Confused! Edible Ink Printers
Decorating By cheftracy Updated 9 Oct 2007 , 5:43pm by dragonflydreams
Sorry to start a new thread on this. I have read the other threads and still can't figure out what to buy.
I want a quality printer, 4 cartridge, but I don't want to have to remove the chip from the ink cartridge and attach it to the edible cartridges. Just seems like a waste of ink.
Anyone know what printer I should get and the ink for it? I have looked at so many I am going cross-eyed. TIA
35 views and no one has a suggestion? Glad I am persistant, or at least my DH is. He has been researching, guess I'll go with what he finds. Just wanted to know what works for others. The other threads and information is a little bit out of date. Technology changes so quickly. Sorry if starting a new thread on this offended anyone.
I guess I don't understand. I have been using edible ink and sheets for years now. I have purchased a couple of printers (as many photos as I print out each week, I go thru a printer about every yr to 1 & 1/2 years) I have yet to remove any chips. I purchase only Canon brand printers and have only used the KopyKake system. Works for me like a charm, no need to change.
Like I have said in many other threads, I have more than paid for my system, printer, scanner and computer.
However, this week my friend was shopping for a new printer and she had a problem. It seems that the model numbers she was looking for (Canon and Epson) were already discontinued.
Like I said maybe its something I just don't understand yet.
Sorry about adding a second comment, but I just thought of something. Regardless of what printer or system you work with, each printer comes with a set of ink tanks. You will have to remove them anyway because they are not food color and they are toxic, so unless you have anyother printer that these tanks will fit into, yes it could be a waste of ink.
Now, if you have a refill system for an inkjet printer you could remove the ink and use it in the other printer's cartridges.
I have been trying to find a canon at a store that will work with edible ink. Those that we've found so far won't work but we are still searching.
There is a site that sells ink cartridges that come with the chip. The chip tells the printer what color it is and when it is empty. I have read that once the chip has been used once, it won't tell the computer when it is empty which you run the risk of damaging the print head. I just have to find a printer that is compatible with those ink cartridges. They sell the printer as a package deal but once you price out the individual pieces, it is about $200 more than if you purchase everything separately.
So I am trying to find out what others do about this.
Thanks
Hi Tracy,
I have an epson and I bought it new - actually a display at a local warehouse store - took out the cartridges and put in the ones I got from KopyKake - haven't used the chip resetter I bought yet. I am trying to remember - there is something about the epson's print head and it's lack of sponges that make this unit easier to use - there is no residual ink left in the head, so if you wanted to switch out reg ink and the edible stuff I believe it is ok. Mine is designated for EI's so I don't have that worry.
The hardest part is finding a cartridge for the printer you buy - Mod Stephanie had a great tip on this post - http://forum.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=528033&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0
You can buy empty compatible cart for any printer and just fill them with the Edible Ink - it breaks down to be cheaper.
Now, as far as printers - I have no druthers as far as brand - right now in my office I have a HP, Epson, Dell, and a Canon and they all have their plus and minus qualities - I use the Epson because it was one on the KK list and it was wayyy before I saw Stephanie's post.
I think I also saw they are manufacturing more carts now then they did before - for some of the newer canon models - I would say research it a little bit, read Stephanie's post and then go from there...
I got my whole system for about $135 - printer, ink, and sheets - this was around the budget I set and just looked until I found something to tie in. (I even did an excel spreadsheet on what printers cost what where (ebay etc) the sheets, ink, etc)
Good luck and I hope this helps....
Forgot to add....
This is another site that has supplies besides KK -
http://www.icingmagic.com/ ~ I think they have different model #'s for carts than KK -
HTH 
I bought a canon, based on price and availabilty. I did have to remove the chips from the cartridges it came with and put them on the Kopy Kake ones. Kopy Kake have a list of printers that are compatible with each type of cartridge. I printed it out and went shopping locally for the printer.
Regarding removing the chips, this is the new style of canon cartridge which comes with a chip built into it, the older style did not have this.
I also followed Stephanie's advise and bought an Epson printer off ebay, hopefully it's not one I need chips off of because it doesn't come with cartridges lol... and have contacted the man with the empty cartridges and he's put in a special order for me... it's a lot cheaper then getting the whole set up from KK or anywhere else...
Does anyone know which models you have to have the chips for???? If so please PM me this info I'd hate to hi-jack her thread
Thanks for the info. I put my DH on this assignment and he has found what he thinks is the best way to go. We are going for a Canon, not sure which style. We don't need the faxing and scanning options on most printers so he thinks he found one for $80.
He found the icingimages site and emailed them several times. He said they are very helpful. Their cartridges have the chips on them and the refill bottles are reasonable. So in all, I think we'll probably spend about $130 for the system. This is about the same that I've seen others spend.
Tracy hun I found an Epson on ebay for 99 cents plus $29.99 shipping... yes the shipping is high but the auction sold so low it balanced out 
it is brand new in box with no cartridges, and has never been used which is a good thing ... it is a scanner, copier, and printer all in one, which I find helpful because if someone wants a picture of a loved one put on a cake, you'd have to scan it first My regular printer has a scanner and copier and printer all in one thingie too but the printing isn't very nice on it anymore maybe because Wallgreens didn't fill my ink properly like they said they did lol but anyway... I think ebay is the best place to look for printers for this.... what I did was I went to the ebay guy Stephanie posted in the other thread, looked at which model numbers he offered cartridges for, and searched for those and found quite a bit at decent prices
OhMyGoodies, Thanks for the info. I have to get this up and running very quickly. I don't really have time for shipping, etc. Of course, I just ordered the ink and sheets. Hope they come in soon.
I purchased the Canon PIXMA IP3500 for $80. I am really excited to use this.
I am doing a Phantom of the Opera Cake and will be using Sheet Music of POTO theme. I hope to figure out if I can attach the icing sheet to gumpaste and dry it with form so that it 'flows' on the cake. Probably. And now that I have the printer I can do so many other things. Yippee!
Thanks to everyone who responded. For a while there I thought it was me and no one wanted to help. 
Don't worry, I'm over it
It does get confusing! I know I researched for several weeks before I bought mine and here's what I figured out.
As far as having to take the chips off and place them on your new cartridges...that's only for canon and only for the printers that take the newer cartridges. As long as you use a model that takes the older cartridges you won't need to do that.
I went with an Epson because I wanted an all in one and liked the model they sell with the package sets at Kopykake. I found the CX7800 dirt cheap through Office Max ($49 and free shipping) and bought my cartridges through Kopykake. I think I'll use the refill set they sell, then buy the cartridges on Ebay everyone is talking about from there on out.
OhMyGoodies,
I am doing a Phantom of the Opera Cake and will be using Sheet Music of POTO theme. I hope to figure out if I can attach the icing sheet to gumpaste and dry it with form so that it 'flows' on the cake. Probably. And now that I have the printer I can do so many other things. Yippee!
oooohhh!!!!! that sounds fabulous . . . I'll be waiting for your picture to be downloaded 
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