Cartridges have been manufactured to last considerably, a huge turnaround from what printer makers want the users to believe. Under normal printing circumstances, a cartridge can last up to four printing lifetimes.
This only means that OEM cartridges can be refilled up to three times. Three is normally the practice because experience reveals that printing irregularities regularly appear on the fourth refill.
However, a cartridge can last indefinitely if remanufacturing is practiced. Remanufacturing only means overhauling the cartridge, defective parts are replaced, reassembled, tested before ink or toner is poured over. This give users distinct advantage, because buying new cartridges subsequently is omitted.
