{"id":6004,"date":"2018-11-20T21:09:18","date_gmt":"2018-11-20T21:09:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/?p=6004"},"modified":"2023-05-25T19:31:31","modified_gmt":"2023-05-25T19:31:31","slug":"why-are-printer-cartridges-so-expensive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ldproducts.com\/blog\/why-are-printer-cartridges-so-expensive\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is ink so expensive?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Branded ink is expensive because original equipment printer manufacturers (OEMs) claim<\/strong> <\/em>that the technology to make ink is expensive; so much is spent on R&D, and it costs a ton of money to ensure topnotch ink quality and reliability.<\/p>\n

A “theory” most consumers believe in, however, is that OEM (original equipment manufacturer) companies charge you a horrendous amount for ink to recoup the costs of developing printers which they sell for super cheap a la “razor-blade” business model<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, there’s probably some<\/em> truth in both of these theories. Original brand ink is expensive, that is that. But as consumers, is there a solution<\/strong>? A more affordable option? Absolutely.<\/p>\n

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Solutions to Expensive Ink<\/h2>\n

1. Non-OEM Ink<\/h3>\n

Printer technology is constantly evolving. Just like OEM companies are advancing in their ink tech, so are aftermarket ink manufacturers. And in the same way that some OEM brands deliver better products than others, there are aftermarket brands that deliver better generic cartridges than others.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, customer reviews are everywhere. Check out what other consumers are saying to get a good sense of which aftermarket brand is the most reliable and has been around the longest. More established brands have garnered more of a stable reputation and more experience in the industry. You can also expect better quality products from established non-OEM brands than those only a few years old.<\/p>\n

2. Printer Research<\/h3>\n

One other way to make sure you don’t spend a fortune on ink cartridges is by knowing:<\/p>\n

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  1. if you have the best printer type for your needs; and<\/li>\n
  2. how much it really costs to run your printer.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Finding a printer that uses affordable printer cartridges can take a bit of research.\u00a0 Printer manufacturers release new printer models every few months, and most all of them are capable of printing out quality text or photos.<\/p>\n

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    So why are some printer cartridges more expensive than others?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In this guide, we\u2019ll explain why certain types of ink and toner can be pricey and show you some great ways you can save on printing costs.<\/p>\n

    Reason 1: Your printer uses inefficient cartridges<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Printers can vary wildly in price, but first-time shoppers looking for a home printer tend to easily fall for the cheapest printer.\u00a0 Some can be as cheap as $30 and a printer with an inexpensive price tag can be very enticing to the uninformed consumer.\u00a0 The printer industry has thrived off selling cheap printers with expensive ink for years, better known as the “razor and blade” business model.<\/p>\n

    The razor and blade model is the idea of selling an item at a low price that attracts the customer to buy, but charging a high price for consumables the item is dependent upon in order to function.\u00a0 For example, a hand-held razor costs little in comparison to the high-priced blade packs you need to purchase and repurchase to actually use the product.<\/p>\n

    Similarly, after a year of using your budget-priced printer, you’ve probably already spent more money on ink cartridges than you did on the printer. In fact, this is the reason why many printers are priced to break even or sell at a slight loss. Why? Because they can charge a higher amount for the cartridges since you need them in order to use the product, and once you are depleted of ink or toner, you’ll have no choice but to buy again.<\/p>\n

    We recommend taking that latest printer sale with a large grain of salt.\u00a0 There could be a great printer in the bunch, but you’ll want to do your research first and look for a printer that meets your needs and offers a respectable print value.\u00a0 More on that below!<\/p>\n

    Reason 2:\u00a0 Your printer does not match your printing needs<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Printer cartridges and their respective page yield can be quite different from printer to printer.\u00a0 Whether you own an all-in-one inkjet or a color laser printer, what you print and what type of cartridge you are printing with determines how quickly you go through your ink.<\/p>\n

    Inkjet printers use ink cartridges, which for the most part, are best for occasional home printing and photos.\u00a0 Due to their smaller size and limited capacity, they can require frequent replacement if you print often, quickly inflating your printing budget.<\/p>\n

    Laser printers use toner cartridges and are preferred by home offices and businesses with heavy-duty printing needs. If you print regularly, you are better off investing in a laser printer.\u00a0 It might cost a bit more upfront but you will get a better overall print value throughout the life of the printer.\u00a0 Most toner cartridges can print for thousands of pages before they need to be replaced and, unlike an ink cartridge, toner cartridges won\u2019t dry out if they go unused for an extended period of time.<\/p>\n

    If you print a lot of documents and don’t need high resolution color images, you’ll probably save a ton money in the long-run by switching to a laser printer.<\/p>\n

    To help you decide what works for your needs, check out our in-depth article breaking down the differences between inkjet and laser printers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Reason 3:\u00a0 You are buying cartridges with an inefficient page yield<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Cartridge page yield<\/a> is the approximate number of pages you can print with one cartridge.\u00a0 Yield is based on 5% page coverage, or prints in which 5% of the page is covered with ink.\u00a0 Each cartridge has a unique yield, and some are far more cost effective than others.\u00a0 Most cartridges are sold in both a standard yield and high yield, or XL size.\u00a0 A number of\u00a0 printers work with extra high yield cartridges too.\u00a0 The higher yield cartridges are filled with more ink, and if you print a lot, they are often the best option.<\/p>\n

    Keep in mind, cartridge cost can be very different depending on what printer you own.\u00a0 You can buy two cartridges with comparable page yields at completely different price points, which is why page yield should always<\/em> be considered when shopping for a new printer.<\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s look at the Epson 312XL black ink cartridge and Epson 202XL black ink cartridge as an example.\u00a0 The Epson\u00ae 312XL high yield black cartridge prints 500 pages and sells for $18.99* and the 202XL prints 550 pages, and sells for $34.99.\u00a0 If you bought the printer that uses the 202XL series, you are paying sixteen more dollars for just 50 additional pages.\u00a0 To get the most value, don\u2019t just compare printer prices when you are shopping for a printer, compare the cartridge page yields across printer models too!<\/p>\n

    Reason 4: You are paying too much for printer cartridges<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Many name brand printer cartridges can be expensive.\u00a0 Luckily, they aren\u2019t your only printing option!\u00a0 Compatible cartridges from a reputable third-party manufacturer like LD Products<\/a> can cut your cartridge costs down dramatically, offering comparable print results for a much lower price.\u00a0 Since the resources needed to create a compatible alternative cost very little, the savings can be passed along directly to the customer, without sacrificing print quality.\u00a0 For example, an original Canon PGI-280XXL extra high yield black ink cartridge sells for $27.99.\u00a0 You can purchase an LD brand compatible version of that same cartridge for just $9.99<\/a>, giving you the same number of high quality prints at a 68% savings.\u00a0 LD Products<\/a> offers thousands of compatible cartridges at competitive prices, providing an affordable alternative for most every printer model.\u00a0 Ink tank printers like the Epson Ecotank or Canon Megatank are another low cost printing alternative, but machines range anywhere between $200-$400 and only make sense if you print constantly.\u00a0 No matter what option you go with, keep an eye on your long term cartridge expenses.\u00a0 With most printers lasting anywhere between 2-5 years, cartridge costs can add up quickly after just a few replacements.<\/p>\n

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    Now that you know why printer cartridges can be expensive, you can take the proper steps to seek out a printer and cartridges that work for your budget.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be swayed by the first printer you see on sale, and make sure the cartridges that go with your prospective printer offer a generous page yield at a good value.\u00a0 If you have any questions or are looking for a printer suggestion, we have some great ink efficient options here<\/a>, or if you are looking for something more specific, drop us a line in the comments.\u00a0 Good luck!<\/p>\n

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    *Savings based on price comparison between remanufactured\/compatible cartridge prices on\u00a0www.LDProducts.com<\/a><\/sup> and OEM cartridge and printer prices from the listed retailers: Amazon and Staples. All prices effective as of April 26, 2023.\u00a0 OEM names are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated with, and do not endorse LD Products.<\/sup><\/p>\n

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    \ufeffCartridge Series<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Thank you for reading this post! This article is written by a team of ink experts at LD Product<\/a>s<\/span> - a Long Beach, California-based company that specializes in compatible ink and toner<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0 With over 20 years of printing expertise, we\u2019re committed to helping you save money on printer ink without sacrificing quality.\u00a0 If you found this content helpful, we\u2019d be grateful if you supported us by visiting LDProducts.com<\/a><\/span> for all of your ink and toner needs.\u00a0 We appreciate your support!<\/td> <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n