Cost-per-page is one of the most important—but most misunderstood—metrics in the printing world. Whether you print photos, documents, labels, graphics, or edible images, the real cost of owning a printer comes from the ink you put inside it. For many households and small businesses, ink ends up costing far more over the life of the printer than the printer itself.
OEM manufacturers (Canon, Epson, HP, Brother) rely heavily on cartridge sales for profit, which is why the price of brand-name cartridges continues to climb each year. On the other hand, companies like InkProducts Inc., with more than 35 years of experience formulating American-made inks, offer refill systems and bulk ink options that can reduce printing costs dramatically—often by 70% to 90%.
This article breaks down how cost-per-page is calculated, why OEM pricing is structured the way it is, and how InkProducts customers typically achieve massive savings without sacrificing print quality.
Understanding Cost-Per-Page (CPP)
Cost-per-page is a simple calculation:
Cost of the ink ÷ number of pages the ink can print = Cost per page
However, the page yield numbers printed on OEM boxes can be misleading. Manufacturers test page yield using standardized 5% coverage. In reality:
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A photo can be 200–300% coverage
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A graphic-rich flyer can be 40–60% coverage
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A typical color document can be 12–20% coverage
This means most users consume ink much faster than the published page yield suggests.
OEM Example
Suppose an OEM cartridge costs $20 and is rated for 200 pages at 5% coverage.
$20 ÷ 200 = 10 cents per page
But if your actual document uses 15% coverage, that same cartridge may only produce ~70 pages—raising your cost to:
$20 ÷ 70 = 28 cents per page
Most consumers don’t realize this is happening; they simply feel like their ink “runs out too quickly.”
Why OEM Ink Is So Expensive
OEM manufacturers follow a razor-and-blade business model: the printer is the razor, the cartridges are the blades. Many new printers are sold at break-even or at a loss, and the company earns profit through repeat cartridge purchases.
Here’s why OEM cartridges cost so much:
1. Brand premiums
OEM brands charge extra for brand recognition and convenience.
2. Firmware/Chip controls
Many OEMs embed smart chips or firmware blocks that limit cartridge reuse, block refills, or force expiration.
3. Proprietary packaging
Cartridges contain advanced chips, sponges, pressure control systems, tiny ink chambers, and often far less ink than customers expect. Some OEM color cartridges may contain only 3–5 ml of usable ink.
4. Low-volume yields
Small OEM cartridges require more frequent replacements, keeping the cost-per-page high.
5. Environmental waste
Disposable cartridges create plastic waste, and consumers unknowingly pay for that packaging with every purchase.
In short, OEM systems are designed for convenience and brand control—not affordability.
Why InkProducts Ink Has Lower Cost-Per-Page
InkProducts Inc. focuses on refillable solutions, CIS systems, and bulk ink, which bypass the disposable cartridge model entirely. Instead of buying new OEM cartridges every time, customers keep the same cartridges or ink tanks and simply refill them.
Here’s why cost-per-page drops so dramatically:
1. Bulk Ink Pricing
Refill bottles cost far less to manufacture than chip-controlled cartridges. A 250 ml bottle might cost what a single OEM cartridge costs—but print thousands more pages.
2. Reuse of cartridges and tanks
Once you own the cartridge or refillable tank, you keep using it. No need to pay for plastic shell, chip, or packaging over and over.
3. Large volume = high yield
InkProducts bulk inks and CIS systems hold significantly more ink, so customers get more prints per refill.
4. American-made quality control
InkProducts formulates, tests, and uses its inks on the actual printers they support, ensuring consistent fluidity, color accuracy, surface tension, and printhead safety. Lower cost does not mean compromised quality.
5. No brand markup
The company’s pricing reflects the cost of materials and production—not the OEM marketing premium.
Real-World Cost-Per-Page Comparison
All InkProducts calculations are based on the most expensive ink available on our site.
Let’s look at realistic numbers. (These are general examples—actual savings vary by printer model.)
Black & White Printing
| Type | Cost of Ink | Page Yield | Cost-Per-Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM cartridge | ~$20 | ~200 pages | $0.10/page |
| InkProducts refill | ~$10 for 100 ml | ~2,500 pages | $0.004/page |
You save about 96% per page.
Color Document Printing
| Type | Cost of Ink | Page Yield | Cost-Per-Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM color set | ~$60 | ~150 pages | $0.40/page |
| InkProducts bulk ink | ~$30 for 4×100 ml | ~3,000 pages | $0.01/page |
Savings: 97–98%.
Photo Printing
OEM photo ink is especially expensive because:
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Cartridges contain very small amounts
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Six- or eight-color printers require multiple replacements
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4×6 photo coverage is very high
Typical OEM cost for a 4×6 print can be 40–75 cents, sometimes more.
InkProducts refill systems commonly bring that down to 5–10 cents per print—while maintaining professional, lab-quality results.
What About Print Quality?
Cost is meaningless if the output quality isn’t there. This is why InkProducts Inc. owns and tests every supported printer in-house:
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Color matching is calibrated for each printer model
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Surface tension, viscosity, and particle size are balanced to OEM standards
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Profiling guidance is offered for customers who need color-critical accuracy
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InkProducts edible inks are Kosher and made under controlled conditions
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Testing includes long-term nozzle durability and real-world print cycles
Most customers report that they cannot tell the difference between OEM and InkProducts prints—and frequently say the colors appear more consistent due to fresh, high-flow bulk ink.
Who Benefits Most from Lower Cost-Per-Page?
While anyone can save money, some groups benefit more dramatically:
1. Small businesses
Restaurants, bakeries, realtors, schools, print shops, and craft businesses often print hundreds of pages a week.
2. Home offices
Work-from-home users avoid constant trips to buy OEM cartridges.
3. Photographers & artists
Photo ink savings are massive because of high coverage.
4. Edible printing users
Edible sheets require heavy ink saturation—bulk edible ink dramatically lowers cost.
5. Anyone tired of the “low ink” message
Higher-capacity refill solutions allow long stretches of printing with no interruptions.
Final Thoughts: The InkProducts Advantage
Cost-per-page reveals how drastically OEM ink pricing impacts everyday printing. With prices often reaching 20–40 cents per color page, OEM cartridges remain one of the most expensive household consumables.
InkProducts Inc. provides an alternative that reduces costs by up to 90%, while maintaining high image quality, operational reliability, and consistent color accuracy. For consumers and businesses who print frequently—or simply want to stop overpaying—shifting to refillable systems or bulk ink is one of the most effective ways to lower long-term printing expenses.
