| The quick answer is...yes and no.Consider | | | | Pigmented inks are used in most black inkjet |
| this. How many printer models do you think | | | | cartridges today. Epson has a version of |
| there are out there right now? 1000? 2000? | | | | color pigmented inks they call DuraBrite |
| Who knows. But one thing I do know is nobody | | | | inks. They are very expensive to make and |
| is going to spend the time testing the wrong | | | | there is quite a hefty premium on the bulk |
| inks in the wrong cartridges all day long to | | | | inks from any manufacturer that I have |
| see if it works.All printer manufacturers do | | | | contacted.DO NOT use pigmented inks in any |
| things a little different. Without getting | | | | cartridge that was designed to use dye based |
| technical, there are basically three | | | | ink.Generally speaking, HP and Lexmark inks |
| different technologies for inkjet printers. | | | | are interchangeable because their process' |
| Epson uses Piezoelectric, Canon uses | | | | are similar. Watch for color variations |
| Bubblejet and HP and Lexmark use thermal | | | | though.The newer Canon cartridges, BCI-3e and |
| inkjet technology.An ink designed for Canon, | | | | BCI-6 colors are so close that most people |
| for instance, has a much lower convection | | | | cannot tell them apart. Ironically the |
| rate than an ink made for HP or Lexmark. The | | | | cartridges are physically identical except |
| reason is HP's cartridge print heads fire at | | | | for the BCI-3e black which is slightly |
| thousands of degrees. The ink must be made to | | | | larger. The BCI-3e black takes pigmented ink |
| withstand that kind of heat or your resulting | | | | while the BCI-6 takes dye based. Be careful |
| output will be unpredictable.Also there are | | | | here. Some of the new Canon printers take |
| basically two kinds of ink. Dye based and | | | | both BCI-3e and BCI-6 black cartridges.To |
| Pigmented. Pigmented ink particles are much | | | | wrap it up I'll say that you can use most |
| larger than dye based particles so using a | | | | inks in most printers with the exceptions |
| pigmented ink in a cartridge designed to use | | | | that I already mentioned. Color variations, |
| dye based ink will result in a clogged print | | | | if they occur, might be compensated for in |
| head every time. Also, pigmented inks are | | | | the printer driver settings. Be prepared to |
| waterfast on any surface. Notice I said | | | | fiddle with it. Physical damage to the |
| waterfast and not waterproof. Pigmented inks | | | | printer is unlikely in any case, unless the |
| can made waterproof if they are used with the | | | | cartridge is leaking when you put it into |
| proper media. The same goes with dye based | | | | your printer. But you wouldn't do that. Would |
| inks.Pay attention to this because it will | | | | you?Barry Shultz is the author of Atlascopy |
| apply to any ink on the market. Any dye based | | | | News, and President of Atlascopy, Inc. |
| ink can be used in ANY inkjet printer. The | | | | Atlascopy specializes in affordable |
| color output may not be what you expected but | | | | alternatives to the high cost of printer |
| it will work.Not so with pigmented inks. | | | | supplies. |