The world may be going digital but we are not yet living in a paperless world. From school projects to e-tickets to income-tax returns, we still have to rely on physical documents. You can always visit a cyber cafe to get a print, but at the risk of jeopardising your digital security. So if you are willing to spend Rs 5 on a monochrome and Rs 10 on a colour print in a cyber cafe, why not invest in an all-in-one printer that can do the same job for as low as Rs 1.5 per page?
LIFE OF THE PRINTER If an original ink cartridge is used, a printer should work flawlessly for three years or more. Original cartridges help in producing quality prints while eliminating chances of the printer being damaged. Cheap replacements can cause ink leakage or head damage, the repair cost of which can be burn a hole in your pocket. NOT IN USE? While not in use, printers should be covered and protected from dust. Left idle for long periods, there is every likelihood the ink will dry up. You can avoid this by not exposing the cartridge to extreme heat or cold. Also, take out a colour print every 7-10 days. |
NEW CARTRIDGE V/S REFILL If your cartridge is running out of ink, you can either replace it with a new one or go for a refill. If you do a Google search on "printer cartridges", you will come across numerous names like re-feel.in, cartridgeworld.in, etc, that are proper retail channels servicing empty ink cartridges. But the question is whether you should go in for a cartridge refill or not. "In case the printer runs out of ink or toner, the customer should replace it with a new cartridge only," emphasises Vipin Tuteja, Executive Director, Technology, Channels & International Business, Xerox India. "While refilling the cartridge is an option, this can have a negative impact on the print quality and also impair smooth functioning and the life of the printer. Using a refill can also void the warranty on the printer," Tuteja cuations. However, the Re-feel Cartridge Store differs: "Printer companies lose revenue and their bottom line is hit if cartridges are refilled or remanufactured. In inkjet printers, the cartridge does not even touch the paper and just throws ink on to the paper. The only point of contact between a printer and a cartridge is through the electronic circuits. Nothing can go wrong in a printer if the cartridge ink is of good quality and filled properly." Affordable Buying a new cartridge is an expensive affair and can cost between Rs 449 and Rs 1,000, depending on the printer you have. That's the reason why refill market scores with consumers-the cost of a refill is just Rs 100 per cartridge. Quality Compromise There is no denying the fact that original ink cartridges offer better quality prints. A reason why companies discourage the use of refill is because their ink uses complex chemical formulations developed after research. For instance, in ink-advantage printers, the ink doesn't accumulate at the nozzle, preventing blots. Leakage Refilling the cartridge always involves a risk of leakage that can spoil the printer. "Leakages take place when a cartridge is refilled through drill and fill method and incorrect / universal inks are used. This is what takes place in the unorganised sector. We use a scientific recharging process and our cartridges perform as good as new ones," says Tejas Zaveri, Head - Marketing & Franchise Development, Cartridge World. |