Should I use compatible ink for my Canon Large Format Printer?

The Risks of Using Non-Genuine Canon Inks.

Design Supply has noted a significant increase in customers being forced to scrap their Canon printers due to damage caused by the use of ‘compatible’ or non-genuine inks. To be fair, I use them, but my A4 printer only cost £60. The investment you made in a large format printer is much more. It’s your choice. We can only advise.

Why Genuine Canon Ink is Essential

• Canon ink is the only ink specifically designed and tested for optimal performance in your Canon printer.

• Canon does not share its ink manufacturing process, design, or chemical makeup with third parties. Therefore, so-called “compatible” inks are merely imitations.

Health, Safety, and Technical Support

• For health and safety reasons, Design Supply engineers are not permitted to service printers that have used non-genuine inks.

• The chemical composition of these inks is unknown and potentially harmful, as they may contain untested, cheaper chemicals.

• Non-genuine inks often lack proper Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or may even have fraudulent documentation.

How Non-Genuine Inks Cause Damage

1. Inferior Particle Quality: Canon grinds its ink pigments to an extremely fine consistency. To cut costs, compatible ink manufacturers use larger, coarser particles. Over time, these particles:

   • Clog the print head and cleaning system.

   • Build up as residue within the ink tubes, restricting flow and causing further blockages.

   • Note: Replacing a clogged print head is an expensive and only temporary solution, as the residual ink in the system will quickly clog the new head.

2. Lack of Anti-Clogging Agents: Genuine Canon ink contains expensive anti-clogging chemicals that are essential for long-term printer health. These agents are often reduced or excluded from non-genuine inks to lower costs, leading to:

   • Print head nozzle blockages.

   • Purge unit (cleaning system) blockages.

   • Ink delivery blockages.

Conclusion
The damage inflicted by non-genuine inks is cumulative and irreversible. Once a printer has been used with compatible inks, the only remaining option is often to scrap the printer entirely. Using genuine Canon ink is the only way to protect your investment and ensure print quality and printer longevity.