Posted by Sian McFee on July 18, 2011 under Heath & Beauty | 
Stargazer makeup started in 1978 with a stall in the Great Gear Market on Kings Road in London. Kings Road was then the hub of punk and gothic fashion which still remains to be the inspiration for many Stargazer products today. Although the company is still based in Croydon, a small town in South London, they have long expanded their target market by venturing into department stores. Today, many of their products are often featured in fashion magazines like Vogue. Their products include temporary and semi-permanent hair colour, liquid foundation, body paint, glitter makeup, loose and pressed powder, eye liners, eye shadows, lip gloss, lipsticks, UV face paint and many more.
Now, to achieve a glamorous look, let us talk about makeup trends for the spring and summer seasons of 2011. The summer 2011 look is a more natural look that aims for lighter colour palettes while avoiding heavy foundation. It is time to use brighter colours that enhance bolder lips. While smoky eyes are still in, re-introduce them by mixing them with coloured eye shadow. This is the season to show off flawless skin, bright eyes and kissable lips. Do not be afraid to experiment with different eye shadows or better yet, layer them. Bright red and orange lips are still in. So there are two important assets to place on display this season, eyes and lips. However, still follow the makeup rule that less is more. This only means that if you have gone heavy on your eyes, then take it easy on your lips and vice versa.
First thing is first and that means skin care. Never put on make-up without washing your face so before anything else, that is what to do. Always put on moisturizer then put on some primer or base before putting on foundation. You can skip the foundation entirely if you want to really go natural and replace it with tinted moisturizer instead. For foundation, you can use Pro Foundation from the Stargazer product line. A tip for choosing the right colour and shade of foundation is that it should blend naturally with your skin tone and when testing it, it should almost disappear when it reaches your neckline. Never test it on your hand because the colour of your face and your hand will not always be the same. The best way to put on a foundation evenly is by applying it with a foundation brush or your fingers. Pat your face with a piece of tissue paper to remove excess oils and foundation.
Now do your eyes. Again, put on primer over your eyelids and below your eyes for a better finish and staying power. Put on a base now, this can be your foundation or a specific base for eye shadows. Apply your eye shadow. It is best to stick to warmer tones like orange and yellow for a summer look. Otherwise, use Stargazer black cake eyeliner to achieve a smoky eye look. Use a wet angled brush to apply your eyeliner and blend it in with a cotton swab. Do the same for your bottom lash line. Then apply another coat of eyeliner on your upper and lower lash lines. The colour that you smudge does not have to be all black. You can use other dark shades like brown and grey.
Next, apply your lipstick. Only use reds and oranges if you have light or no eye makeup otherwise it is best to use a nude lipstick if you have smoky eyes. The reason for this is you should only draw attention to one asset, not both. To achieve bold lips, apply concealer to the edges of your lips before you apply your lipstick. Then you can use a lip liner to follow the shape of your lips or a lip brush. Fill in with your lipstick and clamp your mouth onto a piece of tissue paper for a matt effect. Apply gloss only at the centre of your lips so you do not risk smudging the edges of your mouth since red and orange tend to get messy.
To finish your look, dust your face with Stargazer loose powder.
There are also a lot you can do with other Stargazer makeup products such as glitter makeup and UV face paint. Try and experiment with them to achieve your own custom look.
Posted by Sian McFee on July 17, 2011 under Heath & Beauty |
It is a known fact that most online shops sell discount makeup. This is also where women can find elusive items such as crazy colours hair dye or UV body paint. Online retailers can afford to sell their items at a much lower price than local stores because they usually buy by bulk directly from manufacturers. Also they do not need to lease physical stalls and do not need a lot of manpower to run their business. So whatever they get to save on all these elements is then passed on to their customers. More often than not, retail online shops give added discounts by putting items on clearance or making coupon codes available for their consumers. All consumers have to do in this case is look for the text box in which to type the coupon code during the checking out process.
Next on the list are independent retailers using different social platforms such as multiply and Facebook. Nowadays, many people use these platforms to sell various products and many of them are in the areas of health, beauty and lifestyle. These people sell their products similar to the prices that online shops do. Take caution in purchasing from these stores though unless one of your friends has tried them out. Also avoid purchasing pre-order items where in you have to pay first before the item is sourced from the manufacturers. Remember, when you deal with independent retailers like these they usually ask to be paid by bank deposit. Only deal with retailers that offer PayPal as a payment option because PayPal can protect you from fraud and scams. Otherwise, only deal with vendors that you know personally and trust.
Another way to avail of great discounts is by subscribing to groupon or group coupon sites. The way this works is that they send you their daily deals through e-mail every single day. These coupons are usually only half the price of the original price. This works when a minimum number of people avail of the groupon resulting to making the discount available for all. So make sure to be updated on what they offer everyday because these are items you do not want to miss out on. And usually these are items in the health, beauty and lifestyle areas.
Your local stores are also a good source to purchase discount makeup from. Visit your local stores during sales before and after holidays and in between seasons. These are times when they sell cosmetics at great discounts. To be updated on dates of upcoming sales, you can connect with them through their Facebook fan page, follow their twitter account or ask to receive marketing SMS alerts through your mobile phone. In this way, you will always be able to get your hands on your favourite items at a great discount. Clearance sales from your favourite brands are also a great way to get items that you like without having to pay for the full amount. These work great for people who do not really follow make-up trends because the items that are usually on clearance are those that will be replaced by a new make-up collection.
Try your local pharmacies and drug stores if they sell cosmetic products. Chances are, they sell the very same products you see at a department store at a much lower price at half the price.
Similarly, Ebay and Amazon are one of the greatest websites where you can find great bargains. Plus, they have consumer protection which makes it safe platform for customers to make purchases. Purchase items from sellers that have perfect feedback and always read product reviews. In this way you are aware of what to expect such as how fast the seller ships your items and the condition of the item once it has been received.
There are really many places where one can buy discount makeup. Whether you are looking for a new trendy item you just saw on a TV commercial or UV body paint and crazy colours hair dye for a costume party, you are sure to find these items online easily. Just be smart in making your transactions and only purchase from vendors that have a good reputation. Now, all that makeup you have always wanted to purchase can be truly your own at a much lower cost.
Posted by Sian McFee on July 16, 2011 under Heath & Beauty |
Today, purchasing discount cosmetics online has never been easier. Cheap makeup and crackle polish can be found all over the internet. Finding great deals and bargains are extremely easy and economical as long as you know where to find them. These tips should help you get the items that you want at less the cost.
First on the list are groupons which is a shorter term for group coupons. This is an increasingly popular way to get great discounts on particular items. The market for groupons is usually young women so they focus on giving discounts on products that focus on health, lifestyle and beauty. It works by offering daily discounts that offers fifty to seventy percent off the item that has to be purchased by a minimum number of people. When the quota is reached, the discount becomes available for everyone. In a sense, it is like purchasing something at a wholesale price but with a required quantity. At half the average retail price, you are in for a real treat.
Second are various e-commerce websites. Purchasing from online sites has become increasingly popular because of the cheap costs. They have the capability of lowering item costs because they usually buy by bulk directly from manufacturers at a wholesale price. Whatever savings they get from this purchase is then passed on to their consumers. Also, they do not pay lease for stalls or shops and need less manpower to operate. This alone is enough to cut down on expenses. In purchasing cosmetics online, make sure that you are buying from a reputable website. Always read customer testimonials so you know what to expect of your purchase. Also, there is a risk of buying old stock so be upfront in asking for new stock arrivals. Another thing to watch for is the colour of the item you see on websites. These may vary slightly when you receive the item. This is because what you see on your monitors or screens depend on your computer or laptop resolution. However, most websites offer a return or exchange process if you do not like the item or find it different from what you expected. Another money saving bargain that you can avail of are items that are on clearance. These items usually have a separate tab so make sure to look at these items first. Also, many online websites have promos where they give you a discount code that you could use with your purchase. Usually you will be asked to type in this code prior to check out. Plus, many websites offer additional discounts when your items reach a certain amount. If you are getting a lot, this gives you more savings as a consumer. So when purchasing form e-commerce websites watch out for discounted items and promo codes that you can avail of.
Your third option is being up to date with cosmetic sales from you local malls and stores. These usually happen before or after the holidays and in between seasons. The easiest way to know when the sales are is through social networking sites and marketing SMS. Simply check out their Facebook fan page, follow their twitter account or ask to be informed through SMS to know exactly when the dates of the sales are.
Lastly, check the websites of high end brands too. It is a good way of being up to date with the latest make-up trends and also the easiest way to know if they have promotions and discounts through their partner websites or local stores. Avail of loyalty cards or rewards programs to get big discounts on the items that you like or free items that go with a minimum purchase.
With all of these tips, maintaining your beauty routine has never been easier. Now, with all the discount cosmetics you can buy, there is simply no excuse not to look fabulous. Pamper yourself with as simple as a new bottle of crackle polish or as extravagant as a whole make-up collection. Treat yourself to all the cheap makeup you can get because beauty is not a luxury but a necessity. The savings that you get from all of these tips may go a long way.
Posted by Kath on July 15, 2011 under Office Supplies |
One might think there would be very little difficulty when choosing between cheap ink cartridges and original branded cartridges. But the decision is not that straight forward. For an office supply manager who is trying to keep costs down, the task of simultaneously maintaining quality and saving money is tricky to say the least, which is why many hesitate when faced with the choice.
The idea of buying cheap cartridges is to save money. But there is also a need to maintain quality in printing standards, particularly when it comes to producing important documentation, like reports or presentations. In these cases, the idea of getting the original, branded cartridges, like Xerox, Brother or Hewlett Packard ink cartridges seems best.
However, it is worth noting that many brand names are available for lower prices thanks to the prevalence of online shops, with cheap Lexmark ink cartridges, for example, offering similar quality to fully priced Lexmark cartridges.
Original cartridges remain a strong factor in the refill cartridge market for one simple reason, namely that they can be trusted for quality. The fact that they are branded means that the manufacturer offers a seal of quality, and knows that should the cartridge be substandard that their good name will suffer. That, in turn, could mean a fall in sales of their printers, photocopiers and fax machines, which of course is bad for business.
With quality assured, the standard of in-house printing can be impressively high when it comes to providing hardcopy to support presentations or printing detailed reports, perhaps complete with coloured graphics and charts. What is more, studies have shown that the ink used in new original cartridges is more efficient with as much as double the number of documents printed than with refilled or remanufactured types.
But of course, one must pay for that sense of security, with original branded cartridges coming at higher prices than the alternative options. That means the savings that office managers are after is generally lost, though online prices for even original cartridges do tend to be much lower than from high street cartridge shops.
Money is most definitely saved when the cheaper options are availed of. While this should have office managers happy, there is a clear sacrifice when it comes to cartridge performance. There are four main reasons why a cartridge may be priced so much lower than the originals. It may be recycled, remanufactured, compatible or branded but bought in bulk.
Recycled cartridges are good for the environment and the pocket, but they have lower efficiency for the simple reason that they are already used. In general, a cartridge can only be refilled a limited number of times because of the method of refilling involved. The cartridge will always sustain some damage, which eventually takes its toll. Usually, it is only possible to refill a cartridge a maximum of 5 times, after which its performance is too low. Getting a recycled cartridge after its third or fourth refill can be more trouble than it’s worth.
Remanufactured cartridges are another recycled option, though damaged individual parts of the cartridge have been replaced using parts from other used cartridges. These remanufactured versions are tested to ensure they meet the necessary standards but, unfortunately, there is a higher risk that one may be faulty.
Compatible cartridges are unbranded but, as well as being lower in price, are capable of being used with most office equipment brands. This means that, in some cases, the condition that only certain branded cartridges can be used in similarly branded machines no longer applies, so Hewlett Packard printers can use ink cartridges other than Hewlett Packard ink cartridges.
But because some cartridge shops are less particular when it comes to insisting on quality, it is important that one finds a reputable shop or online store to purchase from. Once a reliable source is found, then the advantages of buying cheap ink cartridges can be fully enjoyed.
Finding an affordable branded cartridge is not so difficult these days, thanks in the main to online stores who buy in bulk and distribute without having to worry about large overheads. So, if one has a Lexmark printer, one can find cheap Lexmark ink cartridges, helping to reduce office expenses but retaining the security of the branded original.
Posted by Sian McFee on under Heath & Beauty |
While cheap cosmetics should help greatly in keeping oneself beautiful, one has to think if there is anything at risk in terms of quality.
As far as advantages go, cheap does not necessarily mean they are not real. There are many places today that sell branded cosmetics like stargazer crackle nail polish at a discounted price. The reason that they can sell these at a much lower price than the average retail price is because they buy by bulk directly from manufacturers and pass on those savings to their customers. Also, you may find that the items you purchase online do not come with its original packaging or the packaging that you see in stores. This is where retailers get to save on cost because more often than not, the packaging is what you are paying for. It is a well known fact that online shops sell cheaper than physical shops and stores, it is all a matter of knowing where to find them online. In short, you are getting the same branded cosmetics for less the retail cost.
Cheap cosmetics are also a smart choice for certain products and situations. Eye shadows, mascaras and liners do not really harm you so it would not hurt to purchase a cheaper alternative. For seasonal make-up such as ones you need for a Halloween costume party, its best to purchase the cheapest you can get because you only use it once. Make-up should not be used for more than six months so if you are saving them for next years Halloween party then you might be putting yourself at risk. Cheap nail polish really does not make much of a difference from expensive ones. More often than not, you will not even get to finish a whole bottle at all and will only end up getting thrown out after a few months. Buying these cheap items will not hurt your self-esteem so it is safe to give them a try before judging if they are actually worth it or not.
Cheap does not mean you have to spend for it if you can do it yourself. This means that you can still use old eye shadow or nail polish by experimenting. In this way you can customize your cosmetics to the way that you want it without even having to spend for it while you have created something that you can truly call your own.
There are also disadvantages to using cheap cosmetics on your skin. For women who have sensitive skin, the make-up they use has to be suitable for their skin type especially for products like foundation, mineral powder and blush because these are cosmetics that are used every single day. There are a number of ways to find make-up for a particular skin type. However, it is also more of a trial and error thing. There are brands that one responds to really well and there are those that cause rashes, acne or break-outs. This is true even with expensive make-up. Also, expensive make-up brands are known to contain minerals that actually keep skin healthy and acne free. Cheap make-up, especially those that are unbranded can be harmful to use. So before purchasing them, make sure that you have done your research. Otherwise, you might find yourself spending more than you would like.
Also, there are risks to buying cosmetics online. For one, you cannot check the expiry date of the product if you are looking at it online. To get the worth of what you spent for, it might be best to request specifically for new arrivals. Also, it can be rather difficult to truly see the real colour of the item you are looking at in websites because this really depends on the resolution of the monitor you are using. This being said, there is a very good chance that the colour of the item you purchased may slightly vary from what you thought it was. You can always have them replaced or returned if you do not like the item.
The bottom line is that there are certain products that are best bought cheaply such as stargazer crackle nail polish and there are certain products that should be invested on because they keep your skin healthy. Buying cheap cosmetics will depend greatly on your skin type and personal preference. Try them to see if they are truly worth the savings.
Posted by Kath on July 14, 2011 under Office Supplies |
At first glance, it would seem that compatible cartridges are the answer to the prayers of every office supply manager. After all, they are a cheaper option to the original branded printer cartridges, thereby helping to keep office expenses as low as possible. However, they are not the perfect solution in every case, with a number of issues calling into question the suitability of compatible cartridges with some printer models.
There are, of course, clear advantages to the compatible cartridge and, in many situations it is the perfect solution to the office expenses problem. Whether for a printer, photocopier or fax, ink cartridges need to be in plentiful supply, and replenished regularly. However, in some cases only HP ink cartridges can be used in HP printers, and Epson toner cartridges used in Epson photocopiers.
With that in mind, here are three key reasons why a compatible cartridge may not be as compatible with a particular printer as one might have thought.
Standards of the Compatible Cartridge
Unfortunately, not every compatible cartridge manufacturer does a good job. While many strive to meet the highest standards they can, there are some that are interested more in cutting corners to ensure larger profits. The result is a lower quality product that produces poor printing over a short life span, meaning a less than satisfactory rating in terms of value for money.
While the cartridge may use ink that is not of a sufficient quality, there is also a possibility that low grade cartridges will actually cause serious damage to the printer itself. This is because, though compatible cartridges are designed to be interchangeable, they may fail to properly fit either electronically or physically, and the printer can suffer the consequences. Also, depending on which country one is in, the printer warranty may be void in the case of damage caused by unbranded cartridges.
However, while there are some manufacturers of these compatible versions that are willing to bypass industry standards, many more ensure that standards are adhered to. Finding a reliable supplier can require some trial and error, but ultimately, will save office costs once they are found.
Electronic Compatibility
Ensuring that the compatible cartridge actually fits into the particular printer is only part of the problem. There is also the matter of electronic compatibility, with a number of differing electronic features and capabilities between different brands of printer. There are two main technology types in use in the industry, namely continuous inkjet and drop on demand technology.
Continuous inkjet, which is also known as simply CIJ, is generally used in commercial models but drop on demand, or DOD, is most commonly used in a typical office printer. This also has two types, with the most common being thermal DOD, and piezoelectric DOD used in some Epson models but not very widely. Whatever the type of technology a printer uses, the ink cartridge needs to correspond to it in order to work. This is because the electronic chip and strip that is found on the end of the cartridge is the mode of communication between the cartridge and the printer itself.
Incorporated Printer Heads
A third issue that must be considered is whether the office printer in question has a fixed printer head or makes use of disposable printer heads. A fixed printer head means that the head is built into the machine; while the alternative means that the head is disposed of and replaced every time the ink cartridge is changed.
In the case of the latter, this is usually the reason for the high price of the original cartridge, and makes it difficult to find compatible printer cartridges from an independent manufacturer. However, if the printer in the office was expensive, it is likely because the printer head is in the machine, making it more likely to find a compatible option that really does work.
While the printer is arguably most in need of regular cartridge changes, fax machines also need their replacement fax ink cartridges and photocopiers their replacement toner cartridges. To that degree, there will always be an array of replacement cartridges needed in an office, keeping office supply managers very busy.
And, for the time being at least, HP ink cartridges and other makes may still be preferred over compatible cartridges for technical rather than cost reasons.
Posted by Sian McFee on under Heath & Beauty |
There are many cheap make-up techniques that one can do to still look fabulous. We discuss ways to save on clothes, make-up, shoes, nail art, accessories and hair dye.
As far as clothes are concerned, trends always come back more often than you would expect in a lifetime. The best thing to do is keep clothes that have already become dated and simply store them for future use. Before you know it, you will be using them again in a few years. If you cannot afford to store them because of space issues, you can simply alter the clothes you have now and make them look trendy. You can cut and sew on your own or bring them to a seamstress. Also, whenever you buy clothes, think of them as an investment. As such, consider if you would still wear them five years from now. If you do not generally like to follow trends and are aiming for a more classic look, then you are on the safe side. Stick to plain colours for mixing and matching. Chances are, you will be wearing your clothes until you have worn them out.
For make-up, there are ones that you should invest on and ones that you can scrimp on. The ones that you invest on are foundation, mineral make-up, concealers and blush because these are what you use every day. Plus, these are make-up that should be safe to use for your skin type because not having the right make-up can cause one to have skin allergies and break-outs. Also, more expensive make-up contains minerals that are actually healthy for your skin. Eye shadows, liners, mascaras and lipstick are those that you can scrimp on because they simply are not risky to use. Old eye shadows can still be used by scraping them off from the palette and mixing them with another colour. Do not hesitate to experiment. These are old and will end up in the trash anyway if you do not use them. Similarly, you can always use two shades of lipstick to create an entirely different colour instead of buying a new one. Mascara and liners are only applied minimally. It really would not make a difference if they are expensive or not. If you notice, these are make-up that has been in your make-up collection for as long as you remember and they never seem to run out simply because they are rarely used. Just like what you wear, you use a different shade of shadow everyday to match your outfit. Also, cheap make-up does not generally mean that they are no good. You will be surprised to see some cheap brands to match the quality of the more expensive brands. The bottom line is that as long as you apply make-up the right way and look flawless, you would not make a difference from a person wearing more expensive make-up. In fact, you may even look prettier if you are more skilled in make-up application.
As for nail art, you can also experiment by mixing different colours of nail polish. People rarely finish a whole bottle of polish within a six month period. By this time, the quality of the nail polish has been reduced severely and will eventually be thrown out. As far as nail polish is concerned, a more expensive brand will not look any different from a cheaper brand.
As for hair dye, it is best to invest in a more expensive brand if you have dry hair as cheaper brands may be too harsh for you. Expensive brands treat your hair better by having more conditioning elements. On the other hand, if you have perfectly healthy hair, do not be afraid to buy cheaper brands. Also, if you do not want hair dye to be permanent, you have cheaper alternatives such as those that can be washed out. This is extremely practical especially if you would like to experiment with your hair.
With all of these cheap make-up techniques, there is no excuse not to look good because you deserve it and you can afford it. Go for the nail art and hair dye you have been dying to try. After all, fashion is and will forever be every girls best friend.
Posted by Kath on July 13, 2011 under Office Supplies |
It is a very possible situation, and one that office supply managers have nightmares over. With an important executive meeting a matter of hours away, the office printer runs out of ink bringing the production of crucial company reports to a standstill. What is more, the local office equipment shop is out of printer ink cartridges and the clock is ticking all along. The good news is that this situation could be easy avoided through some careful planning.
When it comes to keeping supplies of printer, photocopier and fax cartridges, some basic rules of office supply management are vital, such as the compilation of a detailed list of all of the machines in use, their brands and model types, and the type of cartridges they use. This is because office equipment cannot use just any cartridge but sometimes only their own, like Lexmark printers favouring Lexmark ink cartridges.
So, keeping a stock of cartridges at hand is not such a simple thing. Here are three ways in which noting company printing habits and then planning the purchase of ink cartridges around that can benefit the office overall.
Always Prepared
The first and main result of planning is that the office is always prepared when it comes to taking on either large or small printing projects. At peak times, when sales reports or projections on an investment are needed, for example, there can be a need to produce several copies of very detailed text, graphs and pictures. This can necessitate not only the use of black ink, but coloured ink too, so that the required quality can be achieved.
More than one replacement ink cartridge should be available for all colours, and particularly black, which is the most used. And if there is more than one brand of equipment in the office, which admittedly is not an advisable situation, the relevant cartridges for each make and model should be in stock.
Customer Loyalty Discounts
To maintain a constant supply of ink cartridges, it is necessary to order regularly and in large amounts. So, one is not simply replacing the cartridge that has recently run out, but is ordering replacements for the next month or two of use. Since it is only logical that such orders are made from the same reliable source, there is no doubt that customer loyalty ranking will build up.
In the long run, this can be very valuable, allowing better discount prices to be negotiated, which would mean more significant savings. However, exactly how good any new deal is will depend on the policies of the particular supplier, the frequency and size of a typical order, and the period of time over which orders have been made.
Greater Office Confidence
Being able to rely on an ever present supply of ink and toner means that the office staff can be confident in going about their work. Not every member of staff thinks of printing matters, with each individual worker having their own important deadlines to meet and challenges to overcome. However, doing their job fully usually requires the use of the office printer and so, on finding supplies have dried up, it is only to be expected that stress levels will increase.
The fallout from this is that the office itself can become a rather unpleasant place to work in, with fears over the supply of essential cartridges contributing to a drop in confidence, and rise in disharmony. Therefore, having everything that office workers need to do their jobs can help to improve the working experience overall.
Planning for orders entails noting the pattern of printer use to identify the needs of the office itself. Once this is identified then the typical number of printer ink cartridges required by the office can be gauged, and a regular order and ordering date can be established with the supplier.
With the number of days for delivery already known, with the usual period around five days, one can ensure that new printer, toner or fax cartridges will arrive in plenty of time before the supply runs out.
In this way, all the HP, Xerox or Lexmark ink cartridges needed by the office staff is sure to be available consistently, keeping everyone working efficiently and benefiting the office in more than just a budgetary way.
Posted by Kath on July 12, 2011 under Office Supplies |
There is no doubt that refilling ink and toner cartridges is the right option when it comes to the environment. It not only helps to solve the supply needs of the modern office in a cost effective way, but ensures that fewer plastic cartridges are in circulation, thereby benefiting the environment.
The truth is that the lower cost of refilling printer ink cartridges, fax cartridges or laser toner cartridges is the real attraction for all office managers. And while it is possible to opt for other solutions, such as buying regular discount ink cartridges, for example, there are certain risks involved in choosing unknown names.
Refilling, therefore, is a logical method of contributing to a cleaner world. Here are five common ways in which refilling cartridges with toner can make a difference.
The DIY Option
The more environmentally conscious amongst us are often happy to do the job ourselves, rather than going to specific service providers. It is possible to buy toner in any cartridge refill shop, but there are a few steps that are vital to remember when choosing the DIY option.
Firstly, the hole through which the new toner is to be poured has to be opened carefully, though some cartridges have no refill hole, meaning a hole has to be made. Secondly, the particular toner needs to be of a high quality or the printing results will fall below the desired standards.
Lastly, the hole has to be resealed. A cartridge that featured a refill hole will have a plug with which to seal it again, but if a hole had to be made, then something will have to be found to plug it securely.
Turn To The Professionals
Most toner and printer ink cartridge retailers combine cartridge refilling services with their sales services. One can simply drop any empty cartridge into them, have them refilled and then carry them back to the office.
The chief advantage of this method is that the chances of a mistake being made is reduced dramatically, thereby virtually guaranteeing the refilling process will be a success with no damage inadvertently done to the cartridge to lower its efficiency, or even render it useless.
Return to the Manufacturer
Many of the leading manufacturers welcome the return of empty, used cartridges from the consumer. The reasons are fairly obvious, with the costs involved in simply repairing and cleaning the cartridge to get it fit again for resale much less than having new cartridges manufactured from scratch.
Getting used cartridges to the manufacturer is not so difficult either, as most retail outlets selling cartridges from the particular brand generally accept the cartridges, and will send them directly to the manufacturers. Of course, it helps in their own environmental push too, which does no harm to their public image and promotional efforts. The exercise also helps to lower the prices of branded cartridges.
Refill and Resale
This is where the empty cartridge is refilled at a refill store but is not returned to the customer. Instead, the cartridge is sold again as a recycled toner cartridge. The cartridge is inspected and tested before being put up for sale but, with a lower price, it is a popular option in efforts to keep office expenses as low as possible.
Although the cartridges are branded cartridges, the names are removed, a practice which may attract criticism in other industries but is welcomed even by the brands themselves in this sector.
While this is not just a refilling service, it does make a real contribution to the environment by creating a more affordable market and reducing the number of brand new toner cartridges coming into circulation.
Remanufacturing the Cartridge
In some cases, individual parts of a used cartridge can be damaged, such as the roller. This makes the cartridge ineffective, but some companies that provide refilling services will take parts from other empty cartridges to essentially remanufacture the cartridge, making it fully functional. Remodeled laser toner cartridges can then be refilled with toner and sold on.
It is true that opting for low cost discount ink cartridges can also save money, but this is ideal only if the particular cartridge is compatible with the make and model of photocopier the office has. This is an important factor to remember.
Posted by Kath on July 11, 2011 under Office Supplies |
No one can argue with the fact that the modern printer is an essential piece of office equipment. After all, documents, reports and presentation info all need to be printed and distributed to staff and clients. But while printers are essential, they are equally costly, with printer ink in particular the root of budgetary worries for office managers.
For that reason, the task of finding the most affordable ink for printers, and for photocopiers and other office equipment also, is an important one. There are many ways to cut costs but most of them involve cutting corners. With the arrival of online ink cartridge supply stores, the costs involved in maintaining a steady supply of ink and toner cartridges have been reduced significantly.
Some of these sites also provide ink cartridge refill services, which basically means that the cartridges belonging to the printers are physically refilled and not replaced by original cartridges.
The fact is that, while there is no problem in finding high street shops that can supply any cartridge needed, buying replacement cartridges online is accepted as the most feasible money saving move to make. How this is possible is no great secret.
Just as is the case with online stores in general, the overheads involved in ebusiness is significantly lower than for normal, physical shops. Practically everything is lower, from electricity bills to salaries, with no need for front of house staffing, stockroom managers, and no need to pay high street rent, signage and even shop advertising.
Instead, an online store can cheaply provide a detailed list of all of the products they have on the site, buy their stock in bulk and store everything in a small warehouse. Distribution, meanwhile, is handled by the established postal services, with first class or registered post used to send stock to their customers.
And because they are present on the internet, their actual location is not important. While a shop in Manchester will not attract business from Edinburgh, a website has the potential to attract customers from every corner of the country, and even the world. The result is a huge market and tens of thousands of potential customers, which allows prices to be set at the very lowest possible.
If one turns to getting ink cartridges physically refilled then it is certain to save on costs, particularly if there is a large quantity of cartridges to be refilled. As is the case with walk in shops on the high street, not every online store offers this kind of service. For those that do, there are a number of conditions that must be satisfied before they can get the job done.
It is important to understand that, in most cases, the service is paid for in advance, with the website issuing an order ID and then an address to which to send the empty cartridges. However, there are some advantages that come with the service. Once they have been received, the cartridges are tested for the performance quality of their electronic components, in much the same sense as a car may be inspected for road worthiness.
After the test, the cartridges are cleaned to ensure they are returned to the sender in the best possible condition. Meanwhile, the ink used to refill the cartridges is usually top quality ink, meaning that the printing quality is maintained as much as possible.
The drawback, however, is that by refilling the cartridges at all, the cartridge seal is broken and the cartridge performance compromised. This means that the cartridge can only be refilled a limited number of times. Providers of ink cartridge refill services keep a careful record so they can reject cartridges they have filled a certain number of times before. Usually, the limit is set at 5 refills.
It is always worth remembering that while toner cartridges are filled with powdered ink, they can also be refilled with relative ease. These can actually be done independently, but it is always a good idea to have professionals do it. This is especially true when it comes to more recent cartridges, which contain a smart chip.
But, printer ink remains the key expense and for office managers finding the best deal in replenishing supplies is imperative. The answer usually lies online.