Advantages of Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are typically much less expensive to purchase than many other printers. This is one of the reasons that they are so popular among many consumers. You can find inkjet printers in large companies, small businesses, and home offices alike.

Another reason for their popularity is because most inkjet printer models are relatively light in weight and take up very little desk space compared to other printers such as laser printers. In addition, inkjet printers have the capability of producing very high quality print jobs.

However, one disadvantage that many consumers see in inkjet printers is the fact that printer ink for these printers can be very costly. In fact, the cost of ink can significantly drive up the cost of running an inkjet printer over time. However, there are some things you can do to help lower your printing costs when purchasing printer ink for your inkjet printer.

One of them is to purchase compatible inkjet cartridges. This compatible ink typically offers just as good quality as name brand inkjet cartridges, but at a reduced cost to you. You can also purchase inkjet cartridge refill kits. Refill kits come with ink, flush, all accessories and instructions on how to fill many different types of ink cartridges.

A very easy way to save money on your ink cartridges is to purchase them online. Online stores that specialize in printer ink are often able to give you much better deals than a typical office supply store. Online stores are also more convenient since you can compare prices, brands, compatible inkjet cartridges and inkjet refills all in one place.

When comparing cost-effective printers, it's important to keep the cost of ink cartridge refills in mind in addition to the cost of the printer. Although it can be costly to replace inkjet cartridges, the tips above show that there are many money-saving alternatives.

Laser printers are much more expensive when compared to an inkjet printer. Color laser printers are especially much more costly than a color inkjet. And laser printers are almost always larger and heavier than inkjets, taking up more space in your home or office. In addition, it is easier to find more cost effective inkjet cartridges than laser ink.

When you consider the high quality capability of inkjet printers, their smaller design, and the many ways you can save money on their cartridges, it's no wonder inkjet printers are so popular.

Wendy Moyer is a professional writer. Prink.co.uk offers a wide variety of printer ink for various makes and models of printers. Search Prink.co.uk to find great deals on inkjet cartridges and more.

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Discount Inkjet Printer Cartridges

Inkjet printers are very inexpensive. They are the type of printer that almost everybody uses. Regardless of manufacturer, inkjet printers produce high-quality printouts in a less amount of time. Inkjet printers use three types of technologies: thermal ink jet, piezoelectric ink jet and continuous ink jet. It depends on the manufacturer which technology is used on a specific printer.

Thermal inkjet uses ink cartridges that have tiny electrically heated chambers where the photolithographic process unfolds. The printer fires a pulse through a heating element to produce the image. A steam explosion process creates bubbles that hurl ink droplets to the surface of the paper producing the printout.

Piezoelectric inkjet also uses ink cartridges. The difference is that instead of using heating elements, it uses piezoelectric crystals. This type of printer allows more flexibility in the use of ink, but it can be more expensive.

Continuous inkjet uses ink cartridges where high-pressure pumps push the ink out of the cartridge. Piezoelectric crystals in the printer head break the ink droplets at a regular interval. The droplets pass through an electromagnetic field where the final printout is formed. This type of technology prevents the nozzle in your printer from clogging.

Whichever technology may be utilized by the manufacturer, the end result is this: an inexpensive printer that uses very expensive inks.

However, there are manufacturers that produce discounted printer cartridges. You can purchase cheaper printer cartridges that are imitations of the real thing, or original ink cartridges that are simply refilled with ink. Keep in mind that these alternatives are not produced by the printer manufacturers themselves. These products can save you as much as 80 percent of the price you pay for authentic cartridges.

The downside to using imitation inks is that they have a higher tendency to leak. And since you are not using authentic ink cartridges provided by the printer manufacturer, the warranty of your printer becomes automatically void.

Inkjets provides detailed information on Inkjets, Inkjet Cartridges, Inkjet Printers, Color Inkjets and more. Inkjets is affiliated with Inkjet Printer Cartridges.

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Basic Printer Usage Guidelines

Printer and Printers are essential computer peripherals. The models available today are easy to install and use. If you have a printing unit at home or in your office, just follow these simple printer usage guidelines and optimize the performance of your printers.

Always remember, a black and white print should be taken out using a black printer cartridge. Colored cartridges also give excellent print but they result in faster depletion of the cartridge ink.

If not printing a whole document, always select the portion that needs to be printed. This can be done by copying the content that needs to be printed to a separate word document, which can then be printed. In case you need to print a few consecutive pages from a huge document, mention the page range in the Print dialog box before giving the print command.

The printer paper used for printing should always be in good condition. Using folded or damp paper may result in jams. Also make sure that the printer is set to the right mode according to the type of paper being used. This brings a lot of difference in the print quality.

If for some reason the print job given to the unit is not completed, it remains there in the queue. This document will start printing as soon as the unit is turned on again. However, if there are a lot of print commands pending in your printing unit, it may cause the unit to jam. To solve the problem, click on Start - Printer and Faxes - now double click the printer icon shown to open the print queue. This will display all documents waiting for print. Simply right-click on the document that needs to be canceled and cancel the print command.

There are times when the printer switches itself to off-line. To bring the printer back to use, go to Start and click on Printers & Faxes. The printer will now be at display. For example, if you are using Epson Printer and Printers, the printer icon on the page will mention the printer name. Now right-click on this Epson Printer and Printers icon and from the menu that appears, select 'Set as Default'. Close all windows and continue printing.

Always take care that you use genuine Printer Supplies. This ensures better performance and long life of the printing unit. There are various online stores that provide reliable and good quality supplies for Printer and Printers. The Superwarehouse Store, for instance, has a range of Epson Printer and Printers and other printers to choose from. The store has a complete range of Printer Supplies.

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Dell 3100cn Color Laser Printer Review

The Dell 3100cn color laser printer is a full featured addition to any home or office. Its massive size weighing in at almost 80 pounds impressed us right out of the box. The setup was so simple that one of our reviewer's fifth grade daughters had us up and running in 15 minutes!

The 3100cn has outstanding print quality and is fully compatible with virtually all operating systems including Windows, Mac and Linux. We especially liked its paper capacity that gobbled up nearly 500 sheets in a single gulp. The toner has enough capacity to last over 4000 sheets depending on print quality and we feel this is more then sufficient considering the reasonable replacement cost of the cartridge. Print speed will depend on the quality settings, but we managed around five pages per minute which was plenty fast for our needs. The built in LCD screen provides status updates including how much paper or toner is remaining, in addition to alerts and alarms.

The 3100cn does not include some of the cables we needed to setup to our system however the cost was less then twenty dollars which made the additional purchase easy to justify. Like all products from Dell the 3100cn is backed with a one year warranty and first class customer support with extended coverage available at additional cost. We purchased our 3100cn for $497 and for the money our reviews feel you would be hard pressed to find a better printer. In fact a recent review of a competing Lexmark printer at the same price point affirmed the value of the 3100cn laser printer. We can recommend with confidence the 3100cn regardless of your intended printing application.

Visit our blog to learn more about notebook computers.

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Printer Scanner Copier Fax - All You Need to Do Business

Gone are the days when small business owners would have to run from pillar to post to get their paper work done on time. Printers, scanners, copiers and fax machines were unaffordable and out of reach for those who ran small businesses from home offices. Even the few who chose to invest in these separate machines found it next to impossible to house them in their small offices. The solution for this problem came in the form of a multifunction device known as the all-in-one printer scanner copier fax. It is a device which is both affordable and efficient. The best part about it is that it hardly takes up any space.

The manufacturers of today have become increasingly aware of the needs of the modern day consumer. It is this awareness which has led to innovative multifunction devices like the printer scanner copier fax becoming a reality. Multifunction devices are of different types and cater to different segments of users. The capacity and the price of the device would vary depending upon the intended use. There are different types of the printer scanner copier fax to meet the needs of the home user or small office user. There is also a mid-sized freestanding unit to cater to the needs of a large office. It becomes important for you the consumer to analyze your needs and choose a multifunction device accordingly.

A printer scanner copier fax should have a fax modem speed of at least 33 kbps. Slower devices would lead to increased costs while faxing. A multifunction device with a minimum speed of 33 kbps would inevitably lead to curtailed costs and improved efficiency. 8MB is the standard memory embedded in most multifunction devices. However it is advisable to have at least 16 MB of memory, especially if you work with large documents. Certain multifunction devices are equipped with an expandable memory; it is a useful feature, especially if you intend on upgrading in the future.

A resolution of 1200dpi x 600dpi for the printer and scanner is found to be ideal. The speed of the printer is of little consequence. However, the faster the device the better, but the minimum required speed should be at least 22ppm.

Generally preference is given to a multifunction device possessing a laser printer. Although expensive, a laser printer has greater output and documents printed by it show greater durability. The laser printer scores over the ink printer in speed, performance and durability.

Being competitive in the world of business requires you to meet deadlines. Doing this consistently would be near impossible if you are constantly burdened by a mountain of paperwork. It is a Herculean task to print, scan, and copy and fax documents separately on a daily basis. The smart choice is to invest in a printer scanner copier fax to save both your money and time.

Nick McGregor writes printer scanner copier fax reviews and best printer scanner copier fax on the website Printer Scanner Copier Fax Review.

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Best Photo Printer

Photographs are still the best way to store memories. That’s why pictures are snapped up at different occasions, special events, some memorable sunset and similar. Photographs are truly preferable until the quality is marred by an ineffectual photo printer.

As far as memories would go, most of us aren’t shy in shelling extra bucks to get the perfect replication of those sweet memories. A photo printer with a mediocre gamut should be non existent to our choices, and those that have low dpi should be disregarded.

There are several technologies embedded in photo printers and the best technology is that in dye sublimation printers, which are noted for their ability to print in continuous tone. Dye sublimation printers are known for their higher gamut of colors and the process of transferring dye over the print material that is essentially a laminating action. Therefore. dye sublimation prints are water resistant.

Canon CD-200 Photo Printer

Features:
Having the continuous tone printing capability with 288 x 144 dpi of dye-sublimation printing in 24-bit color makes the Canon CD-200 Photo Printer the truest photographic output for a photo printer. It feeds on a 4 x 6 inches (A6) glossy paper or sticker sheets.

Options of the Canon CD-200 model includes Windows 3.1, 95, 98, and Macintosh PC compatibility, a CompactFlash disk slot that reads images directly from video cameras, television, laser disk, VCR, or DVD players.

Olympus is a brand very well known for its exceptional line of handheld cameras. This Olympus model might make it to the best photo printer for its several well thought of features.

P-11 Digital Photo Printer
Features:

Using a dye-sublimation printing method the P-11 delivers high quality of continuous tone color-accurate prints comprising of approximately 16,770,000 colors. It prints on 4 x 6 inches paper in only 33 seconds.

Though somewhat overlooked for the dye sublimation technology, ink jet do have the capability to produce fine photographic prints. Here’s a solid photo printer from Epson.

Epson Stylus Photo 2200
Features:

Accurate continuous tone of this model is achieved by its 2880 x 14400 dpi resolution in 4 picoliter ink droplets and has PRINT Image matching technology. It can also print in black and white by exchanging inks. And for more convenience, this printer has a roll paper holder with automatic cutter.

Even if for that purpose alone, get the best photo printer in the market. Not the hippest, the most funky skinned, nor the one that has the most features installed. Get the best photo printer that creates flawless photographs. That way, your bucks will come justified as these printers don’t come in cheap.

So, what would be the best photo printer for you?

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Printer Supplies web site. For more articles, printer reviews and resources on Printer Supplies, Laser Printer Supplies, Inkjet Printer Supplies, Printer Ink Supplies and much more visit his site at:

=>http://printers.need-to-know.com

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Printer and Printers Maintenance Tips

Be it IBM, HP, or Ricoh Printer and Printers components that you use, it is obvious that you would like them to last long, and more importantly, render hassle-free services. Knowledge is power, and a little care towards your Printer and Printers components can add years to their life. But care doesn't just mean heeding to what cartridges and paper you feed your paper with. It refers to many more things. Here are some of the tips you can keep in mind:

There, on the Head...
The Print head is one of the common places that cause trouble, if not taken care of properly. Anyway, you do not want to clean it every now and then. First, make sure that the printer is running regularly, at least 2-3 times a week, so that the ink doesn't dry up. Occasionally, however, you would need to clean the print head gently with a soft cotton cloth or a Q-tip dipped in water - don't use alcohol or tissues.

They Need to Sleep Too...
Don't forget to turn off your printer at the end of the day. Turning off the printer helps prevent clogging of the nozzles and improves the performance. In most printers, using the printer's on/off switch will fully activate the print-head capping and precludes clogs. So, use the on/off on the printer, not a power-strip for the purpose.

Printers are Allergic to Dust...
Paper, as you can imagine, has minute quantities of paper-dust as well as debris with it. Though may not be visible to your eyes, they can accumulate on and bother your Printer and Printers head when it prints through hundreds of sheets. So, make certain to clean the papers before you use them in your printer. If you live in a dusty area, apart from cleaning the paper sheets, you should cover your printer with a cloth when it is not in use.

Use the above mentioned points and cherish your printing device for long. You can find more information about Printer and Printers accessories from Superwarehouse.com. It is an online store with hundreds and thousands of software and hardware products, all from renowned brands. Don't forget to check out the products in the Ricoh Printer and Printers supplies section.

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Multifunctional Printers For the Office

There was once a time that equipping an office with all the essentials meant purchasing a lot of different hardware and then trying to find a suitable space for it all. With the advances in technology it's now possible to combine your essential day-to-day business functions with just one piece of equipment.

The main advantages of this are to be found in the cost and space savings. It makes sense that buying one multifunction machine will be cheaper both in terms of the initial outlay and also ongoing running costs. Equally, finding a suitable and convenient location to put all the equipment is something that won't cause you a headache when there's only one item to find a home for. A multifunction printer can streamline a number of your day-to-day office functions, such as printing, faxing, photocopying and scanning by providing one port of call for them all.

When it comes to choosing a multifunction printer, the main decision to be made is whether to choose an inkjet printer or laser printer. Each of these has their own advantages, so it basically comes down to what you intend to use your printer for.

Inkjet printers are suitable for small businesses such as those run from home. They are typically low-cost to buy compared to their laser counterparts and also have an advantage when it comes to printing photographs, usually giving a much higher overall quality. Inkjet printers are also commonly used where large format printing is needed such as in plotters. The main drawbacks to using an inkjet printer for every day office use are that over a long period of time they are more expensive to run, also because the ink dries on the paper, you can suffer a loss of quality and smudging on things like letterheads, invoices etc which gives your business a less professional image.

Laser printers are well suited to busy office environments who print medium to large quantities of documents on a daily basis. They tend to be cheaper in the long-term than inkjets due to their lower overall cost per page, speed and memory capacity. Unlike many inkjets, laser printers are able to be networked which allows everyone in the office to use them. The printing method used in laser printers results in a better final quality and clearer output as toner is used rather than ink directly on the paper. However, laser printers are some way behind inkjets when it comes to printing photographs.

Whichever type of printer is most suitable for you, the fact that they are now available with the additional functions built-in makes them a must-have piece of office equipment. There's no doubt that multifunction business printers have brought about a positive change to office life and with technology moving on all the time, this is an area that looks set for future improvement too.

Disclaimer: Andrew Regan writes on behalf of a digital marketing agency. He hopes you enjoyed his article, but urges you to seek further understanding of its topics before making any decisions based on its content.

Andrew Regan writes on behalf of a digital marketing agency. He hopes you enjoyed his article, but urges you to seek further understanding of its topics before making any decisions based on its content.

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HP 4600 Printer Cartridges - Ideas For the Best Choices

Without printers, modern society's offices and businesses could not function. A printer is only as quality as the HP toner you put in it. Printer HP 4600 toner cartridges are therefore critical to the smooth operation of most enterprises. It is no surprise that printer cartridge sales comprise a vibrant market.

The big problem with printer cartridges is they don't print forever. Every cartridge eventually exhausts its toner supply and then requires replacement. The money for this really adds up! Cut your costs with remanufactured toner cartridges. Remanufactured cartridges are easily available, and will lower the amount of money you spend on printer supplies.

There are quite a large amount of companies which refurbish, repair, and refill empty printer toner cartridges so they can be recycled. It is also easy to locate toners for your specific printer, especially for the well-known ones such as Hewlett Packard's LaserJet. They are available in color as well as in black-and-white toner, but take the time to surf the net for the best deals on HP laserjet 4600 and to assure in-stock availability.

Many people have expressed concerns about the quality and compatibility of remanufactured cartridges. However, remanufactured HP 4600 toner cartridges are no different from new cartridges; other than the cost. Additionally, HP printers have no problem supporting remanufactured cartridges. This is a painless and worry-free way to save your business some money.

If you are not convinced, here is something to consider! Remanufactured HP 4600 toner and other cartridges support being green! It is a type of recycling, and using remanufactured products lower waste going into landfills or dumps, which is particularly perfect as most of these items are made from non-biodegradable plastic, which stays around for an extremely long time. Thinking green in this way not only helps the environment but will save you money as well!

Of course, not every HP 4600 remanufacturer is equally scrupulous in its quality control, and you'll want to assure that you're purchasing a fully functional refurbished supply. Check print cartridges carefully for obvious defects such as dents, scratches, and streaks. A defective cartridge cannot be expected to print well and should be returned to the seller for refund or exchange.

HP 4600 toner cartridges have shown wide market penetration, from brick and mortar stores, to the world wide web. Ink and toner cartridges are also sold in remanufactured form, where costs are fairly low, and much lower than brand name manufactured cartridges. Without a doubt, a person should check the world wide web for the best prices and best selection, as every penny counts.

The HP printers generate fast, quality jobs making them a great addition to any business. These printers use simple to mix HP toner cartridges, producing professional quality printing at low density. Cost is the main shortcoming for both the printers and the HP color laserjet 4600, with printer prices often over $4600 and toner about $100 for black and $200 for color. Online toner discounts are available, with even greater savings for large orders. Another way to economize is the transition to HP-compatible cartridges which will work with these models at a much lower cost. Use of compatible cartridges may make the price more practical for many offices.

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Is it Possible to Increase My Computer Performance - Without Buying a New One

Are you like many people who are constantly asking "is it possible to increase my computer performance?" Well the truth is that yes there are ways that you can speed up your old computer. As a matter of fact if you are experiencing computer problems; then you have come to the right place. We are going to provide you with some valuable information that will get your system working properly and quickly again.

We personally understand how miserable it can be to discover that your computer is slower than it should be. Well the thing is that there are some things that you can do right now to begin to learn how to speed it up. Just because your computer is loading slowly or is constantly freezing does not necessarily mean that it is time to get a new one. You may be spending more money than is necessary.

Millions of people surf the internet for at least two hours a day. Some people even spend several hours on their computers because they have an online business; therefore the speed of your computer plays a huge part in what you want to accomplish.

If you have neglected to keep your system clean then most likely that is the main reason that you could be experiencing problems. Many people have no idea that their computers require a cleaning maintenance; there is so much going on inside of your computer; it is hard at work so that you can get everything done online. However if you are neglecting to clean it on a regular basis; then eventually it has no choice but to become slower and more stubborn.

You can begin cleaning your computer by using some of the free PC scans that are available on the internet. These scans will remove any clutter that may be slowing down your PC. The great thing is that you can do this as often as you want; and most of the sites will let you know whether your system requires further attention.

Yes it is possible to increase your computer performance without buying a new one. You just have to know what your system is trying to tell you; and why it is experiencing the trouble that you are noticing. The great thing about your system is that it is going to send you messages of what is wrong; it is up to you whether you choose to ignore them or not.

Visit our site below and get your free PC scan to increase your computer performance. You will also find one of the best PC registry cleaners that is one of the best on the internet. Even if you have no idea what you are doing they will walk you through the entire process.

How To Fix A slow computer Free Computer Scan To Check For Invalid Files; Make Your PC Run Faster!

Prevent Your Computer From Experiencing PC Errors, Constant Crashes And General System Slowdowns!

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Canon ImageClass MF6530 Printer - Efficient and Safe For the Environment

Heighten printing performance and get above standard quality, then you'll love the manufactured engineering this laser duo Canon ImageCLASS MF6530 printer with the Canon ImageClass MF6530 toner has to offer.

The ImageCLASS® MF6530 printer and toner you will give a print and copy rate on the average of 23 pages in a minute. The machine houses standard and legal sized paper for your multi purpose needs. Enjoy the ease of paper loads with the front loading cartridges handling a big load of 500 pages. For smaller printing and copying needs there is an automatic loader or small tray for 100 prints. You will not encounter frequent jams. This system handles various paper forms, from stock to customized textured paper. It also serves its purpose for specialty jobs like labels and other unique needs.

For difficult jobs to complete in a hurry like 2-sided copies, this machine can handle it for you. It is very easy to program and use while offering continuous quality. There is an automatic feeder adding to the luxury and reliability. The feeder can be stacked with a page count of 50.

The adaptability in this time saving unit does more than perform in handling unique copying. The printer and scanner incorporated for multi functionality, provides highly quality, vivid colors and higher optical resolutions. The printer also comes with a USB port for exceptional performance and for use with your PC. For cost effectiveness, you'll find that the single cartridge toner is an additional benefit.

The equipment can be connected to your PC via the scan drive and USB. With a simple set up to handle more jobs efficiently. For basic problem solving, this unit comes with an easy to understand view to help identify errors and jams and resolve the issues expediently. Use of an additional tray for loading is included.

This is a nice multi purpose printer for an affordable price. For the quality and functionality you get, you can't beat it. It is easy to set up and use. When turned on, it's virtually ready to go. It is worth upgrading to if you have outgrown a smaller model as it can handle volume to match the needs of any company. It is a sturdy model, quiet, and quick.

There's good news, the single unit Canon ImageClass MF6530 toner cartridge is included in this model. It will meet the needs for high volume output lasting through 5,000 pages. The quality is remarkable, providing crisp texted documents and higher quality graphics. If you like recycling, then you can with your toner cartridge.

Any company will enjoy the benefits of this reliable unit. It's a wonderful machine with a price to match. The set up for use is easy to understand and it comes with a basic guide explaining the user friendly features. You'll find the Canon ImageClass MF6530 printer along with the Canon ImageClass MF6530 toner offers all of the functions any larger machine has to offer. It definitely delivers fast performance and does it without sacrificing extraordinary quality. It's worthwhile looking into. For more information, check out our site http://www.qtoner.us.

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Your Printer is a Brat

Honestly, we don't know how Computer, Keyboard and Mouse put up with him all day. See more at www.collegehumor.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQGtucrJ8hM&hl=en

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Printer Ink Cartridges - Should You Refill Your Own?

When most of us think of refilling our own ink cartridges, we think of the mess involved-ink spilling, staining our rugs, and getting all over our hands. And we think of the risks involved to our printers, as well-clogged print heads, damaged printers, and voided warranties. So with the risks associated, should you try refilling your own cartridges?

Believe it or not, ink refilling may be worth a second look. You could stand to save a significant amount by refilling your own cartridges-even more than buying remanufactured or OEM-compatible cartridges, in some cases, especially if you buy your ink in bulk. And if you buy from a good company, you may not have any trouble with the ink. Here's a little more information to help you decide.

What's In the Kit?

Most ink refill kits come with either several bottles of black ink or one bottle each of the three major colors: cyan, yellow, and magenta. Combo refill kits come with both black and color ink. They also come with needles and possibly a cartridge holder. Some kits may come with different or additional tools, as every brand's cartridges are different.

The Refill Process

When you refill your cartridge, you should always read the directions that come with the kit. Every ink cartridge is different, and yours may require different steps to refill. Here is a general guideline.

Your first task will usually be to inject ink into the cartridge using your syringe. You must do this slowly to avoid forcing the ink into other compartments in the cartridge where it doesn't belong. Depending on your cartridge, you can either remove the top or inject the ink through a hole in the cartridge. With some cartridges, you'll also have to remove excess air from the ink compartment.

Once you've done this, you may need to clean the print heads on the cartridge. This can be done by blotting with a cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Once you've made sure the print heads are clean, replace the top of the cartridge and install it in the printer. You may need to run your printer's cleaning program to get rid of excess ink before you print.

Printer manufacturers are trying to make it more difficult for consumers to replace the ink in cartridges, and some have started installing computer chips in their cartridges that will prevent the printer from printing a refilled cartridge. To get around this, some kits come with a chip resetter.

Why You Should Refill Your Cartridges

The biggest benefit is the savings. You'll definitely save more than you would when buying new manufacturer's cartridges. A refill kit may also cost you less than buying discount remanufactured or third party cartridges as well.

Another benefit is environmental. By refilling your cartridges, you are keeping them-and the toxic chemicals in the ink and the cartridges themselves-out of the landfill. Approximately 65 million ink cartridges are used in the U.K. every year, and about 85% are sent to landfills.

When ink cartridges are dumped in landfills, the ink left over in the cartridge will leak out into the surrounding soil. Most printer ink contains volatile organic chemicals (VOC's), which can cause cancer and birth defects. The plastics used in cartridges are engineering-grade polymers; they take approximately 1,000 years to decompose, according to some estimates.

The Drawbacks of Refilling Your Ink Cartridges

There is some mess associated with the process; you'll need rubber gloves and a hand towel to contain spills. The ink will stain, so you'll need to be careful not to get it on your clothes.

In the past, ink refill kits were messier than they are now. That's because older refill kits were universal, made to work with any cartridge. Because different cartridge brands have different volumes and a different makeup, this meant that the refill kit didn't always work well with the cartridge at hand. This led to a higher risk of overflows and spills. Today's refill kits are usually designed for one specific brand.

Another drawback can be the quality of ink. Some refill ink is almost as good as the original. With others, it can be significantly lower in quality-and it could damage your printer. Some manufacturers won't honor the warranty on printers damaged by third-party ink.

Refilling your own cartridges can definitely be worth it, but you'll have to choose a company carefully. Ask around for recommendations. Talk to a few companies and ask what guarantees they have on their refill kits. A good company should offer a money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied. Take some time in choosing a refill company, and you may be able to save a significant amount on your printing costs this way.

John Sollars in managing director of Stinky Ink a UK based online ink cartridge and toner retailer. For more information on a wide range of ink products and to read the Stinky Ink blog visit http://blog.stinkyinkshop.co.uk/

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