Cartridge Know-How

Getting the Most from Every Cartridge

Cartridges look simple, but a few habits make a real difference to cost, print quality and how long a printer stays reliable. These notes cover the basics that apply to most home and small-office machines, whether you use inkjet or laser.

Know what you are buying

Every cartridge is tied to specific printer models, and the cartridge number printed on the old one or in the manual is the most reliable reference. Many manufacturers sell standard and high-capacity versions of the same cartridge. The high-capacity version usually costs more up front but less per page. If you are unsure whether a cartridge will fit, our guide to checking cartridge compatibility walks through the model numbers and region codes to look for.

Original, compatible or remanufactured

Original cartridges come from the printer maker. Compatible cartridges are newly made by third parties, and remanufactured ones are used originals that have been cleaned and refilled. Third-party options can save money, but quality varies between suppliers. Some printers also show warnings or block unrecognised chips after firmware updates. It helps to read the printer's update notes and keep the receipt in case a cartridge fails early.

Storage and handling

• Keep unopened cartridges sealed, upright and at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
• Check the use-by date on the packaging, as ink can thicken over time.
• Do not touch the copper contacts or the printhead nozzles on inkjet cartridges.
• Gently rock a new toner cartridge side to side before installing it to spread the powder evenly.

Make ink last longer

Inkjets work best when they are used regularly. Printing a page or two each week helps stop the nozzles from drying out, and our explainer on why printheads clog explains why. Draft or economy mode is fine for everyday documents. Leave the printer switched on at the plug and turn it off with its own power button, so it can park and cap the printhead properly.

Bear in mind that the page counts on the box are based on standard test pages. Real-world results depend on what you print, and our guide to page yield explains how those figures are measured.