Have you ever scrambled to finish a print job only to find out your printer’s out of ink? The frustration can ruin your day and can even lead to more surprises when you learn how much ink costs for a printer.
Ink cartridges can seem like a costly expenditure for offices, especially if printing is part of your daily tasks. But don’t worry! This guide will help you get to know more about ink and toner suppliers in the Philippines, giving you tips on which ink to buy so you can make informed decisions that end up saving you money on printing costs.
Understanding Printer Costs
Before diving into how much is an ink for your printer, it’s worth noting that choosing a printer ink depends on several factors:
- Brand: Generally, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) cartridges from popular brands like HP, Canon, or Brother are the costliest choice especially if you buy them in office supply stores. As a workaround, compatible and remanufactured cartridges are available as a more budget-friendly alternative.
- Type of Ink: There are different types of printer inks available in the market based on the type of printer you use. Inkjet cartridges used for home printing are typically more affordable than laser toner cartridges used in office printers.
However, if your office heavily uses printing for day-to-day tasks, laser toner can prove to be more economical in the long run with its overall lower cost per page and faster printing speed. - Capacity: Standard-yield cartridges print fewer pages before needing a replacement, while high-yield cartridges offer more prints but come at a higher upfront cost.
- Color: Ink cartridges for color are usually pricier than blank ink cartridges. This is why print shops typically price blank ink prints lower than those that use full color.
The cost of printing products varies based on these factors and your printing needs. Before you go shopping for ink, it’s important to know the printing activities your business does so you have a clearer picture of what you need. That way, when you compare prices, it’s narrowed down to ink types that are compatible with your printer and usage.
Breakdown of How Much Printer Ink Is
The main difference in the cost of printer inks is based on their brands and make. To give you an idea of how they differ, here’s a breakdown of their distinctions.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Ink Cartridges
As mentioned earlier and based on the name itself, OEM ink cartridges are the specific ink types recommended by your printer’s manufacturer instructions. For example, if your printer is from HP, it’s likely the advised ink replacement for your unit is from their brand as well. This is because their ink replacements are optimized for their printers’ use, and the same idea goes with other brands in the market.
Expect OEM ink bottles for printers to range from ₱200 to ₱700, while laser toner cartridges for smaller-scale use to cost ₱500 to ₱1,500. Other more heavy-duty ink cartridges can cost at least ₱2,000 to ₱5,000 depending on the brand.
While using OEM cartridges is generally more costly, the upside is they deliver superior print quality and are guaranteed to work seamlessly with your printer. It minimizes the risk of cartridge replacements or other printer errors that may occur when using alternative inks.
Compatible Ink
Since compatible ink is made by third-party manufacturers, they offer a significant cost advantage. Compatible ink is designed to work on printers without infringing on the patents of printer manufacturers, making them a budget-friendly solution for those who want a more affordable ink alternative.
In the market, compatible inkjet cartridges are priced at ₱100 to 300, while laser toner cartridges range from ₱500 to ₱1,000. While these types of ink may not always match the quality of those from OEMs, compatible cartridges from reputable brands can still deliver good results for everyday printing tasks.
If you choose to buy compatible ink cartridges, it’s advisable to be more thorough in looking for reviews so you can choose replacement inks from established brands.
Remanufactured Ink Cartridges
If your company is eco-conscious, remanufactured ink cartridges may be the choice for you. These cartridges are made from used OEM cartridges that have been refilled, cleaned, and inspected to ensure they meet quality standards.
You can think of them as a combination of OEM and compatible ink cartridges, also offering significant cost savings compared to original ink replacements. The downside to remanufactured ink cartridges is that their page yield might be slightly lower than brand-new OEM cartridges.
In the Philippines, you can find remanufactured ink cartridges in local print shops or e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada. They typically go for ₱800 to ₱1,600 depending on the color and set you’re buying.
Saving Money on Printer Ink
Now that you have an idea of the costs of printer ink, let’s explore a few strategies your office can employ so you can stretch your printer ink budget.
- Print Smart: Utilize the draft mode or grayscale printing mode for documents that don’t necessarily need vibrant colors. This can significantly reduce your ink consumption and reduce your frequency of buying colored cartridges––which cost more than black ink.
- Consider High-Yield Cartridges: While high-yield cartridges cost more upfront, they can be a cost-effective choice in the long run if you print frequently. If your office uses full-color prints for presentations daily, you may want to consider this type of cartridge.
- Explore Ink Subscription Services: Consider the benefits of ink subscription programs to fulfill your printer needs. With this service, your office automatically gets deliveries and installation for replacement cartridges before you run out. This ensures convenience and potential cost savings with bulk discounts.
Before choosing your preferred ink cartridge replacement, think about the type of printer your office has, the printing activities you do, and your budget. These factors can make all the difference when buying ink for your printers.
Partnering with Ink of Less for All Your Printer Ink Needs
Dealing with printer errors is a frustrating task for most of us. It can derail your workflow momentum and potentially add to the list of your responsibilities, especially when you need to find reliable ink suppliers.
This is where Ink for Less comes in! As an experienced and trusted printer services provider, we offer a wide range of ink cartridge types at competitive prices. With our ink subscription program, we help you choose the perfect printer for your printing needs and take care of its upkeep. You won’t have to worry about your printer ink needs because we have got you covered.
To learn more about our products and services, get in touch with us today!
