Archive for June, 2010

The Canon BJC-55 and BJC-85 are compatible printers that use the same  ink cartridges. Both weighing less than 4 pounds, these machines are very portable and designed to be used on the go.

Different configurations of ink are required for optimal print quality, so it is useful to understand the best method for various types of jobs.

Here is a layout of the appropriate ink types for specific tasks:

Color

When printing in color, BCI-11 Color ink and a BCI-11 Black ink are both needed. Using these two ink cartridges will allow the printer to create an enormous scale of colors to produce bright, vivid graphics.

Monochrome

For monochrome printing only, your best option is to remove the BCI-11 Color and BCI-11 Black ink cartridges and install the BCI-10 Black ink cartridge. The BCI-10 is larger in size, taking up the same amount of space as two BCI-11 cartridges, and producing black-and-white documents that exceed average quality standards for monochrome printers.

Photos

When printing photos, use BCI-12 Color ink and BCI-12 Black ink.  This specialty photo ink can create photographs that are detailed, accurate and true to the original.  Though it will look the best on photo paper, using the BCI-12 for any photo printing will elevate the quality level that could be reached using BCI-11 ink.

How to Replace Cartridges

Though changing these Canon ink cartridges might seem like a grueling task, the actual process is quite simple.

Follow the steps below to change cartridges:

1. Remove the new cartridge from its package, as well as all of its protective materials which are the orange cap and orange tape.
2. Lift the top cover and press the “power” button. This will turn the printer on.
3. Open the cartridge cover button on the printer and press the “cartridge” button and move the cartridge holder to the center of the printer.
4. Align the triangular marks on the cartridge holder and the cartridge. At a slight angle, set the cartridge in the holder. Press down gently on the raised left side of the tank until it locks into place.

When you have done all the steps, you can close the cover and press the “cartridge” button.

Going back and forth between these ink cartridges if they are continuously installed and removed (like from color to monochromatic) can reduce the tank’s life, so it is best to do it as infrequently as possible. With the BJC-55 and BJC-85, it can seem cumbersome to swap configurations for different types of printing, but the finished product is worth the effort.

Inkjet and laser printers have core differences, but determining which exact machine is the best choice for you is mostly based on your specific printing needs.  Typically, low volume printing, such as in a dorm room or at home, can be handled by an inkjet printer.  Laser printers are designed more for frequent printing in offices, large and small.

Listed below are the primary features to look at when weighing your options:

Speed

Speed is a huge factor when it comes to printing in a work environment, and laser printers are going to be the most efficient in that respect. Even the most basic model of laser printers will be able to generate more pages per minute than some of the top-notch inkjet printers on the market, especially the units that only use black printer toner. Laser printers typically range from about 25 pages per minute up to 70 pages per minute for enterprise-level machines. Inkjet printers can be as low as 5 pages per minute and rarely exceed 30 pages per minute.

Quality

When it comes to quality, both types of printers have strengths. For graphics and standard text documents, laser printers tend to have sharper lines and more color accuracy. However, when printing photographs, an inkjet printer is going to deliver more vivid and true-to-life images, though it could take a few minutes per picture. Because inkjet printers use hundreds of nozzles on the ink cartridges that eject liquid ink, it is also imperative to let photos cool and settle before removing from the output tray.

Capacity

The monthly duty cycle is more relevant in an office environment, but is something that should be noted by all consumers before making a purchase. A monthly duty cycle is defined as the maximum number of pages that should be printed in a month’s time, estimated by the manufacturer, to ensure an optimal lifespan for the machine. Printing 10,000 pages per month on a printer that has a duty cycle of 1,000 pages could cause extreme wear and tear on internal components. Laser printers can have monthly duty cycles as big as 300,000 prints whereas most inkjet printers will not exceed 5,000 pages.

Cartridge yield and cost-per-print

The page yield of cartridges is another factor. Inkjet cartridges have low yields, ranging on average from 150 to 800 pages. Laser printers use toner cartridges that are bigger in size and yield. The page yield range for toner cartridges is much vaster than ink cartridge, starting around 1,000 pages and going all the way up to 99,000 pages for industrial printers.

To generate an estimated cost per page, divide the cost of the cartridge by the yield. On average, ink cartridges costs range from $10-$40 while toner cartridges costs range from $30-$200. Obviously, toner cartridges are more expensive, but because they yield so many more pages, the cost per page is in the same ballpark as ink cartridges.

Other

Though above are the primary differences between inkjet printers and laser printers, there are a number of features that are worth noting when deciding with type of machine is right for you. Both types of printers offer varying paper capacity, memory management, networking capabilities and functionality, such as faxing, copying and scanning.

Generally, most inkjet printers focus on quality over speed, have a compact size and low overall costs as well as unique connection options for photo printing. Laser printers offer fast printing speeds, high-capacity cartridges that equate to low costs per page, durability to handle high-volume environments and more intuitive document management capabilities.

If you are using an inkjet printer and you have started noticing a decline in print quality, it is possible you have clogged printheads.  There are a few types of printheads, so be sure you refer to your printer manual if you do not know which type your machine uses.

What causes this?

Sometimes it just happens, but typically printers that are only used occasionally are more likely to encounter a clogging issue.  Because inkjet printers use liquid ink, when the machine isn’t used for a while, the ink can dry and clog.  Once there is a blockage of dried ink, the number of ink dots ejected through the nozzles and applied to the page will drop, reducing overall quality.

Even if you used your inkjet printer every single day, if you have stored a replacement ink cartridge for too long or in a less than desirable location, the ink may already be dried when you install it.  Ink cartridges do have a somewhat short shelf life.

Internal Self-Cleaning

Most machines offer an internal cleaning option, which is a fairly simple process.  The printhead is heated and uses small blasts of ink to clear the clog.  If this doesn’t work, repeat it just a few times, but not too many as you will end up wasting a lot of your ink.

Though all printers and operating systems are slightly different, the following process should make it simple for you to find the internal cleaning option for Windows machines:

1. Click the Start Menu.
2. Click Devices and Printers.
3. Select your machine, right click.
4. Choose Properties or Preferences.
5. Select the tab that says Cleaning or Maintenance or Service.

Cleaning by Hand

If running the internal self-cleaner doesn’t fix the problem, you can try unclogging the printhead manually.  Here is where it is necessary to know what type of printhead your machine uses.

For printheads attached to the printer, not the cartridge:

First you will need to remove the cartridges, then get some hot water or isopropyl alcohol.  You can either use a cotton swab to rub the water or alcohol on the printhead or you can pour no more than 10 drops on the inkjet printhead.  This should loosen the dried ink.  It may take a few attempts and requires patience.  Print a test page to check quality.  If the documents are still printing out with poor quality, repeat.

For printheads attached to the cartridges:

Remove the cartridge/printhead assembly and leave it soaking in hot water overnight.  If this makes you uncomfortable, you can soak a washcloth and leave the cartridges on that.  Make sure it is completely dry the next day and resinstall.  Print a test page.

Here is a video of the step-by-step process of cleaning a printhead:

If you have tried everything and you are still have quality issues, you may be due for a new cartridge, new printhead, or even a new printer.

Carbon footprint is basically the measure of the greenhouse emissions generated from a company, product, or home.  This determines the impact a specific entity has on the environment.  For instance, the carbon footprint of a factory is going to be massively higher than that of a retail store because it creates more waste and emits more carbon dioxide during manufacturing.  With so much focus on being “green” in recent years, it is important to the success of your business to keep your carbon footprint as low as possible.

A good place to start would be in the type of printer cartridges you use for your inkjet or laser printer.  So, how do you do this?  Use remanufactured cartridges rather than new ones and recycle your empty cartridges!  Companies can rebuild high-quality cartridges from previously used cartridges by changing the moving parts, cleaning the core and refilling with fresh ink or toner.  Remanufactured cartridges work just as well as OEM, cost much less because fewer raw materials were needed to make them, and reduce your carbon footprint.

Below is a table showing the difference in emissions between a new and a remanufactured monochrome toner cartridge.  (Emissions are measured in Grams of Carbon Dioxide {gCO²} and numbers are approximate):

When making a new cartridge, such as the HP P1005 toner cartridge, raw materials such as plastic and oil must be used, and each part must be manufactured as new.  These parts are recycled when using remanufactured cartridges, which not only minimizes carbon dioxide emissions and uses fewer raw materials, but also costs the consumer less.

Though this chart is a generalization and these numbers will vary based on the type and size of the cartridges as well as the company, it is clear to see that remanufactured printer cartridges require much lower emissions, and have a reduced impact on the environment.  If your company goes through multiple cartridges per year, using remanufactured cartridges can drastically reduce your carbon footprint.  Don’t forget to recycle your empty cartridges, too!

This video will help you on your way to reducing your carbon footprint when printing:

Do you have an error message that won’t go away or blinking status lights endlessly trying to communicate an error? Sometimes, even after the cause of an error is fixed, the printer will continue to show an error message. It’s easy to get frustrated or even give up altogether, but the best thing to do is clear your printer’s memory and start from scratch.

Depending on your printer model, there may be a specific process for resetting error messages. For the HP LaserJet 4100, for example, the process involves powering down the machine, then holding the “Item” and “Value” keys while starting it back up. There are too many different methods to cover here in one article, so your first step should be to consult your printer’s manual for specific instructions. If the manual is not available, check the support section of the manufacturer’s website. Lastly, you can try searching the web for the term “clear memory” and your printer’s model number, as some of results may give you detailed instructions.

If none of these methods turned up usable results, you can try a more general solution that may clear your printer’s memory:

1. 

   Sometimes the solution is simple.

   Save any open programs or files on your computer, and power down the computer. This ensures that the computer is not trying to send any tasks to your printer.

2. Press the power button on your printer to turn it off. Some printers require you to hold the power button for a few seconds.
3. Once the printer has completely powered down, unplug its power cable from the wall outlet.
4. Leave the printer unplugged for at least 5 minutes. It may be a good idea to wait a little longer to ensure the printer’s memory is totally cleared. You may wish to leave it overnight while you don’t plan to do any printing, for example.
5. Plug the printer’s power cable back into the wall outlet, then press the power button to turn it back on. Again, some models may require you to hold the power button for a few seconds to turn the unit on.
6. Check to see if the error or flashing lights are still displayed. Turn on the computer to try printing a document.

While this may seem like a very simple solution, it can correct a lot of errors for many different printer models. Therefore, it is worth a try before attempting more serious repairs. If unplugging your unit doesn’t correct this issue, you can try our article on Common Laser Printer Troubleshooting or Common Inkjet Printer Troubleshooting. If you are still having problems, it may be time to call a repair shop for professional help.

Paper jams are extremely frustrating, especially in a busy environment. Clearing a paper jam is typically a simple process, but taking proper care of your printer paper could help to minimize jam issues altogether, as well as increase the overall quality of documents.  There are a few precautions and steps you can take to ensure your paper is in the best condition before loading.  Some may seem obvious, but you might be surprised by the difference they can make.

• Do not store the boxes of paper on the ground.  Use a pallet, closet, or shelf of some kind.
• Do not expose the paper to extreme temperatures or humidity.  It is recommended to store printer paper in approximately 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
• When stacking boxes of paper, be sure to do so carefully so the edges of the stacks of paper do not get damaged.
• Always store the paper on a flat service so as to not create a bend or curl.  Printer paper must remain completely flat.
• Be sure not to stack more than 5 boxes of paper.
• Do not store paper in the tray of the printer when it is not in use for extended periods of time.
• Only remove paper from the ream wrapper once it is ready to be loaded.  The ream wrapper will typically have a lining that offers more protection from moisture and humidity.
• Reseal the ream wrapper to protect the remaining sheets that have not been loaded.  You can even go as far as to use a re-sealable bag to hold the paper once the ream has been compromised, especially in a particularly humid environment.
• When dealing with coated paper, always store it in a sealable bag or covered box as it is more sensitive to the elements than regular paper.

When paper is exposed to any kind of dampness, it can hinder the quality of the document because the ink or toner cannot bind properly with the fibers of the paper.  It can also cause the paper to curl and and jam.  If you do not handle the cartons or individual reams with care, a slight bend or crushed corner can cause issues as well.  By following the simple steps above you may be able to eliminate hours of headaches and paper jams.

The process of removing and/or installing an ink or toner cartridge is typically fairly quick and simple.  It is generally as easy as opening the panel covering the cartridge carriage, pulling out the empty cartridges and sliding in the new ones.  On occasion, though, cartridges do get stuck, in both laser and inkjet printers.  This issue is most often caused by dried ink that has become stuck or a cartridge that has become lodged in its slot, and it can happen with all brands, including Samsung toner cartridges or HP ink cartridges.  Below is a list of recommended steps to take to get the cartridge out.

(Always turn off your machine and unplug it from the wall before attempting these steps).

Inkjet Printer

1. Open the cartridge cover.
2. Use a cotton swab doused in isopropyl alcohol to wipe the part of the carriage where the printhead and cartridge connect.  This will loosen dried ink.
3. Wiggle the stuck cartridge to loosen it further.
4. Use a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol to wipe the entire assembly.
5. Once the cartridge is out, be sure to thoroughly clean the printhead and cartridge to avoid a similar issue in the future.

Laser Printer

1. Open the cartridge cover.
2. Grab the handle of the cartridge.
3. Jiggle the cartridge to loosen slightly.
4. Use a flathead screwdriver and wedge it beneath the cartridge.
5. Push the cartridge up gently with the screwdriver while pulling the cartridge handle.

Sometimes, the cartridge doesn’t get jammed when trying to remove it.  Rather, the part of the carriage that slides back and forth gets stuck.  This will typically make a grinding noise and printing will cease.  Most likely the issue here is the actuator arm, and here is how to fix that:

This is an image of an actuator arm in a stuck position.

1. Open the cartridge lid and remove the paper tray.
2. Manually slide the carriage to the middle.
3. If it will not slide, push down the black bar above the rollers and release it so it pops back up.
4. Lift the arm on the left side above the gear assembly and then release it to restore to the proper position.  (The arm is usually a thin, black piece of plastic that is less than two inches long.)

One of the above processes should help you when a cartridge is jammed in the printer or the actuator arm is causing a jam during printing.  If you experience further issues, it is recommended to call your manufacturer or a technician.  Also, be sure not to use too much force as you don’t want a piece of the carriage or cartridge breaking off inside of the machine.

So you are looking for a new inkjet printer but are not sure which one to get?  With so many options, it can be confusing, so let’s see if we can narrow it down for you.

Is it for office use?

The essential features of office printers are overall costs, quality and efficiency.  You will want a machine that can produce a high number of pages per minute while still maintaining a professional standard for quality (600×600 dpi minimum).  The overall costs can be determined by calculating the page yield, average page coverage and price of replacement ink cartridges, as well as considering the features you are getting for the upfront price of the unit.  Review the cost of replacements and be sure to get a unit that offers cartridges that can yield hundreds of pages, has a low price tag and perhaps has compatible versions available.

Is it for personal use?

Personal printers are preferably compact in size and light in weight, so you can move it around easily and not have it take up too much space.  Affordability is also key, as you won’t want to spend a ton of money on a machine that will be used occasionally.

Is it for printing text documents or pictures?

If you are a student looking for a printer to handle basic tasks such as research papers and light graphics, an inkjet with only two ink cartridges will provide ample quality.  If you are looking more for a photo printer, be sure to get an inkjet printer that has at least four separate ink cartridges and boasts a resolution of 1200×1200 dpi or higher.  Keep in mind, the quality will be better on inkjet photo paper.

Do you mind wires?

Connection options vary from printer to printer, though more current models tend to offer all of them.

• A USB port is the most recognized and allows any external device with USB capabilities to be attached, though typically designated for the computer.
• Bluetooth is technically wireless, but the device sending the data to be printed will need to be within a limited distance, just like a Bluetooth phone.
• Ethernet is used for building a network, at home or in an office.
• Wireless printers eliminate the need to directly connect the printer to a computer, rather it can be put anywhere in the house and only requires a signal to dial into the ethernet network.
• PictBridge is a connectivity option that is relatively new.  A PictBridge port is designed to let you connect your digital camera right to the printer and preview images on the LCD screen and print them without using a PC.
• Memory card slots are available on many printers that will take almost all digital camera memory cards and load them to be previewed and printed

Decide which one of these connection options sounds like a good fit for your environment and choose a printer that offers it.

Here is a quick checklist of things to look at when patrolling the market for a new inkjet printer:

• Upfront Price: these days, high-end inkjet printers can be found for less than $150, so be sure to do some comparative shopping.
• Ink Cartridges: though the upfront price is worth noting, it is the cost of replacement ink that truly determines the expenses over the life of the printer.  Keep in mind that some ink cartridges are offered in high-capacity versions as well, which could be beneficial and more economical.
• Speed and Quality: the quintessential characteristics.  Be sure the output rate is up to par with the pace of the work environment and that the maximum resolution is conducive with the type of printing you will be doing.
• Features and Functions: the inclusion of special features (i.e. touch screen LCD) and multiple functions will increase the upfront price, but could be worth it depending on your needs.
• Reviews: it is always recommended to read some reviews from other consumers as well as printer experts, just to get a point of view from someone other than the people trying to sell you the machine.

Choosing the right inkjet printer is not an easy task.  It takes research and patience to explore all of the options.  The process may take some time, but once you find the right one, it will be worth it.