Thursday, January 24, 2013

Taking Care of Your Printer and Printer Ink Cartridges



Just like any other machine, printers need care and regular servicing and maintenance. However, many people remember their printers only when they need to print something, when the paper jams or when the print quality is lower than expected. Printers can run into very problems that, if left to accumulate, can lead to the printer not responding as expected. The good news is that these problems are easy to troubleshoot and solve.

Poor quality of printouts is perhaps the most common printer problem. The printer may at times print documents with a few missing lines resulting in stripped font. The problem is caused by dried up printer ink cartridges, a result of not using the printer for some time. Printing regularly (at least twice per week) will prevent the printer nozzles from drying up. If you have no document to print, you can run a test print in draft mode to keep the nozzles alive.

Ensure your printer stays clean. Dirt causes almost 50% of printer problems. Clean your printer every now and then both on the inside and the outside. You should also make sure you place your printer in a dust free zone. If this is not possible, keep your printer covered with a cloth or a plastic bag when you are not using it.

Do not use counterfeit products in your printer. Low quality printer ink cartridges can be very messy, not to mention that they produce low quality printouts. Avoid buying cheap, unreliable cartridges and instead buy remanufactured or compatible cartridges from a reliable source. Remanufactured cartridges are as good as new since they undergo quality control procedures making them cheap but also high quality.

Do not use papers that are old, dirty or tattered, or paper that has been used previously. Such paper will ruin the quality of print and may also leave dust on the inside of the printer. Also make sure you buy the recommended paper quality and size. Low quality paper may lead to paper jams or may produce poor quality printouts. Consult your vendor for instructions on where to buy the right paper for your printer.

Store printer ink cartridges in a plastic bag if you know you will not be using the printer for some time. Include a damp sponge in the plastic bag to make sure there is enough humidity to avoid drying up the cartridge. Store the cartridges in different plastic bags to avoid mixing of colors. The plastic bags containing the cartridges should be stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

Don't wait till you use the last drop of printer ink in your cartridge before having it refilled or replaced. This is not recommended since it can lead to print burn out. Replace or refill your cartridge when the ink starts fading or when you notice missing lines in your printouts. To avoid disappointments, buy several remanufactured ink cartridges to have on hand as backup.

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