The different components of a continuous ink system

Personally, I’ve always thought it’s very important to know the proper names of every part and component I work with; this, of course, helps with everyday work. Nowadays, continuous ink systems are being sold and used all over the world, mainly on canon printers, and we’ve even created a post that teaches you how to install a CISS on a canon mp280 printer.

In this post, we’ll do everything in our power to give you all the information we have on the different parts of a continuous ink system, and how they work. This will stay on our blog to help people identify specific spares and components that may become damaged any given day.

Continuous ink systems are, in essence, a modification or adaptation you can install on your printer to save more money on your prints.

As you may already know, CISS allow you to refill them very easily and whenever you want to. Their ink tanks act as ink deposits, and you’re able to see exactly how much ink is left inside them. Depending, of course on how good the continuous ink system is, our printer will look better or worse, and it will make your printer last more or less time.

You should take some necessary precautions to avoid getting it damaged and having any installation malfunctions. One of the main precepts you should follow is to avoid leaving the ink tanks run empty.

Here are some of the components of a CISS  we’ve been able to identify and name for you:

The ink tanks:

Ink tanks are deposits that store the ink your printer will use. They usually come in 50ml and 100ml sizes, and are use for inkjet ink cartridges.

Please take into account the best CISS ink tanks are the ones where the ink flows from the bottom. There are many other types of continuous ink systems, and we will discuss them further below.

ink tanks continuous system

CISS hoses:

The hoses are responsible for most of the proper functioning of a continuous ink system, and are one of the most fundamental components for the printer.

However, they can cause many issues inside our printers and directly related to them, especially if the hoses are not of the highest quality.

This is why we recommend you only buy CISS with silicone hoses, since their flexibility guarantees better overall functioning and system endurance.

Their main function is to transport the ink from the tanks to the ink cartridges, while also making the ink pass through some other major components of this system. Please take a look at the following picture of CISS hoses.

ink system hoses

The elbows or joints of the continuous ink system:

This is one of the internal elements of a continous ink system we mentioned before. These small adaptors let the hoses go inside the printer, and keep them from blocking the carriage’s regular moment. Thanks to this particular component, the ink can reach the cartridges without any problems.

You should always pay attention to the amount of strength you use when adding the hoses to these joints.

This is one of the last components installed on your continuous ink system. Please keep in mind one side will always be bigger than the other. Take a look at the CISS joints in the next image.

ciss elbows

The CISS filters:

The filters located inside a continous ink system are very helpful; they’re responsible for getting the ink injected into the cartridges. If it weren’t for these filters, we’d have permanent ink spills in our printer, even if the tanks were set at the same height of the device. Please click on this link to learn how to get rid of ink spills in CISS printer.

Also, these filters regulate the amount of ink that goes from the tank to the cartridge. As you may already know, 50% of the ink that reaches the cartridge depends on gravity alone, and the other 50% relies on filling that gap with even more ink. If you try printing without installing these filters, your ink cartridges may be overfilled with ink and an ink spill may occur.

If you have any particular case you need help with, please post a comment in the section below this post, and we will gladly help you out.

ink tanks filters

The plugs for the ink tanks (we prefer you use colored ones):

These plugs fulfill several different tasks in your CISS. The main one, however, is to identify the ink color inside each tank. Several printer manufacturers do the exact same thing and tag each ink tank with a specific plug, just to know what ink type and color was added to each tank.

These plugs are very helpful, since they will help us identify each color properly, especially the black and blue ones, which are easily mixed up.

Another of their main functions is, are their name suggest, to plug and seal the upper part of the tanks. They also work with the ink system filters to keep the ink from spilling inside the CISS. They close off the ink cartridges completely, and can make moving this ink system and the printer much easier that it is.

The main plug will seal the tank’s main orifice, while the secondary one will seal the area where the CISS filters have been installed in the tanks.

continuous system plugs

The drill bit you will need to puncture and pierce the continuous ink system:

This particular component is used to drill the ink cartridges and expand the orifices on them. This drill bit helps us attach the CISS joints and, then, the hoses to the ink cartridge itself. We recommend you always buy these tools in a hardware shop, since they make the most effective ones.

When you get to one, ask for a ½ inch bit that can pierce iron; they have the best grip and drilling  potential. This will depend on the specific type of continuous ink system you want to install, and on what printer brand you’re setting it on. For example, Epson printers usually have these orifices pre-drilled in their ink cartridges.

drill bit for ciss

The clips that hold the CISS hoses:

Every single piece in a continuous ink system important, and these small clips aren’t the exception to this rule, they are responsible for holding the hoses in place.

If the hoses happened to get in the way of the ink cartridge carriage, it could cause serious problems inside the printer and even damage it. This is why these clips are so necessary, and a great option to leave your CISS hoses in the proper position to keep your printer from harm.

parts to support system hoses

Remember that if you have any questions, you can write a comment, I am to help you. Another good way to contact is by visiting our forum where several technicians will solve the problem.