What Does Re-Manufactured Ink Mean?

Remanufactured ink is a not a very popular concept unless you’re the above-average printer user. Often referred to as recycled printer cartridges, remanufactured cartridges are returned to the manufacturer to refill them with ink or replace any damaged/non-functional parts. After proper repairs have been made, the cartridges are then tested to see that everything is in order.

Things to Know

If you were ever planning to go eco-friendly, remanufactured cartridges are a way to start. Since they are basically recycled cartridges, they are easy on the environment and they cost way less than the purchase of a completely new product. On a general note, remanufactures cartridges are copyrighted and, therefore, can’t be replicated.

When you order remanufactured ink cartridges, there are a couple of things that you need to know. First, you should inquire about the guarantee offered. Respectable sellers will provide refunds in case of faulty products. Others will provide warranty periods which aren’t as long as the ones that come with the original cartridges, but they are still better than nothing.

Make sure that you only order remanufactured ink cartridges from trusted sellers. In addition to that, ask the retailers if the cartridges they sell meet the OEM standards.

While there’s nothing wrong with you using recycled cartridges, you should know that if you plan on printing photos, there is a noticeable difference between an original cartridge and a remanufactured one. According to some tests run by Wilhelm Imaging Research, ink that comes from a remanufactured cartridge will start fading away about 3.9 years after printing, while photos printed with an original cartridge can last up to 40 years. That’s almost 10 times longer.

What Does OEM Mean?

OEM is the abbreviation for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This means that the cartridge used is produced by the same company that manufactured your printer. OEM is considered to be a high standard that some brands use to mislead customers with their advertisements. If you ever hear about a remanufactured product being better than the OEM’s unit, you’re probably looking at a phony. A remanufactured product will never exceed the quality of the original one. You should always keep in mind that remanufactured ink cartridges are the cheaper, more affordable alternative to purchasing new cartridges.

Conclusion

Contrary to what some people say, remanufactured ink cartridges will not damage your printer in any way. This is probably the first myth that non-connoisseurs will tell you. Respectable retailers will only sell cartridges that have been tested and that meet the appropriate standards. Even so, you should know that there are chances of a remanufactured ink cartridge going bonkers, but that shouldn’t convince you never to use them again.

In the end, the important thing is what you’re planning to print with your new remanufactured ink cartridges. If you’re looking for high-quality printing, especially in colour, you may want to opt for new cartridges. If you generally use the printer for black and white documents, a remanufactured ink cartridge should do the trick and save you money in the process.