Have you ever had a printer cartridge refilled?

For years I have just refilled my own. We don’t have any refill services here, you have to go DIY. Have a look on google for some instructions, It’s a little different for some cartridges, but for the most part it’s the same deal. here is a how-to article.

Also, when the printer says the cartridge is empty, take it out and look for a tiny pin hole button, some cartridges have it, some don’t, it’s a reset button. If it feels like there is still ink in the cartridge, press the reset button with a pin or something, and put the cartridge back in, it should take a new look at how much ink is in the cartridge, and you will be able to use the last of it before buying a new one or refilling.

EDIT: I have refilled 100’s if not 1000’s of cartridges, and never had a problem… except one time, when I destroyed my printer because it leaked ink everywhere. I think anyone who refills their own cartridges has had that one time bad experience, so keep an eye out for it.

@poisonedantidote – Thanks for the info. I noticed that the article you linked to was talking about inkjet cartridges – would you happen to know if the procedure would be different for laser cartridges?

@Seelix Just take a little look around online, I have never used laser ones, so I have no first had experience. However, I do know that there is such a thing as a lazer refill kit, and tutorials too. Here is a video that claims to show you how to do it.

@poisonedantidote – Thanks again. I’ll check it out.

Yup. I did it at the local pharmacy. $10 isn’t a bad deal.

Refilling is the cheaper option. However, it has to be done very carefully/properly otherwise the ink might leak/spill inside your printer and the prints wont come out so clear.

While buying a printer, always look at the costs of the inks first, and then the cost of the printer. Coz buying a printer is just a one time investment but buying cartridges over and over again will drain your pockets if they’re too expensive…

Some Walgreens stores offer the service. I use Cartridge World for ink jet and laser and they are wonderful. I’ve only had problems with 2 not working in the several years I’ve used them and both were replaced immediately, free of charge, no hassle.
My HP laser refill runs $19 vs. $89 for a new one, plus I’m recycling.

I once tried to fill my own printer cartridges. Years later my dreams are still haunted by the mess I made.

We have a local company that does it on a regular basis. Never tried it on my own, but theirs are about half the price of new and completely reliable.

Thanks, everyone. I’m going to look around for a place that’ll refill it for me.

I know that this first one ran out faster than they will in the future, because I was trying to teach myself how to print double-sided and had a few growing pains figuring out how this thing works. Even buying a new cartridge at $75 is cheaper in the long run than having the books I need shipped from Italy!