If you search the internet for ink cartridges, among the many ink providers, you are sure to happen upon a number of articles, blogs, and other written pieces on the topic of extreme ink prices. The virtual world compares the cost of ink to many expensive things such as steak and lobster, as well as fine wines. But, it is not just the ink prices that have people up in arms about the current state of the printer industry, which is said to only break even with printer sales, but often makes a sixty-percent profit on the cartridges. There is also much talk about the ability for these manufacturers to build something worthy to sit on the same surface as the new sleek, attractive tablets and notebooks. Though the printers of today are rather amazing in their ability to multifunction, while only taking up the space of a dorm room microwave, their design aesthetic and staying power are also, embarrassingly, similar to that quick cooker. Many professionals and consumers complain about ill-designed printers, they fill they bring down the look of the owners space. Aside from this, many printers are not as great as advertised. Common printer problems include ink cartridge errors, paper jams, and short-lived ink cartridge products. Design aesthetic flaws are one thing, but when the flaws become internal, one is really left to wonder why they invested in such a hideous office fixture in the first place.

Knowing that much of the problem that most have with their mini office assistants is the price of ink or toner, there is another conversation to have. What exactly is the difference between toner and ink? Also, what can one do to trim the costs down?

Toner cartridges can seem the worst of the two alternatives. This is because they are absurd in price and often well over fifty to one hundred dollars. However, in this case one shouldn't read a book by its cover. There is a great reason behind why businesses have turned to laser printers and it isn't just for speed. These printers produce documents at a quick pace and are long lasting, trust that you won't have to replace your ink cartridge for a while. The average toner cartridge can turn out three thousand pages before it needs to be replaced, whereas an ink cartridge typically prints just four hundred pages. If you count that, it gives you an additional 26 hundred pages for only 100 dollars more; at the end of the day you are actually saving money buying toner.Both types of cartridges come pre-filled with ink, but toner cartridges have a dry powdered ink, which adhered to the paper with the help of a laser. This application makes the printing process much better and the quality is amazing. However, if you are looking for a digital art printer you would look to a printer such as the inkjet.

There is one last thing to make note about for ink expenses. Thanks to third party manufacturers, the costs are not as tremendous as they once were. Now ink can be bought at a fraction of what the original manufacturers are charging.