Readers Write: Printer Tests with Unbranded Cartridges?

A reader recently contacted us to ask when we'd be testing inkjet printers with unbranded—or 'compatible'—ink cartridges, rather than the manufacturers' own branded cartridges. Let me explain ...

I thought the answer to this question was worth sharing with everyone, as I'd like to explain why I'm personally against the use of compatible cartridges in our tests. So although they're certainly cheaper, there are two reasons why we won't be testing unbranded cartridges here on DigitalVersus.

Canon CLI-521BK Compatible Cartridge	Canon CLI-521BK Original Cartridge
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1 - The warranty becomes void

The first reason, to be honest, isn't the main reason, but it's still a factor in my decision. Most printer manufacturers clearly explain that any peripheral that is damaged or degraded due to the use of a 'compatible' ink will not be covered under the product's warranty. Each type of ink has its own unique chemical composition and the exact formula used by manufacturers is patented. While compatible inks can come close to replicating the originals, they can't ever recreate them exactly. This means that unbranded inks will always be slightly different to manufacturers' inks, as aside from colourants, printer ink also contains a whole load of other chemicals used to keep the ink fluid, to stop it drying out in certain conditions, and to encourage it to dry in others, for example. Inks are also slightly corrosive, and they actually alter the print heads very slowly over time, effectively changing their shape.

So what happens when a compatible ink blocks or degrades the print heads of a printer that's under warranty? Realistically, unless you leave the cartridge in the printer when you return it to the manufacturer or leave huge ink splodges all over the device, then the manufacturer probably won't notice a thing in nine out of ten cases. However, if they really want to, manufacturers can always detect the imposter ink by examining the composition of ink traces left in the printer (in the waste ink tank for example). If an unbranded ink is detected, then don't expect to get your printer repaired or replaced under warranty. I certainly don't want to encourage anyone to breach the terms of their warranty so I won't recommend the use of compatible ink cartridges on DigitalVersus. It's your warranty, it's your printer, so it's your responsibility to decide whether or not you want to take the risk.

2 - The real reason: inconsistency

The warranty issue is one thing, and it certainly won't have all of you out there quaking in your boots, but what really worries me with compatible inks is their sheer inconsistency.

When printer manufacturers make an ink cartridge, they produce an enormous amount of ink all in one go to fill up enough cartridges to keep the market supplied for years to come. This is because, even if they follow the strictest of recipes, a brand new batch made the next day or a year down the line will never, ever be 100% the same as the original formulation. There will always be some small variations in composition, which in turn lead to variations in the colour reproduction properties. So to stop your printer turning out different colours from one year to the next, manufacturers make enough ink in one go to last their customers a very, very long time!

If their stocks do happen to run out and they have to make a new batch, manufacturers will also issue an update for the driver of any printer using the cartridges concerned. These updates will change the printer's colour look-up table so as to help the printer accurately identify and reproduce colours in relation to the new ink formulation.

As far as we're aware, manufacturers of unbranded cartridges don't cook up quite such a huge batch of ink, and several different batches will be made throughout the lifespan of a given model. This means that the inks inevitably vary in composition, and differences can even arise from one month to the next! Plus, compatible cartridge manufacturers don't have access to the printers' look-up tables or drivers, so the results obtained with each new blend of ink are basically pot luck. I wouldn't want to publish a test using a cartridge for which the results would only be valid for a very short time, for the lifespan of one batch, or for stock supplied by selected retailers supplied with one given batch of ink. It's all a matter of consistency!

And don't think I've just plucked this inconsistency issue out of thin air either. Back in the day, I worked in a testing lab where we actually did a comparison of compatible ink cartridges for a popular magazine. Then, six months later, we were asked to do the same test again for another magazine, using the same inks and the same printers. Guess what? The results we obtained were noticeably different!



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