Printers and razors share something in common - manufacturers will practically give them away knowing that they will make their money selling you replacement cartridges for that product. The price for a quality inkjet or laser printer has come down considerably over the past years, so much so that a home office user can purchase a color laser printer, something that was out of reach not very long ago. But then there are those consumables. The ink and toner cartridges we constantly feed our equipment to keep printing. It is usually during the purchase of the first set of replacement cartridges that the realization hits, "I just paid more for these cartridges than I did for the printer!" So you jump onto the internet to do some 21 st century problem solving only to find the answer is not very clear. Hundreds of sellers, huge price differences (is that cheap cartridge going to ruin my equipment?) and they all use different terms. "OEM? Compatible? Remanufactured? What is that? I just need a cartridge for my printer!" The purpose of this guide is to help you understand what these terms mean and help you make an informed purchase.
Here are some initial definitions of common terms you may encounter while shopping online:
OEM: An abbreviation for "Original Equipment Manufacturer". Also referred to as "branded" or "genuine" cartridges. As the name suggests, these cartridges are made by the manufacturer of the printer (i.e. Canon, Brother, Xerox, etc.).
Compatible: These are cartridges manufactured by a company other than the printer manufacturer. They are also referred to as "generic" or "off-brand" cartridges. The cartridges are either 100% new or have used recycled outer cases with all new parts. Top manufacturers of compatible cartridges include Media Sciences and Premium Imaging Products.
Remanufactured: These are recycled cartridges which have been cleaned, serviced and refilled. Parts may have also been serviced or replaced if needed.
Now that we have covered the basic definitions, it is time to look at the pros and cons of each type of cartridge. We will also point out some things to watch for when purchasing online.
OEM
Pros: These are made by the actual manufacturer of the printer. You can be assured that the print quality and color will be equal to the cartridges that originally came with the printer.
Cons: EXPENSIVE. A set of replacement cartridges can cost more than the printer itself.
Watch out! Some retailers sell ink past the manufacturer's expiration date. A seller can purchase expired cartridges at a low cost and sell them at a price an "in date" cartridge commands. Although no harm would be done to your printer and in most cases the print quality should be fine, this is a deceptive practice that takes advantage of you, the consumer. Some sellers also sell "trial" or "starter" cartridges which contain less ink or toner than the retail boxed cartridges. These two practices are especially prevalent on sites such as eBay but apply to retail websites as well. You can avoid these pitfalls by reading the product descriptions carefully, seeing a picture of the cartridge you are buying and dealing with a seller you can trust who offers a guarantee on what they sell.
Compatible Toner and Ink Cartridges
Pros: SAVINGS that can range from 30% to 80% off the purchase price of OEM cartridges. These cartridges are excellent for all types of printing.
Cons: You may notice minor color variations since ink quality can vary from one manufacturer to the other. This is especially true for compatible ink cartridges which also do not use "archival" quality ink.
Watch Out! Make sure the cartridges are manufactured in an ISO 9001 certified factory. ISO is the International Organization for Standards which is the largest and most credible worldwide standards organization. It has a proven track record for developing and enforcing effective standards in regards to print quality and cartridge yields. In order to be certified by the ISO, a manufacturer must meet or exceed the manufacturing standards outlined by the ISO on a consistent and ongoing basis, ensuring the consumer is provided with a product of the highest quality. And again, purchase from a seller who offers a guarantee should you be unsatisfied.
Remanufactured Ink and Toner Cartridges
Pros: SAVINGS. Although the savings is not as great as that of compatible cartridges, you can typically save 15% to 50% off the purchase price of OEM cartridges. Usually, only cartridges which are patented and cannot be reproduced by others are remanufactured. The savings are not as great as compatible cartridges since remanufactured cartridges cannot be mass produced. The cost of the recycled "core" and labor involved in a quality remanufacturing job also add to the cost.
Cons: The quality of these cartridges can vary greatly from one remanufacturer to another. Some remanufacturers will just make a hole in the cartridge, refill it, plug the hole and sell it. This "drill and fill" procedure is exactly the same as you would do yourself with a home refill kit. A reliable remanufacturer has a full quality control process in place for cleaning, refilling and testing. They will also replace any parts if needed.
Watch Out! As always, read carefully and deal with a company who offers a guarantee. Remember that a real remanufacturing job is both material and labor intensive, so if the price seems too good to be true it probably is "drilled and filled".
I hope you came away from this article a better, more informed consumer.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
