If you are asking yourself why you spent so much money on OEM (brand name) printer ink cartridges, you are not alone.
Trust us - a lot of people ask themselves the very same question. After only a few weeks of printing, your ink cartridge has already run dry (or starting to). And when that happens of course - the next step is to get an ink cartridge replacement.
The question now is: Do you spend more money (again) buying OEM/branded printer ink from Canon, Epson, or HP? Or save money buying remanufactured ink cartridges?
Read: OEM vs Remanufactured Ink
As expected, brand name manufacturers like Canon, HP, Brother, and Epson will tell you that their ink products are superior and remanufactured ink will damage your printer. And honestly - a few years ago, that MIGHT have been true.
Companies that make remanufactured ink and toner have come a long way and have greatly improved their manufacturing process. While you can still get ink refill kits, there are more advanced technologies that have perfected their process of remanufacturing ink.
Highly committed to match the high standards of reliability and quality of OEM ink, these manufacturers have changed public perception about aftermarket printer cartridges and saving consumers a lot of money in the process.
In this blog post, we will share everything you need to know about remanufactured ink and toner, by answering common questions and concerns.
Remanufactured ink cartridges - what are they?
Remanufactured toner or ink is an OEM or original ink cartridge that has gone through professional cleaning, refilled with similar quality product, and rigorously tested to ensure customers will get the exact print quality as branded ink cartridges.
Inkjets is an online store that sells affordable remanufactured ink and toner cartridges, and have been doing so for decades.The company delivers comparable page yield and print quality that rival name brand ink, at a fraction the cost. You can save up to 80% off name brand cartridges when you use inkjet aftermarket cartridges, plus get a 100% satisfaction guarantee and 1-year money-back warranty.
Where does a remanufactured cartridge come from?
Remanufactured laser toner and inkjet cartridges are usually collected from recycling programs and other fundraising efforts. Printing with remanufactured ink cartridges mean you are doing your part to prevent more cartridges from getting dumped in landfills. Plus, you reduce your own carbon footprint by using recycled materials. Websites such as Earth 911 are a great resource for finding recycling services in your area, where you can donate used printer ink cartridges.
How are ink or toner cartridges remanufactured?
1. First, ink and toner cartridges are sorted by part number and stored in temperature controlled environments to stop them from drying out.
2. Quality control technicians thoroughly inspect each cartridge for signs of damage. Afterwards, cartridges are performance tested using an electrical tester.
3. If there is remaining ink, all of it is emptied from the cartridge and gets a thorough cleaning process with a high power cleaning system that uses demineralized water.
4. After cleaning, the cartridges are dried and vacuum-filled with top rated printer ink. This ink formula used is as similar as possible to original cartridges, without violating any patent. If cartridges use smart chips, new chips are put in, which allows the printer to recognize the remanufactured cartridges, and display proper working ink levels.
5. Cartridges are then inspected to ensure they have the exact internal atmospheric pressure and are then sealed to stop leakage.
6. Every remanufactured cartridge undergoes the exact page yield test as original cartridges. Each test is done using at least three different printers. Five test pages are printed consecutively in order, and finished off with a diagnostic page.
7. After a cartridge has passed the test, it goes through another round of cleaning, then polishing, then heat sealed in vapor-resistant bags, and finally boxed and ready for shipping.
What is the difference between compatible and remanufactured cartridges?
Simply put, remanufactured cartridges are essentially professionally reused brand name cartridges. Compatible cartridges on the other hand, are made from 100% new materials. Meaning they are made from all brand new materials - new parts, fresh ink, new cartridge. Like remanufactured cartridges, compatible cartridges have an extensive testing process to make sure they provide the same quality prints as original cartridges.
The two of them are ideal alternatives to buying OEM ink and saves you a lot of money on printing costs. But why have two different types? The answer is: cartridge availability.
Certain printer manufacturers own patents on their ink cartridges and this affects whether third-party cartridge manufacturers can make a remanufactured or a compatible ink version. Depending on the printer you use, it might accept compatible or remanufactured cartridges.
Regardless of what ink cartridge you use for your printer, you will get high quality ink for up to 80% less when you print with Inkjets products! You can also check out our quick video about the differences between compatible and remanufactured ink cartridges.
Watch: Compatible vs Remanufactured Ink Cartridges
Does aftermarket ink or toner void my printer’s warranty?
This is a common concern, and one that is very understandable.
In other words no printer manufacturer can deny you after sales service or a refund that is covered under their warranty program just because you used remanufactured ink cartridges. Manufacturers cannot force you to buy their brand name ink, you have the right to choose and use the type of ink for your printer.
Does a remanufactured cartridge leak more than a cartridge from the original manufacturer?
Absolutely not. A leak happens with original cartridges as much as remanufactured or compatible cartridges. Leaks usually occur if the ink cartridge is shaken too much while in transit.
Will print quality be the same as with original brand cartridges?
Remanufactured ink cartridges are thoroughly tested against the original, genuine cartridge print quality. And this is done during the first stages of remanufacturing. They also must pass the lifecycle quality test that will account for both shelf life and page yield. This guarantees that the print quality stays the same throughout the cartridge's life cycle.
Read: The Lifecycle of an Inkjet Cartridge
Wrapping it up
Remanufactured ink cartridges these days truly give original brand cartridges a run for their money, in both reliability and performance. Most of the time you can't even tell the difference between the two and hundreds of customers are happy they have made the switch to remanufactured ink and toner.
Now that you have learned how the ink and toner remanufacturing process works, you can better make a decision on what works best for your needs and budget. If you have any further questions about our compatible and remanufactured ink products, get in touch with our inkjets.com team!
