For a full list of supplies and ink compatible with typical inkjet printers, check out this site How Stuff Works. Inkjet printers give users the convenience of flexible features capable of supporting a variety of different media and supplies. These types of printers are also most often the least expensive models upfront on the market, making them extremely cost efficient to use. It’s not uncommon to find inkjet printers that have a lower retail price than the cost of genuine replacement inks.
As a result, the cost of supplies and consumables for inkjet devices usually balance out its cheap initial price. However, recent models have been designed so that you can easily reduce the cost of printing. For instance, ink cartridges are now being designed with print heads attached rather than as separate pieces. This means that when you replace ink, you’re also replacing print heads, which is a smart way to increase the life of your machine. The consumables used are also a large part of how precise your documents turn out. The type of paper and unique media you use can also greatly affect the accuracy of print jobs.
While all models accept standard paper brands, optional high quality media is an affordable way you can produce professional looking results. Two specific qualities of media can affect the overall results of documents: the brightness and absorption capabilities. Brightness is a measurement of how rough the surface of paper is. Smooth paper reflects more light, making your prints brighter and more detailed.
The absorption of paper deals with the amount of ink paper absorbs. Too much printer ink will cause the dots of ink to disperse in an irregular pattern, making images appear hazy and out of focus. In general, it is smart to research supplies like media and ink cartridges prior to purchase so you know the quality of what you’re purchasing.