My old Epson quit because the "maintenance tank" was full (where it supposedly dumps ink during head cleaning, etc.). I always used refillable aftermarket cartridges, refused to pay the Epson price for ink. Found a hack on the internet to reflash it and fix it, but relegated it to use as a fax machine in the basement. Bought a new Epson Ecotank which has a replaceable maintenance tank and refillable ink tanks. After two years, just refilled the tanks, still working fine. I also have set it so it doesn't do updates, just in case. You might check around the internet, see if there is a hack to fix the issue of "Epson only" ink or maybe the previous firmware version.
We've gone to Brother printer/copiers for the field and the office, they just keep working even traveling in the backs for trucks and trailers. I've got an HP color laser at the office that has finally gotten worn out and once I run through the toner we have for it I'll probably go to a brother for that as well. Only issue I've had with the brothers is the normal toner out or drum dead messages long before they're really done but you can find the reset instructions online easily and actually get full use of the stuff.
I have a b/w brothers combo unit that takes the $80 toner cartridge. The thing locked up when the toner got low. Funny thing is it was still printing perfect. Could not reset it........just kept flashing replace toner. I got on the phone with CS. They said it couldn't be reset and to replace the toner. After fighting with them I got them to reset it. Ran for 3 more months printing tons of stuff including lots of temp tags before I had to change it. If you ever wondered how they can sell an all in one so cheap, there's your answer.
Try this. https://www.microsquads.com/make-an-epson-printer-recognize-clone-cartridges/ HP did the same thing a few years ago and got sued. My last Epson was a 1440. Also was my last one I'll ever buy from them. The 1440 went through ink like an alcoholic through beer. Went back to my older Epson color printer then switched over to Canon printers. The freaking $150 Canon printer does a better job than the overpriced 1440 did and doesn't suck ink.
Just get Ditto machine and be done with it! I swear I'll pistol whip the first clown who asks "What is a Ditto machine"!
SO unless things have changed and I don't know they have.. Pay now or later. Inkjet is the later as in INK and printheads. Every inkjet I know of will clog if you don't frequently print color pages. The head has holes like a open paint can, the holes end up with the ink clogging up and then you HOPE the cleaning will work. A while back you could get a new printer with cartridges cheaper than replacement cartridges so people just replaced them. Everyone started selling new printers with half filled cartridges. Laserjet is pay now and save later. Having said that I only have a black and white laser, go to Kinko's or the UPS store for the twice a year I need color. If you look at most color laserjets it can cost $400 to $1,200 for Yellow, Cyan, Magenta and Black. Not to mention most color printers also have consumables like fuser, belt feed and rollers that have to also be replace that can be another $400 to $1,200.
I actually didn't know what they looked like. I just remember in grade school getting a quiz, and as they were passed out, almost all of us would take a nice long smell.
Earlier, I had thought about linking a clip from the movie "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" where everyone in the classroom does exactly that, but then realized a hit from the ban hammer wasn't worth it.
Interesting smell also.. Sniff 500 copies fresh off the machine and got a buzz with a immediate headache afterwards.. Don't ask how I know.