>Dan, I do not understand. I removed the sponge completely from an epson oem >cartridge and squirted ink in. The moment I removed the tape from the >bottom, all the ink run happily through the bottom holes (I was prudent >enough to do this in a sink). I didn't remove the tape from the bottom exit ports -- I just let the printer pierce the tape as the cartridge was installed. However, when I remove the patially empty cartridge to fill it again I need to be quick and retape the bottom pronto (or have a paper towel ready if I'm aren't trying to conserve the remaining ink). It will drip through the ports -- but not so fast that you can't retape it or get it away from the printer in time to prevent problems. But maybe the different cartridges have differnt types of filters and the ones I've been using don't let the ink through as fast (??). Or maybe I've just been darned lucky. But I haven't had any problem. One of the open topped cartridges was in my Stylus Photo half full of ink for a couple of months (I was using other printers) and it never leaked out into the printer. The tape over the ports seems to hold it in fine on the way to the printer and the seals in the cartridge did the rest I guess. The open topped cart on the Stylus 900 worked similarly, but since it is a new printer I'm not leaving them in place for a long time just in case (I just use these to try out special ink blends so, except for the forgotten Stylus Photo cart, they usually only stay in place for a day or two). As for the cartridges with the holes drilled into the tops -- I don't bother taping the holes shut either. The tape over the ports does fine and the extra large holes in top are just more effective vents than those tiny vent holes made for that purpose. Dan Culbertson - Please turn off HTML mail features. Keep quoted material short. Use accurate subject lines. http://www.leben.com/lists for instructions.