I've not tried CIS systems with Canons in over five years now so my experience is dated but I would urge a note of caution when it comes to CIS systems and Canon printers (and lately the Epson Expression XP-600, and higher, models).
The critical weak-point is the interface between the print-head and the cartridge outlet. The bulk of Epson inkjet printers use an interface that has a solid, high surface area seal against air intake (that thick rubber ring in the outlet and the ink receiver stem that sticks into it) making them ideal for CIS systems and probably the reason why they've recently switched to the new cartridge/printhead receiver design in the XP-600+.
Canon printers however have a very weak interface incorporating a thin rubber grommet that collapses over time and a thin edge around the cartridge outlet port. Any sag in the rubber grommet or damage to the plastic rim allows air into the interface and it's this that causes the supply of ink to fail. Air being easier to pull than ink just means you pull air into your printhead nozzles, start getting missed fires, overheating nozzles (no coolant/ink) and eventually Fzzztt, bang!... [expletive].
Now, I know that the CIS systems from Cityinkexpress include a replacement silicon grommet that removes the rubber grommet from the equation so it's entirely possible that things have improved somewhat but were I to do-over my experience (18 months of hell back in 2007/8) I would recommend you do the following when receiving, installing and testing your CIS system.
Receiving:
- Check for any poorly manufactured silicon grommets. You want a smooth surface (on both sides) that will not allow air into the receiver and/or cartridge so any channels/folds/etc that provide a link from the outside rim to inside the cartridge diameter will cause problems.
- Check the CIS cartridges themselves around the outlet ports to ensure there's no nicks or other damage that again will allow air to migrate in.
Installing:
- Read the manual... Yes, I know men are supposedly genetically programmed to ignore the damned things but if you like what hair you have left, go against the grain.. I won't tell anyone... Honest
- Take your time, go to a zen like happy place and just relax... Don't, for the love of Pete, Paul or little Emma, rush!.. It'll make life easier in the long run.
- Make sure you prime your cartridges/CIS system properly. That means removing as much air from the cartridges as possible and setting up the reservoirs so that the marriott bottle principle is being properly supported and pressure is equalised to a very slight negative.
Testing:
- Once the CIS system is installed test it with nozzle checks but don't go crazy on cleaning routines...
- Nozzle checks are excellent for initial testing. If you can't get a good nozzle check, don't print something (like a picture) to try and force things as your ink is also your coolant so you're risking the equivalent of lots of tiny kettles boiling dry.
- Ink sometimes requires a little time to settle out air bubbles as much as allow ink to feed into the printhead, etc.. so walking away for an hour or leaving overnight can be the most productive thing you can do.
- Check the feed lines for signs of air bubbles and, in particular, the direction of flow. If ink is migrating backwards towards the reservoir then you have an air leak somewhere between the ink receiver and the tubing. Don't assume it's the printhead/cartridge interface, it could be a poor seal on the tube/cartridge interface.
- Try to avoid removing one or more cartridges as you'll immediately introduce air into the cartridge/ink interface which could cause you to step backwards with lines/colours that have been working.
Did I mention patience? You need it...
Overall, a lot of folk ass-u-me that CIS systems mean happy, troublefree printing... *ahem*... While this can be the case in some instances, it's often down to good preparation or pure luck but most times there's a trade off of time to learn the ropes and dealing with problems striking when you least want them to
(but that happens to everyone anyway - it's called Sods Law).
Personally I recommend refilling OEM/Original cartridges and (I'll state an interest here) I sell them so I would say that wouldn't I (well that's what you'd think) but it's probably worth noting that I spent 18 months trying to get CIS systems working in Canon printers and eventually I gave up. I love(d) CIS systems, and would have loved to get them working but my experience has taught me that Canon's make you work a LOT harder so I switched to refilling and haven't looked back. But again, that's just me and my experience is out of date so hope the above helps.
Good luck...
Martin
