Refilled inkjet cartridges

Constantly replacing inkjet cartridges can get expensive -- read about alternatives to make it more cost effective.

The appeal of inkjet printers is obvious - they're cheap. The sticker shock comes later when you discover the cost of printing. With ink-jet cartridges costing as much as $25-$35 per unit, your yearly cost in consumables can easily match the upfront cost of the printer itself.

As with laser printers, one way to pare the cost of printing is to use non-brand name ink alternatives.Depending on which of three options you choose, you can spend as little as $5 to $16 per cartridge instead.

Compatible cartridges are designed to work with your printer and are made by third party suppliers. These cartridges are then sold directly from the company or through resellers. Generally, you'll find more compatible cartridge options for printers that have the print head built into the printer itself. There are not as many options for inkjet cartridges that contain the print head, which handles the actual spraying of ink, due to the threat of patent infringement.

For the greatest savings, you can refill your used cartridges yourself. Kits generally come with enough supplies to refill five cartridges, at a cost of between two and six dollars a refill. While the actual cost of the ink may be quite low, it does require time. And, from my experience, a high tolerance for getting ink on your hands. As I have been fabulously unsuccessful the few times I've tried refilling a cartridge, it would be difficult for me to recommend this path.

A better alternative is to have your used cartridges refilled by a supplier. That involves sending in your cartridge and having the tank refilled by a professional. While it does cost more ($10 to $16 per cartridge), it still results in substantial savings.

The trick is to find the right refiller. First, look for a refiller who promises a money-back guarantee and accepts credit cards. In addition, look for a company whose supplies meet the original manufacturer's specifications. You'll know if they do, it will figure prominently in their marketing.

Also, learn what steps a company will take to determine whether a cartridge can be reused. Inkjet cartridges are "perishable" items, much more so than laser toner cartridges. One refiller said he rejected about 20 percent of the empties he received as being too worn for reuse. On the other hand, some cartridges can be salvaged; it makes sense to find out what steps are taken to revive these cartridges.

Finally, make sure you are satisfied with the print quality.Print a color page using brand-name ink, then print the same page using an alternative cartridge. Compare how accurately the colors reproduce and check the sharpness of the image. The refilled supplies should meet your expectations on the type of paper you use most.

Now, for the million-dollar question: will using non-branded or refilled ink cartridges void your warranty? Printer manufacturers aggressively dissuade us from using refilled cartridges by citing everything from poor print quality to printer damage. In the end, though, while most manufacturers will hold a printer owner responsible for repair costs caused by "foreign" ink, the warranty should remain in effect.

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