How to Remove Air from DIY CIS Cartridges

Priming is important for making a successful DIY CIS. Most DIY tools come with a generic cartridge clip. However, because there are many variations of cartridges, you may not get the clip that fits.

Pic 1: Different Cartridge Clips

One solution is to buy a refill set that comes with cartridge clip. For example, most of BCH’s refill sets come with a free clip for that cartridge model (Picture 2). If a set doesn’t come with a clip, it means the cartridge can be refilled without priming. You can just fill up the cartridge as much as you can and make sure the tube has as less air as possible. A few cartridge-cleaning routines after installation will get out of the excessive air.

Picture 2. An example of BCH ink refill set with a cartridge clip for a particular model. A more extensive collection can be seen here.

Today we show a poor man’s solution to prime any DIY CIS cartridge without using any cartridge clips. The idea is to push ink into the cartridge by increasing pressure inside CIS tank.

Picture 3 an HP color cartridge with BCH mini CIS tank

Tools: a large volume syringe. 50 ml syringe (SKU: AS-SY-L) is the best but 10 ml syringe also works.

	Lay cartridge upside-down on a surface that can tolerate ink spill (Picture 2). Ink WILL come out of cartridge! It is upside-down because you want air gets out first, not ink. Flip the tanks sideway; let ink flow to the big tank.
	Flip the tanks sideway; let the ink flow to the big tank.
	Inject air into the air hole. Ink will be squeezed into the tube and flow to the cartridge. If you use 10 ml syringe, you can wait a minute for the ink to be completely push through the tube. Air will be released from the cartridge and excessive ink as well.
	When you finished prime the cartridge, DO NOT REMOVE SYRINGE! You will create a micro explosion because of ink backfire.
	Instead, use a paper towel to cover the refill hole and slowly pull out the plug and release the air pressure.
	Now you have a cartridge and ink tube ready to go.