To safely empty the ink from an Epson EcoTank prior to shipping, the most effective and widely recommended method is to turn the printer upside down and drain the ink from the tanks into a container or empty bottle. This process usually takes under a minute per color and avoids disassembling the printer.

Why You Might Need to Empty the Ink

Shipping a printer with full ink tanks can lead to:

  • Ink leakage inside the box due to movement, temperature changes, or pressure shifts.
  • Damage to internal electronics or printhead if ink spills.
  • Violation of carrier policies , as many shipping companies restrict or prohibit transport of devices with liquid ink unless properly prepared.

Manufacturers like Epson explicitly advise against tilting or turning the printer during transport unless ink has been drained or tanks sealed with transportation caps.

Step-by-Step: How to Empty Ink from Epson EcoTank

1. Prepare Your Workspace

  • Work on a flat, protected surface (use old newspapers, towels, or a plastic tray).
  • Have gloves , paper towels , and a large container or empty ink bottle ready to catch the ink.
  • Secure loose parts: tape down the scanner lid, paper trays, and any open panels to prevent them from swinging open during inversion.

2. Open the Ink Tank Caps

  • Open the ink tank cover.
  • Remove the caps from each ink tank (black, cyan, magenta, yellow).
  • Keep the caps somewhere safe—you’ll need them later if refilling or resealing.

3. Drain the Ink

Option A: Using the Original Ink Bottle (Recommended)
If you still have the original refill bottles:

  1. Place the empty bottle over the ink tank opening, matching the color.
  2. Carefully turn the entire printer upside down while holding the bottle in place.
  3. Ink will flow from the tank back into the bottle by gravity.
  4. Repeat for each color.

Option B: Using a Container or Tub
If you don’t have the original bottles:

  1. Hold a clean plastic bowl or jug under the open tank.
  2. Turn the printer upside down and let the ink drain into the container.
  3. This may require a second person to help stabilize the printer and position the container.

⚠️ Tip: Do this quickly and carefully—most users report full drainage in 40–60 seconds per tank.

4. Clean and Reseal

  • Wipe any spills immediately with paper towels.
  • Replace the tank caps securely.
  • Close the ink tank cover.

5. Install Transportation Cap (If Available)

Epson includes a transportation cap (sometimes called a “shipping lock”) that seals the ink system internally:

  • Flip the cap so the rounded ends face down.
  • Insert into the designated slot as shown in your printer’s manual.
  • This prevents air and ink movement during shipping.

6. Final Shipping Prep

  • Power off and unplug the printer.
  • Disconnect all cables.
  • Remove paper trays and any loose accessories.
  • Place the printer in its original box or a sturdy, well-cushioned container.
  • Clearly label the package as “Fragile” and “This Side Up” if possible.

Alternative Methods (If You Can’t Turn the Printer)

Some advanced users have tried:

  • Using syringes and tubing to extract ink through the tank openings. This works but is slower and risks introducing air bubbles.
  • Removing the ink tanks entirely , which requires partial disassembly and is not recommended unless you’re experienced.

These methods are generally not necessary for most users and carry higher risk of damage or voiding warranty.

Important Cautions

  • Do not ship with ink tanks full unless your printer model has an official “shipping mode” or lock mechanism engaged.
  • Avoid tilting the printer after draining—keep it upright during packing.
  • Never force components or open sealed sections beyond the ink tank area.
  • If you’re converting to sublimation ink or another type, fully drain and purge the system by printing several test pages before shipping or storage.

TL;DR

To empty ink from an Epson EcoTank before shipping:

  1. Tape down loose parts.
  2. Open ink tank caps.
  3. Turn printer upside down over a container or empty bottle.
  4. Let ink drain (≈40–60 seconds per color).
  5. Reseal tanks and install transportation cap.
  6. Pack securely and label appropriately.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.