When you want to print enlarged versions of photographs or
create marketing collateral for your business or organization, a wide-format
printer is one of the best options available.
Wide-format printers generally feature ink jet cartridges
instead of toner, because these cartridges offer the greatest balance of
flexibility, affordability, and color mixing.
Wide Format Cartridges for Archival Photo and Art Printing
If you need your print to last for a long time without
fading or degrading, you should use archival ink. Archival formulas produce
consistent and reliable colors, and they’re guaranteed for 60 or more years of
color-fastness and light-fastness. When stored in an album or archival photo
box, archival inks can even last up to 200 years.
Inkjet Cartridges for Wide Format Printers
Small home-photo printers usually require ink cartridges,
which are fully replaceable units that feature a built-in nozzle. When you run
out of ink, simply pop the cartridge out and replace it with a brand new
cartridge.
If you don’t use your inkjet printer frequently, or you live
at a high elevation, you may encounter dried-out or clogged nozzles. If a
nozzle clogs, just run your printer’s diagnostic or print-head cleaning
program.
Ink Bottles and Ink Tanks
Ink cartridges are very easy to use, but many manufacturers
and consumers were concerned about the quantity of wasted materials involved.
This is why you can find printers with ink tanks, which use internal ink
reservoirs rather than slots for cartridges. You can refill these internal
tanks with ink bottles or replace them with swappable, recyclable ink tanks.
Benefits of Using An Ink Bottle
Using a printer with ink tanks also means you can top it up
rather than waiting for a color to run out completely. That way, you’ll always
be ready to print and will never have to worry about printer errors in the
middle of a big project.
Ink Colors
Wide-format photo printers can use as many as 12 to 14
individual ink colors. Some models even have separate formulas for
glossy-photo-black and matte-black prints. As you shop for ink replacements for
your printer, make sure you select the cartridges and colors your specific
printer requires.
Wide Format Cartridges for Archival, Wide-Format Prints
Canon,
Epson,
and HP
are three of the top names in archival, wide-format printing. Once you invest
in an inkjet printer by one of these leading brands, we recommend using
compatible brand-name ink cartridges and replacement ink bottles rather than
third-party options that can often cause problems.