I have a cheap ($19,99) Canon printer at our winter home. I do nothing with the ink cartridges when we leave. Prints just fine 6 months later. Same with my Pixma here at home. No problem printing when we get back in May.
My computer guy that I had many years ago told me the quickest way to ruin a printer was to use aftermarket ink cartridges in it. I know it's true, I ruined mine by doing that. And he had no skin in the game; he did not sell printers or ink. I have never bought anything other than Canon.
