Is the output of your printer getting dimmer and dimmer? Do you
     hate to buy one of those expensive cartridges or ribbons? There
     is hope for you yet. We'll take a look at laser cartridges,
     inkjet cartridges, and fabric ribbons.

     LASER CARTRIDGES

     Don't toss out your old cartridges when they become exhausted.
     They can be "recharged" with toner for a second (or third etc)
     life. You may find a reliable local recharging company but, if
     not, the computer magazines carry many ads. Do your best to
     determine that the company is indeed reliable because a leaking
     toner cartridge can really create a mess in your printer.

     A recharged cartridge--yours or a swapped one--can save you big
     bucks.

     LIQUID INK CARTRIDGES

     Inkjet cartridges can be refilled in many cases. There is a
     different technique for each make, so we can't provide specific
     instructions for your cartridge here. The thing to do is to buy a
     refill kit from a local merchant or by mail order. That will give
     you the necessary material to refill a cartridge (usually) twice.

     The main advantage, however, is that you will get instructions
     for your particular cartridge. Once you have those instructions,
     you can save some REAL money. All you then need is the right kind
     of ink and a hypodermic (if you can't reuse the kit containers).

     The jets on these cartridges must be treated quite carefully.
     First, do not put your fingers on them. Second, they are easily
     plugged up by the wrong kinds of ink. The jets require that the
     ink be highly filtered. Most ink is not that well filtered.

     We have found Script ink from Sheaffer and Quink from Parker work
     quite well. These inks are ALMOST as permanent/waterproof as the
     original cartridge ink. They are widely available at office
     supply stores. One bottle of ink will refill a cartridge many
     times.

     If you do need a hypodermic, see your local pharmacist or
     veterinarian.

     When you refill a cartridge, you should clean the jets and the
     area around them because ink will build up there. Q-tips and
     denatured alcohol clean them well. Just hold the soaking tip
     against the area. You can rub with the soaked tip but do not
     exert much pressure.

     If one or two jets become clogged, you will see a white line in
     your printout. Often these can be opened by holding a soaking tip
     against the jets for a longer time. Eventually, however, one or
     more jets will clog up permanently and you'll have to replace the
     cartridge with a new one. We have used a single cartridge through
     dozens of refills--that's a dozen bucks or more saved with each
     refill.