The Truth About Expensive Printer Ink Revealed

TLDRPrinter ink is notoriously expensive because of the outdated razor and blades model used by printer manufacturers. They sell printers at a low cost but make up for it through expensive ink cartridge sales. Additionally, high research and development costs and deliberate tactics to control the market contribute to the high prices. The ink cartridges themselves often contain less ink than before, despite being sold at the same or higher prices.

Key insights

💸Printer manufacturers use an outdated razor and blades model, selling printers cheaply and making up for it through expensive ink cartridge sales.

🔒Once consumers buy a printer that uses specific cartridges, they are locked into buying those expensive cartridges or else they have to throw away the printer.

💡Printer manufacturers install microchips and issue firmware updates to prevent the use of third-party ink, forcing consumers to buy official cartridges.

🧪The manufacturing cost of ink is low, but printer companies attribute high costs to research and development. However, more than half of the ink purchased may go to waste in maintenance cycles.

📐Ink cartridges contain less ink than before, with some new cartridges having as little as three milliliters for the same or higher prices.

Q&A

Why is printer ink so expensive?

—Printer ink is expensive because printer manufacturers use a business model where they sell printers cheaply and make profits through expensive ink cartridge sales.

Can I use third-party ink cartridges in my printer?

—Printer manufacturers often install microchips and issue firmware updates to prevent the use of third-party ink cartridges, forcing consumers to buy their official cartridges.

Why do ink cartridges of the same size and price contain less ink than before?

—Printer manufacturers have reduced the amount of ink in cartridges, with some containing as little as three milliliters. This allows them to sell 'extra large' cartridges at a higher price.

Why do printers stop working when one color ink cartridge runs out?

—Printers that use multiple color ink cartridges often stop working when one color runs out, even if the other colors are still full. This is a design choice by printer manufacturers.

How can I save money on printer ink?

—To save money on printer ink, you can consider using laser printers, which offer a lower cost alternative to inkjet printers. You can also try buying ink in bulk or using subscription services offered by printer manufacturers.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Printer ink is notoriously expensive because printer manufacturers use an outdated razor and blades model, selling printers cheaply and making up for it through expensive ink cartridge sales.

01:40Once consumers buy a printer that uses specific cartridges, they are locked into buying those expensive cartridges or else they have to throw away the printer.

02:02Printer manufacturers install microchips and issue firmware updates to prevent the use of third-party ink, forcing consumers to buy official cartridges.

02:53The manufacturing cost of ink is low, but printer companies attribute high costs to research and development. However, more than half of the ink purchased may go to waste in maintenance cycles.

03:26Ink cartridges contain less ink than before, with some new cartridges having as little as three milliliters for the same or higher prices.