Tips for Refilling a Hewlett Packard Ink Cartridge

Ink is one of the most expensive liquids on the planet. Customers frequently state that they are purchasing a new printer because it is less expensive to do that than it is to purchase new ink cartridges for their current printer. You do not have to be among this number if you own an Hewlett Packard printer because these ink cartridges can be refilled at home for a fraction of the cost of new cartridges.

Supplies:

To refill a Hewlett Packard Ink Cartridge you will need to invest in an inkjet refill kit before the ink cartridge is empty. When Hewlett Packard ink cartridges are empty the nozzles dry out quickly and can effectively destroy your chances for a successful refill, so prepare in advance by having a refill kit designed for your particular ink cartridge on hand for when your cartridge is extremely low or runs out. Two good brands of inkjet refill kits are Nukote and Stratitec. Verify the cartridge number of the inkjet cartridge that you are refilling, then purchase a refill kit that has that particular cartridge number listed in the compatibility list on the box. This refill kit will contain everything you need to successfully refill your Hewlett Packard ink cartridge.

Hands and Work Surface:

Choose a work surface that is easy to clean to refill your Hewlett Packard ink cartridge. A kitchen sink or a stain-resistant counter covered with an additional protective layer is ideal. Wear rubber gloves when handling your ink cartridge during the whole refill process to protect your hands from staining. Keep paper towels on hand to wipe up any spills.

Instructions:

Hewlett Packard printers use a variety of ink cartridge part numbers. In your refill kit there will be a booklet with instructions for your particular ink cartridge. Follow those instructions exactly--they are specifically written to give you the best advice for your particular ink cartridge. In this booklet will also be instructions for resetting the ink levels your Hewlett Packard printer detects, eliminating the annoying messages informing you that your printer is low on ink.

Tips:
The ideal time to refill a Hewlett Packard ink cartridge is before it is empty and before you are planning to use it. Trying to refill an ink cartridge on a deadline is a recipe for frustration, because some cartridges need to sit for a while to best utilize the new supply of ink, especially if the cartridge is empty when refilled.

Do not install a leaking cartridge. This can damage the printer. Follow the instructions for your particular cartridge to halt the leakage.

Do not touch the copper contact areas while handling your ink cartridge. This can damage the print nozzles and destroy your cartridge.

References:

"Stratitec InkJet Refill Kit Quickstart Guide;" Stratitec, Inc., 2003.
Personal experience