| When it's time to replace you printer ink | | | | |
| cartridge, buying bulk ink will save you some | | | | These cartridges are much like the original |
| money. You need to be sure the bulk ink will | | | | brand of ink - they will dry out if they sit |
| be suitable for your printer, however. So how | | | | too long. Don't buy more than you need to |
| do you find the best deals? | | | | last you for a couple of months, otherwise |
| | | | they may not work by the time you use them. |
| The following your alternatives: | | | | |
| | | | Do-It-Yourself Refill Kits |
| Original Manufacturer Cartridges | | | | |
| | | | These kits let you refill your empty |
| You can usually buy them for less if you buy | | | | cartridges and are the cheapest option of |
| them in bulk. If your printer uses both a | | | | them all. The bottles that hold the ink until |
| black cartridges and a color, you likely use | | | | you refill the cartridge are also much less |
| more of one than the other. If you're going | | | | prone to drying out, so these kits have a |
| to buy them in bulk, just buy the one you use | | | | much longer shelf life. |
| most. | | | | |
| | | | The refilling process can be tricky, however, |
| The original manufacturer's cartridges will | | | | for some printer models more than others. It |
| usually give you the best quality prints out | | | | can be quite messy if you aren't careful. |
| of any of the alternatives. They are the most | | | | |
| expensive, however. | | | | Comparing the Costs |
| | | | |
| Also, if you buy them in bulk keep in mind | | | | Let's compare the price of each of the above |
| that they do dry out. Most ink cartridges | | | | options: |
| have a "best before" date on the box. If they | | | | |
| sit too long before you use them, the ink may | | | | An original HP ink cartridge for the V40 |
| dry out (which means your bulk purchase | | | | series printer costs about $30 from most |
| savings will disappear out the window). | | | | stores (black only). |
| | | | |
| Remanufactured (Refilled) Cartridges | | | | If you buy this ink in bulk from a |
| | | | wholesaler, it will cost about $100 for 4 |
| There are many companies that sell | | | | cartridges, or $25 per unit. |
| remanufactured cartridges. These are | | | | |
| basically refilled OEM cartridges, but | | | | You can buy remanufactured ink cartridges for |
| without the hassle and mess of doing the | | | | the same printer for $21 each, or less if |
| refilling yourself. | | | | bought in bulk. |
| | | | |
| The companies that refill them also usually | | | | Finally, a bottle of black refill ink for |
| do a more thorough job of cleaning and | | | | that printer will cost you roughly $15, and |
| testing them than you can do yourself, so | | | | will refill the ink 4 times. This works out |
| they tend to be more reliable. | | | | to $3.75 per refill. |