Printer and toner cartridges are very expensive, and printer manufacturers realize a great deal of their annual profit from sales of these small devices with limited printing capacity. More expensive printers usually get a better price from the ink they use than their moderately priced counterparts. Laser printers offer consumers the best price per page in relation to toner cartridge expense. Toner is very messy, and most consumers prefer to avoid the fine powder that stains hands and clothing. Toner cartridges, however, can be refilled. Consumers can avoid direct contact with toner and enjoy savings by purchasing remanufactured printer cartridges, which can save up to 80 percent.

Toner cartridges are available as original manufacturer’s equipment (OEM), compatible brands, or remanufactured equipment. Consumers can also refill toner themselves for the greatest savings. Remanufactured cartridges are very popular because of their convenience and price. Printer manufacturers spend a great deal of money explaining why these products do not work as well as OEM and exhorting consumers to avoid risks. The remanufactured products cut into manufacturers’ profit margin, and they just hate the situation. Many companies now remanufacture ink and toner cartridges, and some enterprising people turn the operation into a home-based business.

The remanufacturing process follows these basic steps: 

· The cartridge is disassembled. Any damaged parts are removed. 
· Old toner is removed by vacuuming. Ultrasound is utilized to clean superfine toner dust from all parts.
· Worn and damaged parts are replaced.
· The photo drum usually must be changed. This component is very sensitive, and the smallest imperfection will impact print quality.
· New blades are added to the assembly. These components initiate a windshield-wiper action. One set applies toner to the drum, and the other removes excess dust.
· The cartridge is then filled with a good quality toner that meets or exceeds OEM standards.
· A gasket prevents toner from flying into the printer. Fine toner powder easily becomes airborne from the slightest agitation.
· Each refilled cartridge is now tested on OEM to ensure quality.
· The remanufactured cartridge is sealed in anti-static black plastic bags that block light, and boxed for additional protection.

These steps ensure that the cartridge performs to exacting standards that meet or surpass OEM standards. Consumers can order these remanufactured printer cartridges with confidence when companies follow the correct procedure.

The computer industry has a rich history of enterprising entrepreneurs bypassing OEM inks and supplies. In 1981 IBM put its logo on an Epson MX-80 dot-matrix printer and sold it with its personal computer. Users immediately began investigating how to extend the life of the primitive ribbon carriage. People popped the cartridge and added WD-40, allowing it to steep overnight. Tables with felt rollers allowed the ribbon to be pulled through to resupply ink to the medium. There is little surprise that toner cartridges faced immediate assault on their exclusive status.

Remanufactured cartridges provide distinct environmental advantages. Millions of discarded ink and toner reservoirs reach landfills every year, where toxic chemicals leech into the ground and water table. Recycling is the responsible choice, a fact that even the original manufacturers acknowledge, but they would prefer consumers recycle anonymously and continue to buy new, overpriced products.

Practically everyone procrastinates when printed pages come out faded or smudged. It’s the inevitable sign of a printer cartridge going dry, a sort of unwelcome disappearing ink. As subsequent pages fail to proper print, thoughts of inconvenience and cost overcome the mind.

There’s also the unpleasant task of having to unearth the printer from under the myriad of office supplies and books. It simply isn’t something that’s liked. It is more of a chore than a task to check off from the “to-do” list. But, in comparison to purchasing a new printer, with fresh, untapped ink, it’s a cinch of a decision. The only question remaining is where and how to get new toner cartridges.

Starter Cartridges

The siren’s song of printer ink. It isn’t bulky, nor is it expensive. These are typically available on a wide basis. They boast a low price and contain quality ink. The bugaboo comes from the content. While no empirical data is readily available, most ink cartridge manufactures assure consumers the ink levels are high, but the density might be a bit lacking.

These ink cartridges are a personification of the old phrase, “You get what you pay for”. The output on starter cartridges tends to produce about 200 black and white sheets and 150 colour sheets.

Replacement Toner Cartridges

These ink cartridges are better performers than starter cartridges, but the price difference is significant. Coming in at a cost between 10 and 20 percent higher, replacement cartridges are often offered in bulk. So purchasing more than one set offsets the price increase substantially. After all, it makes sense both momentarily and functionally. Consumers get more for their money and have an extra supply on-hand to use at a moment’s notice.

What’s more, there is an increase in usable output. Replacement cartridges are filled to the brim and can produce 200-plus pages of black and white printings and 165 to 180 colour pages. All things considered, that makes replacement cartridges a sound decision.

Cartridge Refills

It was only a matter of time before this cottage industry cropped-up. Consumers can make one trip to the high street with empty cartridges and return with ink-filled printer cartridges. This method certainly has its benefits: it’s not terribly expensive and often a better deal than replacement cartridges, it saves time by not having to wait for a delivery and it’s environmentally friendly.

Of course, with such deal there come a few drawbacks. The biggest disadvantage is using the same cartridges time and again. Akin to an oil filter on an automobile, it will begin to accumulate sludge of sorts. Refilling ink cartridges, while an inexpensive alternative might compromise the quality of print in as more pages are printed with each successive refill.

Bulk Generic Cartridge Orders

Another alternative to getting ink cartridges is to order generic cartridges in bulk quantities. This is perhaps the least expensive replacement purchase. Purchasing generic ink cartridges in bulk drives down the cost per unit. The realised savings are quite attractive to consumers. The problem with purchasing generics–especially in bulk–is the quality. Quality varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. And if a bulk purchase is made, the consumer is stuck with many non-performing units.