What is the difference between closed and open ink systems?

Micro-bubbles of air, contaminants, dust, and other particles that can be introduced into a printer’s internal dispersion system via ink can damage the components irreparably. While some aftermarket ink formulations can cause these contaminants to enter the system, choosing a closed ink system greatly reduces the chance that your environment is adding to the problem.

A closed system uses pre-filled cartridges instead of refillable cartridges or a bulk ink system with open containers. Sealed ink cartridges are one-time-use containers that are professionally filled to prevent air or contaminants from entering the ink.

Inside of a pre-filled cartridge is a vacuum bag that contains ink that expands as the ink is added, and it’s sealed off when filling is complete to ensure the integrity of the system. This process ensures that the quality of the ink you’re using is consistent with the standards of the manufacturer and reduces the chances that you will damage your printer when you print.

Refillable ink cartridges use ink that has been packaged in bottles or large-volume containers in your printer. This may seem like a great value, but if ink refilling is done improperly, contaminants and/or micro-bubbles can enter the ink delivery system of the printer and cause issues with quality and delivery. In a worst-case scenario, improperly filled ink cartridges can cause damage to the print head and ink delivery system.

New refillable cartridges must be thoroughly cleaned and dried overnight before installation, and the process is repeated every six months. Failure to do so could result in premature printer failure. The actual time filling open systems typically brings production to a halt, which means time that you’re not earning money. And since the refilling and cleaning process can be slow and messy, you can spend much more time than anticipated on changing ink.

With a closed system, it only takes a few seconds to switch out a cartridge.

-Jimmy Lamb, Sawgrass