Basic Overview Of The Ink Refilling Process
Never refilled your own ink cartridges before? Read on to learn how you can start.
After you have purchased your ink refill kit that is compatible with your printer model (if you haven't, I recommend 4Inkjets or 123Refills for great value and quality products), find yourself a flat workspace to begin refilling the cartridge. Make sure you have some towels for cleanup and clear tape for the installation, as well.
Preparing For The Refill Process
Firstly, you'll want to take the empty cartridge out of your printer. Keep in mind that the ink can be messy, so you'll want to be close to a sink or, perhaps, wear some disposable gloves. Make sure to place the paper towels down on your work area to catch any ink that might be displaced - heavy duty paper towels work best, and, when using standard ply towels, you might want to double up. Keep in mind that individual refill kits may have their own instructions, so make sure to refer to them carefully and read over the instructions included in the kit you have purchased before beginning as well.
Locate The Appropriate Injection Location
At the top of the cartridge you will find holes to insert the ink - make sure to locate those before you begin. Each hole will correspond to a color - for color printers, there will be a magenta, cyan and yellow hole in addition to the black ink found on gray scale printers. Pay close attention to the diagram included in your kit and your printer so you make sure you are filling the colors properly. Next, use the needle to draw ink and insert the proper amount into the holes - be careful to insert only the amount needed. Once you have reached the right amount, slowly remove the needle and clean any excess ink. Once you have properly filled each hole, cover it with just a small amount of clear tape to ensure there will be no leaks; also make sure to wipe the cartridge itself on a paper towel to clean up any residual ink.
Verify Ink Was Refilled Successfully
Make sure to eye the cartridge and visually check for any leakages before you insert it back into the printer. You'll want to print a test page in full color to make sure you've installed it properly, and then pat yourself on the back for saving a lot on your ink.