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