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- Introduction{1 mention}{2 mentions}
- Best Printer Ink{1 mention}{3 mentions}
- Cheap Printer Ink{16 mentions}{3 mentions}{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}
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Our reports on printers pick the best models to buy, based on expert tests and user feedback. We publish separate reports on regular inkjet printers, photo printers and multifunction printers, as well as monochrome laser printers and color laser printers.
Useful printer ink links
PC World's article, "Technology's Biggest Myths," finds that one claim -- that "refilled ink cartridges will ruin your printer" -- is "mostly true." Because cartridges aren't meant to be reused, the article says, the refilled ink cartridges you can buy at stores like Cartridge World could clog or leak, damaging your printer and possibly voiding the warranty.
If you're still interested in learning to refill your own ink cartridges, you can find detailed instructions -- and lots of discussions about refills in general -- on the Inkjet Printer Forum/Ink Jet Refill Forum at Nifty-Stuff.com. PC World profiles one man who "refilled the same cartridge for five years before it finally gave out," using a ballpoint pen to force out the ball bearing that seals the HP cartridge and a syringe to inject the ink.
"Printer Ink Costs More Than GHB," ConsumerReports.org's affiliate blog, The Consumerist, points out. The blog links to another site's list of the many exotic liquids (including the aforementioned party drug) that cost less than printer ink.
Society for Imaging Science and Technology tutorial: "How an ink jet printer works," by Eric Hanson of Hewlett-Packard.
Some photographers prefer to use dye-based ink cartridges to print their photos; others say pigment-based inks last longer. Some printer manufacturers, like Canon, sell both kinds. Digital Photo magazine's article, "Key Steps to a Better Print," covers the pros and cons of both.