How to handle & refill ink cartridges

Follow these tips to get the best performance from any inkjet cartridge whether a new Canon ink cartridge, a compatible ink cartridge or one you just refilled:

Always store inkjet ink cartridges away from excessive cold, heat or humidity. Best at room temperatures.

Never leave cartridges in your car - especially in severe weather such as hot summer or freezing winter weather.

Always remove the protective clip and the static tape, and all the exterior wrapping (some Canon carts have extra clear shrink wrap, so pay attention) before installing it into your printer.

Best to save that protective cap so that you can replace it when you take the empty cartridge back out. That cap will prevent an empty cartridge from being damaged.

NEVER touch the chip with bare fingers, the electrical components are sensitive and the oils from your skin can damage them. You also can short circuit them if you are not grounded and touch them, so always be aware of where your fingers are when you handle a bare ink cartridge.

If you do put your fingers on the chip and then it does not work in your printer, remove the cart and clean the chip with a little alcohol.

Never touch the ink flow hole with your fingers because the oil from your fingertips can clog the tiny pores of the sponge.

If you have changed inks, changed ink cartridge manufacturers, or changed the type of cartridge you have been using, we also recommend you run a print test first.

Though inks are created to meet certain standards, that is why we buy ISO 9001 certified inks, there are still differences in ph levels, and densities, so by running a print test first, you assimilate the differences between the ink in your print head and the new ink cart, this prevents any issue in an important photograph. If you just doing draft printing, not a problem, go for it.

Cartridges that you have refilled should be used within one year. Those that come sealed from a manufacturer usually have a shelf life of two years. It will be dated on the bottom or side of the box.

If you are traveling with ink cartridges that you have refilled. Make sure you have them in a tight plastic bag, (I use freezer quality zip locks and use a straw to remove all the air as I seal them shut. Then put them in a dark container or box, and place them in a cooler to keep them at a normal temperature -between 55 and 85 degrees. If it feels okay to you, it is probably okay for you ink.

Remember cars can heat to three digits in the summer time in just seven minutes, so don't leave in the car while you run into the store. Take them with you!