Printer Ink
Putting your words and pictures on the page
With the heavy printing needs of businesses, students and home offices, the price of printer ink is a constant and potentially high cost. When purchasing a printer, it's not just your initial budget and printing needs that you need to be concerned with – you must also consider your long-term needs and budget.
Inkjet printers offer the cheapest ink cartridges, ranging from $12 to $60. They can be purchased in full, four-color cartridges (black, yellow, cyan, magenta). Other times, black may come separately from colors or the four colors may all be in separate cartridges. This last option is best for heavy color printing.
Laser printers use toner cartridges, which contain a dry, powdery ink that sticks to paper. Black-and-white toner is most common, but color toner is also available and is becoming more popular. Toner can be much more expensive than inkjet printer ink cartridges, ranging from $10 to $300. However, toner cartridges can last up to 10,000 pages, compared to the inkjet cartridge maximum of 200 pages.
Another cost-effective option is a printer ink refill kit. Ink and needles are used by the individual to refill empty cartridges. However, this cannot be used for all types of cartridges, so ensure your cartridges can be refilled before investing in a kit. Ink and toner cartridges can also be professionally refilled and can often work just as well as new ones – plus they save money and the environment.
Must-Have Features
- For a great deal of color printing, four separate cartridges (one for each color) are the best option.
- Ensure your cartridges are compatible with your printer, especially if you are buying online, which could make returning an item difficult or impossible.
- Watch out for expired ink. Some cartridges, even if entirely full, will not work after a certain amount of time.
Major Considerations
- Do I require ink or toner for my printer?
- Which cartridges are compatible with my printer?
- Can my cartridges be reused and refilled?
- Do I want to refill my cartridges myself or have it professionally done?
Top Manufacturers
- Canon
- HP
- Epson
- Lexmark
- Kodak
Common Accessories or Add-Ons
- Ink cartridge refill kit
- Printer
- Printer paper
Price Range
Depending on the type and quality of cartridge, the price varies. Inkjet ink cartridges range from $12 to $60, while laser toner cartridges cost $10 to $300. Refill kits can range from $5 to $100, depending on the kind of cartridges being refilled.
Summary
Maintaining full ink cartridges can be a costly and environmentally harmful task. However, you can find cheaper cartridges if you make your purchases carefully. As well, ink refill kits or a professional refilling service can cut down on price and waste.
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