Printing is an expense that companies can’t avoid. If you choose to buy, rent or lease your printers or MFP, you may find your budget being spent on ink or toner.

Most printer manufacturers urge you to buy a new name brand ink cartridge for your printer or it may cause problems.

You will find dealers that advertise cheaper prices for re-manufactured, refilled, and discounted off brand ink cartridges; but what is kind of damage could these products do to your printer and your budget.

What are your options when purchasing ink:

  • Original: These cartridges are name brand, top quality, and usually the most expensive option. These are great for big print jobs but not long time use.
  • Compatible: These ink cartridges are not made by most print manufactures but they are compatible with many different brands of top name printers. Most of the time you will not be able to see the difference in these ink cartridges performance but your wallet sure will. These cartridges are great for big print jobs!
  • Re-manufactured: These cartridges are usually recycled but not refilled. These ink cartridges are taken apart, cleaned, and then refilled with ink. Be mindful when it comes to purchasing these ink cartridges, some companies can get sloppy and ink can get mixed. Only purchase these ink cartridges from a source you trust. These cartridges are not best for large print jobs but great for long time use.
  • Refilled: This sometimes means you can refill them yourself with kits bought at your local office supplies store or they can be refilled while you shop. These ink cartridges can cause problems: they can become clogged, leak, and cause damage to the printers. These cartridges are not made for large print jobs or long use.

When you are looking for ink you can now make a decision depending on your printing preferences and budget.