Let’s talk ink and toner with the experts. We asked Zone Ink and Toner to answer four key remanufactured cartridges questions…
1. What is the difference between remanufactured, refilled, new compatible, and OEM ink and toner cartridges?
Remanufactured cartridges are once used OEM cartridges that have been collected through a recycling program and sent to a remanufacture. Once at the North American remanufacturer, Clover Imaging Group in this case, the cartridges are put through a remanufacturing process. The cartridge will be disassembled, cleaned, warn parts replaced, refilled with ink or toner per the specific cartridge. Each cartridge is then post tested to ensure quality before being boxed to ship.
Refilled cartridges are just what they sound like. They are cartridges that have been refilled. Usually refilled cartridges are offered by local office supply or printing supply stores. Local customers may bring their used or spent cartridges in to be refilled, then someone generally delivers them back to the customer. However, it should be taken into consideration that none of the parts are inspected or replaced and this can cause many issues, including but not limited to, reduced page yields and inconsistent image or print quality.
New compatible cartridges are brand new cartridge that are a copy or clone of an OEM cartridge. Compatible cartridges are generally imported. Since the cartridges are copies, the overseas manufacturers do not have as much invested in research and development, and as such can have very low costs. These imported compatible cartridges can vary widely in quality and price and are built with cheaper or less expensive materials.
Name brand, OEM cartridges, are made or produced by the printer manufacturers. OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer cartridges can be significantly more expensive than aftermarket cartridges.
2. Do remanufactured cartridges have the same print quality and page yield as an OEM cartridge?
Yes! Quality remanufactured printing supplies, like our Clover Imaging Group cartridges, will provide the same page yields as the OEM cartridges. In some instances, you may be able to get a “Jumbo” or “Extended Yield” remanufactured cartridge that an OEM does not offer. This further reduces your cost per printed page. You can also expect the same print quality as an OEM cartridge.
3. Will remanufactured toner cartridges void my printer warranty?
No. The warranty from your printer manufacturer cannot be voided by use of any aftermarket (anything other than OEM) ink or toner cartridge. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act protects your rights as a consumer to choose what cartridges you purchase for your printers.
4. Are remanufactured cartridges good for the environment?
Yes! By choosing remanufactured cartridges you are helping keep plastic waste out of our landfills. Plastics take around 1000 years to fully degrade…. that’s a long time! In the US over 375 million ink and toner cartridges are tossed into the trash every year. You can help reduce that by recycling your used printing supplies and using remanufactured cartridges.
As a CrownSource customer, you have access to deep discounts on all the office products you need – like ink cartridges – to keep your office running smoothly. Login to our eProcurement Platform, CrownConnect, to see all our office products. Not a customer? Schedule a demo now.