Refill ink on the imagePROGRAF Pro-300

Tinte nachfüllen beim imagePROGRAF Pro-300

Recommendation for the procedure for refilling PFI-300 original cartridges

To use Pigmera C1 ink in an imagePROGRAF PRO-300, the original cartridges can be refilled. It does not matter whether they are the setup cartridges that come with the printer or original cartridges purchased later..

For the filling process and the use of refilled ink cartridges, we recommend the following tools:

For filling:

Our ink bottle
Additional syringe cap
Kitchen paper
Precision scale or kitchen scale

For use:

2 complete sets of original cartridges for replacement
Hand counter
The orange caps of the original cartridges

Since the low ink volume of 14.4ml of an original cartridge (compared to other pigment photo printers) often requires refilling, we recommend purchasing a second complete set of original cartridges for using refilled ink cartridges in a Pro-300. While one set of cartridges is being used in the printer, the other set can be refilled completely and prepared for the next use..

Important - be sure to keep the orange caps of the original cartridges as they are needed to store the second set of cartridges!

When to fill and how does it work?

We have collected the following data on the ink cartridges available:
The weight of an empty ink cartridge is approximately 17.5g, without the orange cap.
The weight of a full, new ink cartridge is approximately 31.6g, without the orange cap.
We always fill up to at least 32g.

We also offer red syringe caps for our ink bottles, making it easy to refill the ink cartridges. However, in our opinion, these caps are not suitable for storing ink as the small closure does not seal airtight. We recommend using the corresponding black bottle caps for storing the ink bottles. The red syringe caps are only used for refilling the cartridges. Our tip is to mark the red caps so that they can be assigned to the individual ink colors and rinse them with water after use.Of course, syringes can also be used to refill ink cartridges, but we found the application with the syringe caps to be easier. Find the best approach for yourself.

Cut the tip of the red cap so that a small hole is created.
Screw the red cap onto the ink bottle.

Currently, the printer is showing a support code 1600 and a red warning sign for an empty ink cartridge (PC), and two more ink cartridges (PM, R) are already marked with a yellow exclamation mark, indicating that they will be empty shortly. We have decided to refill all three cartridges at once.

Check the weight of the cartridge to be filled. Our empty cartridge had the weight shown above. This ink cartridge should now be refilled to a weight of at least 32g.

Carefully and slowly drip some ink onto the sponge at the ink outlet of the cartridge, only drop by drop, without the ink overflowing the edge of the ink outlet. The ink is gradually absorbed by the sponge inside the ink cartridge. After filling a few cartridges, you will get a feel for it, and the filling process will then go quite quickly. We leave the cartridge on the scale during the filling process and stop when we have reached at least 32ml of ink in the cartridge.

The cartridge is adequately filled, and we repeat the process for the other two ink cartridges, each of which ultimately has a weight of 32g.

We took too much time for the filling process (and taking photos), so the sled with the ink cartridges drove back to its parked position on the right, concealed side of the printer housing. We close the printer cover, open it again, and receive an error message with support code 1660 due to the three missing ink cartridges..

By closing and then opening the printer cover, the stop button can be pressed to regain access to the print head sled, which then moves to the left. The refilled ink cartridges can now be inserted.

The printer recognizes the "used" ink cartridges.
After clicking "OK," the printer is ready but marks the three cartridges as almost empty. The printer has no knowledge that the cartridges have been refilled. The information about the ink cartridge level is purely calculated via the chip in the cartridge.

At the start of the next print job, the printer prompts to replace the cartridges with support code 1699 because the chip reports an empty status to the printer. Pressing and holding the stop button on the printer for 5 seconds at this point releases the cartridge but also deactivates the ink level display of the affected color channel. The color bar of this color appears completely white in the ink overview. As we had refilled three cartridges, this process must be repeated three times, once for each color channel. Printing can now continue.

ATTENTION: With the ink level display deactivated, it is the responsibility of the user to check the ink level of the cartridges from time to time and refill them in time before they are completely empty!

Recommended procedure - this is how we did it

We recommend purchasing an additional set of cartridges in addition to the existing set so that you have two sets and can switch between a refilled and an empty set more conveniently and quickly. After the last cartridge has been refilled and all ink channels are working without an ink level display, fill all cartridges completely so that you have an equal, full ink level for all cartridges. From this point on, count the prints you create. We used a hand counter for this, one click for an A4 print, two clicks for an A3 or A3+ print. This hand counter is always next to the printer.

On the left, a precision scale; on the right, the hand counter. Both can be purchased for a few euros, for example, on Amazon, eBay, and others.

When a certain number of prints is reached, replace the currently used cartridge set in the printer with the fully filled second set. We switched after 40 prints on the counter. The consumption can vary depending on the printed motifs, so it is best to check for yourself at the beginning how many prints you can create "safely" before the first cartridge becomes too empty. With the newly inserted set, continue printing and start counting again at zero. Fill the set taken from the printer completely and store it until the next replacement. We use a plastic household container with an airtight lid to store ink cartridges.

List of important data and support codes

Weight of a new, full PFI-300 Original ink cartridge (14.4ml), without orange cap - 31.6g
Weight of a new, empty PFI-300 Original ink cartridge (14.4ml), without orange cap - approx. 17.5g
We always refilled until at least 32g.

Supportcode 1600
R´Red cross, the cartridge is empty, printing can be started after confirmation with OK.

Supportcode 1699
Red cross, printing is no longer possible. The cartridge must be replaced or refilled. Pressing the stop button for 5 seconds clears the error code and deactivates the ink level display of the affected color channel.

Supportcode 1698
The cartridge is empty, and pressing the stop button for 5 seconds will not work at this point. The cartridge must be removed, refilled if necessary, and then reinserted. After reinsertion, support code 1699 will appear. Press the stop button for 5 seconds to continue.

Supportcode 1660
One or more ink cartridges are not inserted.

Disclaimer
We hereby expressly state that the manipulation of ink cartridges and printers is done at your own risk, and we assume no liability for any damages or injuries resulting from the use of this guide. The instructions and suggestions provided above are meant as recommendations, and their use is entirely voluntary and at the discretion of the user. We accept no liability or guarantee for damages or consequential damages to printers, printer parts, tools, furniture, or products used from farbenwerk. There is always a risk of damage when working with printers or printer parts due to improper handling. We explicitly disclaim any responsibility for covering costs or compensating damages (e.g., printer downtime).