Inkjet Refills
General Questions
- What does OEM mean?
- What are compatible cartridges?
- What is the difference between a refill, a replacement cartridge, and a click-in cartridge system?
- Is ink quality that important?
- Are universal refills good?
- What are the differences between standard dye-based ink and pigmented ink?
- Can the ink freeze? What if it does?
- How long is the shelf life of the ink?
- What is the difference between photo ink and color ink?
- Why should I refill my inkjet cartridge?
- How much will I save by refilling my cartridges?
- How long will it take to refill a cartridge?
- What comes in a refill kit?
- What is the warranty period for the ink?
- Will ink refilling damage my cartridge?
- Is a refilled cartridge as good as an original cartridge?
- Is Fullmark's refill hazardous in any way?
- Why do manufacturers make cartridge-based laser printers, plain paper fax machines and small office photocopiers with expensive cartridges?
- What is the most difficult part in refilling?
Before, During and After Refilling
- When is the best time to refill my cartridge?
- What should be taken note of before refilling?
- Why is my cartridge dripping ink after I refill it?
- After refilling, why does my HP cartridge leak?
- What should I take note of after refilling?
Troubleshooting
- What should I do when the printouts have white streaks or show areas with no ink?
- What are the common problems when refilling inkjet cartridges?
- Why does my printer stop printing after a few pages?
- Why does my cartridge print horizontal white lines?
- Why does my cartridge not print after refilling?
- Why does ink leak from the nozzle when refilling?
Maintenance
- How do I maintain the cartridge and print head?
- How do I maintain my cartridges?
- What is the proper way to handle inkjet cartridges?
- How should I keep my empty cartridge before refilling?
General questions
- What does OEM mean?
OEM is the abbreviation for Original Equipment Manufacturer and refers to companies such as Hewlett Packard (HP), Canon, Compaq, Lexmark and Brother that actually manufacture your printer.
- What are compatible cartridges?
Compatible cartridges are non-OEM cartridges. These are new cartridges, not recycled. They are manufactured by a third party factory adhering to strict ISO specifications. At Fullmark, each printer cartridge is carefully researched, manufactured and tested. New compatible cartridges are added on a regular basis and usually there is no difference in the print quality.
- What is the difference between a refill, a replacement cartridge, and a click-in cartridge system?
- Refill - refill your existing cartridge with ink.
- Replacement cartridge - replaces all or part of your existing cartridge.
- Click-in cartridge - designed to work with an original modified cartridge (contained in the system or kit box) and tanks that "click-in" to the modified cartridge.
- Is ink quality that important?
Yes, ink quality makes a huge difference in your printouts. The printhead on your cartridge may get clogged or damaged by the inks that do not match the OEM's specifications such as drying time, density, boiling points, viscosity, surface tension, color and pH value. Our refill kits are tested under rigorous conditions to ensure the optimal quality compatible to that of the OEM's specifications. We guarantee that you will obtain printouts at the same level as the OEM. Fullmark is a certified company for ISO 9002 and ISO 14001.
- Are universal refills good?
Ink quality is the most important part of refilling. The printhead on your cartridge may get clogged or damaged by the inks that do not match the OEM's specifications. Fullmark inks are formulated and tested under strict laboratory conditions to ensure the highest output quality at all times as compared with other OEM products.
- What are the differences between standard dye-based ink and pigmented ink?
- Water resistance
The dye in dye-based ink dissolves in water completely and flow better. But the dye will re-dissolve and ink will flow across the paper if drops of water hit the paper.
Pigmented ink particles tend to settle into the tiny fibers that make up the paper. As the ink dries, the pigment particles get stuck in the fibers. Thus the pigmented inks are more water-resistant than dye-based inks. Only about 5 to 10 percent of the ink will re-flow if the paper is hit by water.
- Fade resistance
The molecules in dye-based inks are spread out. Because of this, dye-based ink tends to fade quicker, since all the molecules are exposed to the chemical and sunlight-causing reactions that fade the ink. Dye-based inks exposed to direct sunlight may fade in 6 to 12 months.
For pigmented inks, it is much more difficult for sunlight and chemicals to react with all of the pigment molecules since most of them are hidden. Pigmented inks will usually last for many years before fading becomes noticeable.
- Price
Pigmented inks cost more to make than dye-based inks, so they cost more.
- Can the ink freeze? What if it does?
The ink can freeze. However if the ink freezes, simply allow it to naturally warm to room temperature.
- How long is the shelf life of the ink?
The shelf life of the ink is two years or more, if you keep the cap on the bottle secure and tight. This is assuming that it is kept at normal room temperature and out of direct sunlight to avoid ultra violet ray deterioration.
- What is the difference between photo ink and color ink?
Photo ink spreads more when it hits paper, as compared with color ink. It also fills in the dots, gets rid of graininess and has different shades than the color inks.
- Why should I refill my inkjet cartridge?
By refilling, you take advantage of the life of the printhead. The better care you take in preserving the printhead, the longer the life of the cartridge will be. You should be able to refill your cartridge approximately 5-10 times. Refilling your cartridges is also good for the environment while letting you enjoy greater savings on your cartridge costs.
- How much will I save by refilling my cartridges?
The savings vary, but a refill kit is approximately one-fifth of the cost of a new cartridge.
- How long will it take to refill a cartridge?
It generally takes 5-10 minutes to refill a cartridge.
- What comes in a refill kit?
Everything you need to refill your ink cartridge is included in the refill kit. Depending on the type of printer you have, your kit will include illustrated instructions, a dispenser for injecting the ink, a full set of fresh ink, and sometimes a small drill, rubber plugs, and a push tool.
- What is the warranty period for the ink?
The warranty period for refill ink is one year from the date of purchase.
- Will ink refilling damage my cartridge?
No. Fullmark guarantees that its inkjet refills will perform as well as the OEMs' supplies under similar conditions.
- Is a refilled cartridge as good as an original cartridge?
Fullmark's inkjet refills are developed only after extensive research and development to give you absolute assurance that they are of the highest quality. Fullmark is a certified company for ISO 9002 and ISO 14001.
- Is Fullmark's refill hazardous in any way?
With compliance to our easy-to-use instruction sheet, physical/health hazards are almost impossible. As long as you do not attempt to drink the ink or smash your hand intentionally into the refill kit, you should be fine.
- Why do manufacturers make cartridge-based laser printers, plain paper fax machines and small office photocopiers with expensive cartridges?
If you buy a pair of black and color cartridges for certain models of printers, you may realise that the price of these two cartridges is very close to the price of a printer. Most manufacturers do not earn a profit from printers, but from cartridges.
- What is the most difficult part in refilling?
The biggest challenge thus far is convincing the average customer to give it a try! Most customers do not realize that refilling is so easy until they attempt to do so. If you are new to using refilling your cartridge, be confident to try it and save with Fullmark inkjet refills.
Before, During and After Refill
- When is the best time to refill my cartridge?
Refill the cartridges before they dry up. If you wait too long, the ink tends to block the flow of new ink and print quality could be diminished.
- What should be taken note of before refilling?
The instructions are simple to follow so long as you read them carefully. Many problems are overcome by reference to these instructions.
Sponge
If the cartridge inside contains a sponge, you have to push the needle to the end, then pull back 3mm and refill SLOWLY. This reduces the amount of air trapped in the cartridge while refilling while preventing the refilling needle from being blocked by the sponge. You need to fill slowly because the sponge needs time to absorb the ink. If you refill too quickly, the sponge cannot absorb the ink and ink will leak from the printhead or overflow from the filling hole.
Reservoir
After refilling a cartridge without a sponge, the pressure equilibrium inside the cartridge has changed and needs to be equalized. Follow the instruction sheet carefully.
Wrong way to equalize pressure
Correct way to equalize pressure
- Why is my cartridge dripping ink after I refill it?
Your cartridge may leak a littl because the pressure inside the cartridge is not equalized with the pressure outside. After a while, the leakage will stop.
- After refilling, why does my HP cartridge leak?
Continuous leaking indicates that the cartridge has an air leak. Air leaks are caused by:
- Poor sealing - check the sealing before you use the cartridge.
- Tiny cracks - visually inspect the cartridge for tiny cracks or leaking points. Try sealing the holes or discard the cartridge.
- Punctured top center hole or bag - this cartridge is already unusable. Change to a new one.
- What should I take note of after refilling?
NEVER put a leaking cartridge into your printer! Refer to your refilling kit instructions and check if you have used the correct procedure. Overfilling is the main cause for leakage. Take some ink out of the cartridge and wait until it stops leaking.
Troubleshooting
- What should I do when the printouts have white streaks or show areas with no ink?
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 carefully wiping it with a soft tissue or cotton swab. Reinstall the cartridge and attempt to print again.
- What are the common problems when refilling inkjet cartridges?
- Printouts don't print correctly
- Cartridge doesn't print anything
- Cartridge leaks constantly
- Clean up after refilling
- Why does my printer stop printing after a few pages?
This is due to "air dams", or trapped air, in sponge-filled cartridges. When refilling sponge-filled cartridges, the cartridge has to be refilled slowly to allow time for the sponge to absorb the ink, and push air out of the sponge to prevent air dams which can block the flow of ink.
- Why does my cartridge print horizontal white lines?
- One or more print nozzles are blocked.
Try clearing the blocked nozzles by placing the printhead in warm water for 2 to 3 minutes and then blotting it dry with tissue. It is important to refill a cartridge with a printhead as soon as it begins to run out of any colour to prevent dried ink from blocking the print nozzles.
- One or more print nozzles are "burned out".
A cartridge with an integrated printhead can last a long time but sometimes fails prematurely. This is why cartridges have a limited life in terms of how many times they can be refilled. Each time there is a no ink situation, the resistors overheat and the life of the cartridge is diminished. It is important to refill a cartridge with a printhead as soon as it begins to run out of any colour to prevent dried ink from blocking the print nozzles and excess heat from causing them to "burn out".
- More than the recommended amount of ink was refilled, or your cartridge was not empty before refilling.
When printing, ink drips from the nozzle and this can block the nozzle. Absorb the excess ink with tissue until it stops dripping.
- Why does my cartridge not print after refilling?
- Trapped air in the cartridge.
Try blowing into the filling hole(s). If this does not work, cover the cartridge with tissue and hold at arm length with the printhead facing away from you (outside of the house or office). Swing your arm from above your head downwards to push the ink towards the printhead. Blot the printhead with tissue to remove any excess ink.
Do not seal the top of the cartridge or filling hole(s). These must remain vented otherwise ink cannot come out through the printhead.
- Dried out cartridge.
If a cartridge is left empty for more than 3 days, the ink will dry and clog the nozzles in the printhead. If there is a sponge inside the cartridge, it will also dry out and harden. When refilled, a dried out cartridge will produce streaked or banded printouts and will not work after it has been refilled.
Refill cartridges immediately once they are empty or store them in a zip lock bag with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
- Why does ink leak from the nozzle when refilling?
You refilled more than the recommended amount of ink in the instruction sheet, or your cartridge wasn't empty yet when you refilled.
- Dried out cartridge.
If a cartridge is left empty for more than 3 days, the ink will dry and clog the nozzles in the printhead. If there is a sponge inside the cartridge, it will also dry out and harden. When refilled, a dried out cartridge will produce streaked or banded printouts and will not work after it has been refilled.
Refill cartridges immediately once they are empty or store them in an airtight container (e.g. zip lock bag) with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
- Refilling speed was too fast.
If there is a sponge inside the cartridge, it needs time to absorb the ink. If you refill it too quickly, the sponge will not be able to absorb the ink, causing excess ink to leak from the nozzle.
Absorb the ink with tissue until no more ink leaks. In future, remember to refill slowly.
Maintenance
- How do I maintain the cartridge and print head?
The thermal inkjet cartridges have electrical resistors that control the current to each outlet jet. These resistors must stay fixed in terms of the resistance, or ohms. When they are overheated, the resistance changes. After too much overheating, the resistance value may not be in the acceptable range and this will cause low quality output, such as color distortion or weak printing or both.
The ink in the cartridge keeps these resistors cool and prevents overheating. However, when the cartridge is empty and the printer continues to print, overheating occurs. If left for too long, this can burn out the cartridge. This is why cartridges have a limited life in terms of how many times they can be refilled. Each time there is a no-ink situation and the resistors are overheated, the life of the cartridge is diminished.
The remedy here is to buy a new cartridge. To extend its life, refill your cartridge at the first sign of a low ink level.
- How do I maintain my cartridges?
- Keep a print cartridge in its packaging until you are ready to install it.
- Do not remove a print cartridge from the printer except to replace, clean, or store it in a cartridge storage unit. The print cartridge will not print correctly if removed from the printer housing and left exposed for an extended period of time.
Never touch the electronic printhead with any abrasive material. Use care when settling your cartridges down and do not place the printhead in contact with any surface besides the printer.
- What is the proper way to handle inkjet cartridges?
Do not touch the nozzles directly. Keep your cartridges in their protective wrapping until you need to use them. If you have several empty cartridges to refill at a later date, it is best to store them in an airtight container (e.g. zip lock bag) until you are ready to refill them.
- How should I keep my empty cartridge before refilling?
You should keep the cartridge inside the printer. The printer has a cap to prevent the printhead from coming into contact with air. If the printhead is exposed, ink will dry up and clog the nozzles. If you want to keep the cartridge outside, put it inside an airtight container (e.g. ziplock bag) or cartridge box provided by printer manufacturer.