Important FAQs Raised About Ink Cartridges in the UK

By U Learn It | February 13, 2010

The cost of ink cartridges in the UK are forever on the going up. Over a certain period, the money that’s charged for printer cartridges could very well go above the charge for the printer itself. So, what happens to all those empty cartridges? Unfortunately, when they aren’t reused, they go to the dumpsters and remain in the landfills to decompose for a great many years. Quite a few printer cartridge users are aware of this alarming fact and prefer to recycle their printer ink. The following are several FAQs dealing with recycling ink and toner cartridges.

Types of Ink for Printer Ink Cartridges

The ink used in inkjet cartridges is a significant factor for quality printed output. Along with paper, the ink cartridge is an important component. There are two types of ink used in inkjet printers: dye-based and pigmented. Dye-based inks are best for single-colour printing because they penetrate slowly and take about 10 seconds to dry. Dye-based inks have high brilliance and vibrancy and come in a huge array of colours. Pigmented inks are waterproof and resist fading. Generally recommended for colour printing, these inks dry incredibly fast to prevent bleeding.

Types of Inkjet Ink Cartridges

There are 3 types of inkjet printer cartridges: original equipment manufacturer (OEM), compatible and remanufactured. OEM cartridges carry the brand name of the printer’s manufacturer, so a cartridge branded Epson, for example, is manufactured by or under the auspices of the Epson Company. Although OEM cartridges tend to be more expensive, users are assured that they will work properly and deliver quality results. However, over time, the cost of OEM cartridges is likely to exceed the cost of the printer. Compatible ink cartridges are manufactured by a company other than the OEM. However, the quality can be highly variable, depending on the manufacturer. It’s often a trial and error process to find a reliable brand of compatible printer ink cartridges. Once found, this type of cartridge is significantly less expensive than OEM cartridges, sometimes as much as 70%. A remanufactured inkjet cartridge reuses the original components. The empty cartridge is simply refilled with ink. Cartridge refill stations are popping up in shopping centres and other places. For the adventurous, there are kits for refilling cartridges on your own.

Print Head Location

Another factor that influences the cost of a printer ink cartridge is the location of the print head. In some of the more popular printers like Epson, Hewlett Packard and Canon, the print head is built into the ink cartridge along with a microchip that controls communication with the printer. If the printer is not used regularly, the print head in the cartridge is likely to dry out and become blocked. In addition, if the proper OEM ink isn’t used, the print head will also get blocked. A further problem with these types of cartridges is that the embedded chips make it more difficult for companies other than the OEM to produce them.

Ink Cartridges – Q. What steps are taken to recycle a cartridge?

A: The cartridge will have to be fully cleaned. The parts are fix or traded out after which the cartridge gets a filled up with either ink or toner.

Q. Will the recycled cartridge have the same quality as the newly purchased type?

A. Sure. Because they have been completely reconditioned and inspected, you can expect recycled cartridges to perform as well as new ones. {Many companies that require high quality colour printing, such advertising agencies, use recycled|The large number of businesses which necessitate superior colour printing, like promotion agencies, depend on printing|Lots of agencies which require first-rate colour printing, case in point, marketing agencies utilise recycling|Recycling is implemented in a great many companies which need to have excellence colour printing, for instance, publicity agencies use] ink toner cartridges solely.

Q. Will a recycled ink cartridge yield as many copies as a new one?

A. Sure. The recycled cartridge is totally filled to its fullest with toner or ink.

Ink Cartridges – Q. Can you tell me why printer ink cartridges so low-cost in contrast to brand new ones?

A. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of new toner cartridges like Epson and Hewlett-Packard have high operating expenses for advertising and marketing. Agencies which replenish ink cartridges generally by and large experience less costs and may sell their cartridges for an approximate 80% reduction.
Q. Will utilising a recycled inkjet cartridge or toner cartridge void a printer’s warranty?

A. No. The UK Office of Fair Trade has given notice to printer manufacturers to refrain from making these types of allegations. Just in case they are give the impression that an printer ink cartridge has caused harm to a printer, a legal adviser should be contacted.

Ink Cartridges – Q. Can recycled cartridges have a warranty? What about defective items?

A. Nearly every remanufactured inkjet and laser ink cartridge will come with as much as a one year warranty. Positively study the warranty conditions preceding a purchase. Most remanufactures maintain a customer service department that handles defective item and returns.

These days, remanufactured ink cartridges in the UK provide good value and functionality. Their proof of success and responsible pricing makes them a smart choice for printer owners who are thrifty spenders.