To get your inkjet printer to print out those outstanding photos that will last for years, you will need to purchase some premium quality paper. Depending on size, weight and quantity of premium paper, you can expect to pay from 60 cents to a dollar per page.

As a consumer, you need to know that major printer manufacturers are selling their inkjet printers at or below cost. They have adopted marketing practice used in other industries, like cell phone or razor blade. That is, they sell their initial product at cost or below and expect to make their real profits on high mark up of their consumable supplies or services.

Now, don’t get me wrong. The quality of inkjet printer photo reproductions is approaching that of traditional photo processing. The speed of inkjet printer is constantly rising. The crisp and clear text from inkjet printer is nearly equal to quality of laser print. All these are wonderful and welcomed features.

The main point I want to make is this: The real cost of printing is not purchase price of inkjet printer. You, consumer, should be informed of on-going or real cost of printing. Then, you can decide how much you really want to pay for your printing needs.

If major printer manufacturers were to charge a reasonable price (with profit) for their inkjet printer and reduce cost of their inkjet cartridges and premium paper, you would realize a substantial savings.

A well-informed consumer is a wiser consumer. If you had a way to estimate one year cost of printing, depending upon your needs, you’d be able to make a much better informed decision on what inkjet printer would best meet your needs.

Until major manufacturers change their marketing practices, you can do something about high cost of printing. There are many reputable online merchants that provide compatible inkjet cartridges and inkjet refill kits that can save you up to 85% on cost of printing. Five minutes of your time reviewing some of these companies could save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars. That would definitely help you reduce your one-year cost of printing. I thought you needed to know.

4. Your inkjet cartridge will eventually wear out. Instead of purchasing a brand name cartridge, purchase a compatible or remanufactured cartridge. Then, when compatible cartridge is empty, refill it with printer ink just as you did your original.

5. When you’re printing, always use draft mode until you’re ready for your final print.

6. Whenever possible, select black and white print. If you’re final product is to be in color, your draft can be done in black and white until you’ve double-checked everything. Then, print your final copies in color.

7. Purchase a compatible toner cartridge. Third party companies make these toner cartridges from brand new parts. They are manufactured to be equal to or better than your original toner cartridge.

8. Purchase a remanufactured cartridge. Many companies collect empty toner cartridges. They empty any toner waste and then refill cartridge. They quality check drum and other parts of cartridge to insure maximum performance for consumer.

9. Purchase a toner refill kit. These kits include tools and instructions necessary to refill your own toner cartridge. On average, you can refill a toner cartridge about three times.

10. When you toner cartridge is not producing quality of print you expect, check to see if you can replace drum, instead of entire cartridge. This will keep money in your pocket.

11. Purchase multiple ink and toner cartridges if you can. You will save substantially over already discounted cost, plus you will probably get Free shipping.

By ordering your printer ink, toner or ink cartridge online, you’ll experience best service, best warranty, and best products available, for all your printing needs.