Original vs. Compatible Ink Cartridges - Know the Difference

 Having a stock of replacement inks can save you from the hassle of rushing to purchase when you need them the most. You will also save a lot of time by having inks on-hand and ready in your inventory. That said, it’s important to make sure that you are choosing the right inks for your printer. As you explore your options, you are likely to come across original and replacement cartridges.

There is usually confusion when differentiating between compatible and original inks. After all, you want to be certain that the cartridge will work for your printer, not cause any problems, and deliver the highest-quality printouts with long-lasting colors and details on specialty media. This article should clear up the areas that may be confusing for most consumers and guide you to making an informed purchase decision.

The Basics

For starters, it is important to understand the basic terminology. Original cartridges are those that are made by the same company that manufactured your printer. That means that an original ink cartridge by Roland is one that is manufactured by Roland itself. At times, original ink cartridges are referred to as OEMs. There are cases where you might find ‘OEM’ on their packaging or on the cartridges themselves, which means ‘Original Equipment Manufacturer’.

Replacement Roland ink cartridges are still brand-new cartridges, which should work as well as the originals. Several independent studies have looked into the performance of replacement and original ink cartridges and found that the printing quality is more or less similar between the two types.

Going Beyond Replacement Inks

As you explore more options in replacement Roland ink cartridges, you are likely to find those that are labeled ‘remanufactured’ and ‘refilled’. The latter means that the original cartridge has been used, returned, cleaned, and then refilled—a common practice to help minimize environmental impact. In fact, high-quality cartridges can be reused up to six times.

On the other hand, ‘remanufactured’ means that the ink cartridge is an original that has been used, returned, and cleaned, but its working parts have been replaced before it is refilled. Remanufacturing is a common practice with toner cartridges, which tends to experience more wear and tear when printing.

Why do people buy original inks?

Now that you know the difference between original and replacement cartridges, you might be wondering why some consumers still prefer originals over compatible inks. That’s because of the belief that compatible cartridges are harmful to the printer and could cause damage over time.

The truth is, that is not likely to occur, especially when you buy compatible Roland ink cartridges from a reputable manufacturer that is preferred by customers for their high-quality replacement inks.

What you need to know when buying compatible inks

Is your printer a brand-new model? You might want to wait a little longer before you buy compatible replacement cartridges for it and settle for original cartridges for the first few months. That’s because the market might take some time before a compatible is developed, particularly with refilled cartridges, as manufacturers will need a supply of used, genuine cartridges before they are made.

When you are ready to buy and try compatible Roland ink cartridges, consider getting them from a reputable source like Bink Inks. They provide American manufactured and competitively priced remanufactured ink cartridges, which are designed to meet OEM standards. Moreover, they are 100 percent guaranteed, as every cartridge we sell goes through a thorough testing process to become certified fully compatible with your printer.