topic Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates? in Desktop Inkjet Printers

How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

MidnightNarwhal — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 23:46:34 GMT

How do I read the date code (I believe it's a date code?) and is that manufactured date or expiry date?

Thanks

Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

Ramona — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 06:09:28 GMT

Hi MidnightNarwhal,

Our ink cartridges do not have expiration dates; if you are having difficulty with the ink purchased for the printer, we ask that you please contact a Canon technical support representative here for further assistance. A representative will be happy to assist you free of charge.

Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

robertbaer — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 05:34:32 GMT

I do not believe there are no manufactured date codes.

Look at the picture...what is "1716L24"?

I just got a BC-20 cartridge, with a dot-matrix code "6DO2D11" printed on its box.

Your statement that there are no codes are not believable in the face of apparent contradiction.

Care to elucidate?

Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 06:14:05 GMT

The ink may not have an expiration date, but it must have a manufacture date. How do we read the manufacture date and convert it to a regular date on the calender. For example, I have an unopened CL-244 ink cartridge. The upper left of its packaging reads 171C04D1C3. How do I convert that to a manufacture date? I am just trying to get a sense of how old the ink might be.

Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:19:23 GMT

If there is no expiration dates why is the manufacture date relevant?

Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:50:10 GMT

Because I would like to know, that's why. I want to know when it was made. Ink dries up when it sits around a long time.

Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

skaizun — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:31:58 GMT

The date any product was created tells how old it is. In 2026, you, probably, don't want to buy cheese made in 2019! Likewise, ink can deteriorate over time, even in a sealed carton, as dyes can separate or harden/settle.

Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

skaizun — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:33:16 GMT

No need to get in a snit over his question; he was curious, just as you are.

Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

DerrickL — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:59:29 GMT

This may shed some light on this issue and it is not spam:

https://inkgenie.com/blogs/resources/what-does-the-date-on-an-ink-cartridge-mean

Re: How to read ink cartridge dates? Are they expiry dates or manufactured dates?

jrhoffman75 — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:35:04 GMT

Canon’s position

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Desktop-Inkjet-Printers/Ink-expiration-date/m-p/477340