Frequently Asked Questions

What is an original or OEM cartridge?

An ‘original’ or ‘original equipment manufacturer’ cartridge is manufactured by a brand specifically for their line of printers and often cost a lot more than ‘compatible’ cartridges.

What is a compatible cartridge?

A ‘compatible’ cartridge is a brand new cartridge made by a third-party manufacturer. They are not affiliated with the original printer manufacturer and often cost a lot less than OEM cartridges.

Here at Dottyink we only sell high-quality compatible cartridges as the quailty is the same but the savings are greater. However, if your machine is new then an OEM might be the only option so please contact our ink specialists for more information and advice.

What is a remanufactured or refilled cartridge?

‘Remanufactured’ and ‘refilled’ cartridges are recycled cartridges that have been collected by a third party, cleaned, and refilled. Unlike a ‘compatible’ cartridge that is brand new, a remanufactured cartridge takes parts of an original cartridge, usually the shell and the printhead, and is repaired and refilled.

Will I get the same number of printed pages from a compatible cartridge as an original cartridge?

Compatible cartridges are very efficient, therefore you will get at least the same number of printed pages, if not more, from a compatible cartridge than from an original cartridge.

What is a printhead?

A printhead is a device within the printer that sprays the tiny droplets of ink onto the page.

The vast majority of modern printers use cartridges that already have the printheads attached to them. To find the printhead, simply take your ink cartridge out, flip it over and look for a metal bar. That area is the printhead. 

However, some older printers will have separate printheads. If this is the case, they are located right next to where the ink cartridges snap into place. If you’re still not sure where your printheads are, check your printer manual for more information.

What is the difference between drum units and toner cartridges?

A toner cartridge simply contains toner powder or particles, whereas a drum unit is an electrically charged cylinder that fuses that toner powder onto paper to create text and images.

Depending on the printer manufacturer and model, the drum unit may be incorporated with the toner cartridge or sold separately as a single unit. Some printers only need you to replace the toner cartridge, whilst others will require that you regularly replace both the toner cartridge and the drum unit. The printer will tell you the status in the settings and most machines will flash when they need to be replaced. Typically, a laser machine will require the drum changing every 4-5 toners.

We recommend checking your printer manual to determine what you need for your machine.

When is the best time to replace a cartridge?

If possible, we recommend replacing your inkjet cartridges before they run out. This will prevent the ink from drying in the printhead between replacements.

What should I do if my printer cartridge is not being recognised in the printer?

It may be that there is a problem with the communication link between the cartridge and your printer – this can sometimes be caused by dirt, such as dust or even a fingerprint, on the copper contact plate on the cartridge. We recommend following the instructions below to resolve this problem:

Firstly, place some newspaper down to capture any ink spillage, then simply remove the cartridge from your printer and switch your printer off. Using a piece of slightly damp kitchen paper, gently wipe the copper plate to remove any dust or dirt and then allow the chip to dry fully. Once the chip is completely dry, reinstall the cartridge into your printer and switch the printer back on. We recommend that you run the print head cleaning programme on your printer to clean the heads and push the ink through. For best results, you should run the programme three to four times.

If the problem is not resolved, please contact our friendly ink specialists for some further advice.

I have used compatible cartridges in the past and they didn’t work, should I try them again?

Here at Dottyink we have a close, long-standing relationship with our suppliers, who manufacture high-quality, reliable cartridges. If you have had a poor experience with compatible cartridges in the past, we highly recommend trying our premium, own-brand cartridges; and with a 12-month guarantee, what have you got to lose?