Taking care of your ink cartridge is important. When an ink cartridge is properly cared for it will allow for extended use, thus saving you money in the long run. Once you are in the habit of caring for your ink cartridges, it is a can almost become second nature.

The first thing you must know is how to store the ink cartridges that you are not using to keep them in prime condition. They should remain in their original packaging and be kept in a cool, dry place. Heat and moisture can negatively affect the printer ink. They must also be stored in the upright position, so the cartridges do not leak. When you are ready to load the ink cartridge into your printer, you may remove the packaging. It is imperative that when you remove it from the packaging and are handling the cartridge to only touch the plastic part of the cartridge located on the sides. Never touch the top of the cartridge, as the top contains the chip that allows the cartridge and the printer to work together. Also, be sure not to shake it as ink may leak. Your printer will have details on how to properly install the cartridge.

Once the cartridge is properly placed in the printer, it can then begin to do its job. Never remove the cartridge until printer ink is gone and no longer being dispensed. Once the cartridge is fully empty, remove the ink cartridge. From here, you may choose to refill the ink in the cartridge. There are many kits for sale in stores and online that allow you to do this. It can be a cost-effective way to restore your ink supply. If you do this, do it in a timely manner. Without ink in the cartridge, leftover ink may dry out, rendering the cartridge non-refillable. Do not shake the cartridge, as ink may go flying, creating a huge mess that is difficult to clean.

If you choose not to refill your cartridge, be sure to properly dispose of it. There are stores, where ink cartridges can be purchased, that also accept them once they are empty. Never place empty ink cartridges with other household trash, as they contain toxic materials that shouldn’t be put in a landfill. You may place the empty cartridge in a sealed zip-lock bag and deposit it any the appropriate location. You can also research places online that will take your empty cartridges and pay you for them.

Properly caring for your printer ink cartridge can save you money and hassle. As long as you take the proper steps, cartridge may last you a very long time.

Curses! The printer ink is empty. That insipid empty ink cartridge is causing the power lights on your printer to blink. You look into your desk drawer trying to remember if you bought a replacement cartridge with your last paycheck. Printer ink can be so expensive! It’s time to make a change. No, not by reverting to writing in pen or pencil, but by looking at empty ink cartridges in a new way — a way that can help you make the earth a better place and even make you some extra money: Recycling.

PTO Moms have known for many years that by collecting used ink cartridges they can raise funds for schools, as well as keep the cartridges out of our landfills. These days there are many companies that buy back ink cartridges — in fact it’s a $350 billion industry. Emptytoner.com’s representatives say $80 to $100 checks are common for schools, clubs and fundraising organizations. This is because empty printer ink cartridges are valuable to recycling companies and can stretch your budget as well. Most companies pay on a scale commensurate with the re-sale value of the cartridges. Laser cartridges, for example, are typically worth more than ink jet. The more expensive, empty laser cartridges can fetch you nearly $5.50 a piece, while lower-end ink jet cartridges start as low as 50 cents. The price you get can also depend on brand. For example, Inkjet cartridges made by HP and Lexmark are more valuable as they are refilled and sold again at a lower price and they help the environment. Where as some just pay a flat fee. AAA Environmental pays a flat $1 for every cartridge selected for remanufacturing. Companies like PrintCountry.com even sends you recycling bags to return to them filled with empty ink cartridges.

Environmental advocates offer two great reasons for recycling ink cartridges. First, if not disposed of properly, printer ink cartridges can be devastating to the environment. They are made up of non-biodegradable materials that contain elements that pollute the earth. When they find their way to a landfill, they remain there for extremely long periods of time. The chemicals incorporated into their makeup are hazardous and can seep through the soil, ultimate getting mixed in with the ground water. Ground water can find its way to the ocean, or to our drinking water. The second legitimate reason to recycle cartridges is that the cartridge material is made from non-renewable sources that are better off being conserved. They are made from metal and plastic. We have no way of knowing how soon these finite sources will be exhausted.

So the next time your printer ink runs out, don’t worry. Be happy. Make some money and recycle!

Just as turning off the lights in your home helps save electricity, finding effective ways to recycle can help save the environment and your pocketbook. Ink cartridges are no exception to this rule. Recycled ink cartridges are very easy to refill, and you can usually  save on average 33% (but as much as 70%) from the retail value, but how do ink cartridges affect the environment? What can I do as an individual to help?

Discount remanufactured ink cartridges are an incredible way to both help the environment and save money. Large amounts of pollution are created each year due to the millions of pounds of ink cartridges that are just thrown away. Recycling ink cartridges allows the materials that were used in the manufacture of the ink cartridge to be used again and again, which will save oil used to create the plastic casing. Plus, the fact that these are remanufactured and recycled, you save money as opposed to paying for an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Empty printer ink cartridges are made of non-biodegradable plastics and metals. These substances, if put in a landfill, will take over 450 years to break down! In addition, the chemicals used make up printer ink as well as the chemicals that make these inks resistant to fading, are also quite detrimental to the environment. Capable of seeping into the soil and finding their way into the ground water, these chemicals can eventually get mixed into other bodies of water.

Remanufactured laser toner cartridges also save energy. OEM ink cartridges take 3.5 quarts of oil each to manufacture. With one billion ink cartridges being thrown away each year, the result is 875 million gallons of crude oil disappearing straight into the landfill! If we learn to recycle our ink cartridges as well as other plastic products, our dependence on foreign oil could be cut drastically.

Being conscientious with the printer ink cartridges that you use is a great environmentally responsible, as well as financially responsible, choice. Recycle empty cartridges and buy remanufactured ink as much as possible, Mother Earth, and your checkbook, will thank you.

Are you ready to make the switch to remanufactured ink cartridges? Printerink.com has already done your homework for you. Printerink.com has information on the top six online ink cartridge companies right at your fingertips and can provide you will all of the necessary information and reviews to make your remanufactured ink cartridge purchase as quick and easy as possible.

Working in an office can be a real test for the environmentally-conscious. With the constant flow of memos, presentations and other printed materials the average office uses about 1.5 pounds of paper every day, that’s approximately 50 sheets for every office worker. This number is on the rise, with the average paper use in offices rising 20% every year. Often overlooked, but just as big of an issue is the amount of ink used during the printing process. Fortunately there are several ways to save paper, save ink and save the environment.

* Check Your Work – One of the biggest wastes of paper and printer inks is printing documents that have errors. It is completely understandable to not want to provide your fellow employees and superiors with incorrect information but having to throw away 200 memos is a huge waste of paper, ink and company money. Check your work thoroughly before you print to save a lot of heartache and resources.

* Print Only What You Need – Before printing check the document and determine how much of the information is necessary to get your point across. Not only is this a great way to save ink and paper, it will also make your documents and presentations more enjoyable for the people they are intended for.

* Use Draft Settings – Not exactly a way to save paper, but if you have a lot of printing to do using the draft settings for your printer will help save a lot of ink. The draft settings on your printer allows you to print much lighter, yet still readable documents which can be used for less important documents. The draft settings are not advisable for highly important papers, such as resumes, however, and should be used wisely.

* Use Recycled Paper – Recycled paper has become big business in recent years. The manufacturing process has become very streamlined for recycled paper, which has helped make it extremely affordable. If your office is not using recycled materials already talk to the person in charge of ordering and explain the advantages of using recycled paper.

* Use Email & PowerPoint – One of the best ways to save paper and ink in your office is to use computers whenever possible. E-mails, instant messengers and PowerPoint presentations have made it easier than ever to transfer documents and provide information without wasting valuable resources. This is also a great solution outside the office for sending party invitations, thank you notes and other important information to friends and family.

People who frequently use their printers to produce documents and pictures for school assignments, career obligations, or entertainment purposes often end up with numerous empty inkjet cartridges. Some people assume that these old ink cartridges serve no purpose once they are drained, and as a result, the cartridges are thrown into the garbage. However, printer ink cartridges are not completely useless once their colors have run dry: by recycling or refilling used ink cartridges, printing enthusiasts can help the environment and save a substantial amount of money. Here are some guidelines for preserving old cartridges through the methods of recycling and refilling:

The practice of recycling inkjet cartridges not only prevents the unnecessary and potentially harmful accumulation of waste material in landfills, but also reduces the cost of manufacturing brand new cartridges for retail distribution. Because printer ink cartridges are made from plastic-based materials that are very resistant to the biodegrading process, the recycling and reselling of old cartridges is a prudent environmental and economic enterprise. Depending on the brand, an ink cartridge can generally be recycled and sold at a reduced price as many as half a dozen times without any changes in quality or performance.

When planning to recycle ink cartridges, first check the printer manual or instructions to see if the manufacturer has included information on how to package and ship the empty cartridges to a recycling center. Some online organizations, such as www.emptiesforcash.com and www.freerecycling.com, collect old inkjet cartridges in exchange for a few dollars in cash or the option to donate the money to a charity group. Some recycling organizations will arrange to pick up used printer ink cartridges, while others offer free packaging materials and postage to the sender. Recycling campaigns are becoming a popular choice for school or non-profit fundraisers, though it is important to inquire in advance about which brands of ink cartridge are accepted and which are not.

Another option for saving old cartridges is to manually refill them with ink from a kit. Most office supply stores sell inkjet kits, which typically consist of squeezable ink bottles and blunt-needled syringes. Consumers can refill and reuse their empty printer ink cartridges by removing the manufacturer label, locating the hole for inserting new ink, and using the syringe to squeeze the contents of the new bottle into the cartridge. It is essential to reseal the ink hole with the cartridge label once the refilling process is completed.

Currently, only a small percentage of inkjet cartridges are recycled or refilled, leaving the majority as waste build-up in landfills. A collective effort to reuse old printer ink cartridges is necessary for increasing fiscal and environmental benefits.

When trying to prevent printing problems, there are a few simple actions that can help minimize frustration and the amount of time spent clearing print jams and changing print cartridges.

Static Electricity and Heat

In the printing process, static electricity and heat build up as the printer runs. It’s one of the issues that, so far, still plague most printers. The longer the print run, the hotter it gets. The hotter the printer gets, the more likely the static electricity build-up will cause paper to stick together. There are several things that can help alleviate this problem:

1. Use the paper manufactured for the type of printer you are using. Multipurpose paper and copier paper is usually less expensive than premium paper, but they aren’t designed to perform as well in an inkjet or laser printer.

2. Keep your paper enclosed in a box or wrapped in paper. It also helps to keep the paper out of light to prevent ultraviolet damage to the paper. The drier paper is, the more likely it will increase the static electricity build-up, which, in turn, causes paper jams. Also remember to fan the paper before loading it into the printer. If paper has been sitting around in a paper tray or sheet feeder for a while, remove it and fan it again before starting the printing process.

Ink Cartridges

Understanding how the printer ink cartridges function can also help prevent printing problems. Most inkjet printers use various methods of spraying ink onto the paper. Laser and copier papers don’t absorb the ink sufficiently enough to prevent smearing.

Another thing to remember is if any ink cartridge goes for a long period without being used, the jets dry out and clog. Read the User’s Guide for your printer and follow the maintenance recommended by the manufacturer. For inkjet printers that are used occasionally, it’s a good idea to run a test print at least once a week to keep the jets moist.

Although it’s tempting to refill printer ink cartridges to save money on printing costs, not all printers can have the ink cartridges refilled. Be sure to check with a reputable refill supplier before sending or bringing in ink cartridges for refill. Some printers use a wax-based ink and some use a dye ink. These types of ink cartridges cannot be refilled at a refill station. If the ink cartridges are refillable, remember not to refill ink cartridges too many times. The membranes and jets aren’t designed to last through multiple refills.

Like any other type of equipment, printers can be virtually hassle-free when used according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Performing recommended maintenance and using well-cared for paper that has been fanned several times before being loaded can prevent some of the most common printing problems.

Printer problems are one of the banes of modern times. Although there are too many printer models out there to cover the specifics of each type, there are some common problems that can be easily fixed to ease your frustration with your printer.

The Very Basic

• Connections. Always check both your electrical power connection and your connection from the printer to the computer. USB connections are the most common way to connect a computer and printer, but the USB cords do have a tendency to “loosen up” occasionally with the vibration of the printer.
• Printer Selection. Always check to make sure that you selected the correct printer. All too often computer operating systems seem to have minds of their own. Although you may have a default printer selected in your operating system, the computer will not always connect to that default printer when you try to print.
• Printer Drivers. Verify that you have the correct driver for your printer installed on your system. With the continuous updates to operating systems being installed on your computer, the original driver you installed with the printer may also need to be updated. Go to your printer manufacturer’s website to get the latest driver for the model you have.
• Test Print. The first step in solving many printer problems is to use the Test Print function. If you can print the test page, this eliminates the printer itself as the source of the problem.

Printer Ink Issues

• Replacing Printer Ink Cartridges. Before we go any further, you need one piece of advice: Do not replace your printer ink cartridge when the ink monitor tells you to. The ink monitors installed on most printers indicate the need for replacement long before you actually have to replace the cartridge(s). So do yourself a favor and save some money by only replacing the printer ink cartridge when the printer refuses to print.
• Clean the Jets/Nozzles. This is the simplest fix to many printing problems. Whether you’re getting blue when you wanted green or you’re getting gaps in your printout, cleaning the jets is usually the solution. Open your printer’s Printing Preferences dialogue box. On most systems, you can right click on the printer icon in the lower right-hand corner to open the dialogue box. Find the Maintenance section and click the Jet/Nozzle check. Follow the instructions to have the printer clean the jets.
• Clean the Print Head. If your printer has a separate print head, sometimes cleaning the nozzles is not enough; you also have to clean the print head. Follow the instructions in the Maintenance section. If you’ve cleaned both the jets/nozzles and the print head and continue to have a problem, you need to replace your printer ink cartridge(s).

A green printing facility is one that employs environmentally-sound procedures to reduce the negative impact on our world and ecosystem. Create an eco-friendly workplace by focusing on energy conservation, waste control, and recycling. Start by exploring the following points:

Use Safe Printing Products and Practices

The printing business has long been an environment in which chemicals are used to wash the presses and clean the printing plates. Today, through advancements in computer technology and environmentally safe products, a printing shop can be a greener facility and still function effectively.

In the past, a large part of the pre-press process relied on chemical solutions to get the job done. Today, these practices may no longer be necessary. If a company must use chemical agents for printing procedures, there are safer methods available to maintain equipment and carry out the printing process.

It’s also wise to dispose of chemicals the right way. There are green waste facilities that use non-hazardous methods to recycle and dispose of chemicals safely.

Reduce Energy Consumption

In the current printing and manufacturing fields, many businesses are embracing new and different ways of conserving energy. The first step is to investigate the local renewable sources of energy in your area. Next, use vegetable oil-based inks and look into bio-diesel for operating small to mid-sized machinery.

Recycle and Reuse Printer Ink Cartridges

An eco-friendly printer is one who recycles his laser and ink cartridges. A large number of businesses rely on re-manufactured items that work just as well as new ones. This helps reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the country’s landfills and garbage disposal facilities.

Using refurbished components is one of the best ways a printer can create a greener workplace. The printer ink residue can be toxic to the environment and the plastic casing is not biodegradable. However, there are companies that sell re-manufactured cartridges to suit an assortment of printing techniques. Seek out a recycling company that sells a wide variety of toner and ink products. Additionally, many companies offer sorting and collection services at no cost to their clients.

Conserve Paper and Reduce Waste

Lately, printing companies are taking paper recycling practices to the next level. Along with recycling paper, printers are also making use of their paper trimmings, delivery boxes, and excess paper materials.

Additional tips for recycling paper and following green politics:

• Purchase recycled paper in bulk
• Support deforestation organizations
• Set up recycle bins in convenient areas
• Educate employees about best practices for recycling
• Create gift items out of scrap paper; then donate them to local organizations
• Recycle batteries, CDs, unwanted computer equipment and DVDs
• Minimize transportation/deliveries
• Encourage local customers to pick up their orders

There are a few problems you may encounter when using your printer that have to do with your printer ink. These problems range from barely printing to printing lines or streaks. This is mainly because of your printer ink cartridge. Below are some of the most common printer ink issues.

Printer Prints Blank

Did you just print something out and the paper was blank? You heard the printer running across the paper doing its job, but when the paper appeared, there was nothing on it. That has likely happened to many of us a couple of times. So, what’s the problem? There could be two distinct issues. First, your printer could be totally out of ink. Second, your ink cartridge could be dry. The nozzles could be dry. If it has been a while since you have used your ink cartridge, chances are, they are dried up. These things seem to dry up really quickly. So, how do you fix it? You have to buy a new printer ink cartridge.

Printer Prints Streaks

Did you just print a job that was returned with streaks? This is common and happens when your printer head needs realigning. To realign your printer head, you will need to go to your start menu and open your control panel. Next, you will need to double click the Printer and Faxes icon. Then right click on your printer and choose properties. In the properties box, click Maintenance > Alignment. That will align your printer head. Close everything out when it is finished. Your printer should print without the streaks now.

Printer Won’t Print after Replacing Ink Cartridge

Did you just replace your ink cartridge and your printer still will not print? There are a couple of reasons as to why you may be experiencing this problem. Reason number one is you may not have the cartridge in the correct slot. Some printers have two slots for the cartridges. One slot is for a black cartridge and the other is for color. If your printer isn’t printing, switch slots. Another reason includes having to install your cartridge. Some printers require that you install new cartridges. Go to your control panel and double click on Printer and Faxes. Then right click on your printer and select the Properties option. Look for the cartridge section and follow the steps to install the cartridge.

Printer is Printing Really Lightly

If your printer is printing really lightly; it is time to replace your ink cartridge. You can buy a new cartridge or use a refill kit if your printer allows it.

Printer ink cartridges do not come cheap. Whether it’s Canon printer ink that you’re using or not, you want to be practical by maintaining your printer ink jets and stretching the life of your printer ink. Here are some tips on how to conserve those precious ink cartridges:

1. If you do a lot of color printing, you might want to invest in a printer that holds separate ink cartridges. Unlike the traditional printer ink cartridges where all colors are contained in a single cartridge, newer models are able to include separate cartridges for cyan, yellow, and magenta that combine with black to create the various colors required for printing.

Bottom line is, when one color runs out, you simply have to replace only that particular color. These printers are relatively more expensive, but with their more efficient use of ink, you’ll save money in the long run.

2. Choose appropriate settings for quality. Use low quality settings for less important files. Simply find your default printer and click on the print preference option on the properties tab. Then select “print quality” on the “paper/quality” tab and click on Fast Draft/Econofast. The lower the setting, the lesser the ink used.

3. Don’t rush when printing. Always proofread your work before printing to avoid reprinting for corrections. If you need multiple copies, print one copy then reproduce it in a photocopying machine. When printing for personal use, especially for short notes and reminders, why not simply write them by hand?

And perhaps instead of printing (if they’re not entirely necessary), simply keep emails and documents filed in your hard drive or USB.

4. Colored prints are lovely to look at, but if you don’t need them don’t use them. Most documents will only require black ink. Review your documents to be printed and ask yourself, “Do I really need to include this photo?” or “Does the image have to be this large?” You might want to consider resizing your font as well. Editing your work will save you a lot of printing.

Make use of the “Print/Page Preview” function. By clicking this, you may view your files for your printing task. You can then confirm that what you’ll be printing will only be those pages that are actually needed. It pays to double-check.

5. Use high quality paper when printing. Using better paper (with regard to thickness and composition) will allow you to print at a lower quality setting, and you’ll barely notice the difference on the end product.