The cost of new printer ink cartridges can be exorbitant, especially for newer printer models. There are certainly alternatives out there; by using printer ink refill kits or generic ink cartridges, for instance, computer owners can cut their costs significantly over the life of a printer. However, many consumers don’t trust refillable printer ink cartridge kits, or don’t have time to use them. Generic printer cartridges, while sometimes a great choice, can void your printer’s warranty and can deliver low-quality prints. As such, most computer owners look for brand name printer ink cartridges, and it’s still possible to get some great deals on these brand-name products with a small amount of work.

First of all, every printer owner should look online for ink cartridges. Cartridges from big box retail stores are convenient, but they often cost far more than they would on the Internet for the exact same product. There are a few reasons for this; Internet stores don’t have to set aside shelf space for cartridges, and as such they don’t have as many costs as retail stores. There’s also quite a bit more competition online, which drives down price. Brand name cartridges can be bought at wholesale prices online from stores that specialize in ink and accessories, at prices that are comparable to what retail stores pay for each new cartridge.

Be sure to buy several printer ink cartridges at a time. While cartridges have an expiration date, it’s often many months or even years away, so it’s usually safe to get at least two or three cartridges with every order. This drives down shipping costs, which reduces the overall cost of your ink order on a per-page basis. Look at your printer ink usage, and try to buy a reasonable number of cartridges; while you’re at it, try to find ways to cut down on ink usage, for instance by printing on “draft” settings or by using the “Print Preview” option. Anything you do to conserve ink will save money.

Make sure that you’re buying each printer ink cartridge from a reputable seller. There’s no point in getting a great deal on brand name printer ink cartridges if you’re not able to use any of them when they arrive–check for expiration dates and look at the seller’s customer feedback before buying. You might also look into remanufactured ink cartridges, which are often brand name, but cost much less than standard cartridges because they use recycled plastic. Read each product description carefully and look at as many stores as possible, and you should be able to find some great deals on printer ink. Doing a little bit of research goes a long way.