The Canon Pixma MX310 will set you back about $75 initially. The replacement ink though, is another (expensive) story.

You know what’s great?  We live in a throw-away society.  Think about it:  Forty years ago, what did you do if your TV exploded?  You called a repair man.  The same applied to nearly any appliance back then, from blenders to vacuums to lawn mowers.  What about now?  We just throw the old crap away and buy something new.  When you repair your old junk, you’re taking food off the tables of sweatshop workers everywhere.  Be a good citizen and just buy something new.

Nowhere is this fact more apparent than in the home printer market.  Head on over to any Staples, Best Buy, or Wal-Mart, and you’ll find cheap printers for $75 or under.  Cheap is good, right?  Right.  Now, you’re obviously going to need a few replacement ink cartridges.  There’s lots of important printing to be done, and those color cartridges run out fast.  Be prepared though:  Once you make it over to the ink aisle, you’ll be facing the hideous monster of $20-$40 per ounce of ink.  Wait, what?

Let’s review:  A brand new color printer (which comes with ink cartridges) will set you back $75.  New ink cartridges will cost at least half of that, probably more.  How does this make any sense?  It doesn’t.  The only logical explanation is that all of the big printer manufacturers ordered way too many printers from the factories, and now they are retardedly overstocked.  Way to go guys.

So where does that leave you, the consumer?  You’re stuck with the choice of either buying two ink cartridges, or buying a brand new printer.  Admit it, you’d choose the new printer:  Not only is your old one dusty, but the new model has the letter X in it!  It’s obvious that the Printer X5000 is better than that lame old Printer 4950.

Of course, there are…other options.  For starters, you can order refilled or discount cartridges online, which usually cost a fraction of the original price.  You can also refill your own cartridges by ordering a refill kit, but c’mon, that hurts the big businesses.  Those guys need to charge $40 per ounce to feed their families.  You wouldn’t want to take away those executive’s dinners, right?  Not supporting big business means you’re against capitalism, and that makes you a communist.  You don’t want your neighbors to know you’re a communist, right Ivan?  Right.  Now bend over and get out your check book.

You can save 30-50% off the cost of a new ink cartridge by refilling.

Most people who own a personal computer also own an inkjet printer. Inkjet printers are very affordable. Inkjet printers usually come as part of a new computer package. Inkjet printing quality has improved with technology in the past few years.

Printer Ink Costs Today Are Astronomical

Today, you can achieve fantastic quality prints from your inkjet printer. This quality comes at a price. That price is the high cost of replacement ink cartridges. This replacement cost is astronomical, and typically, the replacement ink cartridges cost more than a new printer.

For most people this boggles their minds. They can’t understand how a replacement ink cartridge can actually cost more than a new printer. Thus, refilling your expended ink cartridges has become a big business. There are kits that you can buy that allow you to refill your own cartridges.
There are also companies that will refill the cartridge for you. There are also companies that sell refilled cartridges. For most consumers these companies are a god send. Refilled ink cartridges can typically save you 30 to 50% over a new cartridge.

Choose From A Variety of Ink Refilling Options

The online printer ink supplier 4Inkjets offers everything you need to refill your ink cartridges. They are one of the many companies who have stepped up and provide a great service to consumers. The 4Inkjets site offers quality replacement ink cartridges at a fraction of the cost.
This website and others like it provide a fantastic service to consumers. This website proves that inkjet printer cartridges do not have to cost an arm and a leg. Refilling your ink cartridge is also eco-friendly. Environmentalists are all for refilling and recycling inkjet cartridges. This practice saves the earth. By refilling your ink cartridges, you keep one less item from ending up in landfills.

The next time you need a new inkjet cartridge you should try a recycled and refilled cartridge instead.

After you have purchased your ink refill kit that is compatible with your printer model (if you haven't, I recommend 4Inkjets or 123Refills for great value and quality products), find yourself a flat workspace to begin refilling the cartridge. Make sure you have some towels for cleanup and clear tape for the installation, as well.

Preparing For The Refill Process

Firstly, you'll want to take the empty cartridge out of your printer. Keep in mind that the ink can be messy, so you'll want to be close to a sink or, perhaps, wear some disposable gloves. Make sure to place the paper towels down on your work area to catch any ink that might be displaced - heavy duty paper towels work best, and, when using standard ply towels, you might want to double up. Keep in mind that individual refill kits may have their own instructions, so make sure to refer to them carefully and read over the instructions included in the kit you have purchased before beginning as well.

Locate The Appropriate Injection Location

At the top of the cartridge you will find holes to insert the ink - make sure to locate those before you begin. Each hole will correspond to a color - for color printers, there will be a magenta, cyan and yellow hole in addition to the black ink found on gray scale printers. Pay close attention to the diagram included in your kit and your printer so you make sure you are filling the colors properly. Next, use the needle to draw ink and insert the proper amount into the holes - be careful to insert only the amount needed. Once you have reached the right amount, slowly remove the needle and clean any excess ink. Once you have properly filled each hole, cover it with just a small amount of clear tape to ensure there will be no leaks; also make sure to wipe the cartridge itself on a paper towel to clean up any residual ink.

Verify Ink Was Refilled Successfully

Make sure to eye the cartridge and visually check for any leakages before you insert it back into the printer. You'll want to print a test page in full color to make sure you've installed it properly, and then pat yourself on the back for saving a lot on your ink.