
Ink expiration is not a surprising factor like other consumables ink and toner cannot last forever. Normally, the ink has a shelf life between 1.5 to 2years. But, the manufacturer always set dates less than this period to build the habit of frequent buying their product. The dates prescribed on the labeled documents are a clear indicator that the product in the container will safely last till that period. And, there will be no change in quality.
Here are some more things about ink expiration dates that you may not be aware of. Let’s discuss them:
1. Quality Issue
As there is a highly popular belief about ink expiration is that ink never expires. But, over time, ink consistently changes and turn into a lumpy mess that produces inferior results. Only stopping here, poor quality ink also can damage your printer head. As the clogged ink passes through the printer, it can damage your device to such an extent that without repairing it becomes hard to operate. On the other hand, toner has fairly high stability rate. Because fine powder inside the cartridge takes time to convert into clumps.
2. Warranty Issues
Almost every genuine ink manufacturer add product warranty date on their cartridge label. Many buyers confuse this with an expiration date. Keep in mind, warranty always has a shorter span than the lifespan of an ink cartridge. Normally, genuine inks like canon ink last more than prescribed time without losing its quality. Using product beyond warranty will not affect your printouts but can void your printer warranty. So, it is good to think a while before pushing your luck.
3. Printer Warnings
Some printers can scan the cartridge when they are about to reach their expiry date. But, it does not mean that it will stop working when the dates pass. Printer with regular notifications keeps you remind for ink expired date. Some latest model printers display a warning which is difficult to bypass. Therefore, to avoid warning messages it’s good to ignore alerts.
4. Ink and Toner Storage
Do you know your printer ink and toner life can be extended with little care? Yes, it is true, you can prolong the life of your printer ink cartridge and can print beyond its expiry date. So, here are some useful tips for you:
- Never open ink or toner seal until you are going to use them.
- If you are going to use a printer at home, never go with XL size cartridge. Standard size cartridge is a great deal for personal use.
- Do not go with bulk purchasing unless or until you are in a business that requires huge print-outs
- Check out humidity level at your storage place
- Dust, light, and fumes can even affect ink supplies, so always check the area and store in a clean place for long-lasting effects.
5. OEM is Important
Genuine ink cartridges are produced according to the specifications of the printer. Therefore, they provide a guarantee for their premium-quality output. And if you store outside, they can stay for longer life. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) produce their product after conducting years of research work on ink formation. Also, for R&D they spend a great portion of the profit. In short, they try to leave no stone unturned and get high-quality results. Every product of original manufacturer passes through several testing layers that assure product quality.
On the other side, if you are going to buy remanufactured or refilled cartridge option. Means you are going to get a product that already either crossed its date or you are unfamiliar with this aspect.
How to Save Yourself from buying expired ink?
Here, we will discuss some tips that will help you in buying:
- Always buy ink or toner from a trustworthy seller or vendor only.
- You can also rely on auctions for cheap printer inks, only after confirming for the expiry date.
- If there are signs of tampering or unauthenticity, be careful and think a while before buying.
- Check company holographic stamp or sticker on the outer packing area.
- Check whether vacuum packing is free from rips or tears or not.






