Epson and Canon have revolutionized the printer market by introducing models with ink tanks instead of traditional cartridges. This shift is evident in Epson's L-series and EcoTank ET models, as well as Canon's G-series models. These printers offer significant cost savings and environmental benefits due to the use of bottled inks. However, not all bottled inks are created equal, with varying degrees of fade resistance and quality across different brands.

Epson and Canon Bottled Inks: A Comparative Overview

Epson and Canon have introduced a range of bottled inks designed specifically for their ink tank printers. These inks come with diverse fade performance characteristics. For instance, Canon's bottled inks used in their G-series models are not the same as their Chromalife inks, known for their longevity and fade resistance. Similarly, Epson's L3xx/4xx series inks do not match the high-quality Claria inks.

Brother's Entry into the Ink Tank Market

Brother, a well-known player in the printer market, has also ventured into the ink tank printer segment, although its presence is not as strong in Western Europe compared to Epson and Canon. Brother offers bottled BT5000 CMY dye inks and BT6000 pigment inks for its four-color printer models. These bottled inks are competitively priced, with 49 ml of dye ink available for approximately €5.50. Unlike Brother's cartridge inks, which are branded under the 'Innobella' name, these bottled inks do not carry this branding, raising questions about their quality and fade resistance.

Conducting a Fading Test for Bottled Inks

To evaluate the performance of Brother's BT5000 CMY bottled inks, a comprehensive fading test can be conducted. This involves printing test patches using a standard printer, such as the WF2010W, on the same type of paper and with identical driver settings. By comparing the fading of these test patches over time with other known inks, such as Fujifilm DL inks, we can determine the quality and durability of Brother's inks. This approach helps to identify whether Brother, like Canon and Epson, might be using budget-level dyes in their bottled inks.

Global Availability and Regional Variations

Brother's ink tank models first appeared in Southeast Asia and are gradually making their way into European markets. This expansion reflects the growing demand for cost-effective and environmentally friendly printing solutions. However, the performance and quality of bottled inks can vary significantly across different regions. Therefore, it's essential to conduct localized tests to ensure that the inks meet the desired standards of fade resistance and print quality.

Evaluating HP's Bottled Inks

HP has also joined the ink tank printer market, but their reviews often focus on the performance of inks in original HP cartridges. It's crucial to note that the quality and fade resistance of bottled inks might differ from those in cartridges. Hence, it is essential to test HP's bottled inks independently to verify their performance.

As the market for ink tank printers continues to grow, consumers are presented with various options from leading brands like Epson, Canon, Brother, and HP. While these printers offer significant cost savings and environmental benefits, the quality of bottled inks remains a critical factor in determining overall performance. Conducting thorough fading tests and comparing the results across different brands can help consumers make informed decisions.

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