Month: January 2020

Inkjet printers may be relatively cheap, but some have described it as a trap as the user will be forced to buy expensive ink from the manufacturer. To make matters worse, ink cartridges vary from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer, reducing the options of the user to buying from only the manufacturer or from a shady third-party supplier.

Many printer manufacturers are emphasizing that buying cheap ink from unknown manufacturers could damage the printer. While this is sometimes true, the economics, however, beg to differ. For example, cheap EPSON ink cartridges are 15-50 percent cheaper than originals. Here are situations when you should or shouldn’t buy cheap printer ink.

• Buy Cheaper Ink for Regular Print Output

Cheaper ink is recommended if one simply prints small amounts of graphics or images. For homes when the printer is only used to print small paperwork or school homework, a cheap, original equipment manufacturer ink cartridge may do the trick.

• Buy Original Ink for Graphics-Heavy Printing

Cheaper ink or ink refills usually offer subpar printing quality, which is not attractive for those who print high-definition graphics. Color accuracy and vibrancy is usually lower in cheaper third-party ink. A cheap EPSON ink cartridge may be okay for black-and-white printing, but there are issues with regards to the color profile for some EPSON printers.

• Buy Cheaper Ink for Older Printers

While printers are sometimes held back from automatically voiding warranty due to the use of unsanctioned accessories such as printer cartridges, it is best to play safe and not violate printers that have been used for less than a year.

For a final word, when buying cheap or refilled ink cartridges (e.g. cheap EPSON ink cartridges), it is best to buy from a reputable third-party manufacturer. Check the reviews first and avoid “garage shops”.

Not everyone can refill their own cartridge. It may cost some money done at the store. The cost-effective and cost-efficient way to have it done is to do it yourself. Here are some steps in refilling your cartridge with the help of a syringe.

• Prepare the things that you need. A syringe, the cartridge, and the ink are needed. HP 952XL Ink is recommended because of its high performance. Cartridges are less replaced for it can print more pages compared to others.
• Locate the black spot on the top of the cartridge. This black spot is a hole where you can inject the ink. HP 952XL Ink cartridge is made of environment-friendly materials that can easily be pierced by the syringe for refilling.
• Avoid creating air gaps as you inject the ink. These air gaps might block the cartridge. HP 952XL Ink’s formulation enables it to flawlessly flow through small containers preventing air gaps with proper application.
• Ink refilling is a messy task. Better prepare a cloth or tissue for wiping. You may also cover your table or desk to prevent stains from leaks. Wash your hands too.
• Do not fully refill the cartridge. Leave some space to avoid leakage or spills.
• Once filled, let the cartridge sit for a while. Through this, the link goes to the bottom for better printing results. 

A well-refilled cartridge will improve the print outs. You may also try different ways to refill your own cartridge.

Relevant Blog Post: Resetting Your HP’s Cartridge Ink Level to Full