Continuous ink system or CISS is an inexpensive way to print without sacrificing the quality provided by an inkjet printer. As its name suggests, it is a device that is installed in a similar way to cartridges and that supplies ink from a tank or tank.

This system is a great saving especially if you are going to print at a high volume and prefer to do without a laser printer . Not all printers are compatible with this type of system so, if you are interested in acquiring it, it is best to inform yourself before which printers admit it. Below, you can look at the list of the main printers compatible with the CISS system.

The continuous ink system consists of three basic parts:

• External tank or tank: it is a deposit divided by colors (usually black, cyan, magenta and yellow). This deposit is special, since it is pressurized, so the pressure with which the ink comes out of the tank is always the same regardless of the amount it contains. Being also hermetic, it is difficult for the ink to dry inside the tank.

• Hoses: they are flexible tubes through which the ink circulates towards the system of cartridges to which it is connected.

• Cartridge / head system: with the same shape as the printer cartridges, only they usually come as one piece (although it depends on the model). These cartridges are empty until the CISS system is installed and starts running on the printer

But, before deciding to buy this continuous ink system, let's see a bit what advantages and disadvantages it has:

Advantages of the CISS system:

• Savings: you can buy the ink in boats / tanks at a very good price. The saving is quite high if we compare it with the purchase of new cartridges and even with refilled cartridges.

• Autonomy: thanks to the fact that the amount of ml of ink is greater, to print long jobs, you do not have to worry about running out of ink.

• Easy installation: if you know how to install a cartridge, this will be just as simple.

• Inkjet quality: this system allows you to print very cheaply while maintaining the quality that corresponds to an inkjet printer. However, this depends on the type of ink you buy.

Disadvantages of the CISS system:

• Guarantee: if the printer suffers any damage as a result of having used the continuous ink system, you run the risk of losing the guarantee.

• Problems of air blockage or hose: If not used regularly, the ink may clog and have to buy a new system. Also, we must ensure that the hose always has ink, because if it remains empty, the cartridge can burn the connectors.

• Size: some consumers find the size of the tank a bit awkward, as it goes to the printer part.

Frequently asked questions about the CISS system

How does the CISS system work?

As we can see in the image, the system is quite simple. The ink comes from the tank or tank, which has an air filter to prevent unwanted particles from entering. Thanks to its pressurization, this tank will supply ink through the hose even if the level is lowered. There is a minimum level (approximately 20%) that must be maintained in any circumstance.
Once it reaches the cartridge, it is responsible for distributing it on the paper to be printed.

What is the continuous ink system recommended for?

It is usually recommended for users who print a large volume of sheets and continuously, that is, at least several times every week. As we have said, if the printer is left unused for several days (15-20 days), the system may become clogged.

But in that case, why not use a laser printer?

Laser printers are quite profitable but have a lower resolution than ink printers, so, if you want to enjoy high quality and good resolution and, in turn, get a cost per page as cheap as possible, the CISS printer system Is the best option. In addition, the initial investment involved in acquiring a laser printer is much greater than that of inkjet.

How many times can I refill the ink tank?

The useful life of the CISS system depends on the cartridges or heads, therefore, while these are in good condition, you can refill the tank as many times as you want.

* At present Epson has released a type of printers that carry this type of built-in system: the Epson Ecotank printers (click to learn more).