Printer cartridges for inkjet printers are small, cheap to pick up and expensive to live with. A printer that cost little in the shop can cost more in ink each year than it did on day one, especially if it sits unused and the ink dries out. Getting the right cartridge code, choosing between original and compatible ink, and knowing when to change to an ink tank or laser printer all save money. Tell us your printer and what you need, and we pass your request to independent ink and cartridge suppliers near you, who quote you directly.
Finding the right cartridge
The cartridge code matters more than the printer name. Makers often sell a printer under one model name with cartridges in two or three sizes, and cartridges for different regions do not always fit. Look at the code on the cartridge itself, or in the printer's menu, and give the supplier that code with the printer model. Some printers take one black and one combined colour cartridge; others take a separate cartridge for each colour, so you replace only the one that runs out.
Original, compatible and XL
The maker's original cartridges cost the most per page but are the safest choice for photo printing and for printers under warranty. Compatible cartridges are made by other companies and are usually cheaper; quality varies, so ask for a guarantee. Many cartridges also come in an XL or high capacity size that holds more ink for a higher price and often a lower cost per page. Refilled and remanufactured ink cartridges are another option, which our page on toner and ink refills explains.
Ink tanks and drying out
An ink tank printer has refillable tanks on the side, filled from bottles. It costs more to buy but much less per page, which suits families, tutors and small offices that print a lot of colour. Ink in any inkjet printer can dry out in the printhead if it stands unused for weeks, which gives faded lines, missing colours and cleaning cycles that waste ink. Print a page every week or so, and leave the printer switched on at its own button rather than at the wall, so it can park the head properly.
When to change printers
If you mostly print black pages, a mono laser printer usually costs less per page and its toner does not dry out. If you print colour often, an ink tank printer is often cheaper over a year or two than buying cartridges. A busy office that prints, copies and scans may be better off with a small multifunction printer on a service plan.
- Home offices and students
- Small shops printing slips and price lists
- Tutors and crèches printing colour worksheets
- Guesthouses printing invoices and maps
What to put in your request
- The printer make and model
- The code on each cartridge
- How many of each colour
- Original, compatible or XL
- Delivery or collection, and your area
Printer Cartridges for offices, schools and home offices
- Home offices: black and colour ink for a family printer used for homework and the odd form
- Small businesses and shops: cartridges for a shop printer that prints slips, quotes and price lists
- Corporate and head offices: ink for the few inkjet printers kept for photos and colour proofs in a large office
- Schools, colleges and universities: ink bottles for ink tank printers in classrooms printing colour worksheets
- Medical practices, clinics and hospitals: cartridges for a small reception printer that prints scripts and labels for files
- Law firms, accountants and agents: ink for a home office printer an accountant or agent uses after hours
- Government and municipalities: cartridges for small printers in satellite offices bought on a quotation
- Factories, mines and warehouses: ink for site office printers where dust shortens the life of the printhead
- Churches, NGOs and community groups: compatible cartridges for a small printer that runs weekly notices and hymn sheets
Frequently asked questions
Why is my new printer telling me the cartridge is not recognised?
Are XL cartridges worth it?
Should I buy an ink tank printer instead?
Do you sell printer cartridges yourselves?
Printer Cartridges by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg