FAQs

Why is my new ink cartridge not printing?

This is common with ink cartridges that have attached print heads (such as HP, Lexmark or Dell). Cartridges are typically kept flat or upside down for weeks or months before being used. As a result, the ink will settle at the other end of the cartridge and will be unable to directly feed the print head. The easiest remedy for this is to open the box and stand the cartridge upside down for a few minutes before using. Next, get a damp paper towel, fold it into quarters and the set cartridge print head down onto it, holding it there for three minutes. This will help to prime the print head and pull the ink out. Finally, install the cartridge into your printer and print a few test pages.

How can I get dried ink out of my inkjet print head so I can continue to print?

Place the clogged cartridge in about ¼ - ½ inch of warm water for a few minutes. When you see the ink start to slowly leak out, take the cartridge out of the water and dry it using a soft cloth or Q-tip. Place the cartridge back inside your printer and run the print head cleaning utility that comes with your printer software. You may have to run the print head cleaning function 2-4 times before print quality is reestablished. If your print head is damaged you will have to buy a new cartridge, as print heads cannot be repaired.

How should I handle my cartridge?

Never touch the electronic print head with any abrasive material. Use care when setting your cartridges down and do not place the print head in contact with any surface besides the designated contact points in the appropriate printer slot.

What is the best way to store my cartridges?

Ideally, your cartridges should be stored in an upright position at room temperature. During shipment, cartridges may be placed in various positions and this can cause the ink to settle at the opposite end of the cartridge, which may result in printing issues. For optimal performance, before using your cartridge, place it in the upright position for a few hours to allow the ink to move to the bottom of the cartridge. This will let the ink pass through the sponge, allowing the cartridge to print properly.

Does the letter at the end of the HP inkjet cartridge part number matter?

The letters at the end of a number sequence in HP cartridges signify the cartridge’s ink volume. Many HP cartridges, as well as some other manufacturers, have a long sku, a short part number and, sometimes, even an alternative part number. For example, HP's #56 cartridge is also known as the 56A C6656, C6656A and C6656AN. These are all the same product and have the same ink volume, but are displayed using various shortened versions of the full part number, which is C6656AN. Most HP cartridges are available with different ink volumes. HP cartridges with different ink volumes are identified by a different letter at the end of the number sequence. For example, HP cartridge 51645G and 51645A are identical cartridges, but have different ink volumes. The "G" is the free starter cartridge that comes with a printer and the "A” is the regular high volume cartridge that is sold in stores. When our house-brand cartridges are manufactured, they are always filled completely. So, regardless of the letter at the end of the HP part number, or the letter at the end of the HP cartridge that you normally order, you will always get a cartridge with a high-ink volume from LD.

What is a remanufactured inkjet cartridge?

Remanufactured inkjet cartridges are original printer-brand cartridges that have been through one cycle of service before undergoing a professional remanufacturing process. These cartridges and their print heads are (1) thoroughly cleaned and filled with a high-quality equivalent ink formulation, (2) checked to ensure they have the correct internal atmospheric pressure, (3) inspected for any possible shell leakages, (4) tested to ensure that the electrical circuitry is operational, and (5) undergo and pass a lengthy print test. Only cartridges that pass our rigorous inspection process and meet our high standards become LD-brand remanufactured cartridges.

What is the shelf life of compatible brand ink cartridges?

Compatible, third-party print cartridges have a three-year shelf life.

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I am getting a new printer, what do I do with my old one?

If you are in the Washington DC Metro or Baltimore Metro areas, contact us and we would be happy to assist you with recycling your printer.

What is a printer driver and where do I find it?

A printer driver is software that comes with your printer. Once installed on your computer, drivers convert the information that different programs make into printable formats for your printer. Without drivers, printers wouldn’t know how to resize and reorganize information from webpages to fit onto whatever size of paper that you use in your printer. Printer drivers are basically there to tell your printer how to make what you end up seeing on the page look as close as possible to what you see on your screen.

How do I find the manual for my printer?

Although there is no manual for individual printer cartridges, a manual does come with your printer. If you happen to lose your printer manual, online copies can typically be found on the manufacturer’s website.

Where do I find my Material Safety Data Sheets?

Each printer manufacturer also releases a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the ink and toner that they produce. These sheets go over the safety implications associated with the contents of their products. For instance, ingesting the liquid ink inside of an ink cartridge is inadvisable and potentially harmful; but to figure out what the specific results of that decision would be, you would refer to a Material Safety Data Sheet.