How to Transfer Ink to a Different Cartridge

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Print cartridges from the same manufacturer generally contain the same type of ink.

If the cartridge in your printer has run out of ink and you don't have a new cartridge on hand for the printer, you can do a temporary fix by transferring the ink from another cartridge. You can also transfer ink to a different cartridge if you have a damaged cartridge that won't work in the printer. The ink used in printer cartridges varies by printer brand, so if you want to transfer ink, you must do so with cartridges of the same brand.

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Step 1

Find the refill hole in the cartridge from which you want to transfer the ink. If the printer cartridge has a predrilled refill hole, you can usually find it under the label on top of the cartridge. If there is not a hole in the cartridge, use a thumb drill to make a hole that just goes through the plastic.

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Step 2

Locate or make a hole in the cartridge into which you want to transfer the ink. Again, look under the label for the fill hole first. If you don't find a fill hole, drill a hole in the cartridge.

Step 3

Put the needle on the syringe and stick the needle into the first cartridge. Pull back on the plunger of the syringe to draw ink out of the first cartridge. Continue to draw ink until the syringe is full or no more ink comes out of the cartridge.

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Step 4

Stick the needle of the syringe into the cartridge into which you would like to transfer the ink until it touches bottom. Pull back slightly with the syringe and press the plunger slowly to add the ink to the cartridge. Place the label back on the cartridge if it will stick, but it is not necessary to make the cartridge work.

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