So is the printing process.Ĭheck out this cool tech production video from The Printing Ink Company to see how printer ink is made:Ĭanon, Hewlett-Packard, and Lexmark - use a thermal process. People have used ink to draw since the 4th century BC, and it has been used to power computer printers since their invention. R&D: Research and development aren’t easy.or cheap! 3. This factors heavily into replacement cartridge pricing. Printers and copiers are designed to work best with OEM cartridges. Inks are specially formulated for each brand and type. $1 billion a year on research and development, and holds over 4,000 patents alone on consumables, like toner cartridges for laser printers, and, of course, ink cartridges.Įxtensive technology goes into cartridge manufacturing. Research and development are often cited as the main reason for the high cost of supplies for inkjets and laser printers. Hair keeps growing and razors will always be in demand.Ī genuine HP cartridge snuggles up alongside a non-OEM ink cartridge inside an HP Envy printer. This is sometimes referred to as the “razor blade” business model.Ī razor is cheap because the manufacturer makes money retailing replacement razor blades to consumers.
These manufacturers know the overwhelming majority of consumers will stick with genuine OEM rather than opting for less reliable remanufactured and compatible third-party products. HP, Brother, Epson, Canon, and the other big printer manufacturers make very little money in retail sales. Some even take a loss.Ĭompanies know they’ll make it up in replacement supplies over the life of your printer.Īt or below cost, drawing a consumer in with tantalizing low prices. This is the basic business paradigm that all printer companies operate under. Your Printer Is Free…Replacement Ink Is So Expensive Time to replace your cartridges? Ink is expensive! Get ready to open up your wallet as well as your printer. Let’s look at the top seven reasons ink is so expensive. There are many reasons why ink cartridges are not cheaper. The quick and simple answer is rarely the complete answer. $20 billion is consumed around the globe every year! There are 128 ounces in one US liquid gallon: The manufacturer controls the technology and the prices.īack in 2013, Consumer Reports determined the ink inside inkjet cartridges costīetween $13 to $75 per ounce!* That’s more expensive than the world’s finest perfumes! NOT by selling consumers an inkjet or laser printer, but by selling the supplies needed to print. Here’s a quick and simple answer: Ink cartridges are expensive so companies can make a profit. The answers to these mysteries and more lie ahead… Why does it cost more to replace the cartridges than the printer itself? Printer ink is expensive (and printer toner is expensive too). If you own a printer you know the harsh truth: Why Are Printer Ink and Toner Cartridges So Expensive?
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