Understanding Color Swapping in the Epson R1390 Printer: When and Why to Do It

Question:
I first discovered your channel through a video about fixing the Epson ET-2760 waste ink tank issue, and it's been incredibly helpful. I recently purchased an InkSonic R1390 and came across your maintenance video where you mentioned "color swapping." Could you explain how to perform color swapping or provide a video link about it?

Answer:

Regarding your question about color swapping on the Epson R1390, it's an interesting and occasionally necessary maintenance technique, though not always required immediately. Personally, I haven't done a color swap yet because I've been using the same white ink channels for about two months, and they're still performing like new. That's thanks to the regular maintenance method I demonstrated in one of my videos-which has proven highly effective at keeping those channels clear and functional.

However, color swapping becomes relevant when the white ink channels start showing signs of wear or clogging. The concept is fairly straightforward: since the printer uses separate channels for white and color inks, you can extend the printer's lifespan by swapping their roles. In practice, this means moving the white dampers and ink lines onto the color channels and vice versa. This way, when your white channels become less efficient, the printer can still perform optimally using the previously unused (or less used) color channels.

At the moment, I don't have a dedicated video solely about color swapping on the R1390 because my current maintenance method has delayed the need for it. However, I may cover it in future videos once I perform the procedure myself. Meanwhile, I encourage you to use YouTube's built-in channel search to locate any related videos I've created in the past. To do this, visit my channel at youtube.com/@bchtechnologies, click the magnifying glass icon (🔍) near the top right, and enter keywords like "color swap R1390" or "white channel maintenance."

You can also search via Google by typing your keywords followed by site:youtube.com/@bchtechnologies. While this method works, YouTube's internal search usually yields more complete results.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting or repair support. We do, however, offer in-person evaluation and repair services (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Because of high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before we can accept a drop-off. Our services include full printer repairs or targeted part repairs, with clear guidance at every step. That said, our rates may not be the most affordable, so we strongly recommend exploring self-help options through online research. A great starting point is our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies)-you'll find hundreds of videos covering everything from routine maintenance to complex repairs.

Thank you again for your kind words and continued support. It's encouraging to know that our videos and supplies have been helpful to your printing journey. Your engagement keeps our community thriving and motivates us to keep creating useful, in-depth tutorials for printer owners like you.