How to save on printer ink
There's a reason tiny cartridges of ink are so expensive: It's all the science and engineering behind printing to make it all work seamlessly.
Posted — UpdatedThere's a reason those tiny cartridges are so expensive: It's all the science and engineering behind printing to make it all work seamlessly.
Consumer Reports recommends thinking of what you pay for the printer as more of a down payment.
"The manufacturer hopes you come back to them and buy their original brand ink or toner,” said Rich Sulin, Consumer Reports’ printer expert. “That’s the profit motive."
Most people aren’t even getting what they pay for.
Tests show more than half of the ink from inkjet printers never winds up on the page, Consumer Reports said.
“Inkjets, which are a very popular type of printer, tend to use up more ink than other types of printers because they have to do a maintenance cycle,” Sulin said.
That maintenance is needed for quality prints.
If you churn out the average 25 to 35 pages a month, Consumer Reports recommends leaving the printer on. Turning it off and on can trigger more maintenance cycles.
Other ways to save? Go with an affordable black and white laser printer, especially if you mostly just print text.
And check out reservoir inkjet printers that you refill yourself. The refills can last up to two years.
When shopping for a new printer, consider the cost over time, which includes the ink. Don't let the low price alone reel you in on a new printer.
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