Making Printer Ink More Expensive (But Worth It)?

from the nice-try dept

Tue, Nov 16th 2004 1:38am — Mike Masnick

Printer companies are facing a lot of problems recently. As people have realized that the strategy is to sell the printers cheap and then price the ink higher than vintage champagne, they've gone looking for alternatives -- which aren't so hard to find. The printer companies have been fighting back. Lexmark failed to block competition using the DMCA, but other moves have been a bit more subtle, including a marketing effort to convince people that off-brand and counterfeit ink cartridges are bad news. However, it appears that strategy hasn't accomplished as much as some had hoped. So, rather than just trashing the competitors, printer companies are looking to convince people their branded ink is really worth it. Yes, that's right, HP and others are now trying to go with a "premium pricing" strategy, where they admit that they price things higher, but try to convince people it's worth it. They're out promoting the branded ink much more heavily, sometimes giving it "luxury" style names ("Vivera," "Evercolor") and claiming that it prints better and faster while also lasting longer. So far, however, it appears that most consumers don't really care and are still sticking to the cheapest ink they can find.

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11 Comments

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Michael Kohne, 16 Nov 2004 @ 4:46am

Printer Ink
Where do you find non-branded ink carts that aren't total garbage? I've stayed away from third-party ink cartridges for years because every time I try the stupid things I end up with a recycled cartridge that stops working after a day or two (if it works at all). Is it just that I don't do enough printing to keep a recycled cartridge happy? I'd love a cheaper ink source, but every time I've tried it, it's been a total waste of money. My wife is a teacher and printing tests and what-not pretty regularly, so it's not like we let the printer sit for weeks at a time.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there a source of quality refurb cartridges that I just don't know about?
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- gary, 16 Nov 2004 @ 5:16am
  
  Re: Printer Ink
  I have had no problems finding 3rd party cartridges (ebay is full of them). Refill them yourself. I have filled many a cartridge. On my Lexmark printer. I use 1 black and 1 color. A set cost about $25 each if you shop hard, with outany effort your going to pay close to $35 each, or $50/$70..
  
  I can get a $12 refill kit from COMPUSA and refill the black 4 times and the color 2 times.
  
  So $150-210 of factory ink for $12. I do admit that I have not been able to get more reliable refill over 8 times on black or 4 times on color so I do buy new from time to time but I have also saved enough to make it worth while.
  
  I also refill my black HP cartridges and save a similar amount.
  
  You do have to be careful, READ the re-fill instructions and get a good refill kit but its worth it. Whats the worse that can happen, You destroy a cheap printer.
  
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- badrinath, 18 Apr 2008 @ 10:55pm
  
  Re: Printer Ink
  where i can get the process of making printer ink
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Chomper, 16 Nov 2004 @ 9:23am

No Subject Given
Anything you find in retail is gonna be crap regarding refilling cartridges. The real deal is online. Companies like:

www.inkjetgoodies.com

www.inkgrabber.com

www.lyson.com

http://abacus24-7.com/

And so on, there are many good 3rd party companies out there with ink that exceeds OEM spex.

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CelticWraith52, 17 Nov 2004 @ 8:01am

Ink Cartridges
I'm sure I'm going to sound foolish to those who love off-brand and re-furbished ink cartridges but I've simply had too many bad experiences with them to ever really go back and try them again, especially with an expensive all in one printer with built in printheads. If they damage the machine or clog the heads you can really be screwed by both the printer's manufacturer and the ink cartridge maker (does anyone remember the problems with the old Canon BJC 600). I'll try to hunt around for the best deal I can get for my Epson but I don't think I'll be trying any of the other cartridges anytime soon.
Be Well
CelticWraith52
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henry brown, 23 Nov 2006 @ 5:14am

PRINTER INK MAKING
where can i get info on how to make black and color printer ink ? (like a formula)---------------thanx
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hendro arwinto, 11 Mar 2007 @ 11:27pm

compotition part in printing ink
to , Mr. Henry brown.
whit my regrad
If , youre not your mind, may i know , how to get information abot compotiton making ink, water base, and solvent base, because we have alot of gum rosin. we dont now how gum rosin can make ink? please.
thanks

hendro.
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laplace, 9 May 2008 @ 2:14am

where to get
I am having hp psc machine.. Is refilling ink cartridges are suggestable.. Whether we want to use only original cartridges or can we use refilled cartridges.. Great printer toner and ink cartridge deals, discounts and coupons. Also, check out the latest printer reviews and technology news. http://blog.concordsupplies.com
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mylene colinares, 25 Jun 2008 @ 9:47pm

printer's ink making
Good Day!

Where I can get info on how to make printer's ink and the raw materials on making it.
Thank you.
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- Anonymous Coward, 6 Apr 2009 @ 4:27pm
  
  Re: printer's ink making
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- Anonymous Coward, 6 Apr 2009 @ 4:47pm
  
  Re: printer's ink making
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