Ink and toner are the primary printer supplies used by most people. They are essential for printing words, photos and graphics. You can find both branded and third-party ink and toner cartridges on the market at prices that fit any budget. But what type of ink and toner do you need, how do you know you’re buying the right one and when is it time to replace them?
Inkjet Printers
Inkjet printers use ink cartridges to spray ink on paper. Inkjet printers are generally cheaper to run than laser printers, but they’re also more expensive to replace.
Monochrome Laser Printers
If you’re looking to print a lot of documents without spending a lot on ink, a monochrome laser printer is an ideal option. They’re faster to operate and produce sharp text, even on plain paper.
The main difference between a laser and inkjet printer is that laser printers use toner cartridges. Toner is made of powder, while ink is made of liquid.
Ink Tanks
Ink tanks are often used with inkjet printers, and they’re a great way to save money on ink. They’re essentially refillable ink bottles, and you’ll usually find them in models that can print over a thousand pages without replacing the ink.
Continuous Ink Supply System (CISS)
A continuous ink supply system is a type of inkjet printer that consists of four to nine bulk ink tanks and dummy cartridges that sit inside the printer. The CISS allows you to easily replenish the ink in your printer, and it helps you save even more on ink.
High-Yield Ink Cartridges
The best printer cartridges will yield more pages than a standard cartridge, which can help you save on ink costs. These cartridges are typically available in a single color or a multipack that contains black, cyan, magenta and yellow.
Choosing the Right Ink and Toner
Once you’ve determined the type of ink and toner you need, you can find it at a reputable retailer. The key is to do your research and read customer reviews.
How to Check Ink Levels
The ink levels of your printer will typically be displayed on the device itself or through a status monitor on the computer. This will show you how much ink is left in your printer cartridges and will let you know when it’s time to replace them.
When in doubt, consult your printer’s manual to see which cartridges it uses and what they should look like. You can also check the manufacturer’s website for additional information on your particular printer.
Inkjet Printers
Most inkjet printers come with a single black cartridge and either three individual color cartridges or a tri-color cartridge that blends the colors for better clarity. While tri-color cartridges can save space and money compared to using separate color cartridges, they are often less efficient and don’t last as long.
Inkjet printers are also more energy-efficient than laser printers, and they can help you reduce your carbon footprint. They’re also typically much smaller than their laser counterparts and take up less space in your home or office.