Printer cartridges are an essential part of your printer, and understanding how long they last is key to getting the most out of your printer. Whether you print frequently or only occasionally, the lifespan of your cartridges can be frustrating and confusing. So how long do printer cartridges last? In this blog, we'll explore the topic, the factors that influence it, and provide tips for extending the life of your printer cartridges.
What Does Printer Cartridge Lifespan Mean?
When discussing the lifespan of a printer cartridge, this can refer to two different things:
- The number of pages a cartridge can print (page yield).
- The length of time a cartridge can be stored (shelf life).
Both of these aspects affect the overall value of a cartridge and how effectively it can meet your printing needs.
Ink Cartridges vs. Toner Cartridges
Whether your printer cartridges are ink or toner has a big impact on their lifespan. Inkjet printers use ink cartridges, which dry out over time, especially if they're not used regularly. Laser printers use toner cartridges, which contain dry toner. They last longer when used or stored.
How Many Pages Can a Cartridge Print?
One of the most important aspects of a printer cartridge's life is its page yield, which is the number of pages that can be printed before the ink or toner cartridge is exhausted. This is usually measured using the ISO standard which provides a benchmark for page yield, i.e. printing on A4 paper at 5% coverage.
A4 paper (8.27 × 11.69 inches) is the standard size used in testing. 5% page coverage means that only 5% of the entire page is printed. This usually corresponds to short memos or pages with minimal text, less than you'd see in a typical full-text document.
Ink cartridges typically have a page yield of between 200 and 1,000 pages, such as the Brother LC401 and HP 902XL. Toner cartridges can generally print 2,000 to 10,000 pages or more, such as the Brother TN229 and Canon 070H.
What Affects Page Yield?
However, page yield is not an exact science, and several factors affect a cartridge's page yield:
Print Settings: Higher-quality settings use more ink or toner than draft mode.
Print Coverage: The more ink or toner a page uses, the fewer pages a cartridge can hold. For example, printing a graphics-intensive document uses more ink than a standard text page.
Printer Type: Inkjet printers generally have lower page yields than laser printers due to differences in ink type and printing mechanisms.
How to Calculate Cost Per Page?
Page yield is directly related to printing cost, often referred to as cost per page, which represents how much each page costs. Cost per page helps you assess the overall value of a printer cartridge, making it easier to budget your printing expenses.
You can calculate cost per page by dividing the price of a cartridge by its page yield: Cartridge Price / Page Yield = Cost Per Page. For example, if the cartridge price is $50 and the page yield is 500 pages, the cost per page is $0.10.
The lower the cost per page, the more cost-effective the printer cartridge is, and the less it costs to print each page. Therefore, higher-volume cartridges from the same supplier will often be more cost-effective than standard-volume cartridges, e.g., Brother TN830, Brother TN830XL.
How Long Do Unopened Printer Cartridges Last?
Another important factor in determining the life of your printer's ink cartridges is the shelf life - how long you can use an unopened cartridge before it starts to go bad. Ink and toner cartridges both have shelf lives, but they vary in lifespan.
If stored properly, ink cartridges typically have a shelf life of 2 to 3 years. As ink cartridges expire, the ink inside can dry out or become less effective, resulting in poor print quality or no print at all. Toner cartridges, on the other hand, have a much longer shelf life and can last up to 2 to 3 years or even 10 years when stored under the right conditions. Because toner is made up of toner powder rather than liquid ink, it is less likely to dry out and is more durable.
By the way, if your ink cartridge is already in your printer, it is best to print once every one or two weeks to keep the ink in the cartridge fluid.
How to Store Printer Cartridges Properly?
To maximize the shelf life of your ink cartridges, consider the following storage tips:
Temperature Control: Store your ink cartridges in a cool, dry place. Extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold) can damage the ink or toner.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Exposure to sunlight can cause the ink to degrade more quickly.
Keep Packaging Sealed: Unopened ink cartridges are best left in their original packaging to prevent exposure to air, which can cause the ink to dry out prematurely.
Proper storage ensures that even if you don't use your cartridges right away, they're in good working condition when you need them.
Tips to Extend the Life of Printer Cartridges
Once you start using your printer cartridges, you can take these steps to ensure you get the most out of them.
Regular Use: One of the best ways to extend the life of your cartridges is to use your printer regularly. If you don't use your printer for a long time, the ink may dry out or the printhead may clog, resulting in reduced print quality or even cartridge failure.
Print in Draft Mode: When possible, print in draft mode, which uses less ink or toner. Draft mode is ideal for documents that don't require high-quality printing, such as drafts of internal reports or paperwork.
Clean Your Printer: Regularly cleaning your inkjet printer, especially the printhead, can help maintain print quality and extend the life of your cartridges. Many printers come with built-in cleaning features that you can activate through the printer settings.
When Should I Replace My Printer Cartridges?
All printer cartridges eventually run out, and if any of the following occur, it's time to replace your ink or toner cartridges.
Faded or Streaked Print: One of the most common signs of low ink or toner is faded print or streaks on the page. This indicates that the cartridge is running low and needs to be replaced.
Blank Pages: If your printer starts producing blank pages, this is a sure sign that the cartridge is running low or malfunctioning. In some cases, you may still get more pages by shaking the toner cartridge to redistribute the remaining toner.
Error Messages: When your printer displays an error message such as "Ink is running low," "Cartridge Problem," "Replace Cartridge," "Empty Cartridge," "Replace Ink," "Replace Cartridge," "Ink Cartridge Needs Replacing," etc., it means that your printer needs to replace the cartridge due to malfunction or low toner/ink level.
What Happens If You Use Expired Printer Cartridges?
Many people wonder if it's safe to use expired printer cartridges, especially if they're trying to save money. While it's possible to use expired cartridges, it's not without risk.
Decreased Print Quality: Expired cartridges are more likely to produce poor quality prints. The ink may thicken or dry out, causing streaks, smudges, or even clogging the printhead.
Potential Printer Damage: Using expired cartridges can also damage your printer, especially inkjet printers, where dried ink can clog the printhead. We recommend using cartridges before the expiration date to avoid these problems.
Conclusion
The life of your printer's cartridges depends on many factors, including how often you print, how you store your ink cartridges, and the types of ink cartridges you use. By understanding the life of your ink cartridges and taking steps to extend their life, you can save money and get the most value from your printing.
