Printer cartridges are a must-have item for anyone who prints frequently. They are a great way to save money on printing costs while still ensuring that your prints have high quality. But choosing the right cartridges can be tricky. There are a few important things to consider when purchasing new printer cartridges.

OEM vs Compatible Cartridges

There are several types of printer cartridges available on the market, and each one has its own specific qualities that make it ideal for a particular type of printer. These include:

Original/OEM (Genuine) – A brand-new, original cartridge made by the printer manufacturer and branded with the printer company’s name. This type of cartridge typically offers the best print quality and longest lifespan for your printer, but it is also a little bit more expensive than compatible or remanufactured cartridges.

Compatible – A third party-manufactured cartridge that is completely compatible with your printer and offers the same quality as an original cartridge at half of the price. Some companies even offer refillable ink cartridges that are designed to last longer and reduce your printing cost.

High-Yield – The highest capacity ink cartridges for your printer. They usually have a higher ink density and print more pages than standard cartridges.

Refill – You can usually refill your cartridges for cheaper than buying a new one, but you should always check the label or printer manual to determine how much toner is in each cartridge. Refilling can be a messy process, and users often complain about leakages or poor print quality after refilling.

Set-Up – The best way to get the most out of your printer is to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. This will ensure that your cartridges are installed correctly and that they work with your printer.

Ink Levels – Most printers have built-in ink level monitors that show when your ink is low. You can usually access these directly on your printer or through your computer’s print dialogue tab.

Keep in mind that some printers only accept certain ink cartridge sizes, so if you are planning to print a lot of heavy-duty documents or photos, make sure to purchase the right size for your printer.

Using the wrong cartridge can cause your printer to bog down and perform unreliably. It can also damage your printer’s print head, and it is therefore essential to use the correct cartridge for your particular model.

Don’t ignore cartridge numbers or the printer model – Every printer has a unique number printed on its label that tells you which type of ink cartridge it uses. There are hundreds of different cartridge models, so it’s important to know your printer’s model number before you buy ink cartridges.

Never use adhesive tape to secure the cartridge – The glue resin in these tapes is very strong and can clog your printer’s nozzles. Be sure to remove the tape before installing the cartridge into your printer.

Avoid using generic or remanufactured ink cartridges – Many manufacturers of printers and inkjet cartridges will advertise that their products are genuine but they may not be. There are many counterfeit ink cartridges on the market, and these can be very expensive to replace if they are damaged or do not work at all.