Sounds like your ink pads are full, usually last only 1 yr - 1 1/2 yrs. do not throw out it is planned obsolecents by Epson.
go here for a little item that will save money and fix that
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=+++Waste+Ink+Tank+for+Epson+
Eagle_tech
August 2008