The quality of your printer’s prints can depend on several factors, including maintenance, cleanliness, paper choice, and more. One big determiner, however, is the type of ink cartridges you choose. Ink cartridges have several advantages over toner cartridges. For one thing, they’re generally cheaper, they’re easy to replace, and the quality of the prints is very good and less prone to smudging since it dries quickly. But not all ink cartridges are the same, especially when it comes to cost-effectiveness. If you’re deciding between Canon ink cartridges vs. third-party ink cartridges, here’s a deep dive into the pros, cons, and other aspects of both.
Canon Ink Cartridge Pros and Cons
Canon knows printers. It especially knows its own printers, including what makes them tick and what parts and devices work best with them. Canon developed its own line of ink cartridges and Canon ink tanks, specifically designed to accommodate its printers’ needs. That means high-quality prints, high performance, and fewer issues.
Naturally, Canon offers a wide assortment of inks and options, and its cartridges come in various sizes and packs, so you know exactly how much to order to meet your needs. Canon ink cartridges help your printer last longer as well because they fit perfectly and are unlikely to cause any difficulties or damage from a poor fit or incompatibility.
Ultimately, you get what you pay for, so Canon-brand ink cartridges are slightly pricier than other brands. That’s good because you know your printer will produce great work, but you’re still paying more in the long run. If you have large print runs, you’ll be replacing those brand-name Canon ink cartridges more often as well. However, savings also come from not having to spend extra maintaining and repairing your printer, and buying Canon-brand cartridges can help you avoid costs for repairs.
Third-Party Ink Cartridge Pros and Cons
As you can safely assume, generic or not-name-brand ink cartridges will usually cost you less, allowing you to buy more and stock up. When you’re budgeting and watching your pennies, that can be a major plus. Low print runs can also justify getting non-Canon ink cartridges since there are fewer prints to make and less stress required of the machines. Third-party cartridge companies may even offer bulk discounts and lower pricing because of the low costs involved in producing their products.
Predictably, however, and as we’ve touched on already, non-Canon ink cartridges may not always fit in Canon printers. This can lead to shoddy or smeared prints. The off-brand cartridge may run the risk of being incompatible with the Canon printer and may become stuck or otherwise affect the inner workings of the device. If that happens, you may be in for a bigger shock. Using a third-party ink cartridge can void the printer’s warranty. Because of that, if repairs are necessary, they can cost more than whatever savings you earn through buying third-party ink cartridges.
Brand Name or Third-Party?
We’ve addressed the good and bad parts of buying brand-name Canon ink cartridges versus off-brand versions. Choosing between the two depends on the job’s needs, long-term or short-term. The best course of action is to go with Canon-brand ink cartridges. You’re guaranteed to get crisp and clear prints, and the cartridges are made for the printer and vice versa. Furthermore, while they may cost more, they come in a known quantity, so you can project the costs in advance. Canon ink cartridges are also ideal if you intend to produce many prints in a short period of time and are focused on creating high-quality multi-colored projects for demanding clients.
On the other hand, if your printing needs are simple, with short print runs and mostly black-and-white prints, cheaper third-party ink cartridges are the better and more affordable alternative. While striving for perfection is admirable, prints for only internal use or record-keeping don’t necessarily need to sparkle. If the print is clean and doesn’t obscure the text and images, it’s good enough and worth picking the budget-friendly choice. But never forget that long-term use of incompatible ink cartridges might cost you. Perform periodic cleaning and maintenance to ensure your printer works well with the selected ink cartridges.
Other Considerations
Whichever way you lean, investigate what other people and businesses are saying about the cost-effectiveness of Canon vs. third-party ink cartridges and other factors.
Check Reviews
Consult online reviews and recommendations, looking for reviewers performing similar jobs and using the same printers. Talk to the original printer supplier or manufacturer who sold or leased the printer to you. They may favor Canon-brand ink cartridges or third-party ones, but they’ll absolutely let you know how either might affect your machine’s warranty or performance.
Consider Sustainability
If it’s important to you, and hopefully it is, think about the environmental impact of choosing one over the other. Canon, for example, already has a program in place for recycling its cartridges, preventing waste and the flooding of the ecosystem with plastic, toner, and other substances. Third-party ink cartridge makers may or may not have the same programs in place, but often they place greater emphasis on cheapness and ready disposability than sustainability.
Factor in Availability
Availability is one more thing to think about. As an established company, Canon makes sure its products are available through the company itself and multiple suppliers. Though ordering in advance is the best and safest method, if you do happen to run out of Canon cartridges, you’re likely to find a place to buy more quickly.
On the other hand, third-party ink cartridge suppliers may or may not be established. Therefore, purchasing new cartridges could be difficult if the company goes under or sells its stock to a supplier you haven’t worked with before.
Next Steps
This article is not meant to say one brand of ink cartridge is better than the other—only to offer some options and things to think about before making a purchase. Just keep cost, print quality, compatibility, environmental friendliness, and the size and frequency of your jobs in mind. By doing so, you’re sure to make an informed decision. If you have further questions, contact us today for a comprehensive consultation. Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll suggest the best printers, papers, and other equipment you need to produce your best work. We look forward to speaking with you and coming up with the solutions you require!
