Refilling a bingo dauber instead of throwing it away is one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce waste. A standard dauber holds enough ink for roughly 500–800 dabs, and once it runs dry, most players toss it in the trash and buy a new one. But with a few dollars’ worth of refill ink and five minutes of effort, you can bring that same dauber back to full strength and keep using it for months.
This guide walks you through the complete refill process step by step. If you are brand new to daubers and want a broader overview first, our guide on how to use bingo daubers covers the basics of dauber types, grip techniques, and general care.
Why Refill Instead of Replace?
There are three strong reasons to refill your bingo daubers rather than buying new ones every time the ink runs low:
Save Money Over Time
A single dauber costs between $1 and $3 at retail. A 4 oz bottle of refill ink costs $3–$6 and can fill a standard dauber 8–12 times. That brings the per-refill cost down to roughly $0.30–$0.50, which is a significant savings if you play bingo regularly or run games for a group. Over a year of weekly play, refilling instead of replacing can save $50 or more.
Reduce Plastic Waste
Bingo daubers are made of plastic that is not typically recycled through curbside programs. Each time you refill instead of discard, you keep one more plastic bottle out of the landfill. For bingo halls and event organizers who go through dozens of daubers per month, this adds up to a meaningful reduction in waste.
Keep Your Favorite Dauber
Many regular players develop a preference for a specific dauber—maybe it has the perfect grip, the right tip firmness, or a lucky color. Refilling lets you keep using the dauber you already love rather than breaking in a new one.
Which Daubers Are Easiest to Refill?
Not all daubers are built the same way, and some are much easier to open and refill than others. Here is a quick breakdown:
- Twist-top daubers: The easiest to refill. The tip assembly unscrews from the barrel, giving you direct access to the ink reservoir. Brands like Dab-O-Ink and Sunsational are known for this design.
- Press-fit daubers: The tip pops off with a firm pull. These are common in mid-range brands and require a bit more force to open and reseal, but they are still very manageable.
- Sealed daubers: Some budget daubers have tips that are glued or heat-sealed in place. These can still be refilled by carefully prying the tip off with a flathead screwdriver, but the process is less clean and there is a risk of damaging the foam tip.
If you are shopping for daubers with future refills in mind, check our guide on where to buy bingo daubers for brands that are known for refill-friendly designs.
Materials Needed
Gather these items before you start:
- Refill ink – Bingo dauber refill ink is sold online and at bingo supply shops. Make sure the ink matches the type in your dauber (water-based is standard). A 4 oz bottle is the most common size.
- Small funnel or syringe – A plastic syringe (without a needle) gives you the most control when adding ink. A small kitchen funnel also works if the bottle opening is wide enough.
- Paper towels – Ink spills are almost guaranteed during your first refill. Lay down several paper towels on your work surface and keep extras nearby.
- Disposable gloves (optional) – Dauber ink stains skin for hours. Nitrile or latex gloves keep your hands clean.
- Small bowl of warm water (optional) – Useful for cleaning dried ink from the tip or reservoir before refilling.
Step-by-Step Refill Instructions
Step 1: Remove the Tip
Hold the dauber upright with the tip facing up. For twist-top models, grip the tip assembly firmly and turn it counterclockwise until it unscrews. For press-fit models, grip the base of the tip with one hand and the barrel with the other, then pull straight apart with steady force. Work over a paper towel in case residual ink drips out.
Step 2: Clean the Reservoir (If Needed)
Look inside the barrel. If you see dried ink caked on the walls, rinse the barrel under warm running water until the residue loosens. Shake out excess water and let it air-dry for a minute or two. A clean reservoir ensures the new ink flows properly and does not mix with crusty old pigment.
Step 3: Add the Refill Ink
Fill your syringe or funnel with refill ink. Slowly pour or inject the ink into the barrel, filling it to about three-quarters capacity. Do not overfill—you need a small air pocket at the top to create pressure that pushes ink toward the tip when you squeeze. For a standard dauber that holds about ½ oz of ink, this means adding roughly ⅜ oz of new ink.
Step 4: Reassemble the Dauber
Press or screw the tip assembly back onto the barrel. Make sure it seats firmly and there are no gaps where ink could leak. For twist-top models, hand-tighten snugly but do not over-torque, which can crack the plastic. For press-fit models, push straight down until you hear or feel a click.
Step 5: Prime the Tip
Turn the dauber tip-down and give it 10–15 gentle squeezes to push fresh ink into the foam tip. You will know the tip is primed when you see a slight sheen of ink on the foam surface. Test on a piece of scrap paper—you should get a solid, even dot within the first 2–3 dabs.
Step 6: Clean Up
Wipe down the outside of the dauber with a damp paper towel to remove any ink that dripped during the process. Cap the refill ink bottle tightly and store it upright in a cool, dry place for next time.
Where to Buy Refill Ink
Bingo dauber refill ink is available from several sources:
- Amazon – Search for “bingo dauber refill ink” to find multiple brands in 4 oz and 8 oz bottles. Prices typically range from $3 to $8 per bottle. Look for water-based, non-toxic formulas.
- Bingo supply websites – Specialty retailers like BingoSupplyWarehouse.com, TheBingoStore.com, and Arrow International carry refill ink in a wide range of colors, including specialty shades like fluorescent and metallic.
- Craft stores – Some craft chains stock dauber-compatible ink in their stamping and ink pad sections. Ranger and Tim Holtz brand inks are compatible with many dauber designs.
- Dollar stores – Occasionally carry small bottles of ink that work for refills, though color selection is limited.
Cost Analysis: Refill vs. New Dauber
Here is how the numbers compare over a year of regular bingo play, assuming you go through one dauber per month:
- Buying new each month: 12 daubers × $2 average = $24 per year.
- Refilling each month: 1 dauber ($2) + 2 bottles of refill ink ($10) = $12 per year.
That is a 50% savings by refilling, and the math gets even better if you play more frequently or use multiple colors. Heavy players who go through 2–3 daubers per month can save $30–$50 per year.
Troubleshooting Common Refill Problems
Dauber Leaks After Refill
Leaking almost always means the tip is not seated properly. Remove the tip, wipe the connection point clean, and reattach with firm, even pressure. If the dauber uses a rubber O-ring or gasket, check that it is in place and not torn. Overfilling can also cause leaks—drain a small amount of ink if the barrel is more than three-quarters full.
Ink Is Too Thin or Too Thick
If your refill ink leaves pale, watery dots, the ink may have been diluted. Try a different brand of refill ink, or add a few drops of concentrated food coloring to boost the pigment. If the ink is too thick and does not flow through the foam, add a few drops of water to the barrel and shake gently to mix.
Air Bubbles Cause Skipping
Air bubbles trapped near the foam tip can make the dauber skip or produce uneven dots. Hold the dauber tip-down and tap the barrel firmly on a table to move bubbles toward the back. Then squeeze gently a few times to push ink into the tip and displace the trapped air.
Foam Tip Is Worn Out
If you refill the ink but the dots are still inconsistent, the problem may be the foam tip itself rather than the ink supply. Foam tips wear down after hundreds of uses, becoming compressed or frayed. Some brands sell replacement tips separately. Otherwise, you can cut a new foam circle from a dense craft foam sheet and press it into the tip housing. For a full guide on making your own tips and daubers from scratch, see our article on what bingo daubers are and how they are constructed.
Colors Mix When Switching Inks
If you refill with a different color than the original, expect the first 20–30 dabs to be a blend of old and new colors. To get a clean color switch, rinse the barrel and soak the foam tip in warm water for 5 minutes before adding the new ink.
How Often Should You Refill?
Most daubers start showing signs of low ink after 500–800 dabs. You will notice the dots becoming lighter, less saturated, or requiring harder squeezes to produce a visible mark. At that point, refill promptly—running a dauber completely dry can cause the foam tip to harden and lose its absorbency, which shortens the overall life of the dauber.
A good practice is to refill when dots start looking pale rather than waiting until the dauber is bone dry. This keeps the foam tip in good condition and ensures consistent performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any ink to refill a bingo dauber?
Stick with water-based dauber ink or washable ink for the best results. Alcohol-based inks, permanent markers, and acrylic paints are not compatible with standard dauber foam tips and can clog or damage them. Always check that the refill ink is labeled as non-toxic and water-based.
How many times can you refill the same dauber?
The barrel itself can be refilled indefinitely. The limiting factor is the foam tip, which typically lasts through 5–10 refills (or roughly 3,000–8,000 dabs) before it needs to be replaced. As long as the tip is in good shape and the barrel is not cracked, keep refilling.
Is refill ink the same as stamp pad ink?
Not exactly. Stamp pad ink is designed for rubber stamps and may be too thin or too pigmented for dauber use. Dedicated bingo dauber refill ink is formulated for the specific flow rate and viscosity that dauber foam tips require. Using the wrong ink can lead to bleeding, clogging, or inconsistent dots.
Can I mix colors when refilling?
Yes, as long as both inks are water-based, you can blend colors to create custom shades. Mix the inks in a separate container first to check the color before pouring into the dauber barrel. Keep in mind that mixing certain colors (like red and green) can produce muddy brown tones.
Do I need to clean the dauber before every refill?
If you are refilling with the same color, a full cleaning is not necessary. Just top off the ink and re-prime the tip. If you are switching to a different color, rinse the barrel and soak the foam tip in warm water to prevent color mixing.
Conclusion
Refilling your bingo daubers is a simple habit that pays off in both savings and sustainability. The process takes less than five minutes once you have the materials on hand, and a single bottle of refill ink can keep your favorite dauber going for months. Pair this with good dauber technique from our how to use bingo daubers guide, and you will get consistently clean dabs every time without spending more than you need to.
