Ink cartridges are replaceable components found in inkjet printers, containing the ink used for printing. Sometimes, the ink cartridges can contain the printer's print head. An ink cartridge contains one or more partitioned ink reservoirs and, additionally, electronic contacts and a chip to communicate with the printer (only some producers insert these in the cartridge).
The printing depends on the smooth flow of ink, which can be hindered if the ink begins to dry at the print head, as can happen when an ink level becomes low. Dried ink can be cleaned from a cartridge print head by rubbing gently with isopropyl alcohol on a swab or folded paper towel.
Most of the time ink cartridges tend to be quite expensive, so customers started to use "compatible" ink cartridges. These cartridges are produced by companies other than the printer manufacturers. Compatible ink cartridges can come at the same quality as the original ones, depending on the manufacturing company. However, all compatible ink cartridges are cheaper than original ones. Many people use modified printers that allow the use of continuous ink systems. These printers use ink from external ink tanks. People can also use aftermarket inks to refill their cartridges, or take them to local refillers.
Consumers are often surprised at the price of replacing their printer cartridges, especially when compared with that of purchasing a brand new printer. The major printer manufacturers, Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Dell, Canon, Epson and Brother often break even or loose money selling printers, and expect to recoup their losses by selling expensive cartridges over the life span of the printer. Since much of the printer manufacturer's profits are made up of ink and toner cartridge sales, some of these companies have taken various actions against aftermarket cartridges. Sometimes, even legal action was taken.
Recently, many printer owners prefer to refill their used cartridges or even buy remanufactured cartridges from third parties rather than buying expensive new cartridges. Since they only need to buy the ink and a few other small raw materials, it is much cheaper and quality is almost the same. Customers can find different qualities and types of refilling. However, some of them can damage the printer and lead to low quality prints. People take their empty cartridges to refillers or remanufacturers, or simply buy store branded ink.
The cheapest way to get a filled cartridge is to refill it yourself. Almost all cartridges have instructions on how to use and refill them available on the Internet. The Internet can also provide a list of bulk ink sellers that offer pints, quarts, and even gallons of ink. A pint (473 ml) can fill up to 17 large ink cartridges of 27 ml capacity.
Brother, Canon, Dell, HP, and Lexmark cartridges ink cartridges are very easy to refill manually. By using a simple syringe, you can fill some of them. All you need is ink. However, Epson cartridges are usually hard to refill and need a chip resetter. This tool resets the counter chip inside the cartridge. Refilling process can be messy as it involves handling ink directly. Some experience is needed to make the process as clean as possible.
Laser/toner cartridges labeled as "compatible" are often refilled cartridges. Many third parties offer newly manufactured cartridges. Ink cartridges labeled as "compatible" are all newly produced. "Remanufactured" inkjet cartridges have been used previously and refilled by a third party so caution is advised when buying them. These cartridges may not work like new ones. - 15465
The printing depends on the smooth flow of ink, which can be hindered if the ink begins to dry at the print head, as can happen when an ink level becomes low. Dried ink can be cleaned from a cartridge print head by rubbing gently with isopropyl alcohol on a swab or folded paper towel.
Most of the time ink cartridges tend to be quite expensive, so customers started to use "compatible" ink cartridges. These cartridges are produced by companies other than the printer manufacturers. Compatible ink cartridges can come at the same quality as the original ones, depending on the manufacturing company. However, all compatible ink cartridges are cheaper than original ones. Many people use modified printers that allow the use of continuous ink systems. These printers use ink from external ink tanks. People can also use aftermarket inks to refill their cartridges, or take them to local refillers.
Consumers are often surprised at the price of replacing their printer cartridges, especially when compared with that of purchasing a brand new printer. The major printer manufacturers, Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Dell, Canon, Epson and Brother often break even or loose money selling printers, and expect to recoup their losses by selling expensive cartridges over the life span of the printer. Since much of the printer manufacturer's profits are made up of ink and toner cartridge sales, some of these companies have taken various actions against aftermarket cartridges. Sometimes, even legal action was taken.
Recently, many printer owners prefer to refill their used cartridges or even buy remanufactured cartridges from third parties rather than buying expensive new cartridges. Since they only need to buy the ink and a few other small raw materials, it is much cheaper and quality is almost the same. Customers can find different qualities and types of refilling. However, some of them can damage the printer and lead to low quality prints. People take their empty cartridges to refillers or remanufacturers, or simply buy store branded ink.
The cheapest way to get a filled cartridge is to refill it yourself. Almost all cartridges have instructions on how to use and refill them available on the Internet. The Internet can also provide a list of bulk ink sellers that offer pints, quarts, and even gallons of ink. A pint (473 ml) can fill up to 17 large ink cartridges of 27 ml capacity.
Brother, Canon, Dell, HP, and Lexmark cartridges ink cartridges are very easy to refill manually. By using a simple syringe, you can fill some of them. All you need is ink. However, Epson cartridges are usually hard to refill and need a chip resetter. This tool resets the counter chip inside the cartridge. Refilling process can be messy as it involves handling ink directly. Some experience is needed to make the process as clean as possible.
Laser/toner cartridges labeled as "compatible" are often refilled cartridges. Many third parties offer newly manufactured cartridges. Ink cartridges labeled as "compatible" are all newly produced. "Remanufactured" inkjet cartridges have been used previously and refilled by a third party so caution is advised when buying them. These cartridges may not work like new ones. - 15465
About the Author:
Andrew James can supply a great deal of informative content relating to ink cartridges as well as information relating to other topics to do with printing consumables including inkjet cartridges
