Benefits of a Mimaki, Mutoh $ Roland Bulk-Feed Ink System

Switching your printer’s cartridge ink system to a bulk-feed system has a number of benefits. Any switch from OEM ink cartridges to bulk-feed systems brings up questions about warranties and costs, as well as the ways bulk-feed systems differ from OEMs in terms of upkeep and maintenance.

However, bulk-feed systems are often misunderstood in the consumer world, and there are a few myths that often need to be dispelled.

Is Your Printer Bulk-Feed Compatible?

Before making a switch to bulk-feed ink, you will need to determine whether your printer is compatible with a bulk-feed ink system. Various printers are manufactured specifically to include the option of bulk-feed, including the Mimaki Mutoh Roland Bulk Ink System. These printers run large amounts of ink, so switching to a bulk-feed system makes sense. However, not every printer will be compatible.

It was once much more difficult to switch to bulk-feed systems, primarily because doing so violated printer warranty terms. Additionally, third-party inks were often perceived to lack the quality associated with brand-name products. These concerns have lessened considerably in recent years as consumers become more acquainted with warranty terms as well as the quality inks available from alternative manufacturers. Many people are now more concerned with the costs of an ink system as well as its overall quality and dependability over time. Additionally, many printer warranties have relaxed their conditions, leaving opportunities to switch to bulk-feed ink systems.

From OEM Cartridges to Bulk-Feed Ink

Printer manufacturer warranties tend to encourage consumers to use OEM cartridges, often for up to two years. However, alternative ink manufacturers can sell bulk-feed systems to consumers whose printers are still covered by warranty or whose warranty has expired. Many consumers are concerned about getting the most value from their warranty and wait to make the switch from OEM cartridges until it has expired.

There is a widespread belief among consumers that switching to a bulk-feed system will void printer warranties. However, since the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, OEMs are legally barred from requiring their ink in their warranties. This means that consumers whose printers are still under manufacturer warranty are free to switch to a bulk-feed ink system.

Benefits of Bulk-Feed Ink Systems

Both OEM ink cartridges and bulk-feed ink systems have advantages and disadvantages.

Bulk-feed systems are usually used by high-volume printers in order to cut costs on ink purchases. They are also useful for continuing to print once a printer has used more ink than may generally be allowed, such as during extended printing periods where printers are run overnight. Bulk-feed ink systems have multiple tanks and refillable float cartridges to allow for bigger printing jobs (for example, the Mimaki Mutoh Roland Bulk Ink System has four tanks and eight cartridges).

Although some bulk-feed ink systems may require more frequent maintenance, the savings involved in switching can vastly outweigh any added costs. Many customers begin to save money immediately on switching to bulk-feed ink. For high-volume users, the savings can be tremendous.