- This is how to get the most out of your ink
You may find that your ink cartridge has dried out or needs to be replaced sooner than you expect. The durability of your ink can be significantly extended if you are aware of storing it properly. Ink cartridges are probably not what you are most willing to spend your money on and it can be an expensive pleasure if you do not familiarize yourself with how to use the cartridges. Here is our guide to storing and handling your ink cartridges.
By storing the ink properly, you can ensure optimal print quality - and in some cases even extend the life of the ink. When you buy ink from Pixojet - both original and compatible, you are ensured that the quality is top notch and always lasts until the warranty expires.
We recommend that you only open the seal when it is time to replace the ink cartridge in your printer. If you open the seal before, there is a risk that the cartridge will dry out and thus not being able to be used !
Storage
You may have once heard that printer inks should be stored at cold temperatures and preferably, in a refrigerator.
This is a myth - ink cartridges do not need to be refrigerated for optimal use, but it is not advisable to expose them to temperatures above 35 degrees or below -15 degrees. Store them in the dark and dry place and without direct sunlight. At the same time, it is important to leave the ink cartridge package upright. This ensures that the ink is optimally distributed in the cartridge.
Buy cheap ink cartridges in best quality
Opened ink cartridges
Once the ink cartridge has been opened, keep it installed in the printer only. Here the cartridge is protected as far as possible against drying out. In the printer, the cartridge is also protected against dust and contamination - i.e. bacteria.
It is also important for the ink cartridge that you remember to turn off your printer when you are not using it, because when you turn it off, the ink cartridge automatically sets into place, further protecting it. The printer undergoes a 'shut-down' process, in which the cartridges are 'capped', i.e. sealed. Thus, if you open the seal and leave the ink cartridge out without installing it in the printer, the cartridge will not have the same optimal protection and this can significantly affect the quality.
If you have an ink cartridge where the seal is broken and do not have the option to install it in the printer, we recommend that you store the ink cartridge in a plastic container with an airtight lid. Here it is important that the color nozzle does not come into contact with the plastic container, because then you can risk a cross-contamination. We DO NOT recommend that you store your ink cartridge in a plastic bag or put tape on the nozzles as you might have heard - this is also a myth that we do not advise you to follow.
When placing the ink cartridges in the plastic container, it is important that the ink cartridges with black ink are placed upside down so that the nozzles are facing upwards, while ink cartridges with colors should be facing up. It is also very important that the ink cartridges are stored in a dark and dry place.
Use the printer regularly
We also recommend that you wipe your printer at least once a month and print to ensure that the ink cartridge does not dry out. Once you have printed on your printer, there will be small particles of ink residue in the printer head. Over time, the water content of the ink will evaporate and you may thus risk a drying of the ink material itself. Therefore, we recommend that you print regularly to avoid drying out - weekly is optimal, but avoid that there will be a maximum of one month between prints. This ensures that the print head is kept moist so that the print head nozzles are not blocked and your prints get the best quality.
If you know for sure that you will not print for more than a month, we recommend that you remove the cartridges and store them in an airtight container, as described earlier. This way you reduce the risk of blocking the print nozzles and thereby the drying process.
READ ALSO: Compatible ink cartridges - advantages and disadvantages
Do you refill?
There can be a significant financial benefit to refilling your ink cartridges if you print a lot. We recommend that ink cartridges with integrated printheads should be refilled within a month, as cartridges may tend to get blocked nozzles in the printhead more easily due to dried ink residue. Therefore, when you refill your ink cartridges yourself, you should have it done within the first month after the cartridge is empty.
Read more about refill ink cartridges here
Did you know…
That the printer's ink detection may be too sensitive to the actual ink content left in the cartridge?
Your printer may well mistakenly tell you that there is no more ink content in your ink cartridge, even if you have just installed a brand new cartridge. If this happens, remove the cartridge - shake it slightly - not too hard and put it back in the printer.
It is important that you keep an eye on the ink content if your printer is unsure of its indication of ink content - you can often see this when printing if the quality changes or deteriorates. This is especially true for printers where the print head is inside the printer: there is a risk of damaging the print head if ink is not sprayed through during the printing process.
Tips for you - do's and dont's
! The ink cartridges should be opened before the expiration date and used within six months of opening !
! Do not open the ink cartridge packaging before inserting it into the device !
! Do not touch the ink port on the print cartridges !
! Ink cartridges must not be subjected to severe shaking. This can cause them to leak ink !
! Do not disassemble the ink cartridges !
! Do not turn off the power or unplug the cartridge when inserting cartridges !
! Always check that the print cartridge is the correct color before inserting it !
! Do not remove an ink cartridge after it is inserted unless necessary !
! Do not remove an ink cartridge during printing. This will stop printing !
! Make sure the right front cover is closed after replacing the print cartridge !
! Keep ink cartridges away from direct sunlight !
! Keep print cartridges away from open fire !
! In case of direct contact with the ink !
The ink contains chemicals and can be harmful to your body if the ink cartridge is not handled properly. If there is a hole in the cartridge or it leaks, for example, the following can happen:
! If ink gets in your eyes, rinse them immediately with plenty of water. Contact a doctor if discomfort occurs.
! If you swallow any ink, emesis (throwing up) will be provoked by drinking a strong saline solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
! If ink gets on the skin, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
ALWAYS KEEP THE INK AND INK PACKS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN!