Does Printer Ink Go Out of Date?
Last Updated on August 14, 2023 by Christian Ralph
With printer ink being one of the most expensive liquids on earth, it’s important that your business optimises them for long-term use.
Just like the pens you use to write with, the ink inside your printer will run out at some point. If you’ve experienced fading and streaked lines, even after recently replacing the cartridge in your office printer, it may be due to the expiry dates shown on the ink cartridges.
We share how to recognise out of date cartridges and why you should take note of their expiry dates.
Why do ink cartridges have expiry dates?
The value that a printer adds to a business is undeniable. Without it, we’d have to resort to hand writing letters, accounts and reports, and so an absent machine in your office can be sorely missed.
Ink cartridges have expiry dates to warn you about when you should expect to replace them, eliminating the chances of you being left without a fully-functioning machine. Water evaporation, extreme temperatures, sunlight exposure and prolonged contact with the air can cause the ink to change over time. All of these factors increase the risk of the ink changing colour or consistency, and affecting important documents.
Where can I find the expiry date of my printer ink?
The expiry date of ink being used in your printer can be found by looking at the packaging which came when purchasing the cartridge.
Typically, unopened printer cartridges should last up to a maximum of two years – a long period of time that is unlikely to affect your business’ decision to buy ink in bulk.
Can ink cartridges be used if they’re out of date?
So long as the ink cartridge you’re looking to insert into your office printer isn’t more than a couple of years out of date, you may be able to get use out of it. The cartridge should have been responsibly stored throughout the time you’ve owned it (i.e. out of direct sunlight and in the original packaging) for the best results.
Some printers – particularly those manufactured by HP – may reject out of date cartridges. This will be shown in an error message on the display. If your ink has expired and you still wish to use it, it may result in your printer not be covered by the manufacturers’ warranty.
Manage your printing with a ink subscription service
The process of managing your ink stock can be very challenging and time consuming. It can lead to over purchasing of supplies which in time will go out of date. Many businesses have turned to manage print services to reduce the risk of ink expiring due to overstocking or . This service tracks your businesses printing habits, automatically reorders the correct printing supplies in a timely manner to reduce costs and increase productitvity.
To find out more about how the ink cartridges you’re using can affect your printer, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Printerland team. With years of experience helping business to find printing systems that suit their daily operations, we’re sure that we can be of assistance!
