How Often Should You Replace Your Printer Cartridges
Let's start with Inkjet Printers:
It is a known fact that you will more than likely have to replace ink cartridges more often than toner cartridges. The regular page yield for normal inkjet cartridges run for at least 400 to 800 for text and half if you print photos. Other factors come into place to know the right time to put a new one. It is important to keep your printer running smoothly and to be sure the warning sign you get of low ink is correct and not because the cartridge is dried up and clogged.
You will know if clogging is a problem because your printing results will come out with streaks or sketchy or not print at all. A good suggestion then before hitting the online printer ink purchasing button is to clean your print heads at least once. Avoiding clogging is also a solution and that can be accomplished by printing at least once a week and especially if the print heads are built into the device rather than in to each individual cartridges because cleaning those are usually done by servicing companies.
Read how to in this post - Tips for Print Head cleaning
Most recent printer models from important manufacturers like new HP printers and Kodak printers for example come with software included that lets you know when the ink is getting low. Remember that they are programmed to warn you and estimate the ink left. You can still print quite a few more pages after the warning sign but a good rule of thumb is to either have extra cartridges ready to be installed any minute or order them at the first signs of low ink. It is not a good idea to leave your inkjet printer without ink cartridges and to print without ink because the ink also works as a cooler for the print head and it could burn it and the entire device will be threatened.
Let’s Talk About Replacing Toner Cartridges:
Toner powder doesn’t dry out so the printing regularly rule is not an issue with laser printers. A laser printer can be a good printer and wait patiently for months without printing a single thing and there is no big deal about it. Laser toner cartridges are more expensive than inkjet cartridges. It is said that photo printing with laser don't have the same output as inkjet printers but newer models have vanished that myth.
A regular toner cartridge prints at least 2500 pages so depending on how much you print the cartridge can last a few months even years. Being that it can print more pages per cartridge, you will always see laser printers for office use and business printing practices. You should make sure that you check out if the printer has a separate drum unit or if the toner already comes with a new drum every time you replace it. Most HP printers have toner and drum included. A drum unit last at least 3 times the life of a toner cartridge but it has a higher price in the long run.
It is also fair to note that color printing comes out best when using an inkjet printer. And another important fact is that you can get the same amount of pages printed but at a lower cost if you use compatible or remanufactured ink or toner cartridges.
If you want to know the difference between cartridges read this previous post. The Difference between OEM and Remanufactured HP Printer Ink
Conclusion
If you have an inkjet printer, use it regularly and the print heads won’t clog increasing the life of the cartridge and it is best for light printing projects. If you are a hard core printing machine then invest in a great laser printer and print away for longer periods of time. Either type of printer replacing time will be directly dependent on the amount of printing you perform.
Posted by Karla Arostegui - Content Mgr. at 10/26/2011 12:37 PM 
Categories: Ink and Toner Cartridges
Tags: Inkjet Printer ink cartridge toner cartridge Laser Printer replacement OEM remanufactured compatible cartridge
Categories: Ink and Toner Cartridges
Tags: Inkjet Printer ink cartridge toner cartridge Laser Printer replacement OEM remanufactured compatible cartridge
Comments