ink quality

[oregongal]

I have a question about ink quality. Does anyone use the "compatable" inks instead of the name brand inks for printing. You can save a bundle of money but is it worth the savings?

[Karooch]

I've used 'compatible' inks. I think it depends on your brand of printer. Some are more forgiving than others. I found they worked OK with Canon but I don't think the quality was quite as good as with the brand name ink. But the $ saving makes the reduction in quality a bit easier to bear.

[Tina]

I use Canon ink in my Canon printer. That said, I do use HP paper with my canon ink in my canon printer

[dagwood]

I print all my LO 8x8 and only ever use compatable inks in my new Epson printer. I have never had any problems and will not go back to buying the dearer inks again. The brand of Ink I use is MicroJet.

[Kristen]

I bought my Epson specifically because of the DuraBrite inks, so I only use Epson inks. I want my pages to last, and I'm only sure about that if I use Epson ink and Epson paper.

[krisbair]

I've used compatible inks in my canon printer, and can't tell the difference in quality - although i only buy them from the same website - abacus 24/7 (seller on Ebay). so far, i haven't had any problems with them.

[kompressor]

Originally Posted by oregongal

I have a question about ink quality. Does anyone use the "compatable" inks instead of the name brand inks for printing. You can save a bundle of money but is it worth the savings?

brand name inks like epson etc have a very high quality control standard.
this means that every cartridge will have exactly the same color pigments, etc. that means if you have to change a cartridge in the middle of a print, the one you put in will have the same tones, hues, etc as the one you replaced.
If you want the highest quality from your prints, then brand name is the way to go.

compatable inks differ a lot more from one cartridge to another (one way they save costs)
they tend to clog your printer heads more.
If you don't want high quality prints, then go for the 3rd party inks. (or if you just do documents, etc)

the other thing that is just as important as your ink choice is the ink jet paper you use.

I know I sound like a salesman, but if your printer is an epson for example, epson papers will give you the best quality as they are made especially for the inks they sell.

kodak is a good choice as well, but things like flesh tones, etc will be different then your brand name papers.


hope this helps