Mimaki SB 52 Dye Sub Ink

[seank]

Hi There,
This is the first time I've joined a forum so please forgive me if I get the protocol wrong.
I'm using a Mimaki TPC-1000 and I have no problems running it other than the inks always go out of date before the cartridge is empty. Sometimes I've used barely any of the ink before it goes out of date.
To top it all (and what made me look for help here) my supplier sent me an out of date cartridge!
Does anyone have any advice about how to extend the life of a cartridge - or an alternative to using the SB52 cartridges. I'm reluctant to move to a bulk system because of the initial expense.
I'd be very grateful for any advice from you more experienced printers.
Thanks in advance.

[pisquee]

Hi and welcome to the forum!
Can't believe you're in Bishop too!
Where exactly are you, what do you do, what other kit do you have?
We have a 44" printer for sublimation, but not print and cut, along with a rotary press.
We use a bulk feed system, which aren't really that much outlay, and you easily make back that cost on just buying the ink in litres. We use InkTec's Sublinova Smart (and have done happily for years)

[seank]

Hi Pisquee
Thanks for your reply - I'm at the college - where are you? It's mainly internal stuff for the college, signage, promo stuff etc. that I do.
I also have a CJV30 - 130 solvent printer and Graphtec vinyl cutter.
I don't really do a great deal of dye sub work which is why I was looking to extend the life of the cartridges. What is the bulk system you use and how much is it to get up and running? Not much money in FE at the moment which is why I'd ideally like to find a way of using all the ink in a cartridge.

[pisquee]

We just use standard refill carts, and pour the litre bottles into them as needed. Keeping the litre bottles in a room with no sunlight, and a nice constant temperature. We do tend to use the ink up well within the 18 months use by date each litre bottle typically has.
I think the refill cart system was only around £100 or so if bought in UK, or about half that if you buy it direct from China.
We're currently running from a big house just out the town centre, but about to move into a shop - sale was supposed to complete tomorrow, but now looking more like end of the month now.

[pisquee]

... I did also get some Sublinova ink on Ebay that was dirty cheap as it was years out of date, which we used with only a slight colour shift to prints and no ill effects on the printer

[seank]

Thanks Pisquee. Good look with the move, let me know when you are in and I could maybe pop down for a chat/look? Or you are welcome up here.

Could you (or anyone) point me in the right direction for a refill cart system (for Mimaki TPC - 1000) - is there any problems with air bubbles with these?

I'm not sure if it is OK to mention but I understand that he chips I the cartridges can be replaced too. Does anyone have any info on that?

[pisquee]

Will look into it and get back to you