How to Improve Photo Quality After HP Cartridge Modification: Tips and Troubleshooting

Question: After modifying my HP cartridge, I've noticed issues with photo printing. The Cyan nozzle check shows a white-ish streak at the top, which seems to affect the photo quality, especially when printing business cards, stickers, or photos. I suspect the issue might have occurred after cleaning the cartridge with hot water, which may have caused internal clogging or damage. The black cartridge still works fine for text documents. Do you have any suggestions on how to better prep the cartridges for future use? Should I use distilled water for cleaning, or can I skip rinsing altogether? Also, would using premium BCH ink or switching to pigment ink improve the results?

Answer: 

1. Why the Cyan Streak Appears and What It Means

Based on your description, it's likely that the cyan streak you're seeing is not a result of cartridge damage, but rather a side effect of the sponge-less modification. The Canon cartridges you're working with can pass a nozzle check, which typically tests individual nozzles for functionality, but these smaller cartridges may still struggle to perform well with large, solid-color prints or photo images after being modified, particularly with sponge-less conversions. The sponge-less setup can cause inconsistent ink flow, leading to issues like streaking or graininess in photos, especially in the cyan color. This is unfortunately a common behavior for these cartridges, even after a thorough nozzle test.

In short, the issue is more likely a limitation of the cartridge design rather than a problem caused by the cleaning process.

2. Cleaning the Cartridges: Distilled Water vs. Tap Water

You raised a good question about rinsing cartridges after modifying them. Using distilled water is definitely a better option than tap water, as distilled water is free of minerals that could potentially leave residue inside the cartridge and clog the internals. Tap water often contains minerals that could harden or cause blockages, especially when heated.

However, in most cases, you don't actually need to rinse the cartridge internals at all. After sanding the tops to remove the factory seals, it's typically better to thoroughly remove any dust using a clean, dry cloth or air compressor, and then proceed directly to sealing the cartridge. Introducing water can sometimes trap moisture or air inside, which could affect the ink flow and printing quality. Water also risks introducing moisture into areas where it shouldn't be, potentially leading to flow issues or further clogging.

So, while rinsing with distilled water is an option, it's usually best to skip the rinse and focus on cleaning off any dust or debris before proceeding to seal and glue the cartridge.

3. Will Premium BCH Dye Ink Improve the Results?

Regarding ink quality, premium ink can certainly improve the consistency and color stability of your prints. We recommend BCH Dye Ink because it's designed to provide vibrant colors and reliable performance for modified cartridges like the ones you're using. That said, premium ink won't completely eliminate photo grain or light streaking on full-page images, particularly with sponge-less modifications. The limitations in the cartridge design (specifically the ink flow and how the sponge-less modification alters the ink distribution) are likely the main factors affecting the photo quality.

While premium ink helps stabilize color and can reduce issues like fading, it won't be able to fully resolve the streaking you're seeing, especially in high-demand photo prints. If you're focused on improving photo quality, you may want to manage expectations, as these modifications often come with trade-offs in terms of print clarity and consistency.

4. Pigment Ink vs. Dye Ink: Which Is Better for My Setup?

As for switching to pigment ink, I would not recommend it in your case. The color cartridges you're using are designed to work with dye-based inks, and switching to pigment ink could introduce additional problems, such as flow issues or clogging. Pigment ink tends to have a thicker consistency, which can interfere with the delicate mechanisms inside these cartridges, leading to inconsistent flow and potential clogs. Dye ink flows more smoothly and is better suited for this particular setup, especially in modified cartridges like the ones you have.

In short, switching to pigment ink will not resolve the issue and may actually worsen it, given that the cartridges are designed to work with dye ink.

5. Why the Black Cartridge Still Works Fine

The fact that the black cartridge is still performing well for text printing (like resumes) is a key point. This is because text printing is much less demanding than photo printing, especially when it comes to ink flow and color consistency. When printing text, printers only need to focus on a small area of the page, which is far less sensitive to minor issues like streaking or inconsistent ink flow. On the other hand, photo printing requires smoother, more uniform ink application over large areas of the page, which is why the cyan streaking becomes more apparent when printing business cards, stickers, or photos.

This behavior further supports the idea that the problem lies in the cartridge modification and how it affects ink flow in photos, rather than an issue with your prep process.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of these problems. We are unable to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. However, we offer in-person evaluation and repair services through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it might take a few weeks before we can take a look at your printer. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we understand that our rates may not be the most economical, so we highly recommend that you try to resolve the issue through self-help. You can start by checking out YouTube, especially our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search function next to the "About" section on the menu bar to look for videos on specific topics. I receive many inquiries about specific issues every day, and after creating videos for almost a decade, it's difficult to remember every single one. So, using YouTube's search feature is the most efficient way to find what you need. You may also come across relevant videos from other channels that could be of assistance.

Thanks again for reaching out, and thank you for supporting BCH Technologies!