To order ink, toner and supplies for you printer, please call 1-877-453-3640 or online www.bestinsupplies.com

Lexmark 12A1980 Color Cartridge

and others from Brother, Compaq, Dell, Lexmark, Xerox and others.
All of the new Lexmark color cartridges used in Z-series printers have a similar design and can use these instructions. In addition, the following cartridges can use these instructions.

Refill Instructions

Step 1) Put the cartridge on some paper towels in an area where you can tolerate a spill.

Step 2) We must remove the glued-on top. You may use either of two methods:

  1. Gently clamp the cartridge bottom in a vise or similar device. Grab the top with a large wrench or set of pliers and crack off the top. This will likely break some plastic, but this is generally cosmetic damage.
  2. Lay the cartridge on a solid surface and put the edge of a sharp knife at the intersection of the black and colored plastic. Pry gently on the lid in several places. Then pull off the top.

Step 3) Keeping the cartridge on paper towels, take a syringe and fill it - about 3-5 ml -- for filling each chamber.

Step 4) Insert the needle fully into the appropriate hole. Get the tip of the needle to the bottom of the cartridge. Inject the ink very S-L-O-W-L-Y and watch until the sponge is saturated. (Some colors will not be empty, so don't expect the sponge to absorb the entire amount.

Tip:If it is unclear which color is in which chamber, stick an unbent paper clip deep into each chamber to see which ink is at the bottom. Do not rely upon the label.

Step 5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other two colors with different syringes.

Step 6) Put the top back on and tape down in place.

Step 7) Set above a paper towel for an hour as a drip precaution. Expect a few drips. The paper towel must not touch the cartridge during this step, since the towel will draw the ink out of the cartridge.

Step 8) For best results, let sit overnight before using.

To order ink, toner and supplies for you printer, please call 1-877-453-3640 or online www.bestinsupplies.com