Ink restore - SAVE MONEY ON INK JET AND LASER TONER CARTRIDGES

REMANUFACTURING PROCESS

Ever wonder how Ink ReStore remanufactures ink jet cartridges? Read on and we’ll give you a quick outline of what you actually get when you buy a remanufactured ink jet cartridge from Ink ReStore.

The first thing is that we only remanufacture ink jet cartridges that contain a print head. These include Hewlett Packard, certain Canon printers and Lexmark. Since many other brands use these “engines” they often offer variations of these cartridges with perhaps a different top or just a label.

Step 1. The Raw Material-Empty Cartridges

In order for Ink ReStore to remanufacture an ink jet cartridge, we must first have the empty one to refill. We obtain our cartridges primarily through our recycling programs in our market area as well as remanufacturing cartridges that you bring into us at one of our retail stores.

We carefully inspect the cartridge(s) for blemishes and for evidence that is has been damaged.

Step 2. Cartridge Cleaning

Each cartridge is cleaned using special cleaners and steam. All remaining ink is thoroughly flushed from the cartridge and they are bathed in a environmentally friendly cleaning solution. We remove ink using a vacuum process that will not damage the print head.

Step 3. Ink Refilling

Here is where the pros are separated from the hobbyists. To properly refill a cartridge there must be a measurable balance between ink flow, vacuum and pressure. Very expensive refilling machines are needed to accomplish this task properly. The cartridge gets snapped in place in special fixtures and then filled to the specifications for that particular cartridge. Often a remanufactured cartridge will have more ink than when new. This is due to many Original Equipment Manufacturers not fully filling their new cartridges…but always plan on about the same life as an OEM cartridge.

Step 4. Priming and Resealing

After the cartridges are filled with ink, they are primed to assure that ink is flowing properly. A vacuum technique is used and the cartridge is carefully weighed to make sure its falls within the original specifications for that particular cartridge. If the cartridge requires resealing, it is done at this time.

Step 5. Testing

This stage requires several tests Print tests are done using a regular ink jet printer designed to use that cartridge. A test pattern generator is used to make sure the cartridge will perform as if it were new. Cartridges that can’t pass this difficult test do not make it into a customer’s hands.

Step 6. Packaging

The cartridges are physically inspected once more and thoroughly cleaned. The print heads are professionally taped or a “clip” is used to seal the head.

The cartridges are then sealed in bags for business use or boxed; our retail stores use returnable plastic boxes for consumers.

The finished cartridges are stored in an upright position with the print heads pointing down. This is important because if the cartridges are laid on their sides, they can possibly lose their prime.