EPSON INK CARTRIDGES: WHAT ARE THEY?



It is often asked. What is the difference between the makes of ink and why do I need a certain sort for my printer?

Epson ink cartridges are different from many of the 'big brand names' such as Hewlett-Packard, Lexmark and Canon, because they use a different technology for getting the ink onto the paper.

Using what is called a 'piezoelectric' method, rather than the 'thermal' process give you similiar final results, but the piezoelectric method is also used by most professional and commercial printers by being able to more accurately make minor distinctions in the colour by using different inks, not available in the other methods.

An ink cartridge for use in the 'thermal' type of printer has entirely different functions within its 'shell' from that of the cartridges using the 'piezoelectric' method in a similar looking 'shell'. In essence, the 'thermal' type of ink cartridge creates steam by electricity which forces the tiny droplets of ink through nozzles which transfer to the paper all within their own little micro world.

Similarly the Epson ink cartridges are designed to put the ink onto the paper. However they use an entirely different (to the scientist) process which involves electrifying crystals, rather than creating steam. These electrified crystals are either brought back to 'base', or the reservoir, by the equivelent of an electro-magnet, a bit like a magnet at home picking up iron filings, whilst the remaining crystals, the ones to be used on the paper are forced through miniscule nozzles by the crystals themselves onto the paper.

It is essential therefore to use inks developed and specialised for your own printer's needs as well as the paper you want to use, for instance, different photographic paper is used for different applications and each type of photo paper is designed to accept, in the best fashion, the ink fired onto it.

Most inks for inkjet printers are based on a mixture of water, glycol and some pigment or dye. These inks are pretty difficult to control on the paper itself so the paper has to be correct to counteract these difficulties. However, it is possible to use inks that can be used on a number of different types of media paper, depending upon your use of the machine.

So, as with other firms, Epson ink cartridges are the result of extensive scientific study and research, giving the user a very large catalogue of 'inks for all occasions' so to speak. You can find your cartridge by clicking on the links on the left hand side. Eezytrade sell the ink that will suite your particular printer and paper. Remember the difference between Epson technology and others and you will find the right ink cartridge for you.