Q. Why are printer cartridges so costly?

Answer

Companies can turn a profit by charging high prices for ink cartridges. In general, printers are sold at a loss. It is not the sale of printers themselves, either inkjet or laser, but rather the consumables associated with them, that generate profit for the manufacturer. The maker has the last say on the cost and quality of the product. Companies that produce ink put in a lot of effort to find the optimal combination of pigment, dye, and medium so that ink can form a stable, compact droplet suitable for high-resolution printing, as Williams puts it. Ink for inkjet printers may cost anywhere from $13 to $75 per ounce, according to a 2013 report from Consumer Reports.