Save On Printer Ink Cartridges

TIPS

TIP #1

Store your inkjet cartridges upright !

This simple step solves 50% of printing problems. During shipping, cartridges tend to get thrown around and are not always in an upright position. This allows the ink to move to the opposite end of the cartridge where it retains in a sponge that's inside your cartridge. The problem now is that the ink must move all the way down the sponge to print. So please store the cartridge upright at least a few hours before installing.

TIP #2

Run your Print head Cleaning function when installing !

When installing a new cartridge, make sure to remove any print head tape and vent hole tapes that is on the cartridge. Place cartridge in your machine. You should always perform the print head cleaning cycling on your machine 2-3 times in a row to get a good flow.

TIP #3

Fixing lines in print, faint colors or missing colors
(HP & Lexmark Cartridges Only)

Place 1/2 inch of hot water (not boiling water) from you tap into a paper cup or dish. Place the upright cartridge in the cup so just the small copper bottom print head sits in the water. Let it soak for approx. 30 seconds. Remove cartridge and carefully dry the cartridges with a soft paper towel. You can add some Isphocal Alcohol to the water to make it a bit stronger if needed. Re-install the cartridge and perform the cleaning cycle before printing.

TIP #4

Getting full colors and flow

If the above tips helped but you think you should be getting fuller colors try this. With you paint program or other, draw 3 large boxes. Make one box red, one box blue and the last yellow (and one black if that is a problem color). By printing the color boxes at the highest resolution (dpi) possible, this forces the cartridge to push the ink out at a greater volume and once a good flow is achieved, you shouldn't have another problem again with that cartridge.

TIP #5

Another great tip for priming cartridges

Take a paper towel and fold up several times to make it thick and soft and place it on a hard surface like your kitchen counter. Remove cartridge and place it on the paper towel with the print head down (upright position). While applying even pressure pushing the cartridge down on the towel, rock the cartridge front to back. If you lift the cartridge up you should see small spots of ink on the paper towel. This motion pushes any dried particles out of the printhead so it can print properly. Perform the rocking several times before replacing in the printer and reprinting. Adding hot water to the towel also helps.

TIP #6

Last Resort but Useful

Just allowing the cartridge to sit upright in the printer overnight, also solves a lot of the problems encountered with the shipping. Gravity during the night will allow the ink to return to the bottom of the cartridge and it should work fine.

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