If your printer ink isn't long past the expiration date ... Always store cartridges upright as well; it helps keep the sponge in the cartridge moist. My Printer's Prints Are Blurry.

The ink regulating sponge inside the cartridge may be caked with dried ink. If you've got a Canon printer cartridge that won't print anymore you can take the ink out and refill it with fresh ink.

the argument can be made that HP simply reduced the size of the sponge because the cartridges contain less ink. But if that’s the case, the company certainly isn’t passing those savings onto ...

It appears that may very well be the case, at least when it comes to HP ink. All ink cartridges contain something known as a hydrophobic sponge that can absorb ink, but not water. That sponge is key ...