Do InkJet Refills Really Save Money?

You have probably thought of using ink jet refills to save money on printing, but you’re not sure if they work. Or maybe you tried them and it was a disaster. Perhaps you haven’t tried it because it seems too messy. If you tried them unsuccessfully in the past, or if you are thinking about using ink jet refills to save money, here’s some information that will help you get the most out of ink jet refills.

Ink is one of those expenses that irritate the frugal. We can understand buying a printer, expecting it will last many years and give us good value for our money. But the cost of ink is high and non-durable goods are one of those irritating expenses that come up time and again. The replacement cartridges can be pricey.

Ink jet refills are one solution that seems to be a mixed bag. It’s not one of those solutions that work for everyone. First of all, they void any warrantee that may be in existence on your printer. Secondly, the ink, even if it’s high quality, can cause problems on high-quality print jobs like photos or business documents. Consider keeping some brand name or OEM cartridges available for the more important print jobs if you decide to use refill kits. Negatives aside, ink jet refills can save you as much as 75% on your ink costs.  

There are three factors that can cause problems with ink-jet refills. The first is the brand of the ink, the second is the type of printer and third, there is the painstaking care required when using them. You should also know there is another way to save money, albeit not quite as much. You can purchase OEM or remanufactured printer cartridges.

What Kind of Ink to Buy

Not all inks are equal. Different makers use different chemical formulations in the ink. The ink can react unfavorably with your printer, causing damage to the printer head. It’s important that you research the requirements to be sure the ink jet refill you choose is compatible with your printer. 

Some Printers Don’t Take Refills

Certain printers run into trouble with ink jet refills. Canon is often brought up as a brand with this problem, although some Canon printers do fine with refills. Epson printers may give you trouble with refills as well. The problem is that you may find that your printer is not compatible after the damage is done. Generally, if you own a Canon, choose OEM or remanufactured ink refill kits. 

Use Care

The number one reason for failure when trying ink jet refills is the great care you need to take in following instructions precisely. One mistake and it all goes wrong. If it is your first time using an inkjet refill kit, work where you can clean up easily. If you spill, clean it up right away. Because most spills happen from overfilling the cartridge, most people don’t make messes at all, once they have practice at refilling ink. Even if you are an expert at refills, make sure you follow directions carefully. They can vary by manufacturer, and one mistake can ruin your printer.

Tips to Help

If you had a bad experience trying refills in the past, here are some tips to help you do better next time. First, make sure you have the right kind of ink and a printer that works well with ink jet refills. Then you can follow these tips to help you be more successful in your next try. 

• If you see ink spilling from the printer head, stop! This means it is over-full. Pull the syringe back a bit to pull out some of the ink. It is always better to under fill than to over fill. Over-full cartridges can leak and drip all over your printer and documents.
•  If you let your ink cartridge dry out, the printer heads seize and become unusable. The ink actually helps keep the resistors that control the electrical current in the ink heads cool. If resistors overheat, they burn out. It is best to keep a kit on hand so that you can refill your cartridge as soon as you see a “low-ink” warning.
• While not an issue with most brands, HP cartridges tend to have problems when the internal pressure is upset by ink refill. You might need to use a plastic squeeze bottle to squeeze more pressure into the cartridge before it will work with the refill ink. You might need to place some tape over the syringe hold to keep equalized pressure. Most printers only require you let them sit a few minutes before using them again.
• There is a limit to the number of times you can refill an ink cartridge. The number generally varies between 2 and 10, depending on the brand. Ink jet cartridges are integrated with the print head and the head will wear out eventually. Watch your print outs for streaks or unprinted lines for signs of wear. When you see these problems, it’s time to replace the cartridge itself, not just the ink.
•  Consider using a service to have your ink refilled. Some pharmacies and other stories off the service for about ½ the cost of a new replacement cartridge.

If this all seems too much for you, simply buy OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) refills. They are made by the same company, simply sold under a different brand name. You can also buy remanufactured cartridges, made from the cartridges you bring back to the retailer. You can find both kinds through a simple Google search.