Rapid Refill owner Elaine Capers (center) along with store manager Tracy Gibbens (left) and Delivery Manager Travis Wells (right), sell ink and toner for printers as a cheaper alternative to new cartridges. Rapid Refill owner Elaine Capers (center) along with store manager Tracy Gibbens (left) and Delivery Manager Travis Wells (right), sell ink and toner for printers as a cheaper alternative to new cartridges.[/caption]

Just a few years ago Elaine Capers said she knew nothing about ink. Today it is the foundation of her business.

In April 2008, Capers was searching for an established business to purchase and run as her full-time job. That search led her to purchase Rapid Refill, which opened in July 2005.

"We liked the fact that the company was in the recycle business," Capers said. "It is quite earth-friendly."

Rapid Refill sells new, manufacturer-branded ink and toner cartridges for personal and commercial printers, shreds sensitive documents and repairs printers, but it specializes in recycling and refilling empty ink and toner cartridges.

"We offer our products as an alternative to homes, businesses and residents of the community," Capers said. "Our typical customers are parents with students at home who want to be able to print more or people who run businesses out of their home who want to reduce their costs. We help people save money every time they press the "Print" button."

According to Capers, refilling ink cartridges can result in a significant cost savings—typically a 20 to 50 percent reduction from buying new cartridges from the manufacturer.

"We recycle and refill most of the Canon and Hewlett-Packard cartridges on-site with syringes or specialty-made machines. It's a relatively easy process to complete.

"The most difficult part of my job is customer education," Capers said. "Many manufacturers put messages and warnings on their products stating that if you use third-party cartridges, it will void their warranty. That isn't true. It is perfectly okay to use refilled ink. We even guarantee the printer [by fixing or replacing it] should the remanufactured cartridge damage it.

"We guarantee the quality of every one of our products," she said. "Besides the price, users shouldn't really expect any difference in color or print quality when using our products."

Capers also said her business retains about 400 commercial accounts which keeps her two employees busy servicing businesses up to 45 miles away.

Rapid Refill

2150 W. Northwest Hwy., Ste. 103, Grapevine, 817-251-4465,https://grapevine.rapidinkandtoner.com

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.