Printers are one of the most popular tools in the world, because they are inexpensive, yet highly versatile. The one drawback is the cost of the cartridges. Two of these can cost as much as a whole printer, and they are difficult to refill because of the new "smart technology" which is built into the printers that keep track of the ink level. Once the cartridge is empty, this technology also will not allow you to simply refill the cartridge with ink, because it will still think that the cartridge is empty. But I'll show you how easy it is to refill your printer cartridge and fool the printer into thinking your cartridge is always full, which allows you to refill your own cartridges with inexpensive ink and save a LOT of money!
For better insight on the project you can view a video on how to do it here !
For better insight on the project you can view a video on how to do it here !
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Signing UpStep 1: What you need !
You don't need many things to refill a ink cartridge,
here's the list :
-Empty Ink Cartridge
-Electrical Tape (any color)
-Regular Black Ink
-Regular Syringe
here's the list :
-Empty Ink Cartridge
-Electrical Tape (any color)
-Regular Black Ink
-Regular Syringe
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http://www.misterinkjet.com/t-bc02.htm
Look at the technical links in the lower left of the page. They tell you how to reset many different printers to accept your refilled cart's.
Wal-mart, etc. inks are not always good b/c NOT ALL INKS ARE EQUAL! There is no such thing as a universal refill kit. It may or may not work - you take the chance. Due to differences in printhead tech, SOME INKS MAY GUM UP YOUR PRINTER/CART and render it useless - especially these "universal" kits.
1. Never touch the copper contacts by hand.
2. Refilling a cart that has been idle for awhile may not work as it has dried ink blocking the exit portals. However, put a little (proper) ink in the cart, wet a folded (into a small square) paper towel with some water and heat the paper towel in microwave for 30 seconds. Touch the bottom of the cart to try to dissolve/bleed the encrusted ink out. When ink consistently bleeds out - it probably will work in the printer - try it before wasting more ink.
If you used "universal ink" for filling - then this may also be the reason why the printer/cart will not work. After repeating this procedure a couple of times - it may have been the "universal ink" that was your problem.
3. A cart will not last forever and ever. I think the most I ever got from one was 4 or 5 times. Then the printer simply refuses to acknowledge it - I think this is wear and tear. However, I also save hundreds of $$ even with this 4-5 time limitation as the black ink I was using cot me very little in comparison - and cheaper than the 9.97.
4. Make sure you do not cover up the entire top of the cart. Only where the label was (if you remove the label). The small grooves in the top are air holes /pathways to allow air to enter as ink exits - simple physics - need to be there.
5. Get any printer but a Lexmark. No, I am not Lexmark-predjudiced - but it is a fact they gobble up ink quickly as compared to other makes. My HP's use about 1/2 (!) the ink as my Lexmark's (did!). Hence less ink used, ergo more $$ in my pocket.
6. A lot of printers have reset codes to accept a re-inked cart. The websire above has a lot of these listed. I know on my HP All-in-one, I had bought an old cart. at a yard sale - brand new in the box. It would not work. I called the HP help line and told them what was going on. Finally, after awhile the tech on the end of the line told me to:
Press "Enter" and "Menu" simultaneously when the “align printer” message shows. Then go to the Self test page by hitting the menu key- then hit 3 - then hit 5.
She did not realize I knew she was giving me the reset code. I asked her if this is what holding "Enter & Menu" did and she affirmed my suspicions. She said since it was a two year old cart., the printer was programmed to reject it, thinking it was re-inked!
http://www.deluxe.com/shopdeluxe/catalog/facetSearchCategory.jsp?id=STMPINK&flyOut=true