Xiaomi Portable Printers: Why is filling the cartridge more profitable than buying a new one?
Portable printers Xiaomi — such as Mi Portable Photo Printer or Xiaomi PrintJoy — gained popularity due to the compactness and quality of printing. But the original cartridges to them are almost like the device itself: the price of a new cartridge for Mi Photo Printer reaches 3-4 thousand rubles, while refueling costs 3-5 times cheaper.
In practice, Xiaomi cartridges are refueled in the same way as traditional inkjet printers — the main thing is to know the nuances of the design and find compatible ink. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step instructions with the photo, talk about the choice of ink, disassembly of the cartridge and typical errors that reduce the life of the printer, and also compare the benefits of refueling with buying a new cartridge in the table.
⚠️ Important: refilling a Xiaomi cartridge takes away the printer warranty if it's still valid, but for most users, that's not a problem -- the warranty period usually ends before the ink in the first cartridge runs out.
Which Xiaomi printer models support refueling?
Not all Xiaomi portable printers are equally refuel friendly, and here is a list of models that have been tested by users and wizards:
- 📸 Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer (first generation, 2018) is the most common variant. ZINK Cartridge with thermal printing, but is refueled with special ink.
- 🖨️ Xiaomi PrintJoy Mini is an inkjet printer with a cartridge HP 62 (compatible with the original refills for HP).
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi Pocket Photo Printer 2 is an improved version of the first generation, the cartridge is similar, but with increased resource.
- 🎨 Xiaomi Mi Smart Photo Printer is a hybrid model with the ability to print on thermal paper and photo paper. Only the thermal dye is refueled.
If your model is not on the list, check the type of cartridge in the documentation. chip cartridges (like PrintJoy) require resetting the meter after refueling, otherwise the printer will not recognize them. For thermal printers (Mi Photo Printer), the chip is not necessary, but it is important to use special ink for ZINK, not conventional inkjet.
What you need to refuel: tools and materials
Before you start, you have to prepare everything you need, and the quality of the materials will determine how long the cartridge will last after refueling.
- 🔧 Tools: Thin screwdriver (cross or flat, depending on the model); 5-10 ml syringe with or without a needle (for ink jet cartridges); Rubber gloves - ink is poorly washed; paper towels or napkins without pile; Scotch or insulation (for sealing after refilling).
- 🎨 Ink: For Mi Photo Printer and Mi Pocket Photo Printer 2, ink for ZINK (e.g. InkTec ZINK or SubliJet-R). For PrintJoy Mini, ink for HP 62 (pigment or water-soluble, but don't mix types!).
- 🧴 Extra: Alcohol or a printing head cleaning liquid (if the cartridge is clogged) to check the ink level after refilling.
⚠️ Warning: Never use ink for conventional inkjet printers in Xiaomi thermal printers! This will cause permanent damage to the print head due to different chemical compositions. The therm dye must be based on freeze-drying paint.
Buy ink strictly for your printer model |
Prepare the workplace (cover the table with film or paper)|
Check the ink level in an old cartridge (perhaps it will last for another 10-20 photos)|
Disconnect the printer from the network and remove the cartridge according to the instructions-->
Step-by-step: how to fill up the cartridge Xiaomi Mi Photo Printer
Consider the process using the most popular model, the Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer. Its cartridge has thermal printing (ZINK), so the technology is different from inkjet printers.
Step 1: Removing the cartridge
1. Turn off the printer and take out the paper (if it is loaded).
2 Open the printer cover, which is usually fixed by a latch.
3. Pull the cartridge carefully over you. Don't make any effort if it doesn't yield, check if there are any additional locks.
Step 2: Disassembly of the cartridge
The Mi Photo Printer cartridge is made up of two parts: the top (with ink) and the bottom (with a printed head).
- Place the cartridge on the table with the printed head up.
- Put a screwdriver plastic latches on the sides (they are usually 2-3).
- Separate the halves by gently pulling them to the sides. Don't pull - there may be wires inside!
⚠️ Warning: Inside the cartridge is a sponge soaked in ink. Don't touch it with your bare hands, because skin fat impairs the quality of the print.
Step 3: Filling the ink
1. Type in the syringe (without needle!) 3-4 ml of ink for ZINK.
2. Gently drip the ink on the sponge, spread evenly over the surface. Don't pour it in one place, it will lead to overflow.
3. Let the sponge absorb the ink (5-10 minutes). If the ink is low, add more, but don't overflow.
4. wipe the edges of the cartridge with a napkin to remove the excess.
Step 4: Assembly and inspection
1. Connect the halves of the cartridge and fix the latches.
2. Install the cartridge back into the printer.
3. Download 2-3 sheets of photo paper and run the test print. If the colors are pale, fill in more ink.
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If the printer gives a “Low Ink” error after refueling, try resetting the meter through the Mi Home app. Go to Printer Settings → Reset the cartridge.
Refilling of the cartridge Xiaomi PrintJoy Mini (inkjet printer)
The PrintJoy Mini uses HP 62 cartridges, which are refueled using classic inkjet printer technology, the main difference being the need to reset the chip after refueling.
Features of the process:
- 🔄 The cartridge has a built-in chip that blocks the printing after refueling, and it needs to be reset software or replaced.
- 💧 The ink is filled through the air holes (they're covered with a sticker). Don't stick the cartridge with a needle, it'll hurt it!
- 🧹 After refueling, be sure to clear the print head through the printer menu.
Step-by-step:
- Remove the sticker from the top of the cartridge (the filling holes are hidden under it).
- Type ink into the syringe (no more than 5 ml for a colored cartridge).
- Slowly inject the ink into the hole until it starts to flow back out.
- Wipe the cartridge with a napkin and seal the holes with a new sticker (you can use scotch).
- Install the cartridge in the printer and start cleaning the print head 2-3 times.
How to Reset a Chip on an HP 62 Cartridge for a PrintJoy Mini?
Comparison: Refill vs. Purchase of a new cartridge
To understand how profitable refueling is, compare the costs with the example of Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer:
| Parameter | Buying a new cartridge | Self-fuelling | Refueling on the service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (rupe) | 3000–4000 | 500–800 | 1000–1500 |
| Resource (number of photos) | 50–60 | 40–50 (depending on the quality of the ink) | 45–55 |
| Guarantee | Yeah (for a new cartridge) | No. | Sometimes (depending on service) |
| Difficulty | Just put the new one in. | It requires care. | It doesn't take effort. |
| Risk of Printer Damage | No. | Eat (for mistakes) | Minimum |
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Refilling Xiaomi cartridge pays off after 1-2 cycles of use, for example, for the price of one new cartridge (3500 rubles) you can refill the old 4-5 times, saving up to 12,000 rubles.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with a clean refueling, users often face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:
- 🩸 Ink overflow -- if you pour too much, the cartridge will leak. Solution: fill in 1 to 2 ml of ink with breaks in absorption.
- 🎨 Mixing ink of different types -- pigmented + water-soluble, for example -- solution: Use only the ink that was in the cartridge originally.
- 🔥 Air entering the print head -- leads to stripes in the photos. Solution: before refueling, squeeze the cartridge from the sides to squeeze out the air.
- 📉 Ignoring head cleaning – after refueling, be sure to start the cleaning procedure in the printer menu.
- 🚫 Use alcohol to clean -- it breaks down rubber seals. Solution: use a special wash fluid or distilled water.
⚠️ Warning: If the printer stopped printing after refueling or if it says "Print head locked," don't try to disassemble it yourself. 80 percent of the time, the problem is solved by repeatedly cleaning the head (5-10 cycles) or resetting the chip. If that doesn't work, contact the service.
How to prolong the life of the cartridge after refueling?
A refueled cartridge will last longer if you follow these tips:
- 📅 Use your printer regularly -- if it's idle for more than 2 weeks, the ink will dry in the head. Print at least 1 photo per week.
- 🔌 Store the cartridge correctly - if the printer isn't in use, remove the cartridge and put it in a sealed bag with a wet wipe.
- 🧹 Clean the print head – start cleaning the printer menu every 50 to 100 prints.
- 🌡️ Avoid overheating – do not leave the printer in direct sunlight or near the battery.
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If you're filling the cartridge for the first time, test printing on a draft paper to help you evaluate the quality of the ink and add it to full refill if necessary.