You do not have to stop using your printer due to high ink prices. Read on to see how you can save on ink.

Finding compatible ink cartridges for your new printer is easier than you think. Some people call these generic or remanufactured ink cartridges. If you have an inkjet printer you know how expensive ink cartridges can be. You, like millions of other inkjet owners, have probably been perplexed when you went to buy your first new inkjet printer cartridges.

Most people suffer from severe sticker shock. The cost of replacement printer cartridges is ridiculously higher. In many cases you can purchase a new printer for less money than it cost to replace your ink cartridges. Generic, or compatible refilled ink cartridges may be the answer for you.

Compatible Ink Is The Generic (Off-Brand) Version Of Ink Cartridges

Refilled compatible ink cartridges offer a terrific alternative to new ones. Compatible ink cartridges typically cost anywhere from 30 to 50% less than new ones. The savings are significant. Refilling cartridges has become big business.
Many entrepreneurs have answered the call for cheaper ink alternatives and are offering low cost compatible ink cartridges. 4Inkjets (read review) is one online store that has answered the call. You can find all your low cost compatible ink cartridge supplies there.

Buying Compatible Ink Cartridges Is Less Of A Hassle Than Ink Refill Kits

Many people have tried to refill cartridges on their own and had great difficulty. Most people get discouraged when they try and refill cartridges on their own. They generally make a mess of things and quit early on. Don’t let this experience hinder you from buying a refilled compatible ink cartridge. Refilled compatible ink cartridges are refilled in a professional environment are in the same shape as the new ones you buy. Many people have discovered that refilled compatible ink cartridges perform just as well as the new ones.

So do not throw that new printer away. Get your compatible ink cartridge online and keep your financial sanity.

Compatible ink cartridges provide significant cost savings.

A great way to save on your printing costs is to utilize compatible ink cartridges rather than full-price brand name ink. Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM, ink is found in office supply stores and sold by the original printer manufacturer in glossy boxes at a high price. Usually, you will hear claims about how OEM cartridges are of the highest quality and will produce better results than any competitive products. In truth, however, compatible cartridges can produce a high quality of output at a much lower cost basis than brand-name manufacturer ink, if you purchase them from reputable online suppliers.

OEM cartridges do often come with warranties and guarantees, but it's much more likely that any defects will occur due to the printer hardware than with any ink refill. The relatively high frequency of cartridge replacement will mean that you'll likely use up your ink before you have any mechanical problems with the cartridge itself; in the rare cases that there is a defect, you will be able to tell upon your first print from the cartridge, and, in those cases, you can usually just exchange the product.

Buying Compatible Ink Makes Sense

Even when OEM ink supplies have a longer life, when adjusted for per unit cost, compatible cartridges are still much less expensive. For example, a black ink OEM cartridge for the HP Officejet 7210 printer currently retails for $22.99 in office supply stores. Online, at retailers like 4Inkjets or 123Refills, a compatible black cartridge can be had for almost three times less, at only $9.95, a savings over close to $13 per cartridge. The savings only multiply when one considers the need to replace separate color cartridges.

Buy Cartridges From An ISO-Compliant Supplier To Ensure Quality

Original manufacturer claims about better quality are often overstated. Contrary to any of these claims, compatible cartridges are capable of working well with nearly any printer model, in nearly any printer line by meeting level of standards required by the printer manufacturer. Simply buy from a retailer that complies with ISO manufacturing standards like 4Inkjets, and you will be safe.

Rest assured that your compatible ink clears the bar needed for working with the printer, and if you buy the right cartridge for your model, you should be able to get great results at a lower price. Additionally, compatible cartridges can often be purchased at bulk discounts that are not available for original OEM products, which are sold at high retail prices.

When choosing your next cartridge, keep in mind that there a number of alternatives to high OEM ink prices, and compatible cartridges can be found for most printer models at affordable rates.

"Razor and blades" business model

The reason why OEM cartridges are so expensive stems from the razor and blades business model of printer manufacturers. This business model focuses on a cheap initial investment (in this case, the printer), but makes the user continually invest in expensive refills. Overall, there is no difference between OEM cartridges and the compatible version, the only distinguishing factor being the marketing involved. The large printer companies scare customers into buying their cartridges by threatening damaged printers or voided warranties.

There is almost no difference between the manufacturing processes of compatible and OEM cartridges and the warranties are comparable as well. Is it worth it to use an aftermarket cartridge brand though? Yes, it certainly is when the cartridges can cost about 80% less than the OEM versions. Compatible cartridges also share a shelf life identical to their OEM counterpart.

Be careful in choosing a retailer

The only drawback to compatible cartridges is the research involved. When selecting the right aftermarket cartridge, the first step is to match up the printer model with the right refill. Second, depending on the printer, determine if you want a larger capacity cartridge or original capacity.

Lastly, remember to carefully choose the right aftermarket manufacturer, or you could wind up with a bad cartridge. Bad cartridges could suffer from a number of problems, including poor quality, poor or off-color ink, or a short shelf life. Once all of this research is done, remember to choose a reputable online retailer like 4Inkjets with a good price on the replacement you want.

OEM cartridges

Standard brand-name ink cartridges that you can buy at your ordinary Staples, Office Depot, etc., are referred to as original equipment manufacturer (abbreviated as OEM) cartridges. These types of cartridges are made by the original manufacturer of your printer. OEM cartridges are by far the most expensive option. Before I did my research, I used to believe that buying OEM was the only way to go. On to the alternative options...

Remanufactured cartridges

Remanufactured cartridges are made out of the exact same parts that OEM cartridges are. How it works is first people send their used cartridges in to be recycled. Remanufacturers then thoroughly clean the cartridge print heads and then refill them with premium ink. Lastly, a testing stage involving pressure and an actual printing run is performed to make sure everything is fine, and the cartridge is repackaged and ready for use.

Compatible cartridges

Compatible ink cartridges are effectively the generic counterpart of OEM cartridges. These cartridges are considerably cheaper than either OEM or remanufactured cartridges; however, quality and performance certainly can be a concern. When purchasing compatible ink cartridges, it is important to select a supplier that conforms to industry ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards.

Luckily for you, I've had my fair share of experience in buying compatible and remanufactured ink online, so in some coming posts I will recommend the retailers I have had success with. I will also show you who to stay away from, and why.