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Is printer ink more expensive than gold?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 11, 2026

Is Printer Ink more expensive than Gold? The answer is a mind-boggling yes, and it's not just gold. Printer ink is more expensive than imported Russian caviar per weight and pricier than a1985 vintage Krug champagne per gallon.

What color ink is the cheapest?

Black ink cartridges usually have more ink than color cartridges and cost either the same or less than color cartridges so it is always cheaper to print in black and white.

Is ink more expensive?

Branded ink is expensive because original equipment printer manufacturers (OEMs) claim that the technology to make ink is expensive; so much is spent on R&D, and it costs a ton of money to ensure topnotch ink quality and reliability.

How much does ink cost for a printer?

The Cost of Ink as It Relates to Printers

If you purchase black ink cartridges three times per year, the cost will run between $60 and $120 a year depending on brand and size. Meanwhile, color ink cartridges are more expensive, costing between $75 and $150 a year based on the same frequency of purchases.

Why has Printer Ink become so expensive?

Reasons Printer Ink is So Expensive? 1. Printers are sold cheaply. The business model of many printer companies is to sell printers at a low cost, and then, with a captive customer, sell the compatible ink cartridge at a high profit margin.

22 related questions found

Is toner cheaper than ink?

While ink is still relatively expensive to refill or replace, toner powder is much more affordable over time. This also makes it more efficient and less wasteful because inkjet cartridges often force users to refill or replace them before they've been completely depleted.

Are refillable cartridges worth it?

Refilling your existing cartridges 3-4 times before purchasing a new one reduces waste. Cost-savings - One of the biggest reasons people choose to refill ink cartridges is to save money. Refilling a cartridge can save 30-50% as opposed to buying brand new cartridges from a manufacturer.

Is it cheaper to print at home or at the store?

Even accounting for the cost of paper, which may add an extra cent to the cost of each page, and for replacement cartridges, the at-home cost generally is less than half that of in-store printing. This conclusion also holds for extra-large print jobs, when the cost at office supply shops drops to 6 to 7 cents per page.

Where is the cheapest printer ink?

Cheapest Places to Buy Printer Ink Online

  • 123inkjets offers both OEM and remanufactured cartridges carrying brands such as EPSON, DELL, HP, Canon and others. ...
  • 499inks claims it has ink cartridges that sell for just $4.99. ...
  • Amazon, the behemoth of online purchases has an extensive selection of printer inks.

Does printer ink cost more than blood?

Inkjet refills typically cost significantly more than the printer itself. Human blood costs about $17.27 an ounce, silver about $34 an ounce. But both are bargains compared to the ink sold to the owners of inkjet printers, which can exceed $80 an ounce.

Why are printers cheaper than ink?

Here's a quick and simple answer: Ink cartridges are expensive so companies can make a profit. Most printers are sold at a loss. A manufacturer makes money NOT by selling consumers an inkjet or laser printer, but by selling the supplies needed to print. The manufacturer controls the technology and the prices.

Why does my HP printer use so much ink?

The reason behind this is due to the design of the print head. The print head is the small electronic device which spits the ink onto the paper after it has gone out of the ink cartridges. In other words the actual part of the printer which flies back and forth over the paper and applies the ink to the paper.

How long does a printer ink last?

Generally, there is a consensus that printer ink lasts around one to two years before it expires. Shelf life can be either shortened or extended by taking proper care of your ink and toner cartridge.

Does color ink cost more than black printer ink?

It's widely perceived that black ink is significantly cheaper than color ink. However, while costs can vary by the brand of the ink, machine and even paper you use, the cost difference between black and color ink isn't always straightforward.

What type of printer is cheapest to run?

Inkjet Printer v Laser Printer. When you work out the cost-per-page value, then Laser printers win every time. Laser Printers use toner cartridges which have much higher page-yields compared to ink cartridges. They are usually more expensive than inkjet printers, but in the long-term, they work out cheaper.

What color uses less ink in a printer?

Cyan and yellow tend to be the least used cartridges in your printer.

Are cheap printers worth it?

Intentionally designed to fail, these low priced printers just aren't worth it for those who have even a moderate print load. In most cases, even purchasing a moderately priced printer will usually have its benefits in the long run.

What is better laser or inkjet?

Inkjet printers are best suited for small, image-heavy documents, like photos and school projects. But, if you're looking for a printer that can handle heavy volumes of text-based documents, a laser printer is the more efficient and economical choice. It also pays to think farther down the road.

How do you save ink when printing?

Top 10 Tips for Making an Ink Cartridge Last Longer

  1. Print only what you absolutely need. ...
  2. Use Print Preview. ...
  3. Print text over graphics. ...
  4. Print in Draft mode as often as possible. ...
  5. Grayscale Printing: Print text in black ink only. ...
  6. Use color ink only when needed. ...
  7. Keep your printer nozzles clean. ...
  8. Use all the ink in the cartridge.

How do I reduce printing costs?

11 Simple Ways to Reduce Printing Costs for Your Business

  1. Save file to PDF instead of printing on paper. ...
  2. Print in black and white as much as possible. ...
  3. Print two pages to one sheet. ...
  4. Reduce the size of your margins. ...
  5. Use an ink-saving font. ...
  6. Preview before you print. ...
  7. Print only what you need. ...
  8. Scan instead of copying.

Is it cheaper to copy or print?

If many copies are to be published, then copiers are usually a cheaper option. However, if only a few pages need to be printed, then printing becomes much cheaper.

How much does it cost to print 1 sheet of paper?

Cost Per Page: Laser Printers

The average cost to print a page on a laser printer is around 5- to 8-cents for black and white, and between 12- and 15-cents for color laser prints.

Is it cheaper to refill ink cartridges or buy new ones?

To order ink refills are actually a lot cheaper than buying a new cartridge and as long as you wear gloves and are extremely careful around your clothes when refilling ink, this is a great way to save yourself money.

Why is it a disadvantage to refill the ink cartridges instead of buying new ones?

Cons: Printer damage – Refilling cartridges without taking professional help can increase the risk of causing permanent damage to your printer. It could either leak or clog your print head. And while refilling cartridges, if you break your printer by any chance, it could also void your printer warranty.

How much does it cost to get ink cartridges refilled?

Prices range from $8 to $10 per refill, which is considerably cheaper than buying a new cartridge. In my case, the cost to refill HP 60 black and tricolor cartridges was $8 each, or $16 total (plus tax). That's less than half the cost of buying the HP 60 black ($15) and tricolor ($20) cartridges separately.