‘You get what you pay for’ is a saying that applies when purchasing printer ink and printer ink cartridges. Because different printer ink companies use different technologies in the production of their printer ink cartridge, the market is challenging, with different companies pushing their technologies as being the best. They all boast of the best printer ink quality and tout various new features over another brand. It boils down to whether the toner or printer ink you are using is an original equipment manufactured (OEM) cartridge or a compatible generic ink cartridge, and what kind of deal you can get. Checking what is available and comparing qualities is the way to determine if a generic brand is as good, if not better than, OEM. 



There are pigment based inks that are great for photo printing, and geared toward high end consumers looking for quality prints. They are vibrant and highly resistant to ensure photo quality that will last a lifetime. Other pigment based inks are on the lower end of the printer ink scale and there is more water in mixed in those cartridges. For document based printing and high volume printing, these printer inks work well. The problem is that some of these printer ink cartridges tend to leave residue in the printer ink cartridge, causing clogging and blurred imaging.



It is interesting to know that many manufacturers other than the original manufacturer manufacture printer cartridges using new and recycled parts. In many cases, the only recycles parts are the parts that encase the ink, and they are put through strict quality controls to meet or surpass OEM specifications. They cost a lot less than an OEM product, are environmentally friendly because they recycle the case that contains the ink, and are proven to have quality controls in place for guaranteed performance.



It is pretty much a given that printer ink technologies will usually favor an OEM, but don’t be afraid to research other generic brands. Often times, as noted above, the printer ink quality of a lesser known brand will be equal to or, in some cases, surpass that of an OEM printer cartridge and it will cost a lot less. As a consumer, it’s up to you to check consumer reports and benefits in the toner and printer ink aftermarket to understand what print cartridge is best for you. If you have a need for high quality photographic printing, you’ll probably want to go with a high end pigment based, OEM printer ink quality toner cartridge, but if your workload mainly consists of high volume, black and white or color documents, then a generic, recommended printer ink should suffice.

For those struggling to stay ahead in the current economy, buying non-perishable items in bulk not only saves time but money. Finding deals on bulk or bundled items was considered a challenge for many. At one time, it seemed only specialty stores that required a membership fee to join had the best buys in things like electronics and food. In these crunch times, merchants are looking to move as many items as quickly as possible – whether it is food, clothing or computer accessories.



As computers are quickly becoming a way of life for many, equal time may be spent using a printer – especially since today’s printers have other features such as scanning, copying and faxing hard copies. Constant use means that the printer ink cartridge will have to be replaced often. If a person were to buy printer ink on a bi-monthly basis, they could spend as much as two hundred dollars a year! For the user that is picky about the printer ink quality, or if the printer is used by others, this amount can double.



When stores advertise printer ink specials like ‘buy one, get one free’ many users may be tempted to stock up on printer ink cartridges. This is good for the person who likes to print a lot of photos or other artwork as they can require that printer ink quality produce vibrant colors and hues. A person who prints a lot of text documents may not require a high print resolution but their printer ink needs may be greater than that of the average user. Or the user that makes their living by using a home computer may benefit from buying one extra printer ink cartridge or two for future use.



Though offers to ‘buy three and get one free’ may seem sensible at that moment, they may not be practical for everyone. There is the chance that a user may find themselves having more than they need and cannot return it for a refund or store credit. The best way is to use these determining factors such as the age of your printer, how often it is really used and the possibility of cutting back on usage. An alternative would be to set printer ink defaults to expel a minimal amount of ink per job (Draft or Economy print setting). The quality would not be optimum, but if a person is trying to watch their money, it is a way to stretch dollars. Users can also ask their office supply or chain discount store about generic or store brands that may be compatible. If buying in bulk is right for you, it’s worth the time to find discounts on your printer ink cartridges.