Toner & ink jet cartridges and ways to save money
In a world where money is tight, there are many ways to save money when it comes to buying printer supplies. Saving on toner and ink jet cartridges can help you make your money stretch farther. Buying the OEM toner and ink jet cartridges might be the best way for a home office or small business to save some serious cash on printer consumables. But before we get into more details, let's go over some basics of printers in general, just so everyone has an understanding of what is being discussed here.
Printers work by using a belt to reciprocate and apply pressure against installed paper. The printer then applies the ink or toner on the paper. The media, such as paper, is usually stored in a stack after being pushed through the printer by controlled air pressure into the pages. As you can see, both ink and toner cartridges are basically the same type of cartridge, except for their outer casing (safety features and logos), which have different colours and appearances that may be chosen by an individual for their brand preferences. However, they are both made up of essentially the same compound with different properties or qualities added in for our needs.
Ink Jet Cartridges: Consisting of a large clear tube filled with large, round, metallic balls. The tiny metal spheres inside the tube are hollow and are porous in which the ink can be absorbed by them. They are made up of plastic and have a black tip to squeeze out the ink to form channels underneath the balls. The ink travels through these channels under pressure that is created by the vacuum inside. They work on the same principle as air pressure for how it works, just with a variation of it.
The volume and type of ink used in ink jet cartridges depends on the printer that is being used. Some printers use pigment based ink while others use dye based inks. Which ever type of ink is being used, the cartridge will have to go through a process where it mixes, charges and adjusts its viscosity before it is ready to be used. All of these processes are done automatically inside the printer.
Toner Cartridges: Work using a different method compared to ink jet cartridges. These cartridges come in two types of predominant colours. Black toner and colour toners are available for purchase at any business or computer type store. Toner cartridges work by using a process called fusing which heats up the surface of the toner, causing it to adhere on the paper. In order to function, they require a heating element which is installed inside the printer itself.
What kind of printer is best suited for my needs?
Before you make your final decision on what kind of printer suits you best, you should think about your business needs first and foremost. If you're looking to print out a lot of photos, use a laser printer with a large paper output. If you're working with colour documents, then go with a colour laser printer. Any laser printer will be able to transfer images from your computer to the print and will be able to print on both regular and duplex paper types. If you work with lots of graphics files, then get a color ink jet printer. Black and white ink jet printers are used mostly for printing out documents since they have fewer switching options and do not have the ability to transfer images from your computer directly into the printout. Finally, if you're not interested in printing your own documents, but instead want to print out documents for others or businesses, then invest in a thermal or impact printer. These printers are used by businesses that print out frequently used forms or work orders and use a toner cartridge instead of an ink jet cartridge. If you need help choosing what type of printer is best suited to handle your needs, then ask the sales representative who will assist you at the store. They can tell you what types of printers are available for your needs and which ones would be best for you.
What types of cartridges are available?
Printers use either ink jet or toner technology to create their printouts. Toner cartridges are often the only option for large office laser printers. Laser printers typically cost more than ink jet printers, and toner cartridges are more expensive than ink jet cartridges. Colors in laser printers may not be as vibrant as in ink jet printers, but the quality of print is typically much better and can produce printouts that look professional. Lasers also do not smudge or scratch easily, and you will probably have high quality prints for a longer period of time with a laser printer than an ink jet printer.
Ink jet printers are good for home use or a smaller office. They have become more affordable and the quality of print is getting better each year. Ink jet printers are not as fast as laser printers, but they produce excellent color prints.
Ink/toner cartridges may also be available in a compatible style. Compatible cartridges are essentially re-manufactured ink/toner cartridges that have been refilled by the manufacturer instead of being thrown away when the cartridge is empty. Compatible ink/toners may cost much less than the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ink/toners, therefore saving you money in the long run. However, do keep in mind that these cartridges may not produce the quality of printout as the original equipment manufacturer products. They are also not guaranteed to have the same life of use as a cartridge produced by an OEM.
How much does it cost to print?
When you buy a printer, you are agreeing to pay a certain amount for your "printing services". You get what you pay for so if you buy cheap, then you'll probably end up paying more down the line. Your printing "services" will be paid in one of three ways: ink/toner cartridges, paper or a combination of both. The price of each varies depending on the types of printers and brands.
Ink/toner cartridges are usually a more economical option and will save you money in the long run. The life expectancy of these printers (print quality) typically varies from up to five years for laser printers to ten years or more for ink jet printers. However, do keep in mind that the price of both ink/toner cartridges and paper will vary.
Paper is a cheaper alternative but it does not last as long as printer ink/toners and per page cost may vary depending on the type of paper used. Depending on the type of printer, you can either choose letter or A4 size paper.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it's up to you to decide if you want to pay a premium for a quality printer or go with something that takes less ink and has better print quality. If your budget does not allow for a premium printer, then the next best thing would be an ink jet printer. They offer great print quality at a cheaper rate than laser printers and are good for homes which do not require colour prints. Laser printers are great for offices that need high quality colour prints. They are certainly more expensive than laser printers and popularly used by businesses who print often.