Kodak proves ink doesn’t need to be expensive
Many computer users know all too well printers don’t cost much these days – even for those fancy all-in-one models – but where these companies get you is in the ink. Ah, the ‘ol razor-and-blade analogy in full force.
Many computer users know all too well printers don’t cost much these days – even for those fancy all-in-one models – but where these companies get you is in the ink. Ah, the ‘ol razor-and-blade analogy in full force.
But Kodak is bucking this trend with one of their new EasyShare multifunction printers, which start at $129.99, which is much easier on your wallet when it comes time to buy refill ink cartridges.
Black ink refills only cost $11.99, while a five-ink colour ink cartridge costs $17.99. This is about half of what other printer companies charge for ink refills.
And so we asked Kodak how they can sell ink so inexpensively.
"Two key factors allow Kodak to sell inexpensive ink — the first is that our print head is actually in the printer versus the ink cartridge, which helps us reduce the cost of the ink cartridge and pass those savings along to consumers" says Dan MacDonald, Vice President of Sales at Kodak Canada’s Consumer Digital Imaging Group.
"The second is that we, as a company, CHOOSE to sell ink inexpensively because the price of ink offered today by other manufacturers takes advantage of the Canadian consumer who is trapped having to purchase a particular expensive ink for their printer" adds MacDonald. "It is the number one reason why consumers don’t print as much as they would like; we believe inexpensive ink will give consumers the freedom to print what they want, when they want."
Do you agree with MacDonald’s last point? Would you print more if prices for ink cartridges were more reasonable? Do you think you pay too much now?
Another well done Kodak! I'll be out this weekend to purchase one. In the past I've had 2 Lexmarks, 2 HP's, and 1 Canon – all injets and of course my beef
is the cost of cartridges. I too have done the fill-it-yourself thing also.
Maybe the big boys will sit up and pay attention. . .
We have been getting ripped off for years now, and it's been just too expensive doing business here. We're Canadian, eh?
Most injets clean their cartidges on their own automatic cycle EVEN WHEN TURNED OFF! I find that by the time I want to print out a photo, my ink has been used up during those cleaning cycles. So, I actually UNPLUG the colour printer until I'm ready to use it. CJ's comment above talks about cleaning with alcohol. That is a good practice, and while you are cleaning the printer head, look for the the ink "well" that all the excess ink is dropping into during the cleaning cycle and give that a good clean out with the alcohol as well.
With the print head in the printer you run the risk of it drying out if the printer is not used often. Also if the print head does dry out is it considered under warranty? Or is it a consumable part?
I, too, am fed up with the prices of ink cartridges. I have two Brother printers in my house that cost me under $100.00 each and to replace black and colour cartridges costs me over $100.00 each time I have to change them. I print a lot of paperwork for my children's theatre group and a lot of photographs. I SHALL DEFINITELY REPLACE MY PRINTER WITH KODAK IF they are going to lower printer cartridge price.
I've been using at least 3 major printers CANON, HP , ant the latest EPSON. The worst expierience I had was with CANON . The inks dry out , if you not use the printer for a while , so you have to buy another one od set. HP is much better this way , but not too cheap. The lastest EPSON I bought was because of my dirrect printing on the CD , and the inks are very expensive , even if you buying seperate colors. To save some money I did order a few times from blankmedia inks for my printer , and they are NOT too bad , but they are half of the price of original. So, I do agree that peaple will do print more, if the inks are cheaper . Manufactures are making a good profit on the inks and this is a bloody capitalism system, money , money, money
The term "get what you pay for" holds true to printers…Inkjet was never meant to be used for quantity, but quality…If you're printing a large amount of paperwork, consider a laser printer…catridges run in the $100 range, but a single cartridge will yield approximately 2500 to 3000 pages. For print jobs that demand quality, invest in a high-quality all-in-one…The reason ink from the major manufacturers is so expensive is due to the heads being on the cartridge instead of in the printer…Replacing the heads with every cartridge is actually better when printing photos…I've worked in the computer retail/repair sector for some years now, and I see a lot more printers with print heads inside needing repairs/cleanings due to clogged or damaged heads…as for 'refillable' cartridges from 3rd party manufacturers…beware…they use one recipe for all refills…these refills are responsible for a lot of printer repairs, and void your manufacturer warranty as well…
After a disastrous experience with a LexMark All-In-One (the inks are more expensive than the printer itself), I switched to an inexpensive Canon i560 that uses four cartridges instead of two. It gives you the option of replacing only the color that runs out. Shopping on the internet, you can get a new replacement cartridge for less than ONE dollar (CA). The quality of the prints are fair, not exceptional, but who cares ? If you need a perfect print, go to your nearest drugstore.
Peaple will always look for oportunnity to save money. Mr. Yannick , is telling that the inkjet printers are disign for for quality. But there isn't any reason , really by manufactor to charge so much for the inks. Everything this days are process plan, automation, robotics, all the heads build with inks are simple production line and the only reason the original " recipe" of producing the inks because of making money. But anyway everybody is happy , and busy , making money ,repar technician printers , buying inks etc…
I have Dell laser printer, but have a terrible time finding ink, I live in a rural area, and the only ink that fits is Dell's, which is expensive, no other companies carry their cartridges. Way to go Kodak
Yes I would definitely print more if ink prices were more reasonable.
You bet that is why I hate to print and we have two printers!! Maybe now the other companies will follow suit….but you do have to buy the product printer from Kodak, before your cheaper ink cartridges will work, so that really doesn't help me now…..!
I have a Cannon photographic 6 colour printer. It does an excellent job but I seldom use it for printing photos because it uses a lot of ink and is far too expensive. Professional printing is good quality and far less expensive. I also do not like the bubble jet as one drop of water and your pnoto is ruined. My next printer will be a laser for documents only
I think its about time some company done something about the high prices of all ink jet cartriges I know there is very high technoligy that goes into manufacture of them "but' after all they are comming from off shore countrys like pacific rim countrys with very cheap labourI have tried to fill them my self without much sucess from kits : for normal printing I have two dot matrix still working panisonic at that and having extra new cartriges on hand they will give miles and miles of basic printing and no problems either like these new printers which I have two but its impossible to buy new cartriges for the dot matrix : lately you can buy brand new all in one ink jet printers just as cheap as new cartriges it just dont make sense eg: h.p. all in one 49.00
I have 5 "abandoned" printers, since it's been cheaper to buy a new one than replace the ink cartridges. When my present inkjet dries up, a new printer in due. Alo I find that often the 'original's ' cartridge lasts longer, although I believe the originals are now low-volume cartridges, to overcome this practice.
I would for sure be printing more often if ink was more affordable!! Our kids would love to hold the pictures in their hand rather than ask to see them on the computer screen!!I am going to be checking into the Kodak printer when it is time to upgrade.
Ink prices are way out of wack! How many printers, boxes, ink cartridges are in the landfill bacause of this money grabbing from companies! If Kodak is telling the truth, (about cheaper ink) then WAY TO GO KODAK!
I have a brother printer with the print heads in the printer.. the cartridges almost beg to be refilled, but ive tried it with different kits, and the colors are always off.
I would definetly look at a kodak! (who cares about quality anymore, when its cheaper to have walmart print the photo's)
We are waiting for the SMART manufacturer who has super sense in protecting the environment before making money on senselessly manufacturing so many cheap printers and extremely expensive ink cartridges.
We need to create some guidelines from a Body of Consumer Watchdog. This ensures all manufacturers have pro vs. con plan before obtaining the approval of their designed products for the market. It will be a win-win situation for both manufacturers and consummers. It is not only a price matter but an awareness of our Mother Earth that will be the ultimate responsibility of all.
I would like to commend Kodak for seeing the big picture. The price of ink has always been way to high not to mention the waste of the used up cartridges. Maybe someone will be able to find a way of selling ink in re-usable containers that we as consumers can keep and then go to a refilling depot. Once we refill the container we can refill the cartridge at home by ourselves and therefore no more cartridges will end up in landfill/recyle sites. Just a thought Thanks.
Is it just my experience, or have the reservoir sizes for printer ink shrunk over time? Like chocolate bars getting smaller but remaining the same price? My current HP 1550 prints fine, but it feels like I am getting less than a 5d of service from every cartridge – and after only moderate use. I am so frustrated with it that I actually went to the store last week looking for a replacement for a perfectly good printer. I do feel guilty as its a poor choice for the environment, but no worse than all the printer ink cartridges I am generating. Does anyone have experience with those 3rd party ink-refill companies? How is the quality – I know they are cheaper.