Probably the biggest problem you can have with an inkjet printer is a clogged print head on the inkjet cartridge. Beyond that, the inkjet printer, like the one shown in Figure 22 10, is a simple affair that is considered disposable technology. Several inkjet models are now on the market that cost between $40 and $100, which is not all that much more than the ink cartridge itself. Should anything major happen to an inkjet printer, such as the feed rollers getting misaligned or the cartridge gearing that moves the print cartridge side to side failing to operate, it is usually less expensive to get a new printer than it is to fix it.
Many inkjet printers have a built in print head cleaning routine. There are two types of inkjets available, those with the print head built into the ink cartridge, such as Hewlett
Packard and Canon printers, and those that separate the print head and ink reservoir, such as an Epson.
Here are some cleaning and maintenance tips that can extend the life of an inkjet printer:
Clean the print nozzles regularly. Most inkjet printers have a built in utility to clean or unclog the print head nozzles. You should do this fairly regularly, especially if the printer sits idle for a couple of weeks. If this doesn't work, you can remove the ink cartridge and use a swab or lint free cloth (that you don't mind staining permanently) dampened with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and wipe the print head lightly. Don't rub back and forth across the nozzles. Reinstall the print cartridge and rerun the print head cleaning utility. If the cartridge is still clogged, replace it.
Never turn the printer off at a plug strip or surge suppressor or other power source. Always use the printer's power switch to turn it off. The printer has some built in functions, such as parking the print head, that are tied to the power off function of the printer's on/off switch.
Use inkjet quality paper. Standard bond paper, which is not treated for inkjet inks, absorbs too much ink. On black and white printing, the result may be a fuzzy or blurry print image. On color prints, the result may be light or blurred images. Inkjet paper is treated to provide the best possible image. The printer's owner's manual most likely has a recommendation for the paper that should be used.
Dust and paper scraps and bits can collect in the bottom of the paper path in an inkjet printer. On a fairly regular basis, you should check out the inside of the paper path and remove the paper scraps and blow out any dust or paper bits that have accumulated with compressed air. Always wear eye protection when using compressed air, especially when blowing about bits of paper.
