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Mark a FIFO date on printer ink multipacks

Printer ink

Write the open date on printer ink cartridges multipack boxes so you use older stock first and keep sealed cartridges cool and upright.

mark fifo date on printer ink multipack — related household tip photo
Photo: Peng / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

A multipack of printer ink cartridges lasts longer when you rotate stock — one marker date on the box end keeps FIFO simple without opening every wrap early.

Mark FIFO dates on printer ink cartridges multipacks

  1. When you open a multipack, write Opened plus the month/day on the outer box end (or the sleeve) with a permanent marker.
  2. Keep sealed singles inside the box, upright and cool, away from a sunny window or a hot garage shelf.
  3. Pull the oldest sealed cartridge first when you need a refill. Leave newer wraps closed until you need them.
  4. If a cartridge leaves the box for weeks, note the ink cartridge number on the wrap so you do not mix sizes (standard vs XL) later.

Do not date individual nozzles with wet ink — the box or sealed wrap is enough.

Honest stop

A date mark does not revive dried ink. If a cartridge sat open or nozzle-down for months, expect a cleaning cycle — not a miracle from the calendar.

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