How are remanufactured ink and toner cartridges made
Millions of people around the world now use remanufactured ink and toner cartridges in order to cut down on printing costs. Since original brand inks and toners are highly expensive, both business and home users now rely upon either remanufactured or compatible printer cartridges.
Both remanufactured and compatible cartridges can help you save up to 75% on printing costs! In the long run, these savings can add up to a huge sum.
Here in this post, we will discuss how remanufactured ink and toner cartridges are made. First, let us understand the basics. Click to read more…
What exactly is a remanufactured inkjet or toner cartridge?
A remanufactured ink or toner cartridge is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) printer cartridge that has been cleaned, repaired, and refilled with ink or toner of similar quality.
Reputed sellers refurbish used OEM printer cartridges in controlled environments. At InkjetsClub, for instance, used printer cartridges are disassembled and cleaned by trained technicians in ISO-certified facilities.
What about damaged parts in a used printer cartridge?
Damaged printer cartridge components, if any, are replaced so that a remanufactured or refurbished ink or toner cartridge works as new.
Where are remanufactured cartridges sourced from?
Inkjet and laser toner cartridges meant to be remanufactured are sourced from printer users around the world.
Here at InkjetsClub, we also accept used OEM ink and toner cartridges for recycling. You can avail of a $10 discount on the next purchase each time you recycle a used printer cartridge with us.
Many sellers also collect used OEM printer cartridges through fundraising initiatives and community recycling programs.
The process of making remanufactured ink and toner cartridges.
The steps listed below outline the process of making remanufactured ink and toner cartridges at InkjetsClub. Most sellers follow more or less a similar process for making remanufactured printer cartridges.
- Used OEM cartridges collected either directly from printer users or via community recycling programs are sorted by type, brand, model, and cartridge number (a unique identifier for a cartridge meant to be used with a printer of certain make and model).
- To prevent inkjet cartridges from drying, they are stored in a controlled environment.
- Our quality control professionals check each cartridge for damages if any. Electrical testing tools are used to check the performance of each cartridge.
- If there’s any ink or toner left inside a cartridge, it’s emptied by a technician.
- De mineralized water (free of dissolved minerals) is used with a cleaning system in order to clean cartridges. Post cleaning, cartridges are dried in a temperature-controlled environment.
- Cartridges are refilled with high-quality ink or toner with the help of a refilling machine, designed specifically to follow OEM specifications. The ink or toner formula is designed to match the print quality of name brand cartridges.
- If there’s an electronic chip on a cartridge, it is either reset or replaced so that your printer recognizes a remanufactured inkjet or toner cartridge. If you’ve refilled cartridges at home, only to find out later that your printer refuses to recognize them, it could be due to an electronic chip.
- Our quality control professionals inspect each cartridge after it has been vacuum-refilled and dried. Getting the pressure inside the cartridge is extremely important.
- Cartridges that pass the quality check are carefully sealed in order to prevent leakage.
- Just like original-brand cartridges, remanufactured cartridges also go through page yield testing using ISO standards in the final stage.
- Cartridges that pass the page yield test are cleaned yet again and packed in heat-resistant packs.
If you have in the past been disappointed with Costco refills or tried refilling cartridges at home, the process outlined above should make it clear how remanufactured printer cartridges are made to perform and deliver quality comparable to expensive OEM ink and toner cartridges.
Will remanufactured cartridges affect manufacturer’s warranty?
No printer manufacturers cannot prevent you from using remanufactured cartridges or third-party consumables.
Just make sure you shop with a reliable seller. Do not buy from anonymous sellers online even if refurbished cartridges are offered at throwaway prices. Poorly refurbished cartridges can damage your printer.
Final Words
When you buy remanufactured ink and toner cartridges for HP, Brother, Epson, and Canon printers, you do not just save on printing costs.
You help the environment too.
Since remanufactured printer cartridges are made from recycled (almost entirely) and reconstituted OEM cartridges and parts, it helps prevent even bigger piles of non-degradable plastic-waste ending up in a landfill somewhere.
