• Ink cartridges come in many shapes and sizes.ink cartridges image by itsallgood from Fotolia.com
  
  Although it can be found in any electronics, office supply, or printing specialty store, printer ink is expensive, and any printer owner will tell you that it runs out far too quickly. Although it is not possible to purchase an ink cartridge that will last forever, there are ways to get the most out of your ink cartridges.
  
  

Manually Clean Cartridges

• After prolonged use, it is normal for print cartridges to get dirty. Ink can spill and dry on the connector pads, which can make printing materials look smudgy or faded (depending on the amount of accumulated dry ink). Most printing software includes an ink cartridge cleaning utility, a process that "cleans" the ink cartridge by forcing ink through the bottom of the cartridge until the dried-on crud is pushed out. This mode may be very effective at cleaning ink cartridge clogs, but it is also very wasteful. Instead of wasting valuable ink when you get a clog, remove the ink cartridge and swab the bottom connector pads with a moistened cotton swab to remove the dried ink.
  
  

Keep Print Heads Aligned

• As printers are used, the alignment of the print heads (the area where the ink cartridges are housed) can shift. Though not immediately perceptible, this shift can cause certain parts of the document you are printing to be moved past the margin, which will waste ink. Keeping your print heads aligned will keep the print head in the correct position and prevent any potential runoff. Most printers have an option within their own software to run the alignment option. If you do not see this option, check your owner's manual for instructions on how to align the print heads manually.
  
  

Run Self-Test Operations

• All modern printers contain a self-test utility that tests your ink cartridges for leaks, low levels and other problems. If you are having problems with your ink cartridge, and you are sure you are not out of ink, run the self-test. The self-test does require the discharge of ink, so use this as a last resort, after you have cleaned your ink cartridge and checked your print head alignment. The self-test procedure is different for every printer, so check your owner's manual for specific instructions for how to enable the self-test function.