Are You Using the Right Printer Cartridges

If you use a printer with your computer, then you're probably using the manufacturer's recommended printer cartridges, but did you know that these might not be the best for your needs?

Here's what you need to know.

1. Depending on how often you print, you'll know whether buying cheap printer cartridges is worth it. You might only print a couple of pages every now and again at home, or your printer might be used all day every day in your busy office.

2. What you print is also important. If you print a lot of letters or proposals for customers, and mainly text, then you might want to use good quality cartridges, to create the right impression. If you only need to have rough copies of your work, or print the occasional email of document, then you probably don't need the best quality toner or ink cartridges.

3. You'll need to know what you're printing for too. Do you need to keep a copy of a certificate in a frame for everyone at work to see, or are you just printing a receipt from your latest online purchase? Are you printing photographs that you want to show off, or just directions or an address?

4. The type of paper you use will also affect the quality of your print. The better the paper, the better the print. If you need to keep your print out, or it's a CV or other important document, then you'll want to make sure that you're using the best paper you can find. People do notice, and it really does make a difference.

5. The type of printer you use will make a difference too. You might be using an inkjet printer for printing out your letters, where a laser printer will produce a much sharper print.

6. If you print a lot of photographs, then you might be better with a dedicated photo printer. You might just want to print out the pictures you've taken on your phone or compact camera, or you might be involved in taking professional photos, or stock photos for websites. Having the right tools for the job is definitely a good idea.

7. Branded cartridges might be what the printer manufacturer recommends, but they can be expensive, and not give you good value for money if you don't print all that often, or in great quantities.

8. Compatible cartridges are not made by the printer manufacturer but will still work in your printer. They can work out much cheaper than the manufacture recommended cartridges, and be excellent value for money, especially if you do a lot of printing.

9. It's always a good idea to have spare printer or toner cartridges. If you don't use your printer that often, then you might find that when you do need it, you can't print because the cartridges have dried up. It might be that you suddenly have to prepare several copies of a large document for a meeting, or your children need to print their homework out, and you discover that you're out of toner cartridges.

10. Many type of printer cartridge can be recycled. You might be able to fill up your inkjet cartridge, or toner cartridge, and so only pay for the toner or ink, rather than a new cartridge every time. Some companies will pay you for your old cartridges, fill them and resell them. If you go through a lot of cartridges, and you're worried about the effects of sending old cartridges to landfill, then why not

Now you know more about printer cartridges, perhaps you'll want to check to make sure that you are using the right inkjet and toner cartridges for your printer.