Short of actually using the printer, or using the nozzle-clean function, there is no way to avoid the drying of ink. You definitely need to keep printing something once in a while, at least a page a week, to maintain your printer in proper working order. And make sure that you remove the cartridges from the printer if you're not gonna use them for a long time. Also make sure you use the printer head nozzle clean function (accessible from your printer control software) to maintain proper working.