There are three types of ink cartridges. Original Equipment Manufacturer cartridges have the manufacturer’s brand name on them, and this is normally the same as the printer it is being used for, such as Canon, Hewlett Packard or Epsom.

Compatible ink cartridges are those cartridges that are manufactured by a different company to the maker of the printer. These are cheaper than cartridges made by the printer makers, and there are many compatible cartridge manufacturers in the UK. The quality of ink found in compatible cartridges can vary, sometimes you may find there is more in them than in the original equipment manufacturer cartridges, and sometimes they are of a better quality. The opposite can also be true, so it’s important to buy from a reputable source, but most generally perform as well as the leading brands.

Remanufactured printer cartridges are those which have been recycled. This is done by industry professionals and involves taking the cartridge apart, cleaning it thoroughly, checking it over and replacing any parts which have worn out. It is then filled and sold again.

Problems are rare with remanufactured ink cartridges, but they can occur. Making ink is an exact science, and every printer runs at its best with one particular type of ink. It is possible to spoil a printer if the wrong kind of ink is used, so care must be taken.

For example, the ph balance of ink is important, and if it’s wrong this can cause the ink to float on the paper, or even bleed through the paper’s fibres and ruin the job. Some chemicals in ink can, if used in totally the wrong proportions, can ruin the printer head nozzle, which means a whole new printer will need to be purchased.

One of the main advantages of having cartridges refilled, besides the financial saving, is that it is beneficial to the environment. Numerous ink cartridges lie on landfill sites after they have been thrown out, damaging the environment and taking thousands of years to degrade.

Before buying a remanufactured printer cartridge, take a look at your printer’s manufacturer’s warranty, as it may not be covered with usage any cartridge other than one made by the printer manufacturer itself. This is to deter people from buying cartridges other than directly from the manufacturer, because cartridge sales are largely how printer manufacturers make their money. Manufacturers may also print warnings that any cartridge not manufactured by the will damage the printer.

Dominic Donaldson is an expert on ink cartiridges.
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