UK Ink Cartridges: How Will You Be Positive That Your Ink Content is Low?
In 2007, a study reported that on average, many ink cartridges are replaced prematurely, sometimes when as much as 50% of the ink remains in the print cartridge. This finding has serious implications for those who own inkjet printers in the UK and everywhere else. Here’s some additional information about the study.
Ink Cartridges – Astonishing Facts Found
The research was carried out by TUV Rhineland, an universal organization that states facts concerning the security and superiority of new and already available products, systems, and services employing relevant standards and meaningful performance measures The research was commissioned by Epson. TUV Rhineland checked out 5 well-liked inkjet printer brand names including printers which implement both single and various types of printer cartridges. The findings showed wide variations in how efficient inkjet printers are in using both colour and black ink cartridges. Epson printers had the best efficiency level, incorporating about 80% of the cartridge’s ink. Kodak was the most wasteful, leaving approximately 64% of the ink in the cartridge. The most significant finding of the study, however, is that many printers erroneously report that they are low on ink.
Ink Cartridges – More Information Documented
The study also reported that cartridges that contain multiple colours of ink report themselves empty when only a single colour is expended. Thus, when you use an ink cartridge that is filled with multiple colours, you will have to trash it whether it is empty or not. This highlights the superiority of printers which use separate inkjet cartridges for every colour and for black. Nonetheless, research shows that single cartridges still indicate that they are empty when there is about 20% of ink left in the cartridge.
Ink Cartridges – What Was Not Addressed By the Researchers
It was not addressed in the study that ink can be lost as a result of printer cleaning methods or moderate use of the printer. Many people are aware that printer ink cartridges lose functionality if the printer isn’t used regularly. Another issue that the study did not address is the “cost per page,” a factor that helps users determine which colour and black ink cartridges produce more efficiently. Cost per page is key in determining the price of using an inkjet printer, regardless of the printer cartridge design it incorporates.
Print Head Location
Another factor that influences the cost of a printer ink cartridge is the location of the print head. In some of the more popular printers like Epson, Hewlett Packard and Canon, the print head is built into the ink cartridge along with a microchip that controls communication with the printer. If the printer is not used regularly, the print head in the cartridge is likely to dry out and become blocked. In addition, if the proper OEM ink isn’t used, the print head will also get blocked. A further problem with these types of cartridges is that the embedded chips make it more difficult for companies other than the OEM to produce them.
The best advice for inkjet printer owners in the UK from our in-house experts is to find a reliable source for ink cartridges that balances price with quality.
Therefore, even though the research uncovered some info which could help UK consumers make educated buying decisions concerning inkjet printers and also ink cartridges, it left many important questions unanswered.
