Can You Use Pigment Ink in HP 60/61/62/63/64/65 Color Integrated Cartridges?

Question: I watched your video about making a spongeless refillable HP integrated cartridge (HP 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65). Have you tried using pigment ink in the color cartridges?

Answer: 

Yes-pigment ink can work in HP color integrated cartridges, but it's inconsistent

Your observation matches my experience exactly: some cartridges (even within the same model) work right away, while others never work reliably, even when everything looks "correct" on paper.

That inconsistency is not in your imagination-it comes from how these HP integrated cartridges (HP 60/61/62/63/64/65 family) are built and how tightly they're tuned from the factory.

Why pigment ink is a gamble in color integrated cartridges

Pigment ink differs from dye ink in ways that matter a lot for HP's integrated printhead cartridges:

• Particle vs. dissolved colorant

  • Pigment ink uses tiny solid particles. Even high-quality pigment has particles that are more likely to collect, settle, or plate out in tight ink pathways.

  • Dye ink is more "fully dissolved," so it tends to flow and re-wet easier in small channels.

• Nozzle and filter sensitivity

  • Integrated cartridges have very fine internal passages and nozzle structures. If the cartridge's internal filter media or channels are slightly more restrictive (and they vary from batch to batch), pigment can start to starve the nozzles or cause partial clogs sooner.

• HP's "it depends" manufacturing variation

  • Even two cartridges labeled the same model can behave differently due to subtle differences in internal backpressure balance, nozzle plate condition, age, storage history, and factory tolerances.

The most common outcomes when pigment "doesn't work"

If a color cartridge rejects pigment ink, you'll usually see one (or more) of these symptoms:

1. It prints at first, then fades or starts banding

   • Early success can be misleading. As pigment accumulates in restricted areas, flow becomes inconsistent.

2. One color drops out (often cyan or magenta first)

   • That's usually a flow restriction or localized clog developing in that channel.

3. Frequent "cartridge problem" behavior after refilling

   • Not always ink-related, but pigment can contribute by causing stress on firing/nozzle performance and leading to unstable output that looks like an electrical problem.

4. It never primes correctly

   • Some cartridges simply won't establish stable capillary flow with pigment due to how the internal foam/ink chamber dynamics were originally designed around dye viscosity and surface tension.

Practical recommendations if you still want to test pigment (the "best chance" approach)

If you're experimenting (which is totally fair), here's how to reduce the odds of a false failure:

• Use pigment specifically formulated for thermal inkjet

  • Not all pigment is safe for HP-style thermal firing. Some "pigment" inks are meant for Epson piezo systems and can behave badly in HP integrated heads.

• Avoid mixing dye and pigment

  • Mixing can create sludge or flocculation (clumping), which dramatically increases clog risk.

  • If the cartridge previously had dye ink, you ideally want it as clean/cleared as realistically possible before switching.

• Don't judge success by the first print

  • Print a small color test pattern daily for several days. Many pigment failures show up after the ink has had time to settle or dry slightly in the head.

• Watch for drying at the nozzle plate

  • Pigment can dry "crustier" than dye in some conditions. If you're in a dry climate or the printer sits unused, pigment is more likely to cause nozzle loss.

• Have a rollback plan

  • If the goal is reliability (not experimentation), dye ink is still the safer bet for most HP color integrated cartridges in this family.

Why some cartridges work perfectly and others never do

This is the frustrating part, but it's real: even within the same cartridge model, some units have internal characteristics that tolerate pigment better-slightly different permeability, slightly different backpressure behavior, slightly different nozzle health (especially if they were stored longer or partially dried at any point).

So your takeaway is exactly right-and it matches my answer:
Some cartridges work outright, and some never work.

Addressing printer issues can get complicated because many problems are hands-on and depend on the exact condition of the printer and parts in front of us. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, step-by-step repair instructions, or direct support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility: printer repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we run first-come, first-served, and it may take a few weeks before we're able to schedule a drop-off.

Our services are structured to repair either an entire printer or specific components, with clear guidance on how to proceed once it's checked in. That said, we recognize our rates aren't the cheapest option-so we strongly recommend self-help through online research when possible. A great place to start is YouTube, especially our channel homepage: BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon near the "About" section on the right side of the menu bar to find relevant videos by keyword. I get dozens of questions every day asking which video covers a specific topic, and after making videos for years, it's hard to remember every single one-so YouTube search is the fastest way to locate the best match. It can also recommend helpful videos from other creators that may apply to your exact situation.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting our work-especially by commenting and engaging with the videos. If you decide to test pigment, I hope the notes above help you avoid the most common pitfalls and set expectations realistically.