INK TANK – These don’t have a print head attached so DO NOT perform the paper towel method.

This color cartridge is dye based ink.  This cartridge contains 5 colors; Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Light Cyan, and Light Magenta.

 

Not Recognizing

 

Verify they have the correct cartridge for their specific model printer.

 

Make sure the cartridge is installed correctly and fully inserted.  Make sure that they are installing the cartridge into the right hand slot of the cartridge carriage.

 

There is no smart chip on the cartridge, be sure the cartridge is fully inserted into the printer.

 

You can try resetting the machine.  To do this; remove the cartridges from the printer, power the printer off, unplug the power cord for 10-15 seconds, re-insert the power cord, turn the printer on, and re-insert the cartridges.

 

To install the cartridges in the Stylus Photo 1200 printer, do the following;

–          Open the printer cover.  Press and hold the cleaning button for 3 seconds until the print head moves left and the power light begins flashing.

–          Pull up the ink cartridge clamp on the right slot of the print head.  The cartridge rises up from its holder.

 

–          Lift the cartridge out of the printer.

–          Lower the new ink cartridge into the right slot of the holder.  Press down the ink cartridge clamp until it locks into place.

 

–          Press the cleaning button and close the printer cover.  The printer moves the print head and begins charging the ink delivery system.  The power light flashes, and the printer makes various sounds.  Charging takes about 1 minute, when finished the power light stops flashing and stays steady.

 

Print Quality Issues

 

There’s a piece of tape on the top of the cartridge covering the vent holes that must be removed prior to installation.  Do NOT remove the clear pieces of plastic covering the nozzles on the bottom of the cartridge; the printer will puncture these during the charging process.  Do NOT flip the cartridge upside down once the tape has been removed or ink leakage may occur.

 

A print head cleaning should be performed when experiencing any type of print quality issue.  To run a print head cleaning do the following;

–          Press and hold down the cleaning button for 3 seconds.  Cleaning takes a little over a minute to complete.

 

Print head cleaning does use a lot of ink so it should be done sparingly.  Epson recommends that if the first cleaning doesn’t resolve the issue to perform a second clean but allow the printer to sit for 10-15 minutes BEFORE attempting to do any printing.  This allows the ink to soak on the print head and help soften or loosen any dried ink which may be clogging the nozzles.

 

Also, remove the cartridge, cover the top vent holes with a paper towel, and check the bottom to make sure the nozzles have been punctured.  While the cartridge is out check the slot in the printer to make sure there is no debris that may be blocking the ink from coming out correctly.

 

Not Fitting

 

Verify they have the correct cartridge for their specific printer model.  Make sure the correct color is being installed into the correct slot.  Check inside the printer for any obstructions.  Check the cartridge itself for physical damage.