As corporate expenses keep escalating, business owners are cutting on costs to maximize profits. Outsourcing third parties for printing services has become a thing of the past, thanks to readily available materials and equipment. Suppose you are a small business or an HR department and want to conduct in-house printing; knowing what type of ink cartridge suits your printer can be daunting. Below, we look at what to consider if you plan to buy it for the first time or upgrade to a better one.
1. Use Ink Cartridges Compatible with Your Printer
Printers can only accept compatible ink cartridges. Using the wrong cartridge might fail to work on a particular printer. Even if it agrees to the wrong cartridge, the damages you may incur overtime can be costly. Before you buy an ink cartridge, find out if your printer functions well with individual or multiple cartridges. For example, if you have an Epson printer, you can buy the Epson 288 ink cartridge comprising five cartridges in different colors.
2. Decide Between a Toner and Ink Cartridge
Knowing the difference between a toner and an ink cartridge can help you decide which one suits your printing needs. Businesses with less bulky work rely on ink cartridges to perform essential printing functions. Inkjet printers rely on ink cartridges in liquid form to produce letters, numbers, or images onto paper.
On the other hand, a toner comprises dry powdered ink and other coloring materials that pass through the laser beam to print documents. It is more applicable in offices that print materials in bulk. However, toners are costlier than ink cartridges, a factor that you might need to consider if you want to save on printing costs.
3. Check the Manufacturer’s Warranty
A warranty is a written document that manufacturers use to prove that what is on their package works. As a buyer, the last thing you want is to make an order for an ink cartridge only to realize that it is not compatible or does not have the qualities you are looking for. When you come across a product that does not have a warranty, please do not buy it. If it has a guarantee of 1-2 years, you can return it to your supplier for replacement or a refund of your money.
4. Save the Environment Through Affordable and Eco-Friendly Ink Cartridges
Companies encourage users to buy recycled ink cartridges to avoid waste and reach out to customers who might not afford brand-name products. Both new and recycled ink cartridges offer the same results, but the only difference is pricing. Since you are a profit-making organization, the best way to avoid hefty costs is by going green, which is where recycled ink cartridges come in handy.
5. Go for Ink Cartridges That Suit Your Printing Needs
Bulky work resonates well with a machine and an ink cartridge that can accommodate your printing needs. If you are a big company that relies on paper-printed materials to send multiple invoices or apply for tenders, go for an XL cartridge. But if you are a small organization that relies on intelligent paperless channels to send company memos or order requests, opt for standard cartridges. The primary goal of deciding between XL and standard cartridges is to save time and money.
The corporate world might be going digital, but that does not mark the end of printing. You will still rely on printing since hardcopy paperwork is still considered material evidence. Getting an ink cartridge that is compatible with your printer is a sure-fire way of ensuring that you get value for your money.
If you are buying a cartridge for the first time, always make a point of understanding its specifications. Check if it comes with a warranty so that should anything go wrong, you can take it back to your manufacturer for replacement or refund. If you are replacing your cartridge when it runs out of ink, ensure you buy the correct one. All you need to do is check the cartridge’s number to determine if it is compatible with your printer. Lastly, if you get a cartridge that suits your printing purpose, use it correctly. Do not overwork a cartridge for less bulky printing.
