Cartridge price, cartridge size and the number of pages you find from a cartridge differs wildly across printer models and what printer you select can ultimately decide a printing budget, rely on the cost efficiency of its cartridges.
Having knowledge about which cartridges are compatible with your printer is an incredibly important thing. If you purchase a wrong product and you might end up costing hundreds of money which is wastage or at least a troublesome than return shipment if the fault is caught in time. Ink and Toner Cartridges are two completely several kinds of printer cartridges, each with their own specific advantages and disadvantages. If you’re searching to learn more about your printer cartridges or looking for a new printer and you’re on the verge about what to purchase, this article will help you.
1. What’s the difference between ink and toner cartridges?
In brief, ink cartridges filled with liquid and are adopted by inkjet printers and toner cartridges contain powder and are used by laser printers.
The ink inside an ink cartridge can be dye-based or pigment-based, relying on which cartridge you have. Most inkjet printers on the market naturally consist of dye-based inks. They are more affordable than pigment-based ink cartridges and are better for their ability to produce vibrant, true to life color prints and photos. Dye-based inks are not resistant to water and smudging, with many prints prone to fade after 25 years. Pigmented-based ink provides a crisper finish and a quicker dry-time than dye-based ink. It is given much value by professional photographers and graphic designers for its capacity to print archival quality images and text. Pigment ink also prone to resist water and UV light better than dye-based ink and is able to withstand fading for up to 200 years.
Toner is a dry powdery material that won’t stain like ink cartridges, but it can get blotchy if not handled properly. Monochrome laser printers are compatible with just a black toner cartridge. Color laser printers use four different colors black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner cartridges to yield a print. The drum unit is another very essential term you should also be familiar with because, without it, you won’t be capable to print!
The drum is compatible with the toner cartridge to fuse the toner powder to paper. A drum unit can be made into the toner cartridge or sold individually as a single unit, depending on the consumable needs of your printer. Toner cartridges with a built-in drum unit are usually more costly than a single toner cartridge but most consumers feel them more convenient because you never have to take tension about replacing the drum. Every time you purchase a new toner, you are significantly replacing the drum. Different drum units can typically be replaced after the use of 3-4 toners.
2. Who should use it?
Now the question is, which printer is correct for you? It all boils down to your printing needs!
• Inkjet printer advantages and disadvantages
Many families, photographers, and small home offices opt inkjet printers. All inkjet machine prints text, color images, and photos. All-in-one inkjets consist some combination of fax, scan and copy functionality too. If you prepare to print at a small amount on a regular basis or are in need of quality photos, they are the best choice. However, if you are not ok, cartridge replacement may get costly.
There are two common ink cartridge combinations. Some printers need just two ink cartridges, a black and tri-color. The tri-color provides your color prints but is you’ll need to change the entire cartridge if one color is running low. Other printers use separate ink cartridges. You’ll find most printers need a black, cyan, magenta and yellow cartridge but many photo printers may need additional cartridges like a lighter shade of cyan or light magenta.
• Laser printer advantages and disadvantages:
Consumers with high quantity printing requirement will likely want to go with a laser printer. These machines are appropriate for small-medium businesses and schools that print a lot of text-heavy documents and color prints. Although the technology seems to be advancing every year, photo printing is not suggested on a laser printer.
Due to the powdery nature of the toner cartridge, photos can’t produce the same tonal distinctions as an inkjet printer and photos tend to end up looking dull. This is not true that photos can’t be printed with a laser, but if you are the photographer, you will be dissatisfied with the outputs.
It is suggested that purchasing a monochrome laser printer if you just need to print in black. Color laser printers are for those required to add a bit of color to everyday documents.
Similar to the all-in-ones mentioned before, multifunction laser printers can produce print, scan, copy and fax capabilities. Practically every printer in the present days is Wi-Fi ready as well as if you can print wirelessly from your laptop, tablet or Smartphone.
• Which printer cartridge is right for me?
Selecting the features and print options you are searching for in a printer is just part of the story. The cost of printer cartridges is an equally significant factor to consider and often not paid much importance by first-time printer buyers. There is no secret that cartridges can be expensive.
First-time buyers are often influenced by a big box store’s weekly printer sale, only to later discover out that cartridge replacements cost twice as much as the printer. Please don’t get trapped. Before you purchase, map out operating costs for the life of the printer and ensure those costs line up with your printing needs and budget.
Swift Office Solutions is a well-renowned company that produces the best quality Ink and Toner Cartridges at the affordable price.
