Using Alternative Ink Types to Create a Bespoke Printer and Your Printer Warranty.
What is a bespoke Printer?
Any printer that is being used in an application, or using a type of ink not intended, or supported by the printer manufacturer, can be considered as a bespoke printer. This would include using a printer for sublimation printing or edible printing.
Many customers successfully use sublimation inks in Epson printers and achieve excellent printing results. However, it is important to understand how using alternative inks may affect your printer warranty.
Printer manufacturers design and warrant their printers for use with specific ink types and applications. When a printer is converted to use sublimation ink, it is being used in a way that the manufacturer does not officially support. It is in fact a bespoke printer.
As a result, if a mechanical fault or printer issue develops and you contact the manufacturer for warranty assistance, they may decline to provide warranty repairs, technical support, or replacement parts. Their reason is typically that the printer is being operated with an ink type and in an application outside of their supported specifications.
This does not necessarily mean that the alternative ink caused the fault. However, manufacturers generally reserve the right to refuse warranty claims when non-approved consumables or unsupported applications are involved.
This is the “elephant in the room” regarding using a bespoke printer and this is the main question to ask companies who sell bespoke printers. What are the warranty terms and who is responsible for the warranty and any other support required to successfully use the printer. Customer support.
Should you be advised that the printer manufacturer will cover the warranty responsibility, I would question it, or contact the printer manufacturer for advice.
Before purchasing a bespoke printer or converting any printer for sublimation or edible printing use, customers should carefully consider the potential impact on their manufacturer’s warranty and make an informed decision based on their individual requirements. At the very least, ask the Warranty question.
HobbyPrint supplies sublimation products for customers who choose to convert compatible printers, but the decision to use alternative inks remains the responsibility of the printer owner.
The HobbyPrint Warranty Approach
At HobbyPrint, we believe that warranty terms should be simple, transparent and easy for customers to understand.
When HobbyPrint sells a bespoke printer bundle, or a conversion kit designed to convert a standard printer into a bespoke printer, we fully understand that the printer manufacturer may not support the resulting application or ink type. We therefore do not ask customers to rely on the printer manufacturer’s warranty for support relating to the bespoke printing system supplied by HobbyPrint.
Instead, we clearly explain the support and warranty arrangements that apply to the products we supply. If a customer purchases a complete bespoke printer bundle from HobbyPrint, we provide technical support and warranty assistance in accordance with the terms supplied with that product.
We believe this approach removes uncertainty and allows customers to make informed purchasing decisions. Customers know who supplied the bespoke printing solution, who provides the technical support, and who should be contacted if assistance is required.
Before purchasing any bespoke printing system, customers should always ask three simple questions:
- Who provides the warranty?
- Who provides the technical support?
- Who should I contact if a problem occurs?
If a supplier cannot clearly answer these questions, customers should carefully consider their purchase before proceeding