Installing ink cartridges
Installing ink cartridges is a relatively easy process. Always make sure you purchase the proper brand and model of ink cartridge before you tackle the job. There may be generic brands that are said to be compatible and should have as good of a print quality as the OEM versions. Manufacturers claim that using compatible ink can cause warranty issues, but this is indeed false.
Always look in your user’s manual before you begin. Some models even offer a tutorial with video instructions on a small screen on the printer itself. If you do not have a manual at hand or a tutorial, you can go online and enter “how to change ink cartridges” along with your printer name and model number. There is a flood of information on the web for every printer on the market. howstuffworks.com can help if you follow all the steps, which usually involve lifting the front of the printer, removing the old cartridge, and inserting the new one in place. The new cartridge will need to be removed from its packaging and may have a guard covering the opening that needs to be removed as well.
After you have installed your ink cartridges, most printers have a test page print out and you may want to run the printer cleaning program available for your model. Used ink cartridges should not be thrown in the garbage as they are harmful to the environment. There are disposal bins in office supply stores, some department stores, and even at large supermarkets.
One other option for installing ink cartridges is to purchase an ink refill kit and refill your existing cartridges rather than purchase new ones. Causing less waste for the environment and less expensive, take care to do it properly.