Identifying the Print Cartridge Expiration Date
Print quality problems may be caused by print cartridges that have passed their expiration date. There are two methods for determining whether a print cartridge is past its expiration date:
1.If the print cartridge is in the original packaging, read the “Use Before” date printed on the box. The date can also be read from the plastic packaging used to wrap the cartridge. If the print cartridge is not in the original packaging, continue on to the next step.
2.Determine the earliest and latest possible expiration dates from the code printed on the print cartridge.
A.Determine the manufacturing date from the code printed on the print cartridge. In the example below, the print cartridge was produced on January 22, 1995.
B.Determine the earliest and latest possible expiration dates from the code printed on the print cartridge.
–Earliest Possible Expiration Date = Manufacturing Date + Open Life Specification
–Latest Possible Expiration Date = Manufacturing Date + Shelf Life (Sealed in its Container)
YEAR
MONTH
DAY
XX
XX50122
AXXX:XX:XX
C.If you believe, based on these calculations, that the print cartridge has passed its shelf life expiration date — or, if open, its open life expiration date —
replace the print cartridge. See table 5-10.
Notes | • | Ink can evaporate through the nozzles, reducing the print cartridge life. Therefore, keep print |
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| cartridges sealed as long as you can. Then, once you have broken the seal, keep the cartridge |
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| either in the printer — so that it is capped by the service station at the right end of the mechanism |
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| — or in the storage container supplied with the optional Color Kit. |
| • | For more tips on extending the print cartridge life, read “Maintaining Print Cartridges” in chapter 3. |
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