I was thinking of purchasing a printer for edible images. Can I purchase any printer or does it have to be a certain type of printer. Is it easy to fit the edible ink cartridges in any printer that I decide to purchase? For the ones who use edible images, how do you like them. The cakes that I see here on the website look really nice and now I would like to try it.

Thanks,
Mich

Only Canon inkjet printers are edible image compatible. For information on types of printers you can go to http://photofrost.com/supplies.htm. Go down to supplies and click on the print cartridge number. It will tell you what printers you can use. Another supplier is http://www.kopykake.com. This link gives you the list of ink cartridges and the printers that they fit: http://www.kopykake.com/pc_CompatiblePrinterGuide.html.

Your printer for edible images will have to be solely for that purpose. You cannot use it for both regular printing and image printing. I've had mine for a couple of years and really enjoy it. I've done pictures, collages, etc., and placed them on cakes. It gives you a lot of freedom of expression.

A couple good printers to choose from are the canon iP1500 or the iP3000. You can buy one new off eBay (not refurbished) or from amazon. The iP1500 only runs about $50 new/shipped and uses 2 cartridges (cost less, less ink, hard to refill). The iP3000 uses 4 cartridges (ink lasts longer, print quality not much different than a 2 cartridge, easier to refill).

It's just as easy to insert an edible ink cartridge as it is to insert a regular ink cartridge. The only real diffference is that one is filled with edible ink and the other isn't.

Printing your own edible images is easy. The most important thing is proper maintenance so your printer doesn't clog and your inks/papers don't dry out.

I use a 2 cartridge printer becuase I don't print many images but if you plan to print several a week...the 4 cartridge is a better deal. I buy all of my supplies from either www.kopykake.com or www.sugarcraft.com

I love my ip3000. However, you really have to watch out for those clogs!
lisa...if you are printing images every week...do you need to take out the edible ink cartridges??? I find that every time I take mine out...the black gets clogged. I have had several images to print and have not taken the ink out. However...I want to take it out if there is a chance it will dry up.
Thanks!
traci

If you print every week, you shouldn't need to remove/store them. Using the printer weekly should keep it from clogging. The only exception to this is if you refill. Refilling is a great idea and will save a lot of $ but it also causes clogs.

When you do remove the cartridges to store them, they need to be capped, put in an airtight bag (squeeze out excess air) and then into an airtight container. Sometimes I remove the entire print head and store it with the cartridges in (upright). If you remove the cartridges only, then the print head needs to be cleaned either manually or using cleaning cartridges. It needs to be cleaned to the point that no ink remains.

Clogs are caused by the ink either drying up inside the nozzles of the print head or drying up at the opening of the ink cartridge. If you can prevent those things, you shouldn't have any clogs, at least not until you start refilling the cartridges. Once you start refilling, you'll have random clogs. IMO, it's still worth it to refill as long as you know how to clean your print head.

Thanks lisa! The printer has been clog free since I have left the ink in. I have been printing images every week...so I guess I don't need to worry right now.
traci