Your simple guide to buying a printer and cartridges

Buying a printer and cartridges sounds straightforward enough, right? But it may not necessarily be. Because with advancements in technology, major brands like HP, Canon, Epson, among others, are offering innovative printing solutions. The sheer number of options available today can make your purchase challenging. Herein, we will try to understand the different printers, key features to look for, and its intended purpose and capabilities. More importantly, know the common mistakes of unaware consumers and avoid the same while making a purchase.

Know the different types of printer and cartridges
Some printers offer affordable printing solutions for home and office use with maximum output per cartridge. Others are designed for more niche photos and complex printing purposes. The industrial types are designed for bulk and specialized printing options. Based on usage, you can buy inkjet printers, laser printers, photo printers, supertank printers, and the popular all-in-one variant.

• Inkjet printers are an affordable alternative for budget buyers, and they give you superior quality color output suitable for complex graphic design printouts.
• Laser printers are slightly more expensive and are suitable for office and business use, as the printer and cartridges are designed to print maximum volume on a single refill.
• Photo printers use specialized ink to print on premium glossy paper. Home users and professional photographers keen on designing and making print albums can purchase a photo printer.
• Supertank printers come with custom refitted ink tanks that are capable of printing thousands of pages before you have to refill the cartridges.
• All-in-one printers are a crowd favorite, as they can print, scan, copy, and even fax documents. These multipurpose printers save desk space and come loaded with features.

So, depending on your primary printing needs, you can invest in a decent printer and cartridges combo. Note that not all printers use standard cartridges, and the price will vary depending on the purpose for which it was designed. Check with the vendor to confirm the printer model to order subsequent cartridges once you exhaust the first set.

Useful features to consider
Does the printer come with Wi-Fi capabilities, can it print over a network, does it support duplex function (automatic printing on both sides), and does it have a card reading slot to take direct prints? You must check for these features and assess which works best for your printing needs.

Mistakes to avoid while buying a printer and cartridges
There are a few other points to consider before investing a couple of hundred dollars in printing essentials.

• Don’t buy standard yield
  A standard yield cartridge is the one you would normally get with your printer purchase. But it is a better idea to opt for a high yield cartridge for the same model and brand. For example, if the company sells a standard 603 ink and also keeps 603 XL ink, invest in an XL cartridge. These last longer and translate into better savings over long-term use.
• Don’t overpay
  While some people always prefer to use the brand cartridge, they might not notice how the brand is easily overcharging them for the same yield available with generic ink cartridges. Several low-cost generic cartridges print the same quality and quantity of output and are available for half the price. You will save a lot of money using a generic high-yield ink for bulk printing instead of the branded one.
• Check the parts
  Know your printer and cartridges. Don’t make the mistake of ordering toner for an inkjet or super tank printer. Similarly, don’t order a single tri-color cartridge if your printer is designed to separately equip all three colors. You will only end up wasting more money ordering replacements.