Best Ink Choice for Epson ET-5170: Dye Ink vs Pigment Ink Explained

Question:
I own an Epson ET-5170, which takes the 542 ink bottles. Most of my printing is documents, primarily black and white, with some color. What ink option would be best for me? Should I use pigment ink or dye ink? I don’t want to make the wrong choice, and I also want to know if it’s safe to switch between ink types.

1. Pigment Ink vs. Dye Ink in EcoTank Printers

The Epson ET-5170 ships with pigment ink as OEM standard. Pigment inks are designed to be water-resistant, longer-lasting, and better for documents that may need durability. However, dye ink is often the better long-term choice for EcoTank owners who want smoother maintenance and less risk of clogging.

• Dye ink advantages:

  • Lower cost compared to pigment ink.

  • Easier to unclog—dye ink dissolves and flushes out much more easily.

  • Newer dye formulations have eliminated the old weaknesses (such as double-sided bleeding, UV fading, and water smearing). Unless you’re exposing prints to extreme conditions—like constant sunlight or rain—dye ink performs perfectly well for day-to-day use.

• Pigment ink advantages:

  • Better water and UV resistance.

  • Great for outdoor signage or prints handled in wet conditions.

For your case (mainly black-and-white documents with some color), dye ink is the recommended choice. It’s reliable, affordable, and will extend the longevity of your printhead by reducing clog risk.

2. Can I Use Dye Ink in a Pigment Printer?

Yes, absolutely. The cleaning cycle of pigment printers is more frequent than dye printers. When you install dye ink in a pigment printer like the ET-5170, the printer essentially “over-cleans” itself, which further reduces clogging risks.

On the other hand, using pigment ink in a dye printer is less ideal. Since dye printers run fewer cleanings, pigment particles may build up over time and increase the risk of clogs unless you perform extra manual cleanings.

3. Is It Safe to Switch Ink Types?

Switching ink types is safe if done properly. Here’s what you need to know:

• You can mix up to 20% pigment and dye inks temporarily without major issues. Epson’s own DuraBrite pigment ink is actually a dye-pigment mix, so short-term mixing is not lethal.

• However, the base solutions for dye and pigment are different. Pigments use a chemical matrix to suspend particles, and mixing for long periods can cause particles to clump and clog.

• To be safe:

  • Use up as much of the old ink as possible before switching.

  • Print enough pages after switching to flush out the old type.

  • For extra precaution, you can use our clear flushing solutions before switching: Universal Dye Ink Base (https://bchtechnologies.com/universal-dye-ink-bas...) or Universal Pigment Ink Base (https://bchtechnologies.com/universal-pigment-ink...).

4. Recommended Ink Choices

Here are some safe and affordable options you can use for your ET-5170:

• Standard 600 ml 4-Color Refill Ink for Epson (https://bchtechnologies.com/standard-600-ml-4-color-refill-ink-for-epson-kd600x-ce/)

• Standard 600 ml 4-Color Refill Ink for HP (https://bchtechnologies.com/standard-600-ml-4-color-refill-ink-for-hp-kd600x-ch/)

• Standard 600 ml 4-Color Refill Ink for Canon (https://bchtechnologies.com/standard-600-ml-4-color-refill-ink-for-all-printers-kd600x-cu/)

If you’d like to dig deeper into this subject, we’ve published articles comparing pigment vs dye ink in detail:

• Compare Pigment vs Dye Ink (https://support.bchtechnologies.com/hc/en-us/articles/200555919)

• Why Dye Ink’s Printouts Look Better (https://support.bchtechnologies.com/hc/en-us/articles/200677489)

Addressing printer issues and ink selection can be a complicated process because of the many variables involved. That’s why we cannot provide remote troubleshooting or custom one-on-one recommendations. Instead, BCH Technologies offers in-person evaluation and repair services at our printer repair center (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and wait times may be a few weeks. Our services include both full printer repairs and part-level work with clear next steps. However, since our pricing isn’t always the most economical, we strongly recommend self-help options as well. You can start by browsing our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies), which has over nine years of content. Use the search icon on the channel’s homepage to quickly locate tutorials specific to your needs, and you may also find additional helpful content suggested by YouTube from other creators.

Thank you again for reaching out with your question. We truly appreciate your trust in BCH Technologies and your support of our mission to serve the printing community with reliable resources and products.