Ink Cartridges
Shopping for
ink cartridges is a costly endeavor. They don't come cheap and it's quite an adventure trying to find the cheapest and best quality ones around. Before you buy, make sure you understand the different types of ink cartridges, along with their benefits. It is also important to know if your
printer uses ink cartridges with embedded computer chips. These chips force the consumer to buy brand name ink cartridges only. Buying compatible or remanufactured ink may damage the printer or it may just not work at all. It is best to shop online to guarantee cheaper discounts and many online stores offer free shipping.
Types of Ink
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black ink cartridges instead.
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Dye based ink: Dye based ink is cheaper and easier to manufacture. The colors are much more vivid but they tend to fade quickly since they are not UV resistant. It does not dry as quickly and can lead to blurry images.
Types of Ink Cartridges
Refillable Ink Cartridges
Another cost saving effort is to refill your ink cartridges yourself and buy an
ink cartridge refill kit. It may be a little more complicated but the benefits are worth all the effort. The kit will come with ink bottles, syringes, and detailed instructions. Make sure you buy the correct refill kit for your printer. Here are some basic instructions so you know what you're getting yourself into. Always make sure you read the instructions that come with your refill kit.
* Make sure you use gloves and put down plenty of paper towels before you begin. It is also best to refill the cartridges when there is still a little bit of ink left in them so that the chamber does not dry out.
* Fill the syringe with the correct color ink. Make a small hole at the top of the cartridge. Push the needle through the hole all the way to the bottom. Fill the cartridge slowly to avoid the ink from foaming.
* Make sure you do not overfill the cartridge and read your instructions to see how much ink you need.
* Cover the refill holes with the seal dots included in the kit or you can use a small piece of scotch tape.
* Put any unused ink back in the bottle. Blot the print head on a paper towel to ensure it is not bleeding.
* Place the cartridge back in the printer and run a test print. After, run a cleaning cycle 1 to 3 times.
Ink Saving Tips
* Print only what you absolutely need.
* Always use Print Preview before you print anything out, this way you won't print out an unnecessary pages.
* Print text rather than graphics when you can.
* If possible, print in Draft Mode. Draft Mode will print in a lower resolution.
* Print text in black ink only. If you have the option, choose grayscale printing so that your color ink cartridge won't be depleted.
* Use color ink only when needed.
* Keep your printer nozzles and cartridges clean.
* Use up all the ink in the cartridges before replacing them.
* When printing from the Web, make sure you click on "printer friendly version." This will eliminate graphics and banners and unnecessary text.
* Print regularly and shut down your printer after every use. This will prevent the ink from drying up.
Major Manufacturers
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4inkjets
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All Colors
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Brother
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Canon
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Dell
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Epson
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ink4print
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Lexmark
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