Epson Ink Cartridges | Frequently Asked Questions

Epson Ink Cartridges | A Comprehensive FAQ Guide

Epson and their inkjet printers dominate the ink cartridge and printer market, so it's only natural that there would be many questions about Epson ink cartridges. 

Fortunately, I can answer all your pressing questions about  Epson ink cartridges, making IJT Direct your go-to resource for all things related to Epson printing!

Q. Why is Epson ink so expensive?

A. Original manufacturer cartridges (OEM) are expensive. This doesn't just stop with Epson, this is the same for almost any manufacturer brands. They are expensive because Epson, HP, Brother, Canon and all the other manufacturers set these high prices to make their money. 

Q. It is OK to use other ink for Epson printer?

A. As easy as it would be to use just any ink cartridge in an Epson printer, it just isn't possible. Epson do not make ink cartridges for other manufacturers, nor can you use recycled Epson ink cartridges in any other manufacturers printer. 

Always check your empty cartridges for the model number or use your printer model to find the correct consumables for your printer. Our cartridge finder will help you find the correct Epson inks for you printer.

Q. Are all Epson ink cartridges the same?

A. The simple answer here is no, you can't use any ink cartridge in an Epson printer.

Firstly, you need to make sure you have the correct cartridge for your Epson printer. For example, if you're using the Epson Expression Home XP-2200 printer , you'll only be able to use the Epson 604 ink cartridges . The same can be said for the other Epson printer models that take the 604 inks.

What about recycled ink cartridges?

Provided you buy a recycled cartridge that is designed for your Epson printer you'll be able to use it. 

Q. Can you use non-genuine ink in an Epson printer?

A. Not only is it absolutely ok to use 3rd party ink cartridges, I encourage it. Many moons ago 3rd party, or more often referred to as recycled ink, simply didn't offer the same quality as genuine Epson ink.

Thankfully technology has improved so much so that the ink is the same quality as original ink and the cartridge itself is an empty original that will have been deep cleaned and re-chipped.

All in all you can expect the same performance now from a non-Epson ink cartridge that you would if you were to use a genuine Epson ink cartridge.

There are other things to consider including shelf life, warranty, and guarantee. Most reputable companies are very specific about the cover they offer, and it is often comparable to or better than the manufacturer’s. For instance, IJT guarantees their ink with up to a 3-year shelf life, offers a 12 month warranty, and covers any damages caused directly by their recycled Epson ink cartridges. By choosing to use recycled Epson ink cartridges, you'll also contribute to a positive change in the use of natural resources needed to manufacture genuine Epson ink.

For more information about why you shouldn't throw away your ink cartridges, view my bin or recycle blog .

Q. Is it worth buying genuine ink cartridges?

A. When it comes to keeping your printer in good health, the biggest expense is the consumable parts, the cartridges. Manufactures such as HP, Epson, Canon and Brother will really push you to use their own genuine cartridges rather than recycled or compatible alternatives.

The genuine cartridges are almost always more expensive with the message that they are far more reliable and produce far superior quality than their counterparts. So the big question here, is it worth spending your hard earned cash on genuine ink cartridges?

Yes genuine ink cartridges are worth buying but consider recycled ink cartridges as a far more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative. My blog article on answering the question is it worth buying genuine ink cartridges offers far more details and insight that you can read whenever you want.

Blog Author: Simon Cross is the engaging and knowledgeable voice behind the insightful articles on printers and printer consumables at IJT Direct, an ecommerce store renowned for its comprehensive selection of printers, printer consumables, and hardware. View Simons author page to find out more about him.