Drying out printer ink cartridges is a common problem for many people. Even the best ink cartridges in Canada can dry out if not stored or used properly. In this post, we will see how you should store and use ink cartridges so that they do not dry up, ensuring a long lifespan. We will also see some best practices for storing printer ink cartridges and how long one can expect the ink cartridges to last.

Reasons for the Printer Ink to Dry Out

The first and most common reason for ink cartridges to dry up is air bubbles that could block the nozzle of the printhead. The ink could dry up if you frequently use your printer, which leads to the printhead clogging. That can be fixed if you run a head cleaning cycle once or twice before conducting a nozzle check.

Another reason for the best ink cartridges in Canada to dry up is damaged packaging. Remember that even a small pinprick in the packaging can break the seal and cause the ink to dry out.

How Long Does Printer Ink Last?

If sealed in original packaging and stored in a cool, dry place, the ink cartridge can last up to two years.

What Factors Affect the Lifespan of an Ink Cartridge?

The most important factor is whether the cartridge is sealed or not. This is because the air reaching the cartridge is reduced when filled. This significantly reduces the likelihood of the ink drying up. Other factors can affect the lifespan of a cartridge, such as the printer's cell cycle, saturation and cleaning, etc.

The page yield or page life can be found on the product pages for ink and toner cartridges. This refers to the number based on ab tests after the ISO standards. The tests are usually based on 5% coverage of an A4 page and page coverage that will greatly affect page yield. Moreover, regular printing of complex images with colour ink cartridges will use more ink.

Talking about the printer toner, the page yields are a lot higher with toner cartridges, and Thai is one of the major differences between inkjet and laser printers.

The Best Tips to Store Ink Cartridges

If you want your ink cartridge to have a longer lifespan, you must store them properly. So, hold the ink cartridges in a cool and dry place. Keeping them upright can make the ink settle, and any air in the cartridge will rise on top, thus allowing the ink to flow freely without any air bubbles.

The cartridges are usually moved a lot during the shipping process, which allows the air at the top of the cartridge to settle at the bottom instead. So, you can have issues with the print quality if you try to install and use the cartridge immediately after receiving it. Hence, leave the cartridges overnight before printing to let the ink settle.

When not in use, you can place the ink cartridges in a sealable bag, especially if your printer will not be used for an extended period. This can prevent the ink from drying up.

To Conclude

These are some of the best tips that will help you extend the lifespan of your printer ink cartridge. Follow these storage tips to get high-quality print and ink cartridges that can be used longer.

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