Every type of printer uses some kind of ink cartridge in order to print images and text. The cost of ink is high even by today’s standards. Some inkjet cartridges may seem inexpensive but unfortunately inkjet printers tend to use up the ink quickly, decreasing the amount of time between replacements. Laser printer ink cartridges are generally more expensive although they last longer than inkjet cartridges.
Inkjet cartridges come in different packages either as groups of colors or individually. Printers will either accept individual colors or the packages but rarely both types. The group of colors that come packaged together are black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Purchasing printers that use the packaged ink colors may seem like a better deal except that sometimes one color runs out before the others and the whole cartridge will need to be replaced. Individual colors are best when it comes to replacing ink and printing high quantities of colored images.
Laser printer cartridges are actually toner cartridges. They’re different from inkjet printers because rather than a liquid substance they actually use a dryer ink that is powdery. The toner cartridges are found in both black and white and color. They can be much more expensive than inkjet cartridges with prices going as high as $300 each. However, toner cartridges can print up to 50 times more than an inkjet cartidge.
Some cartridges have the capability of being refilled via an ink refill kit. Either the refill kit or the actual cartridge will have an indication stating whether or not a cartridge can be refilled. The ink refill kits are much less expensive that purchasing a whole new cartridge although it does have it’s drawbacks. Refilling a cartridge too many times can lead to the cartridge not releasing ink properly. Improper use of a refill kit can also result in damage to the cartridge. While ink refill kits have their advantages they also come with higher risks than just buying a new cartridge.
A lot of people don’t realize that ink can expire. It’s something to keep in mind the next time you want to stock up on your brand of ink when there’s a sale. If ink is not used before the expiration date it can lead to problems with printing to the point that it won’t work at all. Many sales on ink occur because the expiration date is nearing so be sure to check the expiration date before purchase.
