Inkjet ink cartridges are the consumable part of inkjet printers. This means that they are disposed of when the ink runs out and replaced.
How Do They Work?
Unlike toner ink cartridges for laser printers most inkjet ink cartridges work using thermal properties, that is that there is some type of heating element in between the layers of powdered ink. The ink inside the cartridge is usually a fine powdery substance. A message sent to the printer from the computer causes the heating element to heat up which in turn heats up the powdered ink. When the powder is heated up it forms a little bubble that is forced through the nozzle of the cartridge and winds up on the paper, of course the technology surrounding how the printer forms the characters is complex.
The ink also acts as a cooling agent for the printer cartridge. If the ink is allowed to run too low there is potential for damaging the nozzle or ink head which can result in permanently damaging the printer.
There are usually two inkjet cartridges used in a printer one filled with black ink and one filled with colored ink (containing three primary colors). Depending on the information received from the computer which has been input from the user determines which cartridge is engaged for use.
Replacement Options
There are a few options for replacing inkjet ink cartridges:
- Replacement with an identical cartridge from the manufacturer of the inkjet printer
- Replacement with an alternate vendor model.
- Using refillable inkjet cartridges.
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The most expensive type of replacement will come from the original manufacturer. Inkjet ink cartridges that come from the manufacturer are typically very expensive and can be a large fraction of the original cost of the inkjet printer. Many manufacturers will only warranty the ink jet printer if OEM parts are used. Original Equipment Manufactured parts are produced by the manufacturer of the inkjet printer and are made specifically to fit the ink jet printer.
Replacement with an alternate vendor model can save literally hundreds of dollars over the life of the inkjet printer. Typically this is an option a lot of consumers opt for, but if the printer malfunctions and there is evidence that the “wrong” cheap inkjet cartridges was used the manufacturer can void the warranty.
Refilling the inkjet ink cartridges is another option. This can be done through the use remanufactured ink cartridges or it can be sent to a vendor that does it for you. This is the least expensive option. This option will also void the manufacturers warranty as well.
Some manufacturers have moved toward refillable inkjet ink cartridges as a way to reduce the environmental impact.
Inkjet ink cartridges are a necessary component of inkjet printers without them the printer will not work. Finding an affordable replacement solution make take some trial and investigation of trying different replacement options.