What does OEM stand for?

OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. OEM's such as Apple, Canon, Compaq, Epson, HP, and Lexmark are the companies that produce your inkjet printer. Our products are fully compatible with OEM produced products.

What is a remanufactured cartridge?

Though most of the cartridges we sell are new compatibles, we're pleased to remanufacture cartridges as well.  A remanufactured cartridge is a cartridge that has been disassembled and had its worn parts replaced. The cartridge is then refilled and tested in the factory to guarantee print quality. It is basically the recycling of an empty cartridge. Remanufacturing is considered more comprehensive than recharging or refilling, and of course, it's good for our environment.

Am I better off replacing my cartridge or refilling it?

Since we sell both, we're not loyal to one over the other.  We can honestly say that we prefer simply changing out a cartridge when it's time to change, rather than the process of refilling.  Though it's a savings, we'd rather have the convenience of simply switching out the cartridge.  That's our staff's opinion, of course.

When is the best time for me to refill my cartridge?

We suggest that you refill your cartridge before it runs out of ink. If a cartridge sits empty too long, ink remnants in the nozzles will dry and cause an obstruction. Using a cartridge with an obstruction will damage the nozzles and leave you with a useless cartridge. Refill kits will no longer be of any use as you will need to purchase a new cartridge.

What should I do when my nozzles are blocked with dried ink?

Place the clogged nozzles in a shallow dish filled with warm water and soak them until dried ink begins to flow from the nozzle. After several minutes of letting the dried ink flow, remove the nozzle from the water and gently dry it with a soft tissue or cotton swab. Reinstall the cartridge and run the print head cleaning mechanism (described in your inkjet printer's manual). If this does not work, repeat the procedure. If your cartridge still does not print after repeating, you will need to purchase a new cartridge because the print head is probably damaged.

How many times can I refill my cartridge?

You are usually able to refill your cartridge 8 to 10 times. Each product varies in the number of times it can be refilled. The condition of the cartridge must also be considered.

Will refilling my cartridge void the OEM's warranty on my printer?

NO! OEM's have threatened in the past to void printer warranties when cartridges are refilled. Legislation has since prohibited OEM's from voiding warranties for this reason. 

What is an ink refill kit?

An ink refill kit consists of ink bottles, syringes, and a patented air balance clip. Refilling is simply the process of injecting the ink from the bottles into your existing cartridge using the syringe. The air balance clip is used to balance the air inside your cartridge, assuring that ink will flow from the cartridge head immediately upon printing.

What is the proper way to handle my cartridge?

Cartridges should always be handled with care. Do not touch the nozzles. You should keep your cartridges in their protective wrapping until you place them in your printer. If you keep empty cartridges to refill later, they should be stored in an air tight container until refill.

What can I do if my printer does not print after refilling my cartridge?

Using the syringe supplied in your refill kit, inject air into the top air vent to clean the nozzles. A small amount of ink should be emitted from the nozzle upon injection. If this procedure is ineffective, fill a small dish with warm water and soak the nozzles for approximately 1 hour. After soaking dry the nozzle using a soft tissue or cotton swab and inject air into the top vent. Reinstall the cartridge and attempt to print again.

What should I do if there are white streaks in my printouts?

Check if the cartridge is empty. If it is not, place the cartridge nozzle on a soft tissue, allowing some ink to leak out. Allow the nozzle to then sit for a few minutes before gently wiping it with a soft tissue or cotton swab. Reinstall the cartridge and attempt to print again.

What should I do if ink is continuously flowing from the nozzle?

First check to make sure the rubber stopper is properly placed within the refill hole. If the stopper is properly placed and ink is still flowing, the bag inside the cartridge has most likely been damaged and you will need to purchase a new cartridge. You can still temporarily use the cartridge by covering the top air vent with tape.

What should I do if my print quality is poor after refilling?

Using a soft tissue or cotton swab, clean any ink from the nozzle. Reinstall the cartridge and attempt to print again. Poor print quality may also be a sign of overfilling your inkjet cartridge.

If refilling your cartridge sounds like too much trouble, it might be for many people.  Therefore, we strongly recommend you purchase a high quality remanufactured or new compatible inkjet cartridge from us, at a substantial savings over typical retail stores.