It seems like buying a new print cartridge should be one of the easiest things in the world. Your current one runs out, so you head online or go to a store to buy a new one.
But things are never that easy when it comes to technology. There are dozens of different printer brands available, and each of those companies produces a wide range of printers. Ink cartridges aren’t universal, which means you have to buy based on the make and model of your printer. Moreover, there are other issues that can trip you up along the way.
These little mistakes can cost you money and time. If you’re running a small business, they can even disrupt your workflow.
We want to stop that from happening, which is why we’ve compiled a list of six mistakes that you must avoid when buying ink or toner.
Mistake #1 – Buying From a Bad Source
Online shopping may offer convenience, but you can also waste a lot of money if you shop irresponsibly online. Picking the wrong website can lead to you buying inferior products. At worst, you could end up buying from a website that has no intention of sending your products to you.
The point is that you need to buy your ink and toner from a reputable supplier. But what’s the best way to check for this when buying online?
Review websites are often a good starting point. Online shoppers often talk about their experiences, so it’s worth doing a little research into the website before you buy from it. If you’re buying from an online auction site, such as eBay, check the seller’s reviews before committing your money.
Finding the right supplier means you get cartridges that work well and come directly from the manufacturer.
Mistake #2 – Buying Third-Party Cartridges
Let’s preface this by saying that not all off-brand third-party cartridges are bad. They generally cost less than their branded equivalents, with the best offering similar levels of print quality and longevity.
But there’s no getting around the fact that a third-party cartridge usually doesn’t do the job quite as well as a branded cartridge.
If you have a Canon printer, you’re best served buying the ink cartridges that Canon produce. The same goes for any other brand.
There’s an added benefit to buying branded products too. Most printing manufacturers offer guarantees on their products. If your cartridge doesn’t work as it’s supposed to, you can usually get a refund or exchange it for a working cartridge. That’s not always going to be an option when you buy third-party.
Mistake #3 – Not Reading the User Manual
Your printer should come with a user manual that tells you everything that you need to know about the ink cartridges that it needs. Failing to read it puts you at an immediate disadvantage because it means you’re going to have to do a little guesswork when buying your ink cartridges and toner.
Check the manual to find out the make and model of your printer. From there, you should be able to find out which print cartridges are compatible with that make and model. It’s also worth noting down the serial number of the cartridge that comes with the printer, as many online suppliers can help you to find suitable cartridges based on that number alone.
Don’t assume that every cartridge for your printer’s manufacturer will work in your printer. Each manufacturer has a wide range of printers, each of which uses different cartridges. Failing to check the manual may lead to you buying a cartridge that doesn’t even fit into your printer.
Mistake #4 – Overpaying for Your Ink
Buying directly from your printer’s manufacturers offers a few benefits. Chief among these is that you can guarantee that you’re going to get the product that you paid for. That’s a level of security that many buyers prefer. However, it also means that they may end up paying more for their ink than they need to.
Manufacturers generally don’t offer discounts on the cartridges that you buy from them. Their prices are often at the higher end of the scale.
Usually, you can save money if you buy your cartridges from an independent supplier. Of course, you have to consider the first mistake we mentioned. Research every supplier before buying from them. However, there’s no denying that your choice of supplier can have a drastic effect on the amount of money you spend on replacement ink cartridges.
Mistake #5 – Buying Cheap Refill Kits
On the face of it, an ink cartridge refill kit sounds like a good deal. They cost less than cartridges because you’re not paying for the casing. Plus, they’re environmentally friendly. Using a refill kit means that you don’t have to throw your cartridge away when it has run out.
Unfortunately, not all refill kits offer quality. Third party manufacturers, in particular, may use poor quality ink in their kits. You may save money on buying a new cartridge, but you end up with poor quality prints that aren’t suitable for presentation.
Moreover, refilling using a kit requires some technical knowledge. You may get a step-by-step to help you along. Even so, you may still damage the contacts during the refilling process. This prevents the cartridge from working altogether, which means you end up buying another cartridge.
We’re not saying that refill kits are a bad idea. A quality kit combined with the right know-how can save you a lot of money. Just don’t make the mistake of buying as cheap as possible if you want to maintain a high print quality.
Mistake #6 – Buying the Wrong Type of Ink
Did you know that there are different types of ink that your cartridge may use?
Many don’t, which leads to them making the mistake of buying the wrong type of ink for their print jobs.
Typically, printer ink comes in one of two types:
Pigment-Based: These types of ink dry quickly. However, they also don’t produce vivid printouts that accentuate colors. This type of ink works best if you print documents primarily for your own usage. It’s also a better choice if you print quickly and at high volumes because it makes smudging less of an issue.
Dye-Based Inks: The inks offer a more vivid final printout. The trade-off is that they take much longer to dry out than pigment-based inks. If you’re printing a lot of pages all in one go, you may find that a dye-based ink smudges. However, they’re ideal for printing colorful images one at a time.
Consider your needs before choosing the type of ink that you buy. This ensures that you avoid disappointment with the final printout.
The Final Word
Making any of these mistakes leads to you wasting money on print cartridges and toner that doesn’t suit your needs. A poor supplier may overcharge and provide second-rate products. Failing to read the user manual may result in you buying the wrong type of cartridge. Moreover, not doing your research beforehand can also trip you up.
You need a supplier that provides high-quality cartridges at great prices. That’s where we come in. Check our catalog to see the wide range of cartridges, toners, and accessories that we offer for the major printing brands.
