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With the price of ink cartridges often exceeding the price of a new printer, it’s good to know that there are some affordable alternatives.  Many companies sell remanufactured inkjet and toner cartridges, often at a fraction of the cost of a brand name cartridge. But the most affordable method is refilling your inkjet cartridges yourself.  Refill kits are incredibly affordable, and many cartridges can be re-used up to 6 or 7 times.  Following this helpful guide will ensure that you inkjet cartridges are in the best condition for a successful refill.

Best Time to Refill

The best time to refill your cartridge is before it is completely out of ink. Look out for signs that the ink is running low, such as light prints or white streaking. When your printer gives you the second ‘low ink’ warning, this is a prefect time to refill your cartridge or take them to a refiller.

Don’t let the cartridge become completely empty before you refill it because it can cause the nozzle to fail.

Handling Cartridges

Handle cartridges with care. Try not to touch the metal plate on the print head with your hands. Be especially careful when inserting or removing a cartridge from your printer. Be gentle with the cartridge, the circuit board is fragile and forcing the cartridge can cause permanent damage.

Cleaning

If you don’t use your printer often, the cartridge needs to be cleaned to keep it in good working order. Regularly run the print head cleaning program to keep the nozzle working. Instructions will likely be included in the operations manual.

Keeping a Cartridge in Refillable Condition

These two tips will help you increase your cartridge’s refillable life:
1. Store your cartridges with the print head down to keep it moist and in proper working condition. Keep full color cartridges upright. Leaving it on its side can cause the colors to mix.
2. After removing the cartridge from the printer, refill or bring in your cartridge as soon as possible. The less exposure to air will help prevent the ink from drying and damaging the cartridge.

Cartridge Tips

You should use your refilled cartridge within two months to ensure the cartridge will work properly.
Run test pages every week or every other week to keep the cartridge from drying out
If you are not going to use a refilled cartridge right away, wrap it in a moist paper towel and put it in an air tight plastic bag to prevent the nozzle from drying out.

Keep in mind that not all inkjet cartridges can be refilled, but following these guidelines will increase your possiblity for sucess.

Written by the InkSell.com Staff.