solvent-based inks. Another useful technique is to wait until the print is dry (wait 24 hours), and then spray with a laquer coating.

Our inks

We have inks that are equivalent in performance to the Epson pigmented inks. How long will they last? Decades, if you keep them under the proper lighting and away from air contact (under glass or in an album). But we also have cheaper dye-based inks that give great print quality at a much lower cost that only last a year or two without fading (when properly protected.)

Refilling any of the Epsons is possible, but is trickier than the other major manufacturers, largely because you will need a chip resetter, and also because the cartridge construction of the new Epsons is complex.

Overall, we suggest that you look carefully at the HP or Canon products if printing cost is important to you. Although the Epsons are good, we think that their advertising manager is better than their products. Epsons are good, but not that good. And we would rather reprint from a CD at will than worry about the extra cost and hassle involved in refilling Epson cartridges.

Also - See what Consumer Reports says about ink fading.

A Word about Color Compatibility

Our inks are very close to the original Epson inks in color performance. In fact, they are typically within +/- 3 percent of the same color intensity, or roughly 1 part in 30. But what does that mean?

If you are an ordinary mortal, then you won't notice any color difference. In fact, you won't notice any color differences with our dye-based inks, also. But you will find that they are much closer to the original than so-called "universal" inks.

However, if you are one of those people who see 12 shades of yellow, a graphic artist, a professional photographer, or similar color-attuned individual, you will notice a difference between our inks and the originals. And you will need to adjust the color balance somewhat if you want to match the originals. What does that difference mean for your business?

You will need to decide. Many customers say that they can live with the minor difference in exchange for the lower price of the inks. However, other customers say that they must keep the original color balance. If you must keep the exact original color balance, you should only purchase genuine Epson cartridges and not refill. You will not be happy refilling. You must make that decision.

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