Printer consumables represent a significant ongoing expense, often exceeding the original printer cost over its lifetime. Yet many people purchase ink and toner without understanding the options available or how to maximise value. Making informed choices about consumables can save substantial money while maintaining the print quality you need.
This guide explains how to identify the right cartridges for your printer, understand the differences between genuine and compatible options, and make purchasing decisions that balance cost with quality and reliability.
Finding Your Printer's Cartridge Numbers
The first step is identifying exactly which cartridges your printer uses. Printers require specific cartridge models—using the wrong ones simply won't work. Here's how to find your cartridge numbers:
- Check current cartridges: Remove an installed cartridge and look for the model number printed on it
- Printer manual: The user manual lists compatible cartridge numbers
- Manufacturer website: Enter your printer model on the manufacturer's supplies page
- Printer software: Many printer utilities display cartridge information
- Inside the printer: Some printers have cartridge numbers printed inside the access panel
Save Your Cartridge Numbers
Once you've identified your cartridge numbers, save them in your phone or write them down. This prevents confusion when shopping and ensures you always purchase the correct supplies.
Genuine vs Compatible vs Remanufactured
You'll encounter three main categories of printer consumables, each with distinct characteristics:
Genuine (OEM) Cartridges
Original Equipment Manufacturer cartridges are made by your printer's manufacturer—HP cartridges for HP printers, Canon for Canon, and so forth. These are the most expensive option but offer guaranteed compatibility and consistent quality.
Advantages:
- Guaranteed to work with your printer
- Consistent, reliable print quality
- Won't void your printer warranty
- Manufacturer support if problems occur
- Most reliable chip communication with printer
Disadvantages:
- Significantly higher cost (often 2-4 times compatible prices)
- Limited to manufacturer's pricing
Compatible (Third-Party) Cartridges
Compatible cartridges are newly manufactured by third-party companies to work with specific printer models. They're not made by your printer manufacturer but are designed to function identically.
Advantages:
- Substantially lower cost (typically 30-70% less than genuine)
- New components throughout
- Many reputable brands offer good quality
Disadvantages:
- Quality varies between brands
- Some printers reject third-party cartridges
- Potential (though rare) for leaks or failures
- May not be recognised after firmware updates
Remanufactured Cartridges
Remanufactured cartridges are genuine cartridges that have been collected, cleaned, refilled, and resold. They're an environmentally friendly option that reuses the original cartridge housing.
Advantages:
- Lower cost than genuine cartridges
- Environmentally responsible (reduces waste)
- Uses original manufacturer housing
Disadvantages:
- Quality depends heavily on remanufacturer
- Components may have wear from original use
- Potentially shorter lifespan than new cartridges
Key Takeaway
For important documents and photos, genuine cartridges provide the most reliable results. For everyday printing where cost matters more than perfection, quality compatible cartridges offer substantial savings.
Understanding Cartridge Yields
Cartridge yield indicates how many pages a cartridge can print before running empty. This is crucial for calculating true cost-per-page and comparing value between options.
Standard vs High-Yield Cartridges
Most printer models offer multiple cartridge capacities:
- Standard yield: Lower upfront cost, fewer pages, higher cost-per-page
- High yield (XL): Higher upfront cost, more pages, lower cost-per-page
- Extra high yield (XXL): Highest capacity, best cost-per-page (where available)
While high-yield cartridges cost more initially, they almost always provide better value. A high-yield cartridge typically costs 30-50% more but prints 2-3 times as many pages.
How Yields Are Measured
Page yields are measured using ISO standards (ISO/IEC 24711 for inkjet, ISO/IEC 19752 for mono laser, ISO/IEC 19798 for colour laser). These tests use standardised test pages with specific coverage percentages—typically 5% for mono and 5% per colour for colour printing.
Real-World Yields Vary
Manufacturer yield estimates assume 5% page coverage. If you print graphics, photos, or heavily formatted documents, actual yields will be lower. Text-heavy documents with minimal formatting may exceed stated yields.
Calculating True Cost-Per-Page
To compare cartridge value accurately, calculate the cost-per-page:
Cost per page = Cartridge price ÷ Page yield
For example:
- Standard cartridge: $30 ÷ 300 pages = 10 cents per page
- High-yield cartridge: $45 ÷ 600 pages = 7.5 cents per page
The high-yield option saves 2.5 cents per page—adding up to $15 savings over 600 pages despite the higher purchase price.
For colour printing, remember to factor in all cartridges. A full set of colour cartridges might cost $100 for 300-page yields, meaning your colour cost-per-page is approximately 33 cents before adding paper costs.
Avoiding Common Purchasing Mistakes
Buying the Wrong Cartridge
Cartridge numbers can be confusingly similar. HP 63 and HP 63XL are different sizes of the same cartridge (compatible). HP 63 and HP 67 are completely different cartridges for different printer models (incompatible). Always verify the exact number before purchasing.
Ignoring Expiration Dates
Ink and toner have shelf lives. Ink cartridges typically last 18-24 months unopened; toner lasts longer but still degrades. Check expiration dates, especially when buying in bulk or from discount sellers. Expired ink may clog nozzles or produce poor results.
Buying Too Far in Advance
While bulk buying seems economical, purchasing years' worth of supplies carries risks. Ink expires, you might change printers, or prices might drop. Buy enough for 6-12 months maximum.
Forgetting About Firmware Updates
Some manufacturers release firmware updates that block compatible cartridges. If you use third-party cartridges, consider disabling automatic updates or researching update impacts before installing.
Special Considerations for Photo Printing
Photo printing has different requirements than document printing:
- Use genuine inks for archival prints: Third-party inks may fade faster over time
- Consider speciality inks: Some printers offer photo-specific cartridges with additional colours (light cyan, light magenta, grey) for better photo reproduction
- Match ink to paper: Dye-based inks work best on glossy photo paper; pigment inks suit matte papers
- Calculate photo costs separately: Photo printing uses significantly more ink than documents—factor this into your cost analysis
Where to Buy Printer Supplies
Authorised Retailers
Office supply stores and authorised dealers offer genuine products with manufacturer warranties. Prices are typically higher but you're guaranteed authentic products.
Online Marketplaces
Amazon, eBay, and other platforms offer competitive prices on both genuine and compatible cartridges. When buying genuine cartridges online, verify the seller's authenticity—counterfeit cartridges exist and can damage your printer.
Subscription Services
HP Instant Ink and similar programmes automatically ship replacement cartridges based on your usage. These can offer good value for moderate-volume users but may be expensive for heavy printing. Read terms carefully—unused pages may not roll over, and cancellation can disable remaining ink.
Watch for Deals
Printer supplies frequently go on sale during major retail events (Black Friday, Back to School, End of Financial Year). If you have storage space, stocking up during sales can yield significant savings.
Making Your Decision
The right choice depends on your priorities:
- Maximum quality and reliability: Genuine cartridges
- Best value for everyday printing: Quality compatible cartridges
- Environmental priority: Remanufactured cartridges from reputable sources
- Mixed approach: Genuine for important work, compatible for drafts and everyday printing
Whatever you choose, always verify cartridge compatibility, check expiration dates, and calculate the true cost-per-page to ensure you're getting genuine value rather than just a low sticker price.