Sometimes your new cartridges may stop working quicker than you expected and one of the reasons for such an unpleasant situation may be improper usage. Today, we want to share some ink cartridge care tips that will help you get the most of your ink cartridge and make it work as long as possible.

Before you start working

As they say, well begun is half done. That’s why before installing your new inks, check the cartridge for any leaks or other possible damage. Then dust it with a clean, dry wipe. Please be attentive and careful as it is very important not to touch the chip with your fingers. 

Installation

Ready to keep going and make everything work?

When it comes to installation, just carefully follow the instructions you have in the box but don’t forget to clean the printing head. You can easily do it through the automatic cleaning option on your printer or computer.

Here’s how you can use Self-Cleaning on Windows or Mac. 

For Windows:
Open Start > Type “Control Panel” and click on it > Click Devices and Printers > Open the printer`s menu > Click Properties > Click the Hardware or Maintenance tab > Click the Cleaning option. 

For Mac:
Open the Apple menu > Click System Preferences > Click Printers & Scanners > Select a Printer > Click Options & Supplies > Click Utility > Click Open Printer Utility > Select the Cleaning option.

Also, this feature is accessible through the Settings/Setup -> Tools/Printer Maintenance – Clean the Printhead on your printer menu.
(For best results, perform the cleaning process 2-3 times)

This is just a brief guide on how to clean the print head. In case you have some printing quality issues, you may try manual printhead cleaning. To learn more details, please refer to our full printhead cleaning instructions.

How to store ink cartridges when not in use 

The next thing you need to know is how to store printer ink cartridges when they are not in use. For example, if you have just bought an additional set of cartridges. 

The most important rule is to keep them in plastic cases with the orange protective cap or yellow tape – that will keep them safe. And don’t forget to turn off the automatic firmware updates on your printer to keep the extra cartridges up-to-date at all times.

How you can prolong the exploitation term

At Smart Ink, we care about your printing experience, and we want it to be as pleasant and economical as possible. That’s why we’ve come up with several more tips that will help you prolong cartridge longevity.

1. Print regularly – it will prevent your ink from drying out and keep the print head working well.
2. If the document is not so important for you, use the draft printing mode.
3. Don`t keep the empty cartridge in the printer – it can cause the clogging of the print head.
4. Always turn off the printer if you don’t use it.
5. Don`t forget to clean ink cartridges regularly. 

We hope that these tips will help you keep your cartridges and nerves safe. If something still bothers you, don`t hesitate to contact our experienced Customer Care Team that will be happy to assist you with anything you need 24/7.