Ink For Printers
Regardless of whether you are looking for printer ink cartridges for personal or commercial use for your inkjet printer, Printerland supplies a range of competitively priced ink cartridges from all the leading brands.
How are they different from toner cartridges? And, is their performance better? Let’s take a look at all you need to know about ink cartridges, according to the experts.
What are ink cartridges and how do they work?
Ink cartridges contain liquid ink that is commonly used in inkjet printers, typically consisting of black or coloured ink. This includes cyan (blue), magenta , and yellow ink. Together, they form CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and key/black). As a result, you can print both coloured and monochrome images or documents, as these colours blend to create a variety of pigments for excellent colour printing.
These colours come in individual cartridges, or you can get a single cartridge that includes all CMYK colours in separate reservoirs, depending on your model of printer. Ink cartridges work by connecting to the print head nozzles, which create dots of ink.
When a document is set to print, the computer sends the CMYK colour formula for every pixel in the image to the printer. The print head is then able to duplicate the document using the small nozzles, via heat or vibration - thermal printheads force the ink out after vaporising it, whereas vibrating print heads move rapidly to disperse the ink.
What is the difference between ink cartridges and toner?
Toner cartridges are formulated of a fine dry powder of granulated plastics, which is electronically charged, and then transferred onto the paper by a rotating drum inside the laser printer. The paper is then positively charged to bond the also positively charged toner particles to the paper. This means there is no risk of smudging or bleeding that might occur with ink models. Like ink cartridges, toner cartridges are available in black, cyan, magenta, and yellow to create different colour variations.
Laser printers and toner cartridges are ideal for large-scale printing jobs, as they are relatively faster, and have an extended lifetime than their inkjet counterparts. Laser printers are equipped with high-capacity paper trays, making them perfect for frequent use without compromising detail and efficiency.
For office or work environments that demand mass printing, laser printers are the most suitable type of printer. Particularly, for high-volume printing, a ppm of 20 to 40 is recommended - which is typically the ppm range for most laser printers.
On the other hand, for most other commercial and domestic settings where you don’t require such large amounts of printing, but still rely on a steady printer day-to-day, inkjet printers and ink cartridges are more appropriate for regular and casual use.
The benefits of using an inkjet printer over a laser printer
Although you’ll probably find laser printers increasingly commonplace in both workplaces and domestic settings, inkjet printers are still quite prominent - and you can still reap great benefits from using them in comparison to a laser printer.
But what are those benefits? The following outlines a few advantages of inkjet printers over laser printers, to help you decide between the two.
Better print quality
In terms of print and colour quality, laser printers simply do not outperform inkjet models for photographs and graphics. Through the utilisation of liquid ink from the ink cartridges, colours blend much more accurately and seamlessly with inkjet printers compared to laser printers. The colours produced by inkjet printers are bright and vibrant with rich layers and meticulous colour transitions.
In addition to this, inkjet printers can print on different types of paper, such as photo-quality or glossy paper. Therefore, these aspects of inkjet printers are especially advantageous for high-quality image printing, meaning that an inkjet printer is a better choice when it comes to printing pictures or images.
That said, it is also important to think about how ink can bleed or smudge if the paper is touched or moved instantly after printing - especially if you use lower-quality ink cartridges. You need to be patient after a print job before picking up the printed materials, but you should also invest in original, genuine manufacturer ink cartridges that are optimised for non-bleeding and for not smudging prints.
Reduced start-up costs
Inkjet printers offer reasonable and accessible price points at set-up, including affordable ink cartridges prices. Meanwhile, laser printers are often more expensive at initial set-up.
However, it is worth mentioning that ink cartridges do end up as a costly investment in the long run. This is because toner cartridges and laser printers generally offer higher reliability and a lower cost per print on average. As a result, this indicates that, although inkjet printers and ink cartridges are cheaper during setup, laser printers and toner cartridges may save you money in the long term.
That said, to truly get the most out of an inkjet printer and keep it running for longer, you must be willing to maintain it by preventing ink cartridges from clogging up and potentially damaging the printer. If this happens, you might end up receiving a hefty repair or replacement bill.
Size
Whilst small laser printers are available on the market, the majority of laser printers are can take up quite a lot of space. On the other hand, inkjet printers are smaller and great for areas where space is limited - most models can even be placed on top of desks. As such, inkjet printers for home use are versatile and suitable for use in domestic and commercial areas.
The option of a smaller inkjet printer also allows for easier maintenance and mobility than laser printers, which is convenient for customers wanting a portable printer, or one that is lightweight enough for them to carry to another place without much effort.
Minimal energy consumption
Another aspect of inkjet printers that gives them an advantage over laser printers is that they typically consume less energy. Whilst laser printers and their technology are indeed revolutionary when it comes to printing methods, these machines also consume a lot of energy during the printing process. This is something to consider if you are unsure about whether to purchase an inkjet printer or a laser printer, especially if you are looking to practise sustainability and minimise carbon emissions.
Instant start-up
Unlike laser printers which require an initial heating up period every time that they are turned on, inkjet printers are usually ready to go as soon as you flick the switch.
This improved start-up time is a great advantage of inkjet printers over laser printers, particularly if you are doing some last-minute printing that you forgot about before rushing to a meeting or presentation.
Can I use third-party ink cartridges?
It is recommended that you only use ‘original equipment manufacturer (OEM) ink cartridges’ - in other words, if you own an HP printer, you should probably use an HP ink cartridge. Whilst you can use compatible ink cartridges of another brand, these are what is known as ‘third-party cartridges’, they will not offer the same quality as an original cartridge.
As printer cartridges that were made by the same company of the printer you intend to use them with are manufactured with extreme detail and attention, compared to the mass production of third-party cartridges, you can expect better performance and longevity with an original cartridge in comparison to compatible ink cartridges. This is due to the manufacturer’s commitment to researching and continuously developing their ink cartridges for their printers - whilst third-party vendors will not make this sort of effort.
You can also risk accidentally damaging the printer itself by using a non-OEM ink cartridge. If this happens, your warranty may become defunct, whereas your warranty is protected if you use OEM cartridges.
Although compatible ink cartridges are cheaper than an original cartridge, the price reflects its performance – you should not be surprised if the third-party product’s lifespan is not as long as an OEM ink cartridge, nor should you be shocked to find out that it does not perform as well as an original cartridge. Therefore, although slightly more expensive, an original cartridge is the best type of ink cartridge you can use for your inkjet printer.
At Printerland, you can rest assured that our ink cartridge products are authentic OEM printer ink cartridges, meaning that high printing quality and excellent performance of future print jobs are also 100% guaranteed.
What are the best inkjet printer brands?
The inkjet printer market is indeed a lucrative one, wherein the global inkjet printer market size is forecasted to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% from 2020 to 2027. The sectors that are contributing to the growth of the inkjet printing market include the packaging, publishing and photography industries, which is not surprising considering that inkjet printers are renowned for their exceptional printing capabilities, especially in terms of print and colour quality.
Numerous printer brands sell a variety of inkjet printers, with many features and functions that are suitable for casual and professional use. In fact, most printers in the marketplace are now all-in-one printers or multifunction printers (MFPs) that have been manufactured with the ability to print, fax, scan, and copy, making them one of the greatest evolutions of the printing industry.
So, what are currently the best inkjet printer brands that you can purchase?
Epson
Epson inkjet printers are ideal for home office customers who are looking to upgrade their old printer to a printer that delivers outstanding performance and reliability. The majority of Epson inkjet printers at Printerland offer amazing printing resolutions of up to 4,800 x 2,400 dots per inch (dpi), with some models even supplying up to 5,760 x 1,440 dpi.
‘But what is dpi?’ we hear you ask – If you have ever wondered why a print job resulted in a fuzzy image, you should check your printer’s dpi as a blurry print typically means that your printer has a low dpi capability. Thus, investing in an inkjet printer brand like Epson ensures that the quality of your print is sharp and crisp.
If you have been searching for budget-friendly inkjet printers with fast printing speeds, Epson inkjet printers have you covered. Even the Epson inkjet printers with the cheapest prices still offer 18ppm to 32ppm, showing that Epson inkjet printers are great for multiple document printing at a time-efficient rate.
When it comes to ink cartridges, Epson ink cartridges, Epson provides affordable OEM ink cartridges that are long-lasting and fade-resistant. With their fast printing speeds and outstanding print quality, Epson is the brand for investing in inkjet printers for performance and efficiency.
HP
Hewlett-Packard, more commonly known as HP, are one of the most reputable manufacturers of information technology (IT) hardware and software. HP laptops, monitors, desktops, printers, you name it - HP is a popular brand that sells high-quality electronics. In particular, HP inkjet printers are incredibly useful for business and home use with their capacity to print many pages using less ink.
Our HP inkjet printers at Printerland are competitively priced, with most printers supporting HP+.
Benefits of HP+ include:
- 6 months of HP Instant Ink - an HP ink cartridge subscription with original ink cartridges shipped right to the customer’s door and cartridge recycling.
- Printer warranty extended up to 3 Years.
- HP Smart app features - whilst customers can already utilise the HP app to control the printer, with HP+, customers can also take advantage of additional features such as mobile faxing, photo scanning, and linking their HP account to Google Suite.
- Forest First printing - every page printed with HP+ contributes to HP’s environmental pledge to plant new trees and protect forests.
There are many benefits to an HP+ membership, and it’s a worthwhile investment to purchase an HP+ supported inkjet printer and its quality original ink cartridges at Printerland.
Canon
Another well-known printer brand is, of course, Canon. With their sleek designs, Canon inkjet printers are aesthetically pleasing and deliver amazing print results. If you are familiar with photography, then you’ll definitely recognise Canon as a brand, particularly in terms of photography cameras. Canon has long established itself as a trusted brand and manufacturer of cameras, so when it comes to photo printing, it is without a doubt that Canon inkjet printers are the recommended choice in the market.
Canon inkjet printers generally have a better colour page yield - even the most budget-friendly Canon inkjet printer is capable of producing good-quality colour prints. As a result, customers who are photographers looking for an inkjet printer to print their photos - or simply an enthusiast who enjoys printing photos, for that matter - will surely like Canon inkjet printers.
Looking to reduce ink cartridge waste? Look no further. Canon ink cartridges are easily recycled due to Canon’s free recycling programme, which allows customers to recycle OEM-only cartridges. The ink cartridges are sent to a recycling facility where they are mechanically crushed, separating the plastic particles from the metal particles so that these can be recycled properly.
Brother
For sturdy and reliable inkjet printers, Brother is a printer brand you should be looking at. Brother inkjet printers boast a product lineup of professional quality inkjet printers with the lowest prices in the market, but without compromising performance and ability. Our Brother inkjet printers at Printerland are perfect for both A4 and A3 printing.
And, with their clean and polished appearance, these inkjet printers are the ideal addition to any office and home space.
To maintain the longevity of your Brother inkjet printer, it would be wise to stock up on Brother ink cartridges, which boast excellent ink quality. By using an original cartridge, you can minimise the chances of experiencing ink leakages and smudging or bleeding after printing.
Discover Printerland’s range of ink cartridges
Printerland provides a huge range of original, quality inks for inkjet printers. Established in 1993, and boasting almost 3 decades of experience, we are a trusted supplier of thousands of print-related products. Printerland was a winner of the 2022 PC Pro Technology Excellence Awards as Best Online Retailer, so you do not only have to take our word for it - our customers believe in our service and products too.
As a reseller, we are dedicated to providing a wide collection of OEM products that can suit all of your printing needs. In particular, if you are searching for the retailer selling the best OEM ink cartridges at competitive prices, Printerland has got you covered, with ink cartridge brands like Epson, Canon, HP, and many more.
We aim to process all orders as soon as possible - and, if speed is your priority, for orders £125 and above (excluding VAT) purchased before 4:30 pm GMT, you’ll also benefit from free UK next-day delivery. All other UK orders are subject to £6.50 plus VAT delivery charge.
If you have any further enquiries or would like more information on Printerland’s products and services, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can contact customer services at 0800 995 1992, our expert sales team at 0800 840 1992, or email us at [email protected], and a member of our experienced team will be happy to assist you in any way we can.
