Ink cartridges can dry out over time. If they are sitting in your machine for an extended period, they will eventually dry up and become unusable. The simplest way to combat this problem is by printing more frequently or running regular cleans and ink tests to ensure the nozzles remain clean.

How quickly does inkjet ink dry out?

As a general rule, you can handle and work with photo inkjet prints as soon as the come out of your printer. They are "dry to the touch" but in reality it takes about 24 hours for an inkjet print to fully cure and dry.

How do you keep printer ink from drying out?

To keep cartridges from drying out, always turn the printer off using the Power button, and wait until the Power light goes out before you pull the plug or turn off a power strip. This allows the printer to move the cartridges to a capped position.