How CISS Works
Instead of cartridges, there are external ink tanks connected to the print head by a cable. Ink is topped up from bottles rather than bought in cartridges.
The Economics
The cost of a color page drops from 15-25 KZT to 1-2 KZT. At 500+ pages a month, the system pays for itself within a couple of months.
Drawbacks
- The device's factory warranty is usually voided — unless it's a model with a CISS built in from the factory.
- The ink line needs to be routed correctly, or it will interfere with the carriage.
- During idle periods, the head dries out just as it would with cartridges.
- Cheap ink clogs the nozzles — savings on ink end up costing a head replacement.
The Best Solution
Buy a device with a factory-installed ink supply system: the warranty stays intact, the ink is formulated for that specific head, and the cost per page remains just as low.