How to Refill an Ink Tank Printer

Last Updated on January 22, 2024 by Christian Ralph

Ink tank printers are refilled by emptying individually coloured bottles of ink into a reservoir within the printer. Depending on how often you print, a refillable printer can be much more time and cost-effective than using ink cartridges, as most traditional printers before now have done.

However, the process for refilling the ink tank on a refillable printer varies between different brands, so it’s no surprise that this can be confusing if you haven’t done it before.

Here, we’ll look at how to refill ink tank printers from some popular printer brands.

How to refill Epson EcoTank printers

You can top up refillable EcoTank Epson printers by using the following steps:

1. Have your replacement ink bottles ready before you start.
2. Locate the tank cover at the front of the refillable printer and open the ink tank that you want to fill.
3. Open the ink bottle, holding it upright and turning the bottle cap slowly.
4. Line up the ink bottle and the filling port on the ink tank, gradually tilting the bottle until the ink starts to flow into the tank. The ink will stop automatically when it is filled up to the upper line.
5. Remove the ink bottle and securely close the ink tank cap. If there is any ink left in the replacement bottle, close the lid tightly and store upright for later use.

Remember that you should always wear disposable gloves while refilling your printer to avoid the ink staining your hands. If you get any ink on your skin, wash it thoroughly with soap and water. Always avoid contact with your eyes and mouth.

How to refill HP Smart Tank printers

You can refill Smart Tank HP printers by following these steps:

1. Access the left side of the printer and lift the ink access door.
2. Once this is lifted, open the tank covers and open the chosen ink cap tank that requires a refill.
3. Then, open the ink bottle – note that the ink bottle lids may differ. If you have a twist-off ink cap, simply twist off the cap and then place it out of the way. Alternatively, if you have a flip-top cap, twist the cap to remove it, and then pull the seal to remove the cap making sure to dispose of it safely. Then make sure that you’ve replaced and tightened the cap and then flip the cap open.
4. Make sure that you’ve matched the colour of the ink bottle to the colour of the ink tank.
5. Place the bottle on the tank nozzle checking that the tip of the bottle is fully over the nozzle as this will ensure that the ink can drain properly until the tank is full.
6. Once the tank is filled, set the bottle upright and then replace or close the ink bottle cap depending on what is necessary.
7. Shut the cap of the ink tank.
8. Refer back to these steps to fill other ink tanks for the other colours.
9. Once this is done, ensure that the ink tanks are properly closed and then wait for 30 seconds. Once this is done, the printer will purge and calibrate the ink.
10. If you have any leftover ink bottles, store them in a place which is cool and dry.

When undertaking these steps on your refillable printer you must be aware to keep the ink bottles away from children and only open the ink bottle when you need a refill. Finally, make sure to not install the printheads until the ink tanks have been filled, as this can damage the printhead.

How to refill Canon MegaTank printers

You can refill MegaTank Canon printers using the following steps:

1. Open the top cover.
2. Open the ink tank cover; when refilling black ink, this ink tank will be on the left. Colour ink tanks are situated on the right.
3. Open the tank cap of the ink tank you want to refill.
4. Hold the ink bottle upright and twist the cap to remove.
5. Refill the ink tank by aligning the bottle’s tip with the inlet. Stand the bottle upside down, and push into place.

Ensure that your refillable printer remains flat after you refill it, to prevent leaking, and be sure to refill the tank up to the upper limit (marked with a H on the tank).

When should I refill my ink tank printer?

Most refillable printer models have an upper and lower line inside the ink tank to indicate where the tank should be filled. If the ink drops below the lower line, it’s time to refill the ink tank. If your ink tank does not have lines to indicate the appropriate fill level, look out for signs that your ink is running out when you print, such as patchy or faded colour printing.

How long does ink last in a refillable printer?

With a full ink tank, a refillable printer can generally print between 5,000 to 7,000 pages in colour between refills. This gives refillable printer models an advantage over conventional ink cartridge printers, which tend to print between 300 to 1000 pages.

Refillable printer vs ink cartridges – which is better?

While printers with refillable ink tanks come with a higher retail price than conventional ink cartridge printers, the longevity of a full ink tank refill means that they can be more cost-effective in the long run, especially if you print very frequently. However, ink tank printers also need more maintenance to make sure the ink inside them doesn’t dry out. It’s important to weigh up all the pros and cons when deciding whether a conventional or refillable printer is right for you.

For advice on purchasing the best ink tank printer for your home or business, give us a call on 0800 840 1992 to talk to a printer expert today!