Ugh, it’s that time again… the time when you get to wonder where exactly what printer ink is made of that those teeny, tiny cartridges cost so dang much. Oil? Gold? Some super-secret element that Big Print is keeping under lock and key? The world may never know. What we do know is that, ounce for ounce it’s actually more expensive than gold and is one of the most expensive liquids on the planet. (We realize that probably sounds like a joke, but it isn’t! You can fact check us here.)
With that said, we completely understand why it can be super tempting to purchase an off-brand cartridge to save a few bucks – especially if you’re maintaining multiple printers. And while saving money in the short term may feel nice, in the long-term, it’s probably not the best decision.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) printer cartridges (ya know, those fancy name-brand ones) are cartridges that the printer manufacturer designs explicitly to meet the exact specifications for use with their equipment. Here are some (five, to be exact!) reasons why it’s important to use OEM printer cartridges:
Print Quality
OEM cartridges are designed to work seamlessly with the printer and produce high-quality printouts. Since they’re made to exact specifications of each machine, they have a precise combination of ink or toner and other components to ensure that the appropriate amount of ink is deposited for different settings (such as photo printing, draft printing, etc). This ensures that the print is consistent and high-quality, without smudging, streaking, or fading.
Equipment Longevity
Using OEM cartridges can help to prolong the life of your printer. The components in OEM cartridges are designed to work with the printer’s mechanisms, ensuring that they don’t cause any damage to the printer’s internal components. This can prevent malfunctions and repairs, which could be costly… much more expensive than simply spending the few extra buckaroos on the name-brand cartridges.
Cost-Effectiveness
Although OEM cartridges are generally more expensive upfront than third-party cartridges, they can be more cost-effective in the long run. That’s because they’re designed to provide consistent quality and last longer than third-party cartridges, which may need to be replaced more frequently.
Warranty Protection
Although OEM cartridges are generally more expensive upfront than third-party cartridges, they can be more cost-effective in the long run. That’s because they’re designed to provide consistent quality and last longer than third-party cartridges, which may need to be replaced more frequently.
Environmental Sustainability
Printer manufacturers are becoming more environmentally conscious and are designing their cartridges to be more eco-friendly. Using OEM cartridges can help to reduce waste, as they are often recyclable and have a lower impact on the environment than third-party cartridges.
