The first HP DeskJet printer, based on inkjet technology and using HP ink cartridges, came to market in February 1988.Its success has led to over 240 million DeskJet printers being sold worldwide since then. More than 18 million of these printers are still being sold each year. The original DeskJet printer, which was capable of printing 1 to 2 pages per minute, has evolved into today’s versions, which can produce up to 36 high-quality colour prints per minute with the range including printers under the OfficeJet model name, among others.
More than 20 years after launching, DeskJet printers continue to deliver quality, reliability, ease of use, and affordability. These attributes have have helped HP to remain a leader in the inkjet printer market.
The company now manufactures a large range of printers, using several print technologies, but inkjet printers, and the HP ink cartridges for them, remain a core product. In the office and home office environment, the company also produces machines based on laser technology, using toner cartridges under their LaserJet model name.
HP ink cartridge printers differ significantly from the LaserJet range that use toner cartridges. The ink used in HP ink cartridges is a pigmented water-like liquid while LaserJet printers use toner to produce an image on a substrate, typically paper. Toner is an ultra-fine dry powder made up of tiny particles of plastic mixed with dry powder pigments.
Where inkjet printers “spray” wet ink onto the paper, laser printers use heat and pressure to fuse (melt) the plastic particles in the toner to the paper. Inkjet printers are typically best for high-quality photorealistic prints and high-end graphic output where lasers are better at text documents and can generally achieve higher print speeds and offer lower costs per print.
HP Ink Cartridges are Big Business
Providing replacement consumables for the millions of printers in the field worldwide is big business. OEM manufacturers bank on making their profit on replacement consumables over the lifespan of their printers in the field. Astute marketing and high-quality product leads to most end users purchasing and using original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or genuine replacement cartridges. In other words, consumables made by the manufacturer of the printer. The owner of a DeskJet will typically use genuine HP ink cartridges as a matter of choice.
The Alternatives to HP Ink Cartridges
The fact that the leading printer manufacturers have an install base of many millions of printers is an irresistible incentive for third-party manufacturers to enter the consumables market for these printers. Third-party manufacturers do not make printers, only the consumables for other manufacturer’s machines. They offer compatible, or generic, consumables for the leading brand printers. Third-party manufacturers simply copy original units and market them at lower prices than the genuine article. They can sell for less than the OEMs because they have little to no research and development costs.
Options Amongst the Alternatives
Compatibles are new replacement consumables but there are some other options to compatibles on offer. One can buy remanufactured cartridges and refilled cartridges.
Remanufactured consumables are empty, end-of-life, genuine HP ink cartridges that are collected and, in effect, recycled. The empty cartridges are cleaned, repaired, and refurbished by third parties. They’re then refilled with ink and repackaged for sale. Some of the leading brand manufacturers also remanufacture consumables as part of their carbon footprint reduction programs.
Some consumables on offer are not remanufactured but are empty OEM cartridges that are given a cursory clean and refilled. Refilled cartridges are not recommended.
HP Ink Cartridges – OEM vs aftermarket
Briefly, if you can afford genuine HP ink cartridges, use them. They are designed and developed by the printer manufacturer as part of a printing system and are rigorously tested before being released into the market. In addition, the leading brands are extremely brand protective and produce their consumables to the highest standards.
While there are quality compatibles and remanufactured products available, there are also inferior products that deliver poor quality and low print yields. Knowing which compatibles to trust is not always easy. If cost is your primary concern, a quality compatible can be an option.
Select a Vendor with Impeccable Credentials
At Raydian, we stock a choice of original HP ink cartridges, as well as all the other leading brands, plus compatibles that come with a comprehensive warranty. We are certified to stock and supply HP, Samsung, Canon, Lexmark, Epson, Pantum, Oki, Xerox, and Brother, among others. We primarily believe in the quality and value offered by original consumables. For cost-sensitive customers, we also stock a wide range of price-competitive, high-quality compatibles. For range and price, contact us today.