Refill Instructions for Canon CLI-281/581

Cartridge:

  • Canon CLI-281 Color (Dye)
  • Canon CLI-581 Color (Dye) – European Version

Type: Sponge

Ink Volume:

  • Canon CLI-281/581 – 5.6mL
  • Canon CLI-281/581 XL – 8.3mL
  • Canon CLI-281/581 XXL – 11.7mL

Cartridge Color: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Photo Blue

Materials Required

  • Empty or Partially Filled Cartridge
  • Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, or Photo Blue Ink
  • Disposable Glove
  • Paper Towel or Cotton Cloth
  • Syringe with Tubing

Instructions:

  1. Before beginning, ensure that the cartridge is refilled on top of a non-absorbent, easy to clean material (like a sink).
  2. Flip the cartridge over until the semi-oval sponges are visible.

  3. Place the clear tube onto the syringe and fill the syringe until full. Slowly release the ink, drop by drop, onto the sponge of their corresponding ink cartridge. When the cartridge is empty, the sponge will immediately absorb the ink. Once it is near capacity, the sponge will absorb ink slower and may take up to a second to fully absorb. You can stop refilling at this point; oversaturating the sponge will only cause it to leak out.
  4. Flip the cartridge over the paper towel and carefully shake the cartridge. There should be no ink dripping from the sponge. You can use the paper towel to absorb any excess ink.
  5. Re-insert the cartridge into the printer
  6. The print may display the two following error codes:
    7. Error Code 1600 Error Code 1689
    The ink may have run out. Replacing the ink tank is recommended. Printer detected ink out condition. Replace the ink tank
  7. The first error code (1600) can be bypassed by simply clicking OK on the printer. The second error code can be bypassed by simply holding down the STOP button on the printer until the message disappears.
  8. If you are having trouble with the refill kit please refer to our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or contact us by SUBMITTING A TICKET (Click Here).

Refill Instructions for Canon PGI-280/580 and CLI-281/581 Black

Cartridge:

  • Canon PGI-280 (Pigment) or CLI-281 Black (Dye)
  • Canon PGI-580 (Pigment) or CLI-581 Black (Dye) – European Version

Type: Sponge

Ink Volume:

  • Canon PGI-280/580 – 11.2mL
  • Canon PGI-280/580 XL – 18.5mL
  • Canon PGI-280/580 XXL – 25.7mL
  • Canon CLI-281/581 – 5.6mL
  • Canon CLI-281/581 XL – 8.3mL
  • Canon CLI-281/581 XXL – 11.7mL

Cartridge Color: Black

Materials Required

  • Empty or Partially Filled Cartridge
  • Black Refill Ink
  • Disposable Glove
  • Paper Towel or Cotton Cloth
  • Syringe with Tubing

Instructions:

  1. Before beginning, ensure that the cartridge is refilled on top of a non-absorbent, easy to clean material (like a sink).
  2. Flip the cartridge over until the semi-oval sponges are visible.

  3. Note that the PGI-280 cartridge uses pigment ink, whereas the CLI-281 cartridge uses dye ink and is slightly less viscous.
  4. Place the clear tube onto the syringe and fill the syringe until full. Slowly release the ink, drop by drop, onto the sponge of their corresponding ink cartridge. When the cartridge is empty, the sponge will immediately absorb the ink. Once it is near capacity, the sponge will absorb ink slower and may take up to a second to fully absorb. You can stop refilling at this point; oversaturating the sponge will only cause it to leak out.
  5. Flip the cartridge over the paper towel and carefully shake the cartridge. There should be no ink dripping from the sponge. You can use the paper towel to absorb any excess ink.
  6. Re-insert the cartridge into the printer
  7. The print may display the two following error codes:
    8. Error Code 1600 Error Code 1689
    The ink may have run out. Replacing the ink tank is recommended. Printer detected ink out condition. Replace the ink tank
  8. The first error code (1600) can be bypassed by simply clicking OK on the printer. The second error code can be bypassed by simply holding down the STOP button on the printer until the message disappears.
  9. If you are having trouble with the refill kit please refer to our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or contact us by SUBMITTING A TICKET (Click Here).

Refill Instructions for Canon CL-276/XL Tri-Color

Cartridge:

  • Canon CL-276
  • Canon CL-276XL

Type: Sponge

Ink Volume:

  • CL-276 6.2 mL
  • CL-276XL – 12.6 mL

Cartridge Color: Tri-Color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)

Materials Required

  • Empty or Partially Filled Cartridge
  • Cyan, Magenta, Yellow Ink
  • Drill Tool
  • Disposable Glove
  • Paper Towel
  • Syringe and Needle
  • Printhead Cleaning Wipes

Instructions:

  1. Before beginning, ensure that the cartridge is refilled on top of a flat surface that is easy to clean and won’t stain. Place one or several folded sheets of paper towels beneath the cartridge.
  2. Partially remove the identification label from the top of the cartridge until all the holes are revealed as below. You will note that the regular and the XL cartridge look identical. Although they are filled to a different volume at the factory, either cartridge should be able to hold around 5 mL of ink per color. Also note that the following white dots are the location of the air holes.
  3. Position the included drill tool over the provided air holes (as referenced above) as they each lead to three, different ink chambers. Slowly turn the included drill bit tool in a forward and reverse motion until you are able to access the ink reservoir beneath with the provided needle.
  4. Fill the syringe until full (around 5 mL) though the fill capacity of the cartridge may be lower depending on any remaining ink inside.
  5. Insert the needle roughly halfway into the hole as shown in the picture reference and slowly inject ink into the cartridge. Pause every few seconds to allow the interior sponge to saturate before proceeding. If ink is close to or overflows, pause, pull the syringe back 1/2 mL and stop.
    6. Note: it is not necessary to insert the entire needle into the cartridge; only enough to reach and saturate the sponge. There are screens and filters on the bottom that may be damaged if inserted in full.
  6. Repeat steps 3-5 for the remaining colors.
  7. It is normal for the printhead to drip excess ink for a short time. During this period do not allow the printhead to have direct contact with an absorbent material such as a paper towel as this may cause the cartridge to continue leaking. Simply leave the cartridge in a dry sink and wait until the dripping has ceased before using the provided alcohol cleaning wipe (or a damp towel with water/rubbing alcohol) to clean the bottom of the cartridge. Additionally, dab off any excess ink from the printhead with a lint-free towel or a soft cloth
  8. Seal the top of the cartridge using the original identification label. Do not cover or block the air hole with tape.
  9. Insert the cartridge back into the printer. It is normal for the printer to display a low ink notification after the refill process, as this sensor is based on the number of pages printed and not the actual ink capacity of the cartridge. The printer will continue to print normally until an error message appears on your PC (Support Code: 1688) or E16 on the printer’s built-in LCD display. To disable this error code, do not close the window, but head to the printer and disable the monitoring system by holding down the triangle/stop button until the corresponding ink light blinks, and the printer will continue to print.
  10. Perform a nozzle check pattern print test to settle the cartridge and check for any printing irregularities. Alternatively, you may print a color picture or a black text document to test the color or black cartridge, respectively. It is also recommended to run the Alignment Tool or Cleaning Tool from the printer. Most printers with an LCD display will have this option available in the settings menu. Printers without a display will generally have this setting under Printer Preferences/Settings from the PC/Mac.
  11. If you are having trouble with the refill kit please refer to our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or contact us by SUBMITTING A TICKET (Click Here).

Refill Instructions for HP 970/971/972/980 Black and Tri-Color

Cartridge:

  • HP 970/971XL
  • HP 972A/972X
  • HP 980

Type: Ink Chamber

Cartridge Color: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

Materials Required

  • Two empty sets of cartridge (see below notes)
  • Black and Color Pigment Ink
  • Eyelet Hooks
  • Disposable Glove
  • Paper Towel
  • Syringe and Needle

Ink Volume:

  • HP 970 Setup: 150 mL
  • HP 970 Regular: 50 mL
  • HP 970 XL: 200 mL
  • HP 971 Setup/XL: 110 ml
  • HP 971 Regular: 50 mL
  • HP 972A Setup: 150 mL
  • HP 972A: 50 mL
  • HP 972X: 150 mL
  • HP 980 Black Setup: 150 mL
  • HP 980 Color: 80 mL
  • HP 980 Black: 200 mL
Setup Regular XL
Black Color Black Color Black Color
970 150 mL 50 mL 200 mL
971 110 mL 50 mL 110 mL
972A 150 mL 150 mL 50 mL 50 mL
972X 150 mL 150 mL
980 150 mL 200 mL 80 mL

Instructions:

    NOTES PRIOR TO REFILLING: Once a cartridge has been depleted, a secondary set of cartridges is required to complete the refill process. When an error message informs you that the ink has run out, simply insert the second set of fully refilled cartridges into the printer. You may do this back and forth between the first and second set every time the ink is depleted. Alternatively, if you only have a single cartridge set and the ink has yet to be depleted, you can refill the cartridge, access the service menu – press the back button on your printer up to 5 times – and reset the printer.

  1. Before beginning, we recommend that the cartridge be refilled on top of a paper towel on a non-absorbent surface (such as a stainless steel table or sink, for example).
  2. Match your cartridge to the following photo:

  3. Use the included eyelet hook to thread a hole into the transparent ball on any of the locations with a green check mark. Using a plier or a small rod/wire threaded through the eye, pull out the plastic ball.

  4. Fill the syringe with ink; due to the volume of ink, you may need to fill the syringe multiple times.
  5. Insert the recommended amount of ink into the cartridge according to the table reference above. Fill quantity may be less depending on the amount of residual ink inside the cartridge.
  6. Re-insert the plastic ball into place, and allow the cartridge to rest for a few minutes.
  7. Load the cartridge back into the printer. It is normal if the ink levels do not reset to full, as the printer will still allow you to print.
  8. Once the cartridge is depleted, repeat steps 1-6 with the alternate set of cartridges.
  9. If you are having trouble with the refill kit please refer to our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or contact us by SUBMITTING A TICKET (Click Here).

Refill Instructions for Canon PG-275/XL Black

Cartridge:

  • Canon PG-275
  • Canon PG-275XL

Type: Sponge

Ink Volume:

  • PG-275 – 10 mL
  • PG-275XL – 10 mL

Cartridge Color: Black

Materials Required

  • Empty or Partially Filled Cartridge
  • Black Refill Ink
  • Drill Tool
  • Disposable Glove
  • Paper Towel
  • Syringe and Needle
  • Printhead Cleaning Wipes

Instructions:

  1. Before beginning, ensure that the cartridge is refilled on top of a non-absorbent, easy to clean material (like a sink).
  2. Partially remove the identification label from the top of the cartridge until all the holes are revealed as below. You will note that the starter or normal cartridge has multiple cells beneath the sticker, whereas the XL is flat with small grooves. The deeper indents are used to restrict the size of the sponge on the non-XL cartridges, hence the lower rated ink capacity. Also note that the following white dots are the location of the air holes – do not seal them.

  3. Position the included drill tool over any of the 16 inlets or, for the XL, over the central air hole as they lead to a single ink chamber. For reference, we drilled the third hole from the top as it is closest to the printhead.  Slowly turn the included drill bit tool in a forward and reverse motion until the resulting hole is sufficiently large for the needle.

  4. Fill the syringe with the proper amount of ink (10mL for the PG-275 or 18mL for the PG-275XL). For a standard 5cc/5mL syringe, you may need to fill it up to 4 times.
  5. Insert the needle roughly halfway into the hole as shown in the picture reference and slowly inject ink into the cartridge. Pause every few seconds to allow the interior sponge to saturate before proceeding. If ink is close to or overflows, pause, pull the syringe back 1/2 mL and stop.

    6. Note: it is not necessary to insert the entire needle into the cartridge; only enough to reach and saturate the sponge. There are screens and filters on the bottom that may be damaged if inserted in full.

  6. It is normal for the printhead to drip excess ink for a short time. During this period do not allow the printhead to have direct contact with an absorbent material such as a paper towel as this will cause the cartridge to continue leaking. Wait until the dripping has ceased before dabbing off excess ink from the printhead with a soft cloth or a towel.
  7. Use the provided Alcohol Cleaning Wipe to clean the bottom of the cartridge. If you run out of the provided wipes, you may use a damp cotton cloth with water or rubbing alcohol to achieve a similar result.
  8. Seal the top of the cartridge using the original identification label. Do not cover or block the air hole (for the normal cartridge it will be on the left, under the 5th hole from the top) with tape.

  9. Insert the cartridge back into the printer. It is normal for the printer to display a low ink notification after the refill process, as this sensor is based on the number of pages printed and not the actual ink capacity of the cartridge. The printer will continue to print normally until an error message appears on your PC (Support Code: 1688) or E16 on the printer’s built-in LCD display. To disable this error code, do not close the window, but head to the printer and disable the monitoring system by holding down the triangle/stop button until the corresponding ink light blinks, and the printer will continue to print.
  10. Perform a nozzle check pattern to settle the cartridge and test for printing irregularities. Alternatively, you may print a color picture or a black text document to test the color or black cartridge, respectively. It is also recommended to run the Alignment Tool or Cleaning Tool from the printer. Most printers with an LCD display will have this option available in the settings menu. Printers without a display will generally have this setting under Printer Preferences/Settings from the PC/Mac.
  11. If you are having trouble with the refill kit please refer to our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or contact us by SUBMITTING A TICKET (Click Here).

Refill Instructions for HP 92/94/96/98 Black

Cartridge:

  • HP 92
  • HP 94
  • HP 96
  • HP 98

Type: Sponge

Ink Volume:

  • HP 92 – 10 mL
  • HP 94 – 15 mL
  • HP 96 – 22 mL
  • HP 98 – 15 mL

Cartridge Color: Black

Materials Required

  • Empty or Partially Filled Cartridge
  • Black Refill Ink
  • Disposable Glove
  • Paper Towel
  • Syringe and Needle
  • Printhead Cleaning Wipes

Instructions:

  1. Before beginning, ensure that the cartridge is refilled on top of a non-absorbent, easy to clean material (like a sink).
  2. Partially remove the identification label from the top of the cartridge until all the holes are revealed as referenced above. (Note: peel the label starting from the top left or top right)

  3. Fill the syringe with ink; for a standard 5cc/5mL syringe, you may need to fill it up to five times, depending on the cartridge.
  4. Insert the needle roughly halfway into the hole as shown in the picture reference and slowly inject ink into the cartridge. Pause every few seconds to allow the interior sponge to saturate before proceeding. If ink is close to or overflows, pause, pull the syringe back 1/2 mL and stop.

    5. Note: it is not necessary to insert the entire needle into the cartridge; only enough to reach and saturate the sponge. There are screens and filters on the bottom that may be damaged if inserted in full.

  5. It is normal for the printhead to drip excess ink for a short time. During this period do not allow the printhead to have direct contact with an absorbent material such as a paper towel as this will cause the cartridge to continue leaking. Wait until the dripping has ceased before dabbing off excess ink from the printhead with a soft cloth or a towel.

  6. Use the provided Printhead Cleaning Wipes to clean the bottom of the cartridge. If you run out of the provided wipes, you may use a damp cotton cloth with water or rubbing alcohol to achieve a similar result.
  7. Seal the top of the cartridge using the original identification label or leave open. Allow cartridge to settle for a few minutes before printing.
  8. Insert the cartridge back into the printer. It is normal for the printer to display a low ink notification after the refill process. This does not affect the cartridge’s ability to print.
  9. Perform a nozzle check, either from the printer or by printing a test page from the computer to test for printing irregularities. Alternatively, you may print a color picture or a black text document to test print quality. If you notice any issues, it may be recommended to run the ‘Alignment Tool’ and/or ‘Clean Printheads’ from the printer or from ‘Printing Preferences’ on the PC/Mac.
  10. If you are having trouble with the refill kit please refer to our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or contact us by SUBMITTING A TICKET (Click Here).

Refill Instructions for HP 74/XL Black

Cartridge:

  • HP 74
  • HP 74XL

Type: Sponge

Ink Volume:

  • HP 74 – 8 mL
  • HP 74XL – 24 mL

Cartridge Color: Black

Materials Required

  • Empty or Partially Filled Cartridge
  • Black Refill Ink
  • Disposable Glove
  • Paper Towel
  • Syringe and Needle
  • Printhead Cleaning Wipes

Instructions:

  1. Before beginning, ensure that the cartridge is refilled on top of a non-absorbent, easy to clean material (like a sink).
  2. Partially remove the identification label from the top of the cartridge until all the holes are revealed as referenced above. (Note: peel the label starting from the top left or top right)
  3. Fill the syringe with ink; for a standard 5cc/5mL syringe, you may need to fill it up twice.
  4. Insert the needle roughly halfway into the hole as shown in the picture reference and slowly inject ink into the cartridge. Pause every few seconds to allow the interior sponge to saturate before proceeding. If ink is close to or overflows, pause, pull the syringe back 1/2 mL and stop.

    5. Note: it is not necessary to insert the entire needle into the cartridge; only enough to reach and saturate the sponge. There are screens and filters on the bottom that may be damaged if inserted in full.

  5. It is normal for the printhead to drip excess ink for a short time. During this period do not allow the printhead to have direct contact with an absorbent material such as a paper towel as this will cause the cartridge to continue leaking. Wait until the dripping has ceased before dabbing off excess ink from the printhead with a soft cloth or a towel.
  6. Use the provided Printhead Cleaning Wipes to clean the bottom of the cartridge. If you run out of the provided wipes, you may use a damp cotton cloth with water or rubbing alcohol to achieve a similar result.
  7. Seal the top of the cartridge using the original identification label or leave open. Allow cartridge to settle for a few minutes before printing.
  8. Insert the cartridge back into the printer. It is normal for the printer to display a low ink notification after the refill process. This does not affect the cartridge’s ability to print.
  9. Perform a nozzle check, either from the printer or by printing a test page from the computer to test for printing irregularities. Alternatively, you may print a color picture or a black text document to test print quality. If you notice any issues, it may be recommended to run the ‘Alignment Tool’ and/or ‘Clean Printheads’ from the printer or from ‘Printing Preferences’ on the PC/Mac.
  10. If you are having trouble with the refill kit please refer to our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or contact us by SUBMITTING A TICKET (Click Here).

Refill Instructions for HP 62/63/64/65/67/XL Black

Cartridge:

  • HP 62 or 62XL
  • HP 63 or 63XL
  • HP 64 or 64XL
  • HP 65 or 65XL
  • HP 67 or 67XL

Type: Sponge

Ink Volume:

  • HP 62/63/64/65/67 – 4 mL
  • HP 62XL/63XL/64XL/65XL/67XL – 7 mL

Cartridge Color: Black

Materials Required

  • Empty or Partially Filled Cartridge
  • Black Refill Ink
  • Disposable Glove
  • Paper Towel
  • Syringe and Needle
  • Printhead Cleaning Wipes

Instructions:

  1. Before beginning, ensure that the cartridge is refilled on top of a non-absorbent, easy to clean material (like a sink).
  2. Partially remove the identification label from the top of the cartridge until all the holes are revealed as referenced above. (Note: peel the label starting from the top left or top right)
  3. Fill the syringe with the proper amount of ink (4-7 ml). For a standard 5cc/5mL syringe, you may need to fill it up twice.
  4. Insert the needle roughly halfway into the hole as shown in the picture reference and slowly inject ink into the cartridge. Pause every few seconds to allow the interior sponge to saturate before proceeding. If ink is close to or overflows, pause, pull the syringe back 1/2 mL and stop.

    5. Note: it is not necessary to insert the entire needle into the cartridge; only enough to reach and saturate the sponge. There are screens and filters on the bottom that may be damaged if inserted in full.

  5. It is normal for the printhead to drip excess ink for a short time. During this period do not allow the printhead to have direct contact with an absorbent material such as a paper towel as this will cause the cartridge to continue leaking. Wait until the dripping has ceased before dabbing off excess ink from the printhead with a soft cloth or a towel.
  6. Use the provided Printhead Cleaning Wipes to clean the bottom of the cartridge. If you run out of the provided wipes, you may use a damp cotton cloth with water or rubbing alcohol to achieve a similar result.
  7. Seal the top of the cartridge using the original identification label or leave open. Allow cartridge to settle for a few minutes before printing.
  8. Insert the cartridge back into the printer. It is normal for the printer to display a low ink notification after the refill process. This does not affect the cartridge’s ability to print. For more information regarding this and steps to disable this notification see our FAQ for a step-by-step tutorial.
  9. Perform a nozzle check, either from the printer or by printing a test page from the computer to test for printing irregularities. Alternatively, you may print a color picture or a black text document to test print quality. If you notice any issues, it may be recommended to run the ‘Alignment Tool’ and/or ‘Clean Printheads’ from the printer or from ‘Printing Preferences’ on the PC/Mac.
  10. If you are having trouble with the refill kit please refer to our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or contact us by SUBMITTING A TICKET (Click Here).

Refill Instructions for HP 21/54 Black

Cartridge:

  • HP 21
  • HP 54

Type: Sponge

Ink Volume:

  • HP 21 – 8 mL
  • HP 54 – 8 mL

Cartridge Color: Black

Materials Required

  • Empty or Partially Filled Cartridge
  • Black Refill Ink
  • Disposable Glove
  • Paper Towel
  • Syringe and Needle
  • Printhead Cleaning Wipes

Instructions:

  1. Before beginning, ensure that the cartridge is refilled on top of a non-absorbent, easy to clean material (like a sink).
  2. Partially remove the identification label from the top of the cartridge until all the holes are revealed as referenced above. (Note: peel the label starting from the top left or top right)
  3. Fill the syringe with ink; for a standard 5cc/5mL syringe, you may need to fill it up twice.
  4. Insert the needle roughly halfway into the hole as shown in the picture reference and slowly inject ink into the cartridge. Pause every few seconds to allow the interior sponge to saturate before proceeding. If ink is close to or overflows, pause, pull the syringe back 1/2 mL and stop.
    5. Note: it is not necessary to insert the entire needle into the cartridge; only enough to reach and saturate the sponge. There are screens and filters on the bottom that may be damaged if inserted in full.
  5. It is normal for the printhead to drip excess ink for a short time. During this period do not allow the printhead to have direct contact with an absorbent material such as a paper towel as this will cause the cartridge to continue leaking. Wait until the dripping has ceased before dabbing off excess ink from the printhead with a soft cloth or a towel.
  6. Use the provided Printhead Cleaning Wipes to clean the bottom of the cartridge. If you run out of the provided wipes, you may use a damp cotton cloth with water or rubbing alcohol to achieve a similar result.
  7. Seal the top of the cartridge using the original identification label or leave open. Allow cartridge to settle for a few minutes before printing.
  8. Insert the cartridge back into the printer. It is normal for the printer to display a low ink notification after the refill process. This does not affect the cartridge’s ability to print but if you would like to reset the counter, please refer to steps 9 and 10.
  9. Cover the gold contact as shown in red in the reference picture for step 1 with tape. After re-inserting the cartridge into the printer, it will begin by performing a print alignment. Once this step is complete, proceed to the next step.
  10. Once the alignment is complete remove the cartridge from the printer. Cover the gold contact as shown in red in the reference picture for step 2 with tape. Do not remove the tape from the previous step. The printer will begin performing another print alignment. Allow this step to complete and proceed by removing the cartridge from the printer. This time, remove both pieces of tape and place the cartridge back into the printer. The counter should reset back to full.
  11. Perform a nozzle check, either from the printer or by printing a test page from the computer to test for printing irregularities. Alternatively, you may print a color picture or a black text document to test print quality. If you notice any issues, it may be recommended to run the ‘Alignment Tool’ and/or ‘Clean Printheads’ from the printer or from ‘Printing Preferences’ on the PC/Mac.
  12. If you are having trouble with the refill kit please refer to our comprehensive troubleshooting guide or contact us by SUBMITTING A TICKET (Click Here).