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In this day and age of high-tech smartphones, table computers and countless other gadgets, one device continues to frustrate users the world over: the humble printer.

Countless people have experienced the rage-inducing moment a printer runs out of ink, leaving you with half-faded pages and requiring a costly investment to restock.

But now one company is planning to revolutionise the archaic industry with a printer that uses refillable ink tanks - meaning you'll never need to fork out for another ink cartridge again.

Tokyo-based electronics company Epson has unveiled two new printers that have refillable tanks rather than ink cartridges. In place of costly cartridges they both have an ink reservoir. This can print 4,000 pages in black or 6,500 in colour on one fill. Two printers are on sale, the L355 at £249.99 and the L555 (shown) at £329.99

Tokyo-based Epson new EcoTank printers come supplied with two years' worth of ink - enough to print 4,000 pages in black and 6,500 in colour.

Two models are available, the smaller L355 at £249.99 and the more sophisticated L555 at £329.999, which also has a fax option.

While the printers themselves are quite expensive, the replacement ink bottles are not, at just £8 each.

When using the printer for the first time the user will need to pour the ink themselves into the printer's tank.

Epson says this is 'hassle-free' using drip-free bottle spouts. 

However users will be required to use Epson's own-brand ink, even when refilling.

Once the printer is switched on the ink system merely needs to be primed and it's good to go.

Both printers also have Wi-Fi connectivity, so users can print from smartphones and tablets.

While other printers with refillable ink cartridges exist on the market, these products are among the first to offer an integrated ink tank that can be refilled.

Mark Reynolds, the Sales Director for the Consumer Division of Epson, explained to MailOnline that when initially using the printer it will require a one-time charge for 20 minutes.

He also adds this is the first printer with an ink tank system, and claims it will save consumers considerable money in the long run.

'We estimate up to 65 per cent savings versus the average across the top ten brands,' he says.

Over two years, he says this would equate to savings of about £750 per user.

In a statement Product Manager for Epson UK Simon Hanly said: 'Complementing our line-up of existing products, these models are ideal for home and small office customers who want to print everyday documents, such as recipes, homework, emails and maps, and for whom price and convenience are key factors.'

'With two years' worth of ink included, users know where they stand.'

When using the printer for the first time the user will need to pour the ink themselves into the printer's tank (shown). Epson says this is 'hassle-free' using drip-free bottle spouts. Once depleted refills can be bought for £8 - but it has to be Epson's own brand of ink

Purchasing replacement ink cartridges (stock image shown) for existing printers can be a costly and complex process, so the new refillable printers will be welcome new to many