Does printer ink "go bad" if you don't use it enough?

[GingerGuy]

A problem I've had with my last two printers, it doesn't print right/well. Lines, blotchy etc. I'll do an alignment and clean printer heads, but doesn't fix the problem. And with my current printer, it's brand new (only used it twice) and new ink cartridges (that came with it), but doing it already! I also rarely use it, maybe once or twice a month. Is that why, or another reason?

Updates

+1 y

Just Googled it and yes, they can dry out. Probably what's happening.

[Levin]

That's why I bought a laser jet printer. The cartridges seem to last and have far more value.

I think I bought a basic HP black and white one for 130£. The cartridges are 40£ but you actually get way more than a 1000 pages out of it. The inkjets won't manage that.

[jshm2]

If you're not printing much in colour then just get a mono laser. It will last much longer than an inkjet and not cost you as much.

[GingerGuy]

Appreciate that, I might just do that.

[GingerGuy]

And the dry ink would be better? I'm not familiar with them, but sounds like the better option.

[DonkeyDan]

If you don't use it often enough the ink dries in the printhead and that's a bit too clean.

[Tim-loves-it]

Thats what i was gonna say.. probably not unless it dries out.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to buy a better quality printer.

[GingerGuy]

That's very possible to, it is a cheap one. But I rarely need it so can't justify the expense lol. But if I'm buying ink all the time, maybe it'll be cheaper in the long run?