The work of the printer is performed by the printer head itself, and some circuitry. While this circuitry may vary per printer, the majority of the time it is installed onto the cartridge itself and not a part of the printer. This should help to explain the cost of replacement cartridges, as the ink itself makes up a very small amount of the overall cost.

To print, the ink is heated and cooled inside the cartridge, forming a bubble which then pops and sends particles of ink through the nozzles on the print head onto the paper. If you have ever watched your inkjet printer in action, you’ll know this is a very quick process; it reaches speeds of up to 6000 drops per second as a matter of fact.

There is a common argument regarding the possibility of generic ink cartridges clogging the print heads on your branded printer. Lets look a little closer at that argument. On modern printer cartridges, there can be anywhere between 50 to 300+ nozzles on a printer head. The average nozzle size is about 20-25 microns, which is smaller than a human hair. To put this in perspective however, the particle size of your typical ink is less than .1 of a micron, that’s quite a size difference. Well, what is a micron anyway? There are 25,400 microns in one inch! The chances of a good quality ink of any brand actually clogging your printer heads are pretty slim, and the benefits of using a branded or non branded printer cartridge in your printer need to be looked at on a case by case, brand by brand basis dependant on your personal printing needs.

Inkjet printing has come a very long way since its conception and introduction onto the consumer market. Professional printing companies use inkjet printers to create high quality art reproductions, consumers can produce lab quality photos at home in minutes, and small businesses can produce shipping labels, business cards, and promotional material all at home for a low cost with today’s technology. It is always worth doing a little research before purchasing, to make sure you end up with a product that suits your needs.

L is an artist and writer with a strong background in computers and technology. For more information about her, or to view her works (completed and in progress) feel free to visit her blog