Buying Ink Cartridges Online

When it comes to printers, it is of no surprise that the ink costs far more than the actual machine. In fact, it is a common practice to charge $10 or more for a couple of ounces of ink.

With prices like this, are there any ways to save money? Two common methods to save some cash include buying refilled cartridges or looking for deals on new cartridges. A lesser known method involves changing some settings and changing printing habits so that overall, less ink is consumed.

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The process of remanufacturing ink cartridges can seem complicated, but if done properly, the ink cartridge will be as good as new. Simply put, the remanufacturing process just refills the cartridge with ink purchased in bulk. Remanufacturing firms have also been known to disassemble, clean/inspect, than reassemble the cartridge.

But how can you refill an ink cartridge or laser toner from the comfort of your own home or office?

Canon Inkjet Cartridge Refilling Kits

Refilling Inkjet Cartridges

There are many ways to refill an ink cartridge; some are more dangerous than others. For the average user, the best solution is to purchase a DIY ink refill kit from a retailer like 123Refills or 4Inkjets. These are available for both inkjet and laser printers. The content of each kit varies depending on the manufacturer, but the process is the same.

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Recycling ink cartridges not only helps the environment, but your wallet as well.

Small business paperwork often requires printing hard copies of everything from contracts to memos requires frequent printing. Even with the best printer, the cost of printer ink can quickly add up. This guide will help you begin to recycle your printer cartridges to improve your bottom line and, at the same time, make your company more environmentally friendly.

Start by reviewing your existing cartridge costs, so you can immediately see the benefits of starting to recycle ink. Printer companies set high prices on replacement cartridges by limiting easily available alternatives. The good news for your company is that you can buy recycled ink cartridges online, and can also sell used cartridges whether you intend to recycle or sell them. Ink recycling companies make the process easy by providing prepaid labels and packaging to help you return your printer cartridges. Often, ink recyclers provide free next day shipping, even on recycled toner.

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So you're seeing one or more of these performance issues with your printer output:

• Horizontal white lines
• Inconsistent ink coverage (areas in paper where ink is faded)
• "Ghost" images - image that has already been printed shows up again, but much more faded
• Splotches of ink appear on the printed page

Canon PIXUS Printhead

What can be done to try to remedy these issues?

1. Clean the cartridge print head nozzles using alcohol and a cotton swab. The nozzles could be clogged, which leads to uneven dispension of ink. It's also possible to clean the print head via your printer's software (if there is a "Head Cleaning" or equivalent option).
2. Verify that the paper type in the printer matches the paper type listed in the printer's setup.
3. Check that the print head ribbon is securely attached, as it could have come loose.
4. Disconnect the printer from its electrical outlet, and clean the print head electrical contacts with alcohol to remove any paper dust that may have accumulated.
5. Restart both the PC and the printer, and then make sure that all connections are tightly secured.

If the above tips are not successful in solving your printer problems, then I would look at possibly replacing the ink cartridge altogether, as it may be an issue with the print head itself.