My entire print run got wrecked by a busted ink cartridge

Just finished collating 50 copies of my new poetry zine last night, ready to staple. I was using this old Epson printer I got for $20 at a yard sale, it's been fine for small stuff. Went to print the covers, heard this weird grinding noise, and then black ink just started gushing out of the cartridge slot. It pooled all over the inside and ruined the print head. The ink got on the first 15 covers I'd already fed through, soaking the paper. Had to throw the whole wet mess in the trash. Now I'm stuck with a stack of blank insides and no way to finish the covers without buying a new printer, which blows my budget. Has anyone had luck with cheap local print shops for short runs like this, or am I back to hand-drawing every single cover?

2 comments

2 Comments

seanperry1mo ago

Ugh, printer disasters are the worst. That sinking feeling when you hear the noise...

paulc931mo ago

Oh man, that "weird grinding noise" is the worst sound. I had a similar blowout with a cheap HP. For my last zine, I used the self-serve copiers at the public library. They have color ones that do cardstock, and it was like 40 cents a page. I just brought my PDF on a flash drive. It saved me when my printer died.