Are Refilled Printer Ink Cartridges More Likely To Leak

2010-02-11

The price of new printer ink cartridges can quickly drain a computer user's budget, but unfortunately, there aren't many alternatives to buying printer ink. Printer manufacturers are a big part of the problem--they strictly control the cost of their cartridges and patent their designs, which prevents many generic alternatives. However, there are ways to avoid overpaying for printer ink. Refillable ink cartridges are the least expensive option for many consumers, but there are concerns as to how safe the refill kits are to use. Some computer users worry that refillable ink cartridges are more likely to burst and break, causing a mess and potentially ruining a printer.

There was a time when this was somewhat accurate. Early refill kits varied in quality, and many manufacturers put out cheap kits that could easily bust or break. Modern printer ink refill kits have fixed many of these early issues, though; the actual ink is of a higher quality, the cartridges are made of more resistant plastic, and the ink injectors are built to be fairly foolproof. This doesn't make ink spills impossible, though, just less likely than they might have been ten or so years ago. This means that it's still important for ink kit buyers to follow directions carefully to avoid the possibility of a spill. A poorly re-filled cartridge could potentially break, and if too much ink is injected, there's really nowhere else for that printer ink to go other than all over the printer and paper.

When buying refillable ink kits, it's helpful to look at user reviews. This can help consumers avoid kits with known issues that might result in a leak, and finding reviews online is easy through tools like Google Shopping. As different printer ink cartridges sometimes use different types of ink, it's also important to buy the correct refill kits for different units. Computer users should only buy refill kits from reputable sellers, and carefully check the expiration dates on the refillable cartridges. Also, before refilling a printer ink cartridge, it's important to read all the steps carefully, and realize that you're accepting some amount of risk in using the cartridge (though the risk of a problem is low when directions are followed).

Most printer warranties forbid ink refill kits, and the use of refillable ink voids any service options that a user might have. The chances of an ink spill are quite low, and the kits aren't exactly difficult to use. A bit of extra care is all that's required, and the savings are more than worth the risk for most printer users.