High Quality Printing Supplies from Amkette

FAQs : E-Cartridges

1. What are OEM Cartridges?
2. What are Compatible Cartridges?
3. Will using Compatible cartridges void the warranty of my printer?
4. How do I install a new cartridge?
5. Will my print quality remain consistent, and will I get the same number of pages printed with Amkette E-cartridges?
6. What are some signs that my cartridge is running out of ink?
Myths and Realities

FAQs : E-Fills

1. What is the meaning of "Refilling a cartridge"?
2. Will my warranty be voided if I refill my cartridges?
3. What about ink quality of E-fills?
4. How many times can a cartridge be refilled before it is discarded?
5. Refilling my cartridge will be really messy, won't it?
6. What is the best time to refill a cartridge?
7. Is it OK to keep printing when my cartridge is showing signs of running out of ink?
8. What is the proper way of handling the cartridge?
9. What should be done if the nozzles of a cartridge get clogged with dried ink?
10. Is there any chance of leakage in refilled cartridges? If yes, then how does one cope with it?
11. What makes good ink?
12. What should I do when printer driver prompts "low ink" even after refilling?

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1. What are OEM Cartridges?

OEM is an abbreviation for Original Equipment Manufacturer. These manufacturers produce the replacement ink or toner for copiers or printers and put their label on the product, such as Canon, IBM, Sharp, Lexmark, Brother, Epson, etc. All brand names and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

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2. What are Compatible Cartridges?

Generic cartridges are specially manufactured to meet or exceed OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) specifications. The high standards of quality and reliability of compatible cartridges offer high-quality printing results. Manufactured 100% brand new, containing only new components, they are an economical alternative to expensive original cartridges and supplies, and allow for big savings over original cartridges and supplies.

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3. Will using Compatible cartridges void the warranty of my printer?

No, the use of Compatible replacement cartridges does not void your Printer's Warranty. Even in a country like US where patent laws are the most stringent, the following US Congress Legislation protects the use of compatible cartridges:

MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY IMPROVEMENT ACT

HP addressed this issue specifically in the Hewlett-Packard Ink Cartridge Refill Statement (04/20/95), which says, “The use of refilled print cartridges alone does not affect either the warranty or any maintenance contract purchased from HP for its inkjet printers.”

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4. How do I install a new cartridge?

Printer vendor's guidelines should be adhered to while installing a new cartridge. Amkette E-cartridges are made to follow the same specifications, so they get installed exactly the same way.

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5. Will my print quality remain consistent, and will I get the same number of pages printed with Amkette E-cartridges?

Our company uses only the highest quality inks available, which are manufactured specifically for inkjet cartridges. We guarantee that you'll be happy with the print quality or we'll fix it — whatever it takes.

All cartridges have a specific amount of ink to begin their lifespan and that determines their printing capacity. Each cartridge is weighed for the correct amount of ink during processing and re-checked during quality control. You'll have the same amount or more ink in the cartridge every time you purchase Amkette E-cartridge.

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6. What are some signs that my cartridge is running out of ink?

The two most common signs are (1) white streaks where there should be black ink and (2) lighter-than-normal print. Sometimes these also can be signs of clogged nozzles, bad circuitry or worn internal components.

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Myths and Realities

There are a lot of myths about compatible cartridges. The following should clarify most of the misconceptions :

Myth 1: Using a compatible cartridge will void my warranty or damage my printer.

Reality 1: It is very unlikely that a problem with your printer equipment would stem from the cartridge. Should that occur Amkette offers to repair any problems caused directly by their cartridge free of charge.

Use of Compatible replacement cartridges does not void the Printer's Warranty. Even in a country like US where patent laws are the most stringent, the following US Congress Legislation protects the use of compatible cartridges:

MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY IMPROVEMENT ACT

Myth 2: A cartridge that is not made by the printer manufacturer will provide low quality printed images.

Reality 2: As with any product, various quality levels can and do exist. But that does not mean only the printer manufacturer's cartridges can provide the quality you require. Amkette E-cartridges conform to high quality standards and provide quality that matches or exceeds consumers' expectations.

Myth 3: The savings of using compatible cartridges do not justify switching over from OEM supplies.

Reality 3: The cost saving is enough to make consumers sit up and take notice. A saving of 50% can be realized on most cartridges. However, it may vary depending on the brand and model of printer in question.

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FAQs : E-Fills

1. What is the meaning of "Refilling a cartridge"?

Cartridges that have a "throw away" print head may be reused or recycled many times before the disposable print head needs to be replaced (with a new cartridge). By refilling a used cartridge with ink, one can use it again, many times over. Recycling of cartridges results in lowered ink costs & prolonged cartridge performance without compromising on print quality. More importantly, recycling is an environment friendly practice.

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2. Will my warranty be voided if I refill my cartridges?

No, refilling consists of refilling your inkjet cartridges and no tampering with the actual printer. Therefore refilling your cartridges will not void your printer warranty.

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3. What about ink quality of E-fills?

Ink quality is the most important part of refilling. The print head on your cartridge may get clogged or destroyed by the inks that cannot match the OEM's specifications. MHV inks for Amkette E-fills are formulated and tested under strict laboratory conditions to ensure the highest output quality at all times as compared with OEM products. E-fill inks also preserve cartridge life.

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4. How many times can a cartridge be refilled before it is discarded?

A cartridge can be refilled until the disposable print head wears out or gets damaged while handling. If handled properly, a cartridge may be refilled 5 times on an average without any deterioration in print quality.

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5. Refilling my cartridge will be really messy, won't it?

No, refilling your cartridge does not have to be a messy process. Latex-free gloves alongwith cleaning tissues are included in your ink refill kit and it is strongly suggested to refill your cartridge over newspaper or a sink. The main thing to remember in order to have a mess-free, successful refill is to inject the ink into the cartridge slowly since you are displacing air with ink. You should allow the air to escape the cartridge instead of forming air bubbles/air pockets inside the cartridge. Air bubbles and air pockets can cause uneven printing, streaks to appear in prints or not allow the ink to flow at all. As long as you exercise patience and read through your instructions completely as to not miss any steps, your ink refilling experience should not be a messy one.

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6. What is the best time to refill a cartridge?

It is best to refill a cartridge while it is still "wet". In other words the cartridge should either be refilled while some ink remains in it or immediately after it runs out of ink.

The print head of the cartridge consists of nozzles of very small diameter that are backed by a thermal resistor. The thermal resistor is meant to boil and cool the ink as it flows through the nozzle. If the cartridge is continued to be used until completely dry, thermal resistors may get overheated and destroyed in the process. Therefore, it is advisable to refill cartridge before it is fully empty.

Do not put the cartridge aside to refill it later. If the cartridge is kept aside for some time, ink can dry inside the nozzle, preventing the proper operation of both the nozzle and the thermal resistor.

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7. Is it OK to keep printing when my cartridge is showing signs of running out of ink?

Like the gas tank in your car, don't let the tank run empty. Ink helps keep the resistors from overheating. Printing with an empty cartridge can cause irreparable heat damage to the resistors. With tri-color cartridges, this applies even if only one of the colors runs out. You risk damaging the cartridge if you continue to use it with one tank empty.

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8. What is the proper way of handling the cartridge?

A cartridge should always be handled with care. Never touch the electronic print head with any abrasive material. Use care when setting your cartridges down and do not place the print head in contact with any surface besides the printer.

Do not leave the cartridge outside the printer in an unprotected state. The ink may dry up inside the nozzle, clogging the print head. Once this occurs, the cartridge will not print properly after refilling, unless it is cleaned. If the cartridge must be stored, store it in an airtight zip-lock plastic bag. Never try to clean the cartridge with any solvent.

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9. What should be done if the nozzles of a cartridge get clogged with dried ink?

Place the clogged cartridge in about 1/4 - 1/2 inch of warm water for a few minutes. Immerse only the print head and not the air vent in the water. When ink starts to slowly leak out, take the cartridge out of the water and dry it using a soft tissue or cotton swab . Ensure the print head is dry before re-installing the cartridge. Then place it back in your printer and run the print head cleaning utility that comes with your printer software. You may have to run this 2-4 times before printing quality is re-established. If your print head is destroyed, as can happen, you will have to buy a new cartridge.

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10. Is there any chance of leakage in refilled cartridges? If yes, then how does one cope with it?

Leakage in a refilled cartridge can be due to poor ink quality, improper refilling or a damaged cartridge. Amkette e-fill has high standard ink, so poor ink quality can safely be ruled out. If your cartridge still leaks then check whether the top-filling plug (old design) on cartridge is firmly closed (in case of HP-51626A, HP-51629A, HP-51645A). The other most common reason for leakage is the air bag of the cartridge is torn or the cartridge itself is damaged. We suggest you check the air-bag inflation prior to filling the ink.

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11. What makes good ink?

Print quality: The bottomline for any inkjet ink is the print quality. A well-formulated ink will ensure high levels of colour, image resolution and print output.

Cartridge Life: Each ink cartridge has an anticipated life of 5 refills on an average. Many cartridges can exceed 20 refills while some will fail after a single use. One of the most important factor responsible for cartridge life is its internal structure. The other being quality of ink. If the ink is not properly formulated, it may reduce the effective life of the cartridge. For example, if the ink is too acidic then corrosion sets in rapidly and causes premature cartridge failure, even though initial print quality may have been excellent.

MHV Inks for Amkette e-fills: MHV inks are formulated to ensure that print quality exceeds OEM standards on a sustained basis and the life of the cartridge is also preserved. Precisely controlled pH, particle size and viscosity of MHV inks offer unparalleled print output and at the same time keeps the print head lubricated. No wonder, they are the preferred choice of millions of inkjet printer users, nationwide.

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12. What should I do when printer driver prompts "low ink" even after refilling?

Certain HP printers have a memory effect when the same cartridge is placed into the printer. Unless a different cartridge is loaded, the ink level registered will always remain in the driver no matter how many times you unload and reload the cartridge into the printer. This does not affect the quality or the functionality of the cartridge and the printer. The cartridge will still print normally even though the driver prompts the ink level is low.

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