How To Store Ink Cartridges When Not In Use: A Comprehensive Guide

Whether you print for work, studies, or personal use, you need ink cartridges for your printing needs. But when are you not frequently using them? How should you keep them so they stay in working order and won’t dry up? In this article, we shall briefly discuss storing ink cartridges when idle and provide useful and easy-to-follow guidelines that can help extend the shelf life of your cartridges and keep them available for printing when required.

Tips for Preserving Ink Cartridges

Proper storage allows your ink cartridges to stay in their optimal state and quality. If stored for weeks or even months, reckless handling can cause the ink to dry up, the print head to become clogged, and printing quality to decrease. Here are some tried-and-tested methods for storing your ink cartridges in their finest state when you are not using them.

How to Store Afinia Ink Cartridges When Not In Use

Afinia ink cartridges must be treated gently in order to print well. They are light, temperature, and humidity sensitive. To store them, keep them upright so no leak can occur and the ink stays distributed evenly inside. Store them also in a cool and dry area with no direct light, which can damage the ink.

Leave these cartridges for a long time? Store them in a plastic bag with a zipper. This keeps the air and humidity that can get into the ink and dry it up at bay. It’s particularly useful if you cannot print the cartridge for some months.

How to Store Epson Ink Cartridges When Not In Use

Epson cartridges need very careful treatment. Like Afinia cartridges, they must be stored upright so that the ink nozzles point towards the top. This prevents the ink from oozing and the cartridge from drying up and being unavailable when needed.

Epson ink cartridges should never be kept in fluctuating temperatures. Recommended temperature range: 50°F and 77°F (10°C and 25°C). Do NOT keep them in extremes such as the attic and basement. A regular drawer or closed cabinet should suffice.

How to Store Primera Ink Cartridges When Not In Use

When you are done, Initial ink cartridges must be stored with caution in order to maintain the print quality of the ink contained. Store them upright in a dark, cool, and dry location. If the cartridges are stored for more than a couple of weeks, a sealable plastic bag prevents the ink from drying. Store them in a no-temperature-fluctuating hot spot, such as Epson and Afinia cartridges.

Keep Cartridges Stored Upright

The ideal method for storing ink cartridges for any brand name is upright storage. This inhibits the ink from running or flowing eccentrically and maintains the inner constituents of the cartridge in the correct position to avoid clogging.

When cartridges are held horizontally, the ink clusters, and when re-printing, the prints are blotchy. Keep your cartridges standing upright instead—the ink will stay in its own right place and won’t perpetuate the mess.

Store Cartridges in a Cool, Dry Environment

Ink cartridges are the same as the majority of printer supplies when it comes to temperature and humidity. It’s a good idea that the cartridges are stored in a cool, dry area with a consistent temperature. It’s ideal if it’s anywhere from 50°F to 77°F (10°C to 25°C). Freezing or excessive heat can damage the ink, which can become caked and segregated, and the cartridge can no longer be used.

Keep cartridges from drastic temperature zones, i.e., near the air conditioner, heater, or window. Stable and moderate temperature is the key in the production process of high-grade ink and functional cartridges when you want them the most.

Use Sealed Bags for Storing Cartridges

One of the best practices in making sure that your cartridges are dried and sealed is keeping them in sealed bags. It will keep the cartridge from touching dried air or excessive humidity, which dries the ink.

If you are storing your cartridges in the long term, it’s highly advised that you vacuum seal them if you can. You seal the bags so no air enters, and the cartridges are kept from the outside elements. You can also store them in a clear resealable food-grade plastic bag for short-term use if the bag is airtight and sealed, and prevents debris and moisture from entering.

Store Inks in a Dark Location

Light, and in turn the sun’s light, can harm ink in cartridges negatively. UV light can spoil the ink so that the cartridge can’t be used anymore, and only print low-grade prints, while you can print with the cartridge now.

Store your ink cartridges in a lightproof area so that light degradation does not occur. A light-proof storage container or a dark pantry works well. A lightproof, cool, dark, dry area represents the perfect location for storing cartridges in a useful condition.

Storing Ink Cartridges in a Refrigerator

Cartridges can be stored in the fridge only after following various regulations. First, put the cartridges in an airtight plastic container in order to avoid coming in contact with humidity. The low temperature lowers the ink drying process and can prolong the cartridges’ shelf lives for a few months.

But you must allow the cartridges to be at room temperature initially in order for you to install them. Fusing them from your fridge straight into your printer will result in condensation in your cartridge and thus damage your ink. You must always allow them to warm up for some time prior to installing them.

Check If You Can Still Use Your Inks

Even with precautions, cartridges get outdated or run less effectively at some point in time. It’s always best to inspect the cartridges prior to use, particularly if they were left in stock. You open up the cartridges and examine them for possible leakages, clogging with ink, and dried ink.

How to Store Unopened Ink Cartridges Correctly. Since the cartridges are sealed, the unopened cartridges are less likely to be damaged compared to the open kind. You also must store them properly in order for them to remain in good shape. You must store the unopened cartridges no differently than the open kind in a cool and dry corner away from direct light and from the heat.

The cartridges can be kept in their original packaging, which keeps them sealed and safe. In the event the cartridges are to be kept longer term, however, sealable plastic bags are ideal for added protection from dust or humidity.

How to Store Opened Ink Cartridges When Not in Use

Once you have opened an ink cartridge, it will become more susceptible to drying up and jamming. Storing an opened cartridge follows the same procedure for storing unopened cartridges: stand it upright, keep it in a dry and cool place, and it may be a good idea to store it in a sealed transparent plastic bag.

While usable cartridges that have been opened may be kept for several months if stored properly, it’s generally a good idea to print for a few weeks using them. Cover the nozzle with plastic wrap to prevent ink from clogging the print head by drying if you’re unlikely to print using the cartridge for months.

Where Can I Purchase Ink Cartridges

Here is TCS Digital Solutions, which provides the complete assortment of top-quality ink cartridges for your whole series of printers. If you are looking for cartridges for your home or office setup, you will find the appropriate items here. You can rely on us for the highest quality, the fastest delivery, and the best customer service. Visit TCS Digital Solutions today to see our assortment of ink cartridges. Order your requirements instantly.

Final Takeaway

Storage of the cartridges with ink prolongs their usage and maintains them in operational condition. In order to store them in operational condition, it’s best to store them in an open and closed container in a cool, dry, dark location. 

Storage in clear plastic bags and upright conditions can help prevent clogging and leaks. With these simple and effective methods, your ink cartridges will be print-ready, in excellent condition, and safely stored.

Inquire further about how to Store Ink Cartridges When Not In Use. Our technical staff is available by email at orders@tcsdigitalsolutions.com or by phone at +1 (762) 208-6985 to explain all your concerns. TCS Digital Solutions Expert Staff will be happy to answer. For further information about ink cartridges, visit our blog section and discover the solution to all your concerns.

Drew Strickland

Drew is the Chief Marketing Officer and E-commerce Director at TCS Digital Solutions, with over 20 years of experience in the printing industry. His extensive background in marketing within this sector has deepened his passion and knowledge. He offers valuable tips and reviews on the latest printing products and innovations, dedicated to helping businesses and individuals find the most efficient and high-quality solutions for their printing needs. For a closer look into his insights and experiences, you can connect with Drew on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.