Can I use dye ink instead of pigment ink?

[Francesco1010]

this printer should use pigment ink for black and dye ink for colors. the problem is that the highlighter smudges the black writing by removing and dissolving part of the ink making them unusable unlike color writing on which it has no effect. If I change the black pigment ink with a dye ink do I risk damaging the printer?

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Francesco1010 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It's understandable that you're looking for a solution to the smudging issue you're encountering, especially when using a highlighter on your black text. To answer your question: it's not recommended to replace the black pigment ink with dye ink in printers designed for pigment ink for a few reasons:

1. Pigment Ink vs. Dye Ink Properties

• Pigment ink is typically more smudge-resistant and water-resistant. It's often used for black text because it adheres better to paper and is more durable.
• Dye ink, on the other hand, tends to be more vibrant in color, but it is more prone to smudging and less resistant to water and highlighter pens.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Sneha_01

HP Support

[Francesco1010]

the answer is not relevant. 

the question was simple: can this damage the printer?

I did not inquire about the ink performance which I already said was inadequate.

[Repairatrooper · Accepted solution]

If the ink is a different viscosity, you risk having prints with too much or not enough ink. As well the is a small risk of interaction between the two inks if there is any pigment based ink left in the system when you add the dye based ink. 

In simple terms, the ink itself is unlikely to damage the the printer, but if it does, you have no warranty, if your unit is still under warranty. If completely smear proof is your goal, a laser printer is a better choice.

Highlighter smearing is nothing new, and there are smear resistant highlighters on the market that do not interact with the ink.