Adding Ink To the Ink Pad Touch the tip of the ink bottle to the surface of the ink pad and move it around the pad while gently squeezing the bottle until most of the top surface of the pad is covered with ink. Do not allow any ink to come near the edges of the pad or near the rim of the opening. It is best to allow the ink to be fully absorbed by the pad or roller before you resume printing. You do not need to remove the ribbon from the printer when adding ink. You should be able to reach the pad and ink it when you open the cover of the printer. It is not necessary to cover the opening in the cartridge. The ink will not dry out when it is in the pad. If you do put a cover such as a label or piece of tape over the opening it could fall off while printing and damage your printer. Therefore, this is not recommended. When To Add Ink You should add ink as soon as your print begins to fade. Do not wait until your print becomes very light or gray. If you do, it may require two or three applications to bring the ribbon back to it's maximum darkness or intensity. Usually. even if your print is still somewhat dark you can add a small amount of ink to the pad to maintain dark print. If you place a drop of ink on the pad and it is absorbed within a few seconds, you can probably safely add ink even though your print is still dark. If the ink pad is shiny or glossy looking for a while after you add ink or place a test drop on it, the pad is probably fully saturated. It is always better to add less ink than more. If you need darker print, you can always make a second or third application of ink if needed. Safe Handling Of Ink The ink supplied with your ribbon should be handled in a manner similar to that used for oil based or solvent based paints or stain. Handle this ink very carefully to avoid stains on clothing, furniture, or carpeting. KEEP THIS INK AWAY FROM CHILDREN OR PETS. It can be harmful or fatal if swallowed. When removing the cap from the bottle always hold the bottle by the neck and twist the cap off to avoid squirting the ink inadvertenetly. Hold it by the neck when replacing the cap also. Store your bottle of ink in a upright position in a disposable paper or plastic cup or in a plastic bag. A folded wad of paper towel placed in the bag or cup is a good idea to absorb ink in case of a leak or crack in the bottle. Be sure to replace the cap on the bottle after use.