It’s always important to consider the cost of a new piece of computer hardware before making a purchase, and this is especially true for computer printers, which can potentially cost hundreds of dollars. However, price can’t be the only thing that you look at–there are dozens of printers that seem like a great deal at less than $40, but in the long run, they’re terrible buys. This is because printer manufacturers often lower the cost of their products so that they’re practically giving them away, then sell printer ink at four or five times what it should cost. It’s an old marketing technique, and printer companies go to great lengths to protect their business model; they’ll frequently patent new types of printer ink cartridges in order to stop other companies from creating similar designs, and by forcing competition out of existence for each type of cartridge, they’re free to charge whatever they want.



Because of this, it’s very important that consumers consider the cost of a normal printer ink cartridge for each printer before making a purchasing decision. Over time, nearly every printer’s ink will cost more than the printer itself, but it pays to compare the number of prints per cartridge and the price of each unit before you head to the store to pick up a printer. Taking this approach does require some research, however. Computer users will need to look online to find average cartridge prices, look to see whether any generic cartridges are available, and compare printers to one another, which can sometimes be difficult.



It’s often worthwhile to look into refilling printer ink cartridges. Refill kits are inexpensive, work with the most popular brands and models of printer, and are fairly easy to use. It’s a myth that refill kits are less dependable or more likely to burst than standard cartridges. If a user follows the refill directions carefully, it’s easy to keep the cartridge in good health, and savings add up immediately. Some printer models don’t have refill kits, however, and nearly every printer manufacturer will declare a printer’s warranty void if refilled ink cartridges are used.



Nobody wants to pay any more than they have to for printing supplies, so it’s helpful to think of ink costs early and often. Don’t buy a printer based on its low price, and if you need certain features on your printer, compare it to similar models online to get an idea of ink costs. Consider your printing habits, and cut down on unnecessary prints. A bit of forethought is worth the time, as you’ll save money on printing in the long run. Look at all of your options and pick the one that is the most beneficial to you.