Refilling inkjet printer cartridges
The cost of printers and MFPs is falling so rapidly that no one can be surprised by a home computer equipped with a printing device. Computer hardware stores offer three types of such devices: matrix, inkjet and laser. Since matrix models do not have full color printing capabilities, and prices for color lasers start at $140, there is nothing surprising in the popularity of inkjet printers. However, their lucky owners are soon faced with the need to replace cartridges - special containers with ink, the cost of which is often 80-90% of the price of a new printer. As a more affordable alternative, many computer companies offer to refill existing ones with ink instead of buying new cartridges. However, there is nothing complicated in this operation, so you can refill the cartridge yourself at home.
Warning
It is important to remember that refilling cartridges voids the owner’s warranty on the device! Moreover, it does not matter who, how and how many times performed this operation.At the same time, with due care and following the recommendations, the risk of damaging anything is minimal.
Preparation
Inkjet printer cartridges must be refilled with ink when any color begins to disappear during printing or gaps appear. Of course, provided that the printer was used correctly and there was no downtime for more than two weeks.
For refueling you will need:
- syringes, one per color. It is desirable that the piston be rubber - this allows for a smoother flow of ink and also prevents sudden injection. Also, the thinner the needle, the better. The volume of the syringe is no more than 5 ml;
- cotton wool and paper napkins. They are necessary to remove possible leaks;
- gloves;
- several old newspapers to cover the work area;
- correct ink. They can be purchased at any computer store. Knowing the printer model, the consultant will help you choose the right ones.
Inkjet Printer Cartridge
Depending on the printer model, the cartridge carriage system may vary. The instructions always indicate exactly how to remove the ink tank.
For example, in Canon models, when the lid of the printer is turned on, the entire unit extends.
When working with a cartridge, do not touch the contact pads and nozzles. After removing the sticker, use an awl or small scissors to increase the diameter of the holes.
The syringe needle should fit loosely into each of them.
This is an important point: there must be a distance between the needle and the walls of the hole through which air will be squeezed out of the cartridge when refilling. The container for black ink has one hole, and the container for color has several, so you first need to use a search on the global network to determine which color ink to fill where.In the absence of such information, you can insert a needle into each hole and find out the match by the traces of paint on it. So, in this example, the PG-446 cartridge has red on top, blue on the left, and yellow on the right.
Refueling
Having filled the syringe with 1-2 ml of ink, carefully insert the needle into the hole. The material inside is porous, so minor resistance must be overcome. The needle should not go too deep, as this may damage the filter membrane.
1/3 is quite enough.
After this, slowly squeeze out the ink. There is no need for haste here, since the inner material should be evenly saturated with paint. The volume of the container is determined experimentally. Typically, 4 ml is enough for a black cartridge, and 1-2 ml of each color for a color cartridge. The exact values depend on the degree of emptying of the container. When refilling, air will be squeezed out, causing paint bubbles - this is normal.
Refilling is complete when the ink is no longer absorbed. The spilled residues must be “pulled” into the syringe.
After this, all possible drips are removed from the cartridge with cotton wool. If necessary, you can gently wipe the nozzles, but cotton wool should not be used.
A “blotting cloth” is suitable for these purposes.
You should not forget about the stickers, since it is thanks to them that it is possible to reduce the air pressure inside the container. An alternative is to use tape.
It is important not to seal the air channel.
After refilling, the cartridges are returned to the printer, and “test printing” or “head cleaning” is selected in the maintenance program. It is recommended to rinse syringes to remove ink residues with distilled water.
Warning
It is important to remember that refilling cartridges voids the owner’s warranty on the device! Moreover, it does not matter who, how and how many times performed this operation.At the same time, with due care and following the recommendations, the risk of damaging anything is minimal.
Preparation
Inkjet printer cartridges must be refilled with ink when any color begins to disappear during printing or gaps appear. Of course, provided that the printer was used correctly and there was no downtime for more than two weeks.
For refueling you will need:
- syringes, one per color. It is desirable that the piston be rubber - this allows for a smoother flow of ink and also prevents sudden injection. Also, the thinner the needle, the better. The volume of the syringe is no more than 5 ml;
- cotton wool and paper napkins. They are necessary to remove possible leaks;
- gloves;
- several old newspapers to cover the work area;
- correct ink. They can be purchased at any computer store. Knowing the printer model, the consultant will help you choose the right ones.
Inkjet Printer Cartridge
Depending on the printer model, the cartridge carriage system may vary. The instructions always indicate exactly how to remove the ink tank.
For example, in Canon models, when the lid of the printer is turned on, the entire unit extends.
When working with a cartridge, do not touch the contact pads and nozzles. After removing the sticker, use an awl or small scissors to increase the diameter of the holes.
The syringe needle should fit loosely into each of them.
This is an important point: there must be a distance between the needle and the walls of the hole through which air will be squeezed out of the cartridge when refilling. The container for black ink has one hole, and the container for color has several, so you first need to use a search on the global network to determine which color ink to fill where.In the absence of such information, you can insert a needle into each hole and find out the match by the traces of paint on it. So, in this example, the PG-446 cartridge has red on top, blue on the left, and yellow on the right.
Refueling
Having filled the syringe with 1-2 ml of ink, carefully insert the needle into the hole. The material inside is porous, so minor resistance must be overcome. The needle should not go too deep, as this may damage the filter membrane.
1/3 is quite enough.
After this, slowly squeeze out the ink. There is no need for haste here, since the inner material should be evenly saturated with paint. The volume of the container is determined experimentally. Typically, 4 ml is enough for a black cartridge, and 1-2 ml of each color for a color cartridge. The exact values depend on the degree of emptying of the container. When refilling, air will be squeezed out, causing paint bubbles - this is normal.
Refilling is complete when the ink is no longer absorbed. The spilled residues must be “pulled” into the syringe.
After this, all possible drips are removed from the cartridge with cotton wool. If necessary, you can gently wipe the nozzles, but cotton wool should not be used.
A “blotting cloth” is suitable for these purposes.
You should not forget about the stickers, since it is thanks to them that it is possible to reduce the air pressure inside the container. An alternative is to use tape.
It is important not to seal the air channel.
After refilling, the cartridges are returned to the printer, and “test printing” or “head cleaning” is selected in the maintenance program. It is recommended to rinse syringes to remove ink residues with distilled water.
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