Inkjet Printer Cartridge

Inkjet printers have the advantage of using less expensive cartridges than laser printers but their cartridges need to be replaced much more frequently. If you are shopping for a new printer, replacement cartridges should be part of your decision. Different cartridges (even from the same manufacturer) have different yields which can affect their relative cost-effectiveness.

Inkjets are the main types of printers used for personal printing and small business applications. Because of the size of this market and the nature of inkjet printers, the major manufacturers can afford to almost give their printers away and still make it up on the cartridges. This is the main reason why they try to steer printer owners away from third-party suppliers.

As long as the mechanisms within a replacement cartridge (and its dimensions) match those within the original cartridge, it should work. Every manufacturer’s cartridges have defects occasionally, but that is why they offer guarantees. No matter whose cartridges you purchase, you should receive some sort of guarantee against defects.

The only time you must use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) cartridges is when you have a specific service agreement that says so. Before you purchase a third-party brand, you should be certain that none of your warranties or service agreements require OEM cartridges. If not, you can save substantial amounts of money by buying from third-party manufacturers.