How to Buy an Ink Cartridge

There are multiple places you can go to buy an ink cartridge, depending on your preference. There are different types of ink to consider as well. There are laser cartridges as well as inkjet cartridges, though most consumers require inkjet cartridges. You can purchase black ink, color ink or photo ink. You can watch local flyers for sales and coupons to help determine where and how you want to buy an ink cartridge.

Things You'll Need

• Printer brand and model number

Instructions

1. Check your printer brand and model number to determine which type of ink you need to purchase. The brand and model number are generally printed on the top or front of the printer. You also can check your printing software.

2. Go to your local office-supply or general merchandise store. If you do not know the particular ink cartridge you need, there should be an index book where you can look up your printer and model number. You can also check on the manufacturer's website or get the number from the old ink cartridge.

3. Check online retailers for sales on your particular ink. Buying in bulk can save money and shipping fees in the long run. You can search online for your printer brand and model to compare prices. Factor in shipping costs before making a decision.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy an ink-cartridge refill kit. Refilling your cartridge generally will be less-expensive than buying a new one. Make sure the kit is compatible with your cartridge. Or you can have your empty cartridge refilled at many stores with a photo-processing center for much less than the cost of a new cartridge.