Why are we recommending printers that we don't sell?

Think4inc does not sell printers over the internet, so why are we recommending printers that we don't sell? Our customers count on us to help them save money on all of their printing supplies, and the best way to save money on printing is to choose the right printer from the start. No, we're not telling you to throw away your current printer, at least not usually, but all inkjet printers will die eventually, and when that time comes we would like to help our customers make an educated decision that will give them both quality and value.

What we look for in a home printer

We look for many things, depending on how we plan to use the printer, but there are some universal qualities that we always look for in our inkjet printers.

1. We prefer printers that have separate inkjet cartridges for each color. We feel this is very important because "tri-color" cartridges force you to throw away perfectly good ink with each cartridge. You must replace the cartridge when the FIRST of the three colors runs out, invariably throwing away good ink in the other chambers.
2. We look for printers that have printheads separate from the ink cartridges. This often, but not always, comes in conjunction with individual color cartridges. The printhead is the part that does the real work of printing, and they are marvels of micro engineering, but if they are part of the inkjet cartridge you have to pay for that technology each time you replace the cartridge.
3. We look for dye based inks, unless there is a specific reason to use pigmented inks. Although pigmented inks have better longevity (archival qualities) than dye based inks, they also have some downsides compared with dye inks. Pigment ink costs almost twice as much for the manufacturer, which is always passed on to the consumer in some form. Pigment inks tend to clog printheads much more often than dye based inks. Although this point is less important in cartridges with a built in printhead, it is a vital aspect of using Epson printers that have a permanent printhead, as a badly clogged printhead can mean the end of a printer. Lastly, pigmented ink printers rarely match the color gamut of dye based printers. This is due to the pigments themselves which reflect light in a different manner than dye based inks. The end result is that your photo will not look like the image you see on your monitor, instead, they will seem dull or even a little washed out.

These are just the basic qualities that we hope to see, and there are many, many situations where these rules will not apply. For example, a real estate office may need waterproof printing on regular paper, for which pigmented printers are perfect, or an artist that wishes to sell their work may require specific longevity ratings that only a pigment printer can attain.

Use common sense

Each situation is different, and requires the consumer to use common sense and good judgment to reach a decision that fits their needs. Only you know exactly which qualities you will require. These are only recommendations, not gospel.

Think4inc takes no responsibility if you choose a printer based on our recommendations and it does not work out. We are only trying to educate consumers as to the specific qualities of various printers. We do not claim that any printer is perfect for any particular individual or business. Once again, that is a decision each person must make for themselves.

Inkjet printer reviews

Review of $100 Printers

Coming soon: the $200 printer review.

Happy Printing!