Step-by-step instructions to DIY the Epson L355 Ink Pad Replacement
A while back, I posted an article on how to reset the Epson L355 printer’s ink pad counter. This allows you to continue using the printer past the lifetime of the ink pads. I also hinted I was waiting for my ink pad replacements back in the article. This is because I was going to DIY the Epson L355 ink pad replacement.
Why replace the ink pads when you can just reset the counter? There is actually a good reason why Epson puts this limit in place. The ink pad soaks up excess ink from the cleaning and flushing operations. Further usage would cause ink overflow as the ink pads will no longer be able to absorb and hold anymore ink. You can find out more about this here at the Epson’s support page.
Therefore, you really do need to replace the actual ink pads at some point in time. Reseting the counter is really just a temporary measure. The Epson support article “recommends having the printer serviced at an Epson Authorized Customer Care Center” if you want to continue using the printer. Thankfully, as I mentioned, there’s an alternative and you can indeed DIY the Epson L355 ink pad replacement.
But as any DIY projects, do it also at your own risk!
Epson L355 Ink Pad Replacement: Step by Step
Step 1: Purchase the replacement ink pads!
There are quite a number of places you can order the ink pads. Amazon as always is a great place to start, such as this one below. You can also potentially find them off other sources like Aliexpress. But note that shipping times are usually much slower when buying off Aliexpress.
Source: Amazon.com
Step 2: Remove the Epson L355 ink pad tray
Make sure you get some old newspaper or any other underlay to protect your floor space. The ink pad replacement will get messy.
To get to the tray compartment that holds the ink pads, first turn over the printer so that the back of the Epson L355 printer is facing upwards to you. Lift up the back paper tray. You will see a single screw that secures the tray in place. Unscrew it then pull the tray out vertically towards you.
Step 3: Remove the old ink pads
As you can see from the photo below, the tray slides out vertically. The screw points is at the bottom right side of the tray when you see it from above.
This step is pretty simple now. Just remove the ink pads. I recommend using a pair of tweezers to pull the fully soaked ink pads out. otherwise, you will get your hands pretty black and messy with the ink.
Step 4: Insert the new ink pads
This is really just stating the obvious. But one key point to note. The ink pads have different sizes, holes and cut outs at each layer. Make sure they are inserted back in the same original positions.
Then replace the tray back to the printer and secure it with the screw.
Step 5: Reset the Epson L355 ink pad counter
Finally, remember to reset the Epson L355 printer’s ink pad counter. I would recommend doing it again even if you had already reset it before changing the ink pad so that you have the counter 0 again with a fresh set of ink pads.
And that’s it! This DIY Epson L355 ink pad replacement should not take you more than 15 minutes from start to end. Hope this helps!
Get the latest Epson L355 Printer driver for macOS 11.x Big Sur here
If this post has been useful, support me by buying me a latte or two 🙂
