A compatible cartridge is made for use in a particular printer but is not manufactured by the printer brand itself. For example, an HP-compatible cartridge is designed for the relevant HP printer without being an original HP-branded product.

The cartridge should always be matched to the exact printer model or cartridge code shown on the product page.

OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. An original or OEM cartridge is made or supplied under the same brand as the printer. A Canon original cartridge, for example, is a Canon-branded cartridge intended for a compatible Canon printer.

Not always. A newly manufactured compatible cartridge is produced as an alternative to the original. A remanufactured cartridge begins with a previously used cartridge body which is cleaned, inspected, refilled and prepared for reuse.

The individual product description will explain the type of cartridge being supplied where this is relevant.

Compatible products do not carry the printer manufacturer's branding and are supplied through a different manufacturing and distribution chain. This allows them to be offered at a lower price without automatically meaning lower print quality.

A good-quality compatible cartridge should provide clear, dependable results for normal home and office printing. Our compatible cartridges are quality checked and tested before being offered for sale.

Results can also be affected by paper type, printer settings, print-head condition and the type of document being printed.

Using a compatible cartridge does not automatically cancel the whole printer warranty. A printer manufacturer may, however, investigate whether a particular fault or damage was directly caused by a third-party cartridge.

Our own cartridge warranty applies separately. Please see our Warranty and Guarantee page for full details.

Page yield is an estimated number of pages a cartridge can produce under specified test conditions. It is useful for comparing cartridges, but it is not a promise that every customer will print exactly that number of pages.

Actual yield varies according to page coverage, print settings, cleaning cycles, printer condition and the type of documents or images printed.

Five per cent coverage means that only a relatively small part of the page is covered with ink or toner. It is broadly similar to a normal business letter with plenty of white space.

Photographs, large blocks of colour and heavily printed documents use much more ink or toner and will reduce the number of pages achieved.

An XL or high-capacity cartridge normally contains more usable ink or toner and offers a higher estimated page yield than the standard version. It can therefore offer a lower cost per page for customers who print regularly.

Many printers allow original and compatible cartridges to be used together. Where a printer displays a recognition message or behaves unexpectedly, fitting a complete matching set can sometimes make diagnosis easier.

Some printers display a message when they detect a cartridge that is not supplied by the printer manufacturer. This warning does not always mean that the cartridge is faulty.

Read the message carefully and select the option to continue, accept or proceed where the printer provides one.

Some compatible cartridges may not report remaining levels in exactly the same way as an original cartridge. The printer may show a low, empty or unknown level even though printing can continue.

Monitor print quality and replace the cartridge when output begins to fade or the cartridge is genuinely depleted.

• Confirm that the cartridge code matches the printer.
• Remove all protective clips, seals and pull tabs.
• Do not touch electrical contacts, chips or imaging drums.
• Install the cartridge in the correct colour position.
• Close all printer covers firmly after installation.

1. Check that every protective seal or clip has been removed.
2. Remove the cartridge and reinstall it firmly.
3. Switch the printer off, disconnect the power briefly and restart it.
4. Make a note of the exact error message.
5. Contact us with the printer model and cartridge code.

Yes, this can happen on some printers. Certain firmware updates change the way the printer checks cartridge chips or electronic circuitry. A cartridge that worked previously may then show a recognition or blocked-cartridge message.

This is particularly relevant to some HP printers using dynamic security. If a cartridge stops being recognised after an update, note the printer model, exact error message and approximate update date, then contact us.

First check that all protective seals have been removed and that the cartridge is installed correctly. For an inkjet printer, run one nozzle check and, where needed, one print-head cleaning cycle using the printer's maintenance menu.

Avoid running repeated cleaning cycles one after another, as they can consume a significant amount of ink. For a toner printer, check that the cartridge and any separate drum unit are fitted correctly.

Stop using the cartridge and remove it carefully if this can be done safely. Keep it upright, avoid touching the leaking area and protect nearby surfaces.

Contact us with your order number and photographs of the cartridge, packaging and any visible damage.

Search using the full printer make and model, or use the cartridge code printed on the cartridge already installed. Small differences in a printer model number can indicate a completely different cartridge range.

You can also use our Find My Cartridge page or contact us for help.

Keep unused cartridges sealed in their original packaging, away from direct sunlight, strong heat, freezing temperatures and excessive humidity. Store toner cartridges level rather than standing them on one end for long periods.

Dispatch timing depends on product availability, the time the order is placed and the delivery service selected. The latest information is shown on our Delivery Information page.

We will send an order update to the email address used at checkout. Tracking information will be included where it is available for the selected delivery service.

Please also check your junk or spam folder if the email does not appear in your inbox.

Contact us as soon as possible. If the order has not yet been dispatched, we may be able to amend or cancel it. If it has already arrived, keep the cartridge sealed and review our Returns page.

Unopened products may be eligible for return subject to our returns terms and any applicable cancellation rights. Please do not open the cartridge packaging if you believe the item is incorrect or no longer needed.

See the Returns page before sending anything back.

Contact us promptly with your order number and details of the problem. Photographs of the outer packaging, delivery label and damaged item are helpful when we investigate a delivery issue.

Our compatible cartridges are covered against qualifying manufacturing faults for two years from the date of purchase.

Full conditions and exclusions are explained on our Warranty and Guarantee page.

During the first 12 months, if a cartridge develops a qualifying fault, please allow us to investigate and resolve the issue. We may provide troubleshooting, a replacement or another appropriate solution.

Where we cannot resolve a genuine covered fault satisfactorily, the affected cartridge may qualify for a refund under the money-back guarantee.

• Your order number or other proof of purchase.
• The printer make and full model number.
• The cartridge code and colour.
• The exact printer error message, if there is one.
• A photograph or print sample where relevant.
• Confirmation of troubleshooting already completed.

Yes. Please keep the cartridge and its packaging until we confirm that the case has been completed. We may need identifying details, photographs or the return of the cartridge as part of the investigation.

Use our Contact Us page and include as much detail as possible. For cartridge problems, the printer model, cartridge code, order number and exact error message will help us respond more efficiently.