Hi there ~

I'm wondering if any of you could shed some light on my printing dilema. Does using an ink refill service change the quality of your printed pages? Do you notice a difference in the color of the printed pages?

The reason I ask is because it seems like the pages I've printed with the refilled cartridge are coming out darker. The blues are looking more teal and the reds are coming out brown. I don't know if this is a fluke and got a bad cartridge or if I should stick with the regular HP cartridges.

Can anyone help me understand this!?!

TIA

I have owned the HP photo printers since they first started making them. It is not suggested to use any type of refill ink kits as it will first, void your warranty, and second, can damage your printer beyond repair if they are not filled correctly.

Since HP has specific recipes of inks for each line of printers, you will most definitely be able to see a difference in printed colors when using generic ink. Even though it will be more expensive, using the actual HP inks will give you the best results with your printer.

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Ditto what Arti said. I used to refill my cartridges with the generic stuff because I was printing mostly docs that didn't require quality control, kwim? But since starting digi-scrapping and getting a new printer, I've stuck with the brand ink to make sure I get the best results when I print out stuff.

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*JOY*

Joy - I'm with you there!!! with my HP (the one I use for my layouts and photos); I tried the store brand "equivalent" from Staple or Office Max one time and the prints were HORRIBLE.... switched back to HP brand and VIOLA.... printing was back to amazing!

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I don't use anything but the specified refills for my printer. It might seem like you're saving to re-fill or use equivalents. But in the long run I don't think it's much of a savings if you're not satisfied with the results and have to choose whether to re-print or be stuck with prints that are not the high quality you'd like.

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That's what I was thinking too! Dh took back the refilled cartridge and went to pick up a new one at WM.

Thank you for the input!

Think I have learned the hard way- Was using off brand ink from an online service in my Epson photo printer and gradually different ink colors would stop working. It's in the shop now- hope it can be fixed- probablly all clogged up. Sure miss it because it would print borderless 8.5 x 11. Also had some problems with my HP printer and ink flow. Specific printer brand ink from now on!

It depends on the brand of non-OEM ink you are using... Pros swear by some of the better online brands - I would stay away from Staples, Officemax brands.. they are really not that good. Check out the printer forum at dpreview for all the details... or just spend a few extra $$ and use OEM inks..