How To Identify A Genuine Ink Cartridge

How good are you in identifying a genuine consumable part? Such as printer ink cartridges, ink tanks or toners? Nowadays, the recondition or counterfeit technology reaches 99% of similarity compare with a genuine part. This was not a new findings but I wish to share some tips with you for not being a victim of a counterfeit product.

I've brought the new Canon "Genuine" BC-03 ink cartridge from a local computer store two days ago. There is some gap in the printout and this is indicating that the new cartridge's print head has the manufacturer defeat. So I'm ready to get a new ink cartridge replacement at Canon Service Center in terms that the cartridge is still holding not less than 75% of ink. I'm shocked when Canon service personnel telling me that it was a 'recondition' cartridge because it fails for the genuine verification checks. Special thanks to Canon Marketing Sdn. Bhd. (Ipoh, Malaysia.) Mr. Leong, for providing such valuable information on how to identify a genuine consumable part.

Let's see what are the details that you can't find on a counterfeit ink cartridge.


The non-genuine security sticker is 99% perfect but it was easily exposed with Canon 'Handy Viewer'.

The security sticker used on genuine Canon products changes its design depending on the viewing angle. Additionally, the color changes to a bright, iridescent green when tipped to a horizontal position. With counterfeit products, neither the design or color will shift when viewed at different angles. -- Canon (Malaysia).

Some may not aware that the 'distributor' (Canon Malaysia) sticker has the security seal criteria. The red lines indicate the 'cut' line in the sticker. Non-genuine got same size and printing but without the 'cut' line, because it's costly to fake or user are mostly not aware such details.


Expiry dates can be well 'printed' easily. Not trustworthy.


Clear label or text printed on genuine cartridges packaging. 'Re-con' also has the whole new packaging to gain your confidence, however it packed using a 'clear' plastic sheet without any wording or label.


Genuine cartridge has the shiny surface container while the 're-con' use the frosted non-shiny container. Different materials use to mould a container. (Remark: It same as the comparison with 'clear' and 'frosted' glass.)


Protective cover is orange color while the non-genuine one is yellow.


I've inspect the whole non-genuine cartridge and I feel some tiny uplift (red circle) under the label. I believe that this is the place 'they' refill the cartridge. (Note: You may not able to find any suspicious pin hole because some Canon ink cartridge or ink tank has the tiny air hole, but refilled cartridge always has the bigger punctured hole.)


The last thing to check is the most important step as this serial indicates the 'production dates' of the ink cartridge. Check out the serial no. above: 'BD6F0', the 'third' character is the 'production year'. Can't believe that the re-con cartridge serial no. is "943E...", its a 2003 stock! OMG! According to Mr. Leong (Canon Malaysia, Ipoh), cartridge's 'production year' are barely more than two years or else you're getting the old stock already.

At last, I've returned the re-con cartridge to the computer store and get my money back (the price is same as the genuine cartridge!). I hope you'll able to identify the genuine cartridge now and wish those store don't put their business in risk for selling any counterfeit products anymore.