Taking proper care of your ink and toner cartridges can go a long way in making sure your cartridges last and function properly. These cartridge care tips can make all the difference in helping your ink last longer, print better quality prints and ensure your print cartridges are fresh and ready to use whenever you need them resulting in less troubleshooting in the future.
What should I do when installing new printer cartridges?
If you have never installed replacement cartridges in your printer before, first reference your owner’s manual for important instructions on how to properly install your new cartridge. Some machines call for particular steps for installation and reset of your printer when inserting a replacement cartridge. Following the manual instructions will help ensure your printer and cartridges function properly.
During shipment, cartridges may be placed in various positions and this can cause the ink or toner to settle at the opposite end of the cartridge, which may result in printing issues. If you have just received your ink or toner cartridge, set the cartridge upright in the same work space as your printer for two to four hours. This will allow the ink or toner to settle and adjust to room temperature before installation.
Before installing your replacement cartridge, take a moment to inspect it for defects or damage shipment. Gently shake the cartridge to ensure even distribution of the toner powder or ink. Most cartridges will have a protective tape, paper or clip that seals and protects it during shipment and storage. Be sure to remove these before installation to avoid fit problems or printing errors. You may want to do this over a trash can since occasionally toner or ink can leak during removal.
How should I handle my toner and ink cartridges?
Most ink and toner cartridges will have a gold contact chip for communicating with your printer. It is important to avoid touching this chip while handling your cartridge to avoid damaging this sensitive component. If you do happen to touch the chip, a Q-tip or lint-free cloth can be used to gently clean the area.
Laser toner cartridges include a cylindrical part called an imaging drum. This delicate part plays a large role in the process of transferring the image of what you are printing to the page. It is important to avoid touching the imaging drum, which could damage the surface and potentially affect print quality.
What is the best way to store my cartridges?
It is best to keep all cartridges in the original, sealed packaging until you are ready to use them to ensure ink or toner and functioning parts are fresh when ready to use. Removing them from their packaging and leaving them to sit for extended periods can cause messy leaks and eventually ink to dry out and the print nozzles to clog.
Cartridges should be stored in an upright position and away from direct light in a cool, dry and dark place like a closet or pantry. Leaving cartridges in places where the temperature can exceed safe levels, either too hot or too cold, may cause ink to dry out or cause toner to degrade and even distort the plastic material of the cartridge itself, affecting the overall performance of your cartridges.
If for some reason you need to store an already opened cartridge, reseal it as best you can by replacing the protective tape or clip or apply a piece of tape to prevent leaking and drying of the ink or clogging the nozzle. Replace opened cartridges back in the bag they came in or use a zip lock or other clean bag to help protect the cartridge from the open air and dust particles while storing.