Should I replace the ink cartridges for my Epson 3880?

So, I bought a gently used Epson 3880 yesterday. Original owner said he bought the printer few years back but never had to replace the ink cartridges yet. I tested out some prints last night and they look phenomenal!!

At this moment, vivid light magenta and light light black is showing very low level. I just went ahead and bought the whole 9 new inkset cartridges from Adorama.

I've read somewhere that it's the most ideal to use the inks within 6 months from installing in the printer. If this is true, all the original inks have been in the printer for few years. Once again, the prints are coming out perfectly fine. Or I'm just not so keen in detecting details.

Other than 2 inks mentioned above, most are at 50%, 30%, and 20% ink levels. I think the photo (or matte) black ink is at 70%.

Here is my question. Should I just replace all cartridges and start fresh? Or just replace the ones that are very low? One thing I don't want to do is ruin the printer head. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Epson don't guarantee any ink cartridge older than 6 months. But I've kept carts a lot longer than that without issues, so the one I had an issue with was probably faulty from new.

The expense of switching carts unneccesarily would prevent me doing it. I don't believe it would damage the print head, why would it?

Yep, that's what I'm thinking... It's working just fine and printing perfect. I guess I'll just replace the low inks. Thanks!

The 3880 is an amazing printer. It also has the unique capability of replacing inks mid-print without interruption. Ink is expensive (as you well know, having bought a full set). There's no point in replacing a cartridge until the printer demands it.

--Greg

gmikol wrote in post #14402104
The 3880 is an amazing printer. It also has the unique capability of replacing inks mid-print without interruption. Ink is expensive (as you well know, having bought a full set). There's no point in replacing a cartridge until the printer demands it.

--Greg

Do you normally replace the cart when the ink level starts blinking or wait until there is a missing color on the prints?

Even with less capable printers, its not necessary to replace an ink cartridge until the printer stops.
I have had my R2880 stop half way through a print, replaced the empty cartridge and it finished the print. It was impossible to see where the pause occurred. I expect that the 3880 is as good or better.
I'll find out shortly. I have three carts that are showing about 20% so will probably get to do an in print replacement.

I would be reluctant to replace before the printer stops. That ink is way too expensive to waste.

dmward wrote in post #14402880
Even with less capable printers, its not necessary to replace an ink cartridge until the printer stops.
I have had my R2880 stop half way through a print, replaced the empty cartridge and it finished the print. It was impossible to see where the pause occurred. I expect that the 3880 is as good or better.
I'll find out shortly. I have three carts that are showing about 20% so will probably get to do an in print replacement.

I would be reluctant to replace before the printer stops. That ink is way too expensive to waste.

Sounds fair and good! I'll keep running it until it runs dry.

joonrhee wrote in post #14402836
Do you normally replace the cart when the ink level starts blinking or wait until there is a missing color on the prints?

Neither. My R2880 tells me on the monitor that the ink has run out (rather than just low) early enough that I cannot tell on the print. In fact I have changed cartridge mid print with no ill effects.

Thanks Richard. I'll just keep printing!