Need Assistance with Finding a New Printer

To be honest, I've never owned a printer in my life & as the ink is more expensive than human blood, I don't think I ever will.
That being said, what are you using it for primarily?
That'll be the key factor in deciding the right machine for you

Most Canon printers give you the option of Black and White or Colour printing. They print to photo paper as well as bog standard paper, I use a Canon MG3150, cost around £50 a year ago. Works on WiFi, app on my Android lets me print directly from the Android ........

Hmm I checked it out. Yes it's getting great reviews. But until I can get a definite answer for this question


Can I use only black ink if I run out of color ink ?



A: Yes, if only black ink document. Your print will be void of color areas on the original. Beverly McMillan answered on May 7, 2015

A: nope. i dont think so. they want to force u to buy color ink. Snookie Handsome answered on May 7, 2015

A: I would assume if you set your printer to print in black, you would be able to. However, I have not used this printer, nor have I read the owners manuel/booklet. I would strongly suggest contacting Epson directly as the answers you are receiving are not consistent. Just an idea..... bbryson answered on May 8, 2015


Me no buy. The one thing I can't stand about my printer is unless ALL FOUR chambers are filled Red, Yellow Blue and Black it will not work. I want to avoid that. Thank you Steve. 

The problem is not choice. The problem is even when you only choose BW IT WILL NOT PRINT if any of the colours are empty.

There are a couple of reasons for that.
Your basic printer has a permanent print head & it can get damaged if run with empty cartridges.
The other reason (& also probably the biggest one) is that the cartridges have chips in them which alert the ink level sensors to low or empty cartridges.
Printer manufacturers don't really make money from the machines, but from the ink. 
I recall when I managed a printer repair program that our cartridge stock had to have round the clock security camera coverage & even an actual guard had to be there when ink was issued to the production teams.
You can get "no-name" brand cartridges on evilbay or even at your local mall that have resettable chips on them so you can fool the printer.

Downside is, you run the risk of jacking up the printhead.

Additionally, quite a lot of printers will lay down a colour first before adding the black layer. It's a bit like an undercoat or primer.

There are printers that have the printhead  built into the ink supply & need to be changed whenever you change the cartridge. Those will run low or empty, but you're looking at semi-pro printer models then & that usually means $$$

Yeppers. Look at this

This -----> "Printer manufacturers don't really make money from the machines, but from the ink. "

Is the real reason I can't do it. Maybe I'll do what Wilgy said. I'll use my work printer. haha