If you've ever had to buy printer ink, you know it often seems way too expensive. A set of original ink cartridges can cost over $35 and might only print around one hundred pages. So, why is printer ink so costly? This blog will discuss the reasons behind the high prices and look at some ways you might be able to save.

The Real Cost of Printer Ink Cartridges

One big reason printer ink is so pricey is the cost of making those printer ink cartridges. They’re not just simple plastic boxes filled with ink; they have to include microchips to ensure you can check your printer ink levels. The research and development involved in creating these tiny but complex components is significant. 

Also, some ink cartridges comes with built-in printheads. While this means less maintenance since your replace the printheads every time you change the cartridges, it also makes the cartridges more expensive.

Printer ink itself is a complex mixture of ingredients, including colorants like dyes or pigments, solvents, binders, and additives. Companies spend a lot of time perfecting the right blend of these ingredients to create stable, quick-drying, water resistant ink drops for high-resolution printing. All this R&D adds to the cost of printer inks.

Beyond R&D cost, there's no doubt that there are still high margins on printer ink. Major printer manufacturers often sell inkjet printers at relatively low prices. Sometimes, they even sell them at a loss just to get you to buy one. How do they make their money? Through the sale of printer ink cartridges! This business model ensures they make a steady profit from the printer ink you keep buying.

A Cheaper Alternative: Ink Tank Printers and Ink Bottles

In recent years, ink tank printers have become a popular way to save on printer ink. Instead of using ink cartridges, these printers have refillable ink tanks. You fill them up with ink bottles, which are a lot cheaper than buying new ink cartridges all the time.

While ink tank printers might cost more upfront, the savings on printer ink over time can be huge. If you print a lot, like for a home office or small business, switching to an ink tank printer could save you a lot of money.

Another Way to Save: Printer Ink Refills

Using printer ink refills is another way to cut costs. Refill kits let you top up your existing ink cartridges with new ink. This can be a bit messier and more time-consuming, but it’s a lot cheaper than buying new printer cartridges. Just be aware that not all printer ink cartridges can be refilled.

More Affordable & Easy Options: Compatible Ink Cartridges

If you want to save on printer ink but don’t want to hassle with refilling your existing ink cartridges, you can buy compatible cartridges instead. These cartridges cost at least half as much as the original ones and produce virtually the same print quality. Many manufacturers, like G&G, offer a wide range of compatible ink cartridges designed to fit your printer perfectly and provide high-quality prints.