This time, I tried the G&G Refill Kit, which is available online from various retailers, including Castle Ink (my chosen source). After the horrible encounter I had last time with a , I hoped for better luck through an established business. Unfortunately, the G&G kit only reinforced for me that do-it-yourself ink refilling is an unpredictable and potentially very messy undertaking.

My Serial Refiller trials are anecdotal: one printer, one set of cartridges, one chance for glory (or failure). They do not reflect how a kit will perform with another printer's cartridges, nor can they predict how a refilled cartridge will perform over time. I do not examine the archivability or durability of third-party inks. But if you've been wondering whether , these experiments will give you a taste of what to expect.

Looking at the numbers, do-it-yourself refill kits can offer outstanding cost savings in comparison with the original printer vendor's (OEM) inks. Granted, you can refill a cartridge only so many times before it gives out, depending on how well it endures repeated procedures, and on how well the third-party ink works in the system. Even if you have to start over with fresh cartridges every now and then, however, you'll still come out way ahead--if all goes well.

If all doesn't go well, you could have a mess on your hands. Print quality varies, too: Sometimes it's very good, as was the case with the I tested first. Other times it's downright awful, with streaky text, random blotches marring the page, and blended colors.