Introduction: How to Print With an "empty" Ink Cartridge.
It's late and you have to print out some reports to take with you to a meeting. Your printer runs out of one colour of ink and holds your whole job hostage until you can put in a new cartridge. You have none and the ink cartridge store doesn't open until tomorrow morning. All you need is the black or that last little bit of colour left in the “empty cartridge”. What to do?
Note: These instructions are for a Brother multi function printer. Print quality will degrade as ink cartridges really do become empty.
Step 1: Items You Will Need
- Thin electrical tape or thin opaque tape.
(Don't use old tape where the adhesive has become gummy)
Step 2: Cartridge Compartment
Locate the ink cartridge compartment and open the cover according to the instructions in your printer manual.
Step 3: Removing Cartridge
Pop the cartridge out of the cartridge bay.
Step 4: Examine the Cartridge
Locate the clear plastic panel that shows how much ink is in the cartridge.
Step 5: Tape
Unroll a short piece of tape and cut a piece about 1 cm wide.
Step 6: Cartridge
Place the tape over the clear plastic panel.
Step 7: Finishing the Tape
Wrap the remaining tape around the side of the cartridge and make sure there are no corners or edges sticking out.
Step 8: Re-inserting Cartridge
Press the cartridge back into the cartridge bay.
Step 9: Close Cover
Close the cover of the cartridge compartment.
Step 10: Finishing Up
Follow the instructions on the printer's screen to accept the cartridge.
Step 11: And, You're Done
Print the report and go to your meeting.
