I bought an Epson 1290

[J. Hulme]

Now you need a CIS to go with it!

[Andrew Bennett]

Thanks for the reply outline.
Would you mind explaining a CIS to me please?

Regards

[Andrew Bennett]

A bit of research on the boards has explained CIS for me.
But can anyone explain how this kit fits onto the printer please, does it replace the current ink carriers?
regards

[Bill Dewison]

As I understand it you place them in the existing ink carriage, and tubes are then fed to the ink bottles that sit at the side of the printer. You can then top up the ink bottles as and when needed. It looks pretty ugly but it saves money 😀

Cheers, Dewi

[julia_williscroft]

Bulk ink systems (CIS) are basically systems that have ink tubes attached to the cartridges providing a continuous flow of ink into the cartridges – as Dewi said the ink bottles sit at the side of the printer and you top up the ink bottles as required.

They are not pretty but are very cost effective – particularly on the 1290 which uses a five colour cartridge which means you can end up throwing out a cartridge because you have used up all of one colour (say magenta) but used little of the yellow, etc.

Hope that helps 😀

Julia

[Andrew Bennett]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

[Steve Thurlow]

Just spotted this thread,
I have an Epson 1290 as well, great printer.
I Have a question if anyone can help:- This CIS bulk ink kit, is it only for sublimation inks or can you have normal water based inks, like the inks in the OVER priced, computer chipped, Epson cartridges?

Cheers, Steve :drums:

[Chris Wool]

steve

you can get dye + pigmented + subulation inks in the cis system different people though and the carts fitted have a special allways full chip trhe top up system keeps the special carts full

i made one once but could not get over the chip reseting which ment the system kept getting air in the bought system should overcome all the problems

chris

[Rodney Gold]

I have a utility for the 1290 , includes power cleaning , selective head cleaning and software chip resetting if anyone is interested.
You can run full solvent inks in the 1290 by using the same dampers they use on bigger machines ,(sort of like small reservoirs used on the versacam and others) they fit on the cart nozzles in the head and all you do is use the chip from an old cart glued in place and reset it. You need to use solvent resistant tubes from your ink bottles to the dampers , not a hassle and you need to use a solvent resistant tube from the capping station and repalce the rubber wiper a little more often. The 1290 head can take just about anything , we even use acetone to flush em. So theoretically you can print directly to vinyl if you do this , however cos you cant preheat the vinyl the results are variable. If you do this to the new 400 which has a flat print path , you can print directly to various rigid subtrates up to 1.5mm thick up to 17″ x 22″

[Steve Thurlow]

Sorry Andy 12 for elbowing my way into your posting,

…Thanks Chris, do you know the suppliers of such kit?

..And Rodney, am I reading your reply right mate? I can use my Epson 1290, with solvent inks plumbed in, to print onto vinyl???…. :giggle:

Wow.. now that would be a neat trick! Please tell me there’s an off the shelf kit that I can buy tomorrow that turns my humble 1290 into a vinyl printer!
…. but (after reading your post again in detail) I’ve a feeling the conversion entails a lot of trial & error + ink stained fingers (drown)

Nice idea though, (sorry, I’m not into DIY …. I’m a MAC user!!! :lol1: )

The ‘crack’ for the chipped cartridges sounds interesting, I’ve tried 3rd party ink carts for the 1290, supposedly compatible, but they’re more trouble than their worth…. 😥 so I’m still gritting my teeth & paying full wack for the Epson rip off cartridges…. b’stds….

Thanks guys, Steve :drums:

[James White]

We use a 1290 with Choice Stationery refills and get great results approx £40 for 10 colour and 10 black carts.

James

[Andrew Bennett]

No problem Steve.
Wow, does anyone know the barriers for the 1290 please?

[stevry]

Rodney 😮 I’m interested in solvent printing on 1290, is it really practical?

[Chris Wool]

about 3 years ago i trashed 3 epson printers trying to use solvent inks results varied from brilliant to ugh however solvent ink EATS printers and all the plastic that is used in desk top printers is the wrong type. some makes of cart can stand solvent some melt in 24 hours read melts in side the printer – one stuck to the bench – the bottom of the printer had melted away desolved the varnish on the bench well the last one i managed 3 paying jobs out of it – if you start to modfify printers you have to be in the frame of mind DO I CARE IF THIS PRINTER GETS STUFED when i look at my soljet i realised where i went wrong I THOUGHT I COULD DO IT.
it was fun setting fire to them though

chris

[expressgraphics]

Contact Chris @ QPS on 01704 897575 for supplies of the kits and the inks. We use the Lyson Photonic inks and get cracking results and the difference in cost is disgusting!! I think when I got the kit we worked it out that carts were 40 times more expensive for the same quantity.
I don’t think I’d bother with solvent inks, sounds too easy to trash the printer.
Regards,
John.