You do not have to stop using your printer due to high ink prices. Read on to see how you can save on ink.

Finding compatible ink cartridges for your new printer is easier than you think. Some people call these generic or remanufactured ink cartridges. If you have an inkjet printer you know how expensive ink cartridges can be. You, like millions of other inkjet owners, have probably been perplexed when you went to buy your first new inkjet printer cartridges.

Most people suffer from severe sticker shock. The cost of replacement printer cartridges is ridiculously higher. In many cases you can purchase a new printer for less money than it cost to replace your ink cartridges. Generic, or compatible refilled ink cartridges may be the answer for you.

Compatible Ink Is The Generic (Off-Brand) Version Of Ink Cartridges

Refilled compatible ink cartridges offer a terrific alternative to new ones. Compatible ink cartridges typically cost anywhere from 30 to 50% less than new ones. The savings are significant. Refilling cartridges has become big business.
Many entrepreneurs have answered the call for cheaper ink alternatives and are offering low cost compatible ink cartridges. 4Inkjets (read review) is one online store that has answered the call. You can find all your low cost compatible ink cartridge supplies there.

Buying Compatible Ink Cartridges Is Less Of A Hassle Than Ink Refill Kits

Many people have tried to refill cartridges on their own and had great difficulty. Most people get discouraged when they try and refill cartridges on their own. They generally make a mess of things and quit early on. Don’t let this experience hinder you from buying a refilled compatible ink cartridge. Refilled compatible ink cartridges are refilled in a professional environment are in the same shape as the new ones you buy. Many people have discovered that refilled compatible ink cartridges perform just as well as the new ones.

So do not throw that new printer away. Get your compatible ink cartridge online and keep your financial sanity.

Refilling ink can be a tricky process the first time.

Refilling ink cartridges can be an economical alternative to buying new cartridges. It does take some practice, but once mastered is generally cheaper than brand-name OEM and remanufactured/compatible cartridges.

Here are some basic tips to get you refilling cartridges like a pro as soon as possible.

The Main Goal Of Refilling

Most ink cartridges are relatively simple in design, more or less a bag of ink encased inside a plastic box. The refill must be performed at such a speed that leaking is not caused (refill speed too fast) or that ink fails to permeate throughout the cartridge (refill speed too slow). Basically, we've seeking the happy medium in between.

Preparing For The Refill

• Work over a sink or drain if possible. Avoid working at a desk or near anything of value.
• Wear old or spare clothing to minimize damages incurred by ink stains.
• Check to see if your ink cartridge has an opening that connects to the ink. Otherwise, you may have to drill a hole yourself, which can get complicated depending on your ink cartridge model.

Safety During The Cartridge Refilling Process

• How safe is ink (e.g. what if I accidentally come into contact with the ink)?
  • Printer ink is considered non-toxic, as it is mostly composed of water and a tiny portion of alcohol and glycol. If ingestion does occur, there is no need to induce vomiting. On average, printer ink has a toxicity similar to that of laundry detergent. If ink gets into the eye, flush with cold water for at least 15 minutes.
• Gloves are recommended to keep ink as clean and uncontaminated as possible and to prevent getting ink on hands. In some rare cares, people have reported allergies to ink upon contact, including symptoms like hives and shortness of breath. Immediately stop if this occurs, and if symptoms persist or worsen, contact a medical professional.

Materials Needed During The Refilling Process

• If you are new to refilling your own ink cartridges, it is recommended that you go to a site like 4Inkjets or 123Refills and purchase a printer-specific ink refill kit, which will contain all of the components necessary to complete the refill.
• For a true DIY job, some tools that may be needed include:
  • A screwdriver (size depending on ink cartridge model)
  • Glue or wax (as a sealant)
  • Tape

Last Notes

Getting a ready-made refilling kits online from either 4Inkjets or 123Refills is highly recommended for both ease of use and increased ink compatibility.

The International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, sets quality standards for various manufacturing processes. The ISO standard is comprehensive and touches on each aspect of the supply chain from raw source materials all the way to end-user delivery. While product defects are inevitable, the goal of ISO is continued improvement to limit any problems and constant work to improve the quality of outputs.

Buying an ISO-certified ink cartridge helps ensure that, while you are saving on your ink refills, you are not sacrificing quality standards.

Look For Ink Suppliers That Comply With ISO 9000 Certifications

The most common set of standards is the ISO 9001 standard which certifies a level of quality in manufacturer business operations, output improvement and product compliance. Ink manufacturers that are ISO 9000 certified have met a level of inspection quality that ensures quality control procedures; make sure to look for the ISO seal, especially when purchasing remanufactured ink cartridges as a safeguard for quality.

ISO 14000 Standards Protect The Environment

Similarly, the ISO 14000 environmental standards set an internationally accepted set of practices for environmental quality throughout the supply chain. ISO 14000 certified companies constantly work to limit the impact of their production on the environment, and seek out ways to streamline the impact of their by-products and factories. Since recycled and remanufactured ink cartridges allow for re-use of previously used cartridges, they can potentially cut down on environmental waste and landfill material, extending the life of the original materials. Purchasing recycled ink can provide ecological as well as economic benefits, and finding an ISO 14000-accredited supplier further ensures that both of those goals will be met.

Which Printer Ink Suppliers Are ISO Compliant?

4Inkjets - Their compatible and remanufactured cartridges are manufactured in an ISO 9001 compliant factory. Because of this, they offer a 1-year moneyback guarantee that their printer supplies will match or exceed brand-name counterparts.

123Refills - 123Refills also stocks a wide variety of ink cartridges that are certified ISO complaint, and provide a similar moneyback guarantee.

Both set of ISO standards share the same basic framework in focusing on quality throughout the supply chain from beginning to end. Nearly all classes of products and companies can obtain ISO-certification which is application independent, but has a particularly important use in improving transparency in the case of 3rd party products such as recycled ink. Just as the brand name on an OEM cartridge signals a level of reliability, so does ISO certification imply a level of standards for 3rd party ink solutions.

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.

The inkjet refill begins by injecting the ink into the cartridge. Using the included syringe and needle, the injection is either performed through a hole in the cartridge or by removing the entire top of the cartridge and then injecting the ink. Depending on the demand, one may choose to buy ink in bulk so that multiple refills can be performed at a steep discount.

After the injection, small adjustments are made to ensure proper air balance within the cartridge. Once the refill is complete, the cartridge must be reinstalled and have test prints run. Sometimes, the ink must be forced through the sponge at the bottom of the chamber before the initial flow. Lastly, the print heads must be cleaned and inspected to prevent any blockage.

Refilling Laser Toner

For laser printers, toner bins can be refilled in much the same way as inkjet cartridges. The first method involves using a syringe and needle, and the second method involves using a funnel to add more toner. From my personal experience, the best places to get toner for refilling is either 4Inkjets or 123Refills. Laser printers are often more difficult to refill as the basic technology is much more complex than an inkjet. Laser printers need to have the waste hopper emptied as well, which can be dangerous if any of the loose toner dust is inhaled.

The second and final reason why laser printers are more difficult to repair is the cleaning procedure prior to adding more toner. Laser printers have complex blade and drum systems that need to be cleaned and inspected for any wear and tear.