| How many times have you been in the middle of | | | | If you have not already done so, remove the |
| a printing an important paper and the dreaded | | | | cartridges from the printer. If you are unsure |
| "Low Ink Cartridge" message appears on your | | | | how to do this, refer to the manufacturer's |
| computer screen? You think to yourself, "What | | | | documentation for assistance. Most printer |
| are my options, and where can I get this thing | | | | cartridges have foam inside acting as a sponge to |
| filled at 3:00a.m?" | | | | retain the ink. Accessing this foam is varied |
| In today's economy, one should forever be on | | | | according to the printer type. Some cartridges, |
| the lookout for methods of saving money on | | | | like Hewlett Packard for example, you will just |
| consumable goods. One example is the quandary | | | | need to remove the cartridge label in order to |
| of an empty ink jet cartridge. Many options are | | | | access the refill holes. Others, such as Lexmark |
| available to resolve this matter and many of us | | | | require that the cap of the cartridge be removed |
| prefer to wander into Wal-mart and pick up a | | | | with a special tool included in the refill kit. This tool |
| new cartridge. The obvious problem with this | | | | resembles and acts like a bottle opener to |
| solution remains: Many times the replacement | | | | facilitate the cap removal. Canon cartridges have |
| cartridge (if they have one in stock) is more | | | | small ports under the label, but the small BB-like |
| expensive than replacing the printer. Even I am | | | | metal ball must be dislodged and pushed into the |
| guilty of choosing the latter option, but this leads | | | | cartridge before filling it. Others require you to drill |
| to overstuffed landfills and Salvation Army Thrift | | | | a new hole with a small tool in the kit. |
| Store shelves. One can always take their depleted | | | | Now you are ready for the refilling process. |
| cartridge to the local computer merchant for | | | | Depending on the kit you purchased, the ink may |
| refilling, or order refilled cartridges from some | | | | be in small bottles with or without the filling needle |
| anonymous Internet website, but then again | | | | attached. If not, a syringe is included to |
| these take time and may not be the most cost | | | | accomplish this. If the latter option is the case, fill |
| effective approach. I propose to offer a more | | | | the syringe with the desired ink color. Place the |
| practical solution to this inevitable (and almost | | | | needle portion into the refill hole and push it down |
| always) inconvenient dilemma. It is possible to refill | | | | into the foam. Note: On tri-colored cartridges, you |
| your own ink jet cartridges and do so without a | | | | will have to identify which color you are filling by |
| degree in quantum physics. | | | | inspecting the inner foam under well-lit |
| Your first step in tackling this seemingly daunting | | | | circumstances. There may be multiple holes for |
| task, is to open the front cover on your printer | | | | the red (magenta), blue (cyan), and yellow colors. |
| and see how many cartridges are present. Some | | | | Slowly squeeze the bottle, or push the syringe |
| printers have one cartridge for black ink, and one | | | | plunger as the case may be, being careful not to |
| cartridge for the tri-colored (red, yellow, blue) ink. | | | | overfill the cartridge. Normally cartridges will |
| Others have one cartridge that uses the | | | | accept between 2-4 ounces of ink. Once filled, |
| tri-colored ink to produce all colors as well as | | | | place the cartridge on a paper towel or |
| black. Write down the make, model number and | | | | newspaper as sometimes the newly filled |
| any identifying numbers of the printer cartridges | | | | cartridge may leak momentarily. Once it stops, |
| so you will be sure that the refill kit can be used | | | | gently clean excess ink off of the print head, |
| with your particular model. | | | | replace the cap, label, or plug, insert the cartridge |
| Once you have identified your printers cartridge | | | | into the printer and you are almost done! |
| capacity, the next step is to obtain an ink jet | | | | Cleanup will be easier if the ink is not allowed to |
| cartridge refill kit. These kits are readily available | | | | dry. Soap and water or a mild cleanser will |
| at all major merchants sporting a computer or | | | | generally do a fine job of removing ink from |
| electronics department or your local computer | | | | hands and countertops. The final phase of the |
| shop. They are very inexpensive compared to | | | | operation will be to print a test page in order to |
| the pre-filled cartridges, and will refill most | | | | assess your performance. Just click |
| cartridges several times. Please be aware that | | | | Start>Settings>Printers. Select the printer in |
| most refill kits contain either black ink or the | | | | question by right-clicking and choosing properties. |
| tri-colored inks but not both. You may have to | | | | This should open the printer commands and under |
| purchase both types depending on your model of | | | | the general tab, you will find the "Print test page" |
| printer. The newer kits contain all the necessary | | | | button. |
| tools and instructions for filling most major brand | | | | You are now an expert at the cartridge refilling |
| printer cartridges. Be sure to check the packaging | | | | game. You also saved yourself enough money to |
| for your printer manufacturer listing and the | | | | and can reward yourself for a job well done. As in |
| contents of the kit. | | | | any do-it-yourself project, it requires a little effort, |
| With kit in hand, you are ready to get to the | | | | but the savings convenience and satisfaction are |
| nuts-and-bolts of the process. You will need a well | | | | well worth it. Home businesses have been started |
| lighted, uncluttered work area, newspapers or | | | | with this very idea, so do not discount your |
| paper towels to protect the surface in the event | | | | accomplishments. |
| of a accidental spill. | | | | |