I use a variety of different printers. Some are ink jet based and therefore require ink cartridges. Nothing is more frustrating than to run out of ink in the middle of a job. Of course that’s exactly when you need to replace an ink cartridge. After all the printer is not likely to run out of ink just sitting there (unless it sits there for months). Usually I have a set of ink cartridges in the printer and another set ready to go for when I run out. A good rule is that when you replace a cartridge with a spare that you would then buy a replacement for the one you just put in. Unfortunately I’m a busy guy so I’m not going to remember to order or go buy a new cartridge right then and there. Trust me, I’ve tried.
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Staples Ink Drop Service
I’ve been using the Staples Ink Drop Service for years now. Here’s how it works: You load your printer up with ink just like you do now. You buy an extra set (from wherever you like) so that you have one set of replacements on hand. Then when you run out of ink for a particular color or set of colors, you put those empties in a Staples Ink Drop postage paid envelope and drop it in the mail. Staples gets your empties and sends you a new replacement (of the exact same brand and model number), billing it to your credit card on file with FREE shipping. They then recycle your empties properly. When you get your replacement cartridge, they also include a couple extra envelopes for your next order. There are no signup fees or membership fees or any other fees of any kind. You just pay for the ink (plus applicable sales tax).
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The Bottom Line
Could I find cheaper prices for my ink cartridges? Probably. Could I find a more convenient, painless, automatic service? Probably not. Learn more about Staples Ink Drop Service Here.
Nice! As always, thanks for your tips — they can be invaluable.
I’d tried using a cartridge recycling franchise shop, as a) they are close by at 0.5 miles away and therefore b) an easy way to make a small “green” contribution. Most of the time, things were fine, but I had one bad experience with a bad cartridge and ruined 2 sheets of not inexpensive 13″x19″ Moab at 2 in the morning. Since then, I only do “original equipment”, and unfortunately my local camera shop is often out of cartridges for my Pixma 9000. This is a great solution.
Cool tip. Thanks for sharing this.
My NAPP discount at Office Depot is a better economic incentive for me since they have numerous stores in Los Angeles where I live and discount most of my office supplies. Once again, thank you NAPP!
17.00 for one cartridge that seems high
I pay 18.00 for all colors from amazon
William, Adam & Robert, Like I said, “I’m sure you can find cheaper”. This wasn’t a post about the cheapest ink you can find. It was about the service. I can prints done at Costco cheaper than I can print them myself.
I was just talking about ink/printer issues with another photographer friend.. and how the printer companies make $ on ink vs the printer.. I outsource 98 %my final prints but do some dvd printing/cases inhouse on the Epson R series… all is great with that except the cost of ink..
Turns out its cheaper to give the printer away via Craigslist or Freecycle without ink and buy a new printer for $50-$75 with a full set of ink. I’ve done this 4 times in the past year alone.
Just my .002
-Adam