Original brand ink has become so pricey that a clique of printer users now humorously calls it “liquid gold.” Every year, billions of dollars are spent purchasing branded ink.
But why is printer ink so expensive to begin with, and how can you reduce your printing costs to print more for less?
Why Is Printer Ink Expensive?
Genuine ink, also known as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) ink, is made by printer manufacturers like HP, Canon, and Epson and is often expensive. Here’s why OEM ink is costly.
Ink Research and Development Is Expensive
Ink technology is expensive to develop. Formulating reliable inks essential for producing high-quality images requires expensive research.
Ink manufacturers spend time researching the perfect mixture of dyes, pigments, and other ingredients to create premium ink, producing ink that’s water-resistant and dries quickly. HP, for instance, claims it takes lots of research, rigorous pre-release testing, and premium components to create clog-free and color-accurate inks.
HP inks are further engineered to dry almost instantly on paper and withstand exposure to heat, water, and abrasion.
You’re Paying for the Printer
Manufacturers know most consumers favor OEM accessories over seemingly less trustworthy third-party alternatives. However, they still set high prices; for instance, the cost of replacement cartridges for a high-end inkjet printer could rival that of the printer itself.
Many customers think printers are sold at a loss and that costly ink is used to compensate for manufacturing costs. This is a perfect example of the “razor and blades” business model, where the core product is intentionally sold cheaply to boost the sales of accompanying accessories and generate profits.
The main goal of many printer manufacturers is to control ink technology and prices. They achieve this through strategies like enforcing ink cartridge authentication before allowing its use. The aim is to limit consumers' use of third-party inks, thus increasing printer manufacturers' profits.
Ink Wastage
Printer ink serves not only for document printing but also for maintenance purposes. Some printers use more ink, particularly for maintenance tasks like printhead cleaning.
Supply and Demand
Printers are used by everyone, from offices to homes and everywhere in between. But the genuine ink manufacturer count hasn’t risen much, causing greater demand for replacement ink and increasing prices.
In addition, ink is tailor-made for each printer model. This limits the availability of compatible inks and reduces competition among manufacturers.
What Cost-Effective Printers and Cartridges Exist?
When it comes to printing, the key is obtaining optimal quality prints without overspending on the printer purchase or ongoing ink consumption.Before buying a new printer, consider its price, print quality, print speed, and ongoing operational expenses.
For the budget-conscious, consider OEM ink cartridges like Epson 410XL, HP 67XL series, and Canon PGI-280 / CLI-281. These cartridges work with some ofthe best affordable printer models, including the Epson Expression Premium XP-7100, HP DeskJet 2755, and Canon PIXMA TR8620.
Beware of inexpensive printers! You might save upfront but spend much more on ink down the line.
4 Tips for Efficient Printing
There are multiple ways to print more pages without spending as much. Here are some top tips for efficient printing.
1. Use the Right Printer
Page yields of printer cartridges can vary significantly across printers.Inkjet printers, for instance, use ink cartridges and are primarily suited for home and small business printing. Their compact size and limited capacity mean frequent usage could result in regular replacements, driving up printing costs.
If you frequently print documents and don’t need high-res color, opting for one ofthe best laser printerscould mean huge cost savings over time. Laser printers use toner cartridges and are the go-to option for large businesses and offices with high-volume printing needs.
Toner cartridges generally print more pages before needing replacement. Unlike ink cartridges, they also don’t dry out when left unused for long periods.
2. Evaluate Your Printing Needs
Consider switching to draft mode to save black ink if your printing is mostly black text. In this mode, printers use less ink and print pages faster. Reserve higher-quality settings for your final drafts.
3. Explore Cheaper Ink and Cartridges
OEM replacement inks typically provide higher image quality and page yields. However, if you’re budget-restricted and can compromise on these factors, trusted third-party cartridges are an option to explore.
Third-party ink, often known as compatible ink, is usually significantly cheaper. It’s not uncommon for compatible inks to be multiple times cheaper.
Opting for cheaper ink cartridges can save you money. For instance,4inkjets offers a three-pack of HP 67XL ink cartridgesfor your HP DeskJet Plus 4155 at $48.99. Considering a single original pack is priced at $26.99, the savings are clear.
One issue with compatible inks is that they could fade faster than original ink. However, compatible cartridges could still be a viable choice for regular printing tasks that don’t require high-quality images.
Another concern is that printer manufacturers can issue firmware updates that might make compatible ink unusable in your printer. Despite this, some users have discovered ways to get around this issue.
4. Consider the Cost Per Page
To reduce printing costs, factor in both ink price and the cost per printed page. Calculating the cost per page (CPP) is easy: divide the cost of the cartridge by the number of pages it’s expected to yield.
One of the most cost-effective printers in the market is theEpson EcoTank ET-2850. The printer’s ultra-high-capacity replacement ink bottles cost no more than $60 and can print up to 6,000 colored pages. This means your CPP will be $0.01 or 1 cent per page ($60/6,000).
Remember that many popular ink cartridges are available in both standard and high-capacity (XL) options. To cut costs per page, consider buying “XL” ink cartridges, as they’re known for their longer usage lifespans.
High-capacity cartridges hold more ink and print more pages than standard ones. Though they cost more initially, the potential savings per page printed over time might be big.
Print More for Less
There’s a wide variety of printer inks on the market. Researching your printer and printer inks before buying can save you money in the long run. However, remember that not all printers are compatible with cheaper accessories, and you should double-check your printer can use third-party cartridges and ink.
