Printer manufacturers include expiration dates so consumers are encouraged to use their ink before it becomes susceptible to clogs or print quality issues.\u00a0 Dates are commonly found on the side of the printer cartridge or on the side of the cartridge box.\u00a0 Like food expiration dates, cartridge expiration dates should be taken with a grain of salt.\u00a0 Many factors, not just the expiration date, contribute to the eventual deterioration of a printer cartridge, including how it\u2019s stored, the temperature of the storage environment and whether it\u2019s in a sealed package or not.<\/p>\n Printer cartridges should be stored in an upright position at all times.\u00a0 If a cartridge is stored on its side or upside down, the ink inside the cartridge will shift to one side and potentially cause print quality issues once installed in your printer.<\/p>\n Cartridges should be stored in a dark, dry place at room temperature.\u00a0 If a cartridge is exposed to extreme heat or cold, print quality will deteriorate, and in some cases, the cartridge may be unusable.\u00a0 Heat can cause ink to bubble up and leak.\u00a0 Cold conditions can cause ink to separate.\u00a0 However, once a cold cartridge has readjusted to room temperature it should still print.<\/p>\n An open cartridge that\u2019s sitting out next to your printer will eventually dry out.\u00a0 For best results, only open a printer cartridge when you are ready to use it.\u00a0 All printer cartridges are stored in a vacuum-packed bag and most include tape over crucial components, like the vent hole, to keep them in factory condition.\u00a0 Proper packaging also prevents nozzles from crusting over, keeping the print head moist.\u00a0 If you do happen to have an open cartridge lying about, there are a few precautions you can take to keep it in usable condition. \u00a0Place the cartridge nozzle side up in a plastic airtight tub. \u00a0If your cartridge came with protective tape or a clip reapply both before storing. Place a damp cloth or paper towel in the tub, next to the cartridge. Keep the cartridge stored in a cool, dark place and periodically check the damp paper towel to insure that it is still wet.<\/p>\n If your cartridge is stored properly in the correct environment, you might still be able to use it after the expiration date.\u00a0 Granted, a sealed ink cartridge won\u2019t last forever, but most are designed to last for at least two years after the purchase date.\u00a0 Even after two years you may still get some use out of the cartridge, so it may be worth trying even after the fact.\u00a0 There is always a chance that an expired cartridge might clog your printhead however.\u00a0 This can potentially be a pricey fix, so keep that in mind before installation.<\/p>\n A remanufactured printer cartridge<\/a> is a previously used original cartridge that has been refurbished, refilled with ink and optimized for reuse in your printer.\u00a0 Expiration dates on remanufactured cartridges are usually much older than recently purchased original cartridges since remanufactured cartridges have already been through one cycle of use.\u00a0 It is common for remanufactured cartridges to be older due to the time it takes for a remanufactured cartridge to come back into circulation, which can confuse consumers when they see an old expiration date on the side of their cartridge.\u00a0 Just because your remanufactured HP\u00a0<\/sup>63 black cartridge<\/a> has an expiration date of May 2010, for example, doesn\u2019t mean you were sold an old or defective cartridge.\u00a0 That expiration date is referring to the expiration date of the original cartridge, not the remanufactured one.\u00a0 In order to be refurbished, an original cartridge has to be used and then recycled by the consumer, refurbished and then sold to a new consumer.\u00a0 All of this takes a considerable amount of time, making the expiry date on the side of the cartridge obsolete.\u00a0 Any remanufactured cartridge you\u2019ve purchased should be good to go for up to two years from the date of purchase.\u00a0 If you like, you can write a new expiration date on the side of the cartridge to keep track of the expected cartridge life.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/cartridge-expiration-date.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHow to store your cartridges\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Where to store your cartridges\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Keep your cartridges sealed\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Can I still use the cartridge after the expiration date?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
A note on remanufactured cartridge expiration dates\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n