In case you’re not new to printers and their amazing world, there are high chances that you’ve come across the term remanufactured cartridges.
In this post, we are going to dive deep into remanufactured cartridges and cover everything related to them so that at the end of this post you can make an informed decision on whether or not they are the right fit for your printer.
What are remanufactured cartridges?
An OEM(Original Equipment Manufacturer) cartridge that is professionally cleaned and refilled to use for the second time to possess the same print quality is called a remanufactured cartridge.
Remanufactured cartridges are the ones that have already been used and are then returned to remanufacturing plants for the recycling process.
As OEM cartridges can be quite expensive, remanufactured cartridges are a great option to cut down on costs and also reduce your carbon footprint. As the process of making remanufactured cartridges does not involve the production of any new cartridges which is the primary reason for their affordability.
These remanufactured cartridges are extremely eco-friendly as it significantly reduces your waste production by using existing OEM cartridges and help you play your part in preventing climate change.
Remanufactured cartridges vs Compatible cartridges
While both compatible and remanufactured cartridges are a great option to save up on printing costs, they are not the same thing.
The primary difference between them is the fact that, unlike remanufactured cartridges, compatible cartridges are made of completely new materials. From the cartridge and the parts to the ink, everything in a compatible cartridge is brand new. Just like a remanufactured cartridge, it goes through a similar testing process to meet the set standards of quality before being launched into the market.
Compatible cartridges can be considered as generic product that offers similar qualities to that of a branded product but for much less.
But what is the need to have 2 different types of cartridges when they perform the same set of functions with the exact same efficiency?
Well, it all comes down to licensing. A subsequent number of printer manufacturers have patents on their OEM cartridges which bars third-party companies from producing a compatible version of cartridges at lower costs. This is where remanufactured cartridges prove to be a lot more useful as they use the same OEM cartridge.
The Remanufacturing process
- The cartridges are first sorted by part number and then stored in a temperature-controlled room to prevent drying.
- They are then inspected by professionals for any damages affecting the quality of the cartridges.
- In the subsequent step, cartridges are emptied of any remaining ink and go through extensive cleaning using demineralized water.
- After cleaning, the cartridges are dried and filled with ink using a custom-built ink-filling machine. A new smart chip is installed on the cartridge for the printer to be able to recognize the cartridge and display the ink level on the monitor.
- Under the required internal atmospheric pressure the cartridges are then sealed to prevent leakage.
- Each cartridge goes through a series of tests to pass all the required standards like print quality, page yield, etc.
- For the final step, the cartridges are prepared for shipment which involves cleaning, polishing, and heat-sealing.
Quality and Reliability
The biggest question that might arise in your mind would definitely be surrounding the reliability and performance of these remanufactured cartridges. Whether you have to sacrifice quality or whether or not you’ll achieve the same page yield as with an OEM cartridge.
Often times we associate anything recycled or remanufactured with bad quality but that’s not the case with these remanufactured cartridges.
Remanufactured cartridges go through tough quality checks to ensure that they deliver the same results as a brand new OEM cartridge. They are tested for several parameters like print quality, page yield, and shelf life before entering the market.
But the quality also somewhat depends on the brand and seller you’re choosing. Every brand offers a different warranty period with their products, so choose wisely based on previous experience and reviews. Because every once in a while it is very much possible to find a defective piece but with a trusted brand you can easily claim a guarantee.
Another major concern comes with printer warranty. Most people assume that they will lose their warranty when using remanufactured cartridges but this is not true. Using a remanufactured ink/toner cartridge does not devoid your printer’s warranty and you can contact the concerned authorities in case you face any issues with your printer.
Is it worth making the switch from OEM to Remanufactured cartridges?
The simple answer is yes.
There is less room for doubt when you are considering a product that works exactly the same as a brand new OEM cartridge and is inexpensive and eco-friendly. It is worth switching to remanufactured cartridges as you can significantly reduce your printing costs over a long period and invest those funds towards other progressive affairs.
Another reason for picking these recycled cartridges is the fact that they are quite eco-friendly and reduce your carbon footprint to a great extent. You can just imagine the number of landfills your empty printer cartridges will fill in every year. It places you on the track to being a more responsible individual towards our planet.
