| Let's first know a little about an ink refill | | | | quality. |
| kit. As an ink cartridge is a pretty | | | | |
| universal mechanism, so the different refill | | | | Help is always at hand. Many inkjet printer |
| kits have universal components as well. An | | | | cartridges have a meter on them which allows |
| ink refill kit consists of: | | | | you to check the amount of ink left in it. |
| | | | All you need to do is pull the cartridge out |
| (a) INK - This comes in bottles for your | | | | to see for yourself what is left in the tank. |
| refill. For black ink cartridges, only black | | | | |
| ink bottle is needed. For color ink | | | | Computer operating systems too provide you |
| cartridges bottles of three pigments each | | | | with an alert to keep a check on the |
| will be required. | | | | cartridge ink level. Just be watchful. |
| | | | |
| (b) INJECTOR - This is a kind of injection | | | | 3. Avoid spilling the ink by refilling ink |
| device or a syringe which injects the ink | | | | over a few sheets of newspaper. So that if |
| properly into the ink cartridge. Using it | | | | there is a spill newspaper will soak it. |
| correctly will make the job clean and easy. | | | | Don't refill cartridges over your carpet, |
| | | | tile or even concrete. Spilled ink leaves |
| (c) PLUG EXTRACTOR - To refill an ink | | | | stains which are almost impossible to get rid |
| cartridge, we need to open it up, which is | | | | off. Keep a couple of rags handy. Ink is a |
| done with a plug extractor. A good refill kit | | | | thin liquid and is quickly soaked up by the |
| should include this tool. If your ink refill | | | | right cloth. First timers don't be |
| kit doesn't have one, use a pair of needle | | | | disheartened. You will get the hang of it in |
| nose pliers. Make sure that the ink refill | | | | no time and spills would not be a matter |
| kit you purchase has all the essential | | | | concern then. |
| pieces. There are some other handy tools also | | | | |
| available. | | | | 4. Generally after an ink refill the printer |
| | | | prints with errors like lines or smudges in |
| And now to get the job done!!! | | | | the print. The reason is the change of |
| | | | pressure inside the cartridge after |
| 1. Follow the instructions carefully. Ink | | | | refilling. While refilling, you first open |
| refill problems arise only due to improper | | | | the empty cartridge. This releases the |
| usage. Use the tools properly to inject the | | | | internal pressure which was previously |
| ink into the cartridge. If the flow of ink | | | | propelling the ink out of the cartridge and |
| into the cartridge is not correct, then check | | | | onto the paper. |
| that the tool and the cartridge have matching | | | | |
| openings. A mismatch will hinder the flow and | | | | The best way to build up the pressure back is |
| also lead to mess due to spilled ink. | | | | to let the cartridge sit for an hour or two |
| | | | after refilling. Internal pressure will |
| 2. The biggest mistake people often make | | | | settle with time and printing quality would |
| when using ink refills is using them too | | | | not suffer. When you put it back in, clean |
| late. When you allow your ink cartridge to | | | | the cartridge and it should run smoothly. |
| get to empty before refilling it, you | | | | |
| increase the chances of the ink cartridge | | | | Many ink refill kits have a device in the |
| head drying out and develop crust or | | | | form of a separate syringe of tube to help |
| impediments to the ink flow leading to | | | | get the pressure balanced after the refill. |
| clogged printer heads. This will lead to | | | | This blows air into the cartridge prior to |
| deterioration in print quality and eventually | | | | sealing it. |
| a conclusion that ink refills are worthless. | | | | |
| | | | Printer ink refills are especially cost |
| To prevent this problem, make sure that you | | | | effective for home printers because of less |
| refill the ink when there is a little ink | | | | usage as compared to offices. However more |
| left in the cartridge. This will not only | | | | than often we forget to notice that the ink |
| ensure a steady flow through the cartridge at | | | | is running low. For times like this, keep ink |
| all times but also maintain the printing | | | | refills handy. |