{"id":837,"date":"2015-11-18T18:53:01","date_gmt":"2015-11-18T18:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/?p=837"},"modified":"2023-06-27T13:33:30","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T13:33:30","slug":"lds-comprehensive-guide-to-ink-cartridge-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/lds-comprehensive-guide-to-ink-cartridge-care\/","title":{"rendered":"LD’s Comprehensive Guide to Ink Cartridge Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Take Care of Your Ink Cartridge<\/h2>\n

Most people dread having to buy ink cartridges. \u00a0They are pricey and you rarely get a lot of bang for your buck. \u00a0Besides switching to remanufactured or compatible ink, what are some other ways you can save money and prolong the life of your ink? \u00a0With this guide, we will teach you how to keep your printer feeling young and your prints looking sharp. Proper ink cartridge care is a crucial step in creating a long lasting relationship with your printer and we’ve got all the right moves spelled out for you.<\/p>\n

A. Handling Your Cartridge<\/h3>\n

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Before installing a new cartridge into your printer, take a moment to inspect it. \u00a0Gently shake or tap the cartridge on a hard surface a couple of times to prime the ink. \u00a0Try to do this before removing any protective tape, otherwise you might have unwanted puddle of ink to deal with. \u00a0Next, remove the plastic pull tab that might be covering the vent hole or the plastic clip that could be protecting the cartridge while it’s in transit. \u00a0Not every cartridge has a pull tab or plastic clip, but if they do, removing them beforehand will obviously save a lot of frustration.<\/p>\n

Also take note of the gold contact or connection point on the side of the cartridge. These contact points are very sensitive and can be damaged if scratched. \u00a0If you notice any residue or dust on the contact points you can gently clean them with a Q-tip or lint-free cloth. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

B. Installing Your Cartridge<\/h3>\n

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Every printer is different so be sure to read your instruction manual before installing a cartridge for the first time. If your printer did not come with a manual or you’ve lost your copy, a PDF version is typically available on the manufacturer’s website. \u00a0You also might try finding an installation tutorial video on your manufacturer’s website or YouTube. Be careful with the cartridge. As mentioned previously, the contacts are very sensitive and can damage easily if not installed into the machine properly. To keep installed cartridges from drying out always turn off the printer by using the power button. Wait until the power button is completely off before unplugging the machine. \u00a0Doing so allows the cartridges to return to their appropriate positions and will prevent you from <\/span>damaging the machine<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

C. Storing and Protecting Your Cartridge<\/h3>\n

If you don’t need to install a cartridge right away, leave it in its original sealed package. An open cartridge will eventually dry out, especially if you’ve prematurely removed the protective tape or clip. Nozzles can crust over if not kept in an airtight <\/span>container<\/span><\/a> and ink may start wicking from the cartridge. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

D. Signs that your ink cartridge may need to be replaced and what to do about it:<\/h3>\n

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Most printers will warn you ahead of time when a cartridge needs replacing. A blinking light or cartridge replacement message will typically pop up on your printer’s<\/p>\n

LCD\u00a0<\/span>display or computer monitor. \u00a0Other things to look out for are poor print quality, blank pages, streaking, and missing colors. \u00a0Before throwing in the towel and\u00a0opening up a brand new cartridge, attempt to resolve the print quality issue. \u00a0\u00a0If you haven’t used your printer in a while, the cartridges may just need to be primed to get them up and running again. If you are using a cartridge that has an integrated printhead, like an <\/span>HP 62<\/span> for example, you can start by trying the paper towel method:<\/span><\/p>\n

Paper Towel Method<\/b>
\nTo start you will need to have a damp paper towel and a dry paper towel at the ready. \u00a0Take the warm, damp paper towel and blot the cartridge with the printhead side down onto the towel. \u00a0The printhead is located on the end of the cartridge where the ink comes out and is typically a gold or copper strip. \u00a0You should see ink appearing on the paper towel after blotting a couple of times. \u00a0Be careful not to confuse the printhead with the gold and copper contacts or dots. \u00a0I know they sound awfully similar\u2026if you don’t see ink you are probably blotting the wrong part of the cartridge! \u00a0After blotting onto the damp paper towel, hold the cartridge against the dry paper towel for 30 seconds to a minute. \u00a0This process wicks out any dried ink that may be preventing you from a quality print. \u00a0Once complete, slide the cartridge back in the machine and run a test print. \u00a0Often times this does the job quite nicely. \u00a0If not, repeat the process again. \u00a0If the second time doesn’t cut it move on to our next tip, printhead cleaning!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n