Printing costs add a lot to your expenses. Ink cartridges are expensive and need to be replaced from time to time.
Unfortunately, buying new cartridges can put a serious strain on your budget. This is where the remanufactured ink cartridge can help.
Basically, remanufactured cartridges, aka recycled cartridges, are original ink cartridges that have refilled, restocked and repaired professinally for reuse.
You can get these cartridges at very low price.
If you are wondering “what are remanufactured ink cartridges”, keep reading, as we will discuss everything about remanufactured/recycled ink cartridges.
In simple words, used ink cartridges are repaired and recycled and refilled by third party vendors like Clover Technologies.
During the remanufactured process, the name of the original company or brand is removed, and ink cartridges are sold with the new name of the third party remanufacturer.
However, all parts remain as original from the name brand.
Though the original name brand companies claim that these remanufactured ink cartridges are not up to standard and can cause damage to your printer, but still these remanufactured ink cartridges are sold in market and online for several reasons, and these reasons are worthy enough to give them a try.
We discuss the reasons and benefits below.
Related: Original Vs Remanufactured Vs Compatible Ink Cartridges
How Are Ink Cartridges Collected?
Used ink cartridges are collected from several sources.
They are collected from recycling programs, that offers the users to send their cartridges for a cause or some cash.
There are also some organizations concerned about earth environment that collect these cartridges and may send them for remanufacturing.
Refilling Ink Cartridges vs Buying Remanufactured Inks
Refilling ink cartridges have become easy, especially when refilling kits are available.
Anyone can do that with the help of these refilling kits. But in reality, this has thrown the remanufactured ink cartridges into a doubtful situation.
As there are so many companies remanufacturing the ink cartridges, the standards have not been maintained so high, and chances of buying a substandard remanufactured ink cartridges have increased.
A good third party remanufacture ink vendor would adhere to the highest standard for maintaining the quality.
Cartridges are collected and stored on a controlled temperature, so they are not dried. Each cartridge is inspected by quality control members to find some issues and is tested.
After thoroughly cleaning the ink cartridges, they are refilled with special machines that vacuum fill them.
These filled cartridges are retested to make sure they have the correct internal atmosphere and are sealed again.
Each cartridge is tested for a quality control purpose, and once a cartridge has passed the test, it is ready to be sold in market.
Issues with Refilling Yourself
Although refilling kits are cheaper, remanfuctured ink cartridges have their advantages.
Compared to refilling yourself, in remanufactured inks:
- 1The refilling process is expertly done by machines
- 2The cartridge print heads are cleaned and repaired
- 3They are tested for quality control
If you are having trouble printing with your cartridges, then refilling the inks wouldn’t simply suffice.
Printhead, nozzle and damages to the ink cartridge can may as well not just deteriorate your print quality, but may also waste your precious ink.
Remanufactured ink takes care of all these issues, and not just refilling of ink.
Why Buying Remanufactured Ink Cartridges is a Good Idea?
Other than being better than refilling ink kits, buying remanufactured ink cartridges can be useful in many ways.
What are remanufactured ink cartridges benefits?
Low Cost
These remanufactured ink cartridges cost less than buying expensive ink cartridges that cost almost as much as a printer itself.
Eco-Friendly
One of the significant advantages of these reused cartridges is that they are good for the environment.
Recycling will save these ink cartridges from ultimately filling your landfills. Remanufacturing is the only way these ink cartridges are utilized.
The environment of earth is our shared responsibility, and we should do all we can to give a safe environment to the next generations.
Disadvantages of Remanufactured Ink Cartridges
There can be some downsides of buying refilled ink cartridges.
Substandard Products
Some of the companies are unable to maintain the high standards, and their products are not good for quality printing output as well as your printer.
The use of cheap ink cartridges can damage your printer.
Products are Not Uniform
These recycled ink cartridges are not uniform in quality.
All recycling companies use their own methods of recycling, and thus, the product may vary in quality and performance.
How to Choose Remanufactured Ink Cartridges?
Here are a few points to consider while buying remanufactured ink cartridges.
Choose a Reliable Brand
Instead of buying inexpensive remanufactured ink cartridges from any source, make sure you choose a reliable brand that you can trust.
Some of the best online names that sell remanufactured ink cartridges are:
Do Your Research
You can spend a few hours on the internet to know all about different companies and how they recycled these cartridges.
Ask them how they ensure to maintain quality. Go to different forums to read reviews of customers.
The Internet has done researches like these a breeze only if you know how to dig deep for searching the truth.
Third-Party Test
While selecting ink cartridges, ask the manufacturers if the testing process was administered by themselves or a third party conducted the test.
Ask if their product is tested by STMC (Standard Test Method Committee).
Obviously, third party testing results are more reliable.
Warranty
You can choose the ink cartridges that come with some guarantee.
This way you can refund your money if the ink cartridges are not up to the mark and you don’t have to keep using the substandard products.
Keep Using the Cartridges from Reliable Sources
Once you have a good experience with remanufactured ink cartridges, keep using the same trusted brand in future.
Don’t look for even cheaper options and start experimenting with other names. Your printer can get damaged if you keep using substandard cartridges for long, plus the ink might dry out faster over time.
So stick to the brand you are already familiar with and don’t experiment a lot with new ink cartridges.
Conclusion
Here we learned about a common query: “what are remanufactured ink cartridges”.
In short, these are original ink cartridges that have restocked, repaired, and tested for reuse by third party vendors. They are much cheaper than the original.
They are ideal for saving cost, but there is one important concern to note here. A remanufactered ink from a bad quality vendor can actually damage your printer.
Basically, remanufactured inks can save 15-40% cost of manufacturing new ink cartridges.
Choosing the right product is essential for upholding your printer’s quality.
Andrew White is the founder of TechGearoid, a leading technology review & information website that is designed to help consumers make better decisions when it comes to their IT purchases. As a specialist tech writer (nerd) with over 10 years of experience, he enjoys writing about everything there is to do with modern technology & the newest market innovations. When he isn’t providing value for his readers, he’s usually drinking coffee or at the beach. Andrew lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and family.