When shopping for a home or small-office printer, it’s easy to be drawn in by the price tag. Many Canon and HP printers using tricolor cartridges are sold for surprisingly low prices, sometimes even under $50 during promotions. For the average customer, this seems like an incredible deal—until it's time to replace the ink. Suddenly, the replacement cartridges cost nearly as much as the printer itself.
So why are these printers so inexpensive upfront? The answer is simple: the printhead is built directly into the cartridge, not the printer. This design creates a low-cost printer but a very expensive consumable. The cartridge acts as both the ink supply and the printhead, and because the printhead is considered “disposable,” manufacturers price the cartridges very high to compensate for the initial low cost of the printer.
Fortunately, there are practical ways to avoid repeatedly paying these high cartridge prices. InkProducts offers refill kits, instructional videos, and even Continuous Ink Systems (CIS) for select HP models—helping you extend the life of your cartridges and dramatically reduce printing costs.
Understanding the Tricolor Cartridge System
Tricolor cartridges combine three colors—cyan, magenta, and yellow—into one single cartridge. Printers that use this design typically also require a separate black cartridge. What most customers don’t realize is that each tricolor cartridge contains its own integrated printhead.
Unlike higher-end printers where the printhead is permanent and built into the machine, these entry-level printers rely on disposable printhead cartridges. When the cartridge dries out or wears down, it must be replaced entirely.
This design benefits the manufacturer, not the consumer. Here’s why:
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Printers become cheap to produce, since the most expensive component (the printhead) is not part of the printer itself.
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Cartridges become extremely expensive, because they contain precision micro-nozzles and heating elements.
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Customers are forced to buy new cartridges frequently, especially because one empty color renders the entire tricolor cartridge unusable.
This business model is known as “razor-and-blade pricing.” The printer is the razor; the cartridge is the blade.
Why These Printers Are So Inexpensive
Manufacturers like Canon and HP sell these tricolor models at extremely low prices—sometimes even below cost. The goal is not profit on the printer itself but profit on replacement ink.
Since the printhead is built into the cartridge, not the printer:
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The printer’s internal engineering can be simplified.
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The cost to assemble the printer is lower.
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The consumer sees an attractive price and feels like they’re getting a deal.
But once the cartridges run out—especially the tricolor cartridge—the consumer quickly realizes that replacement ink is where the real expense lies. A single tricolor cartridge may cost anywhere from $25 to $60, depending on the model.
The Hidden Drawback: One Empty Color = Replace the Entire Cartridge
One of the biggest downsides of tricolor cartridges is that the three colors share the same housing. If just one color runs out, the entire cartridge becomes unusable—even if the other two colors are still full.
This leads to:
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Waste
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Unnecessary expense
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Frequent replacements
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Faster printhead burnout if allowed to run empty
This is why proper maintenance and refilling are so important.
good news: InkProducts Provides Refill Solutions for Most Canon and HP Tricolor Cartridges
InkProducts offers refill kits designed for a wide range of Canon and HP disposable printhead cartridges. These kits include everything needed to refill, along with clear instructional videos that walk you through the process step-by-step.
Supported Canon Cartridges
InkProducts offers refill kits for the most popular Canon tricolor and black disposable printhead cartridges, including:
PG-50, CL-51, CL-41, PG-30, CL-31, PG-40, CL-211, PG-210, PG-240, CL-241, PG-243, CL-244, PG-245, CL-246, CL-261, PG-260, CL-276, PG-275
Supported HP Cartridges
InkProducts also supports many HP tricolor and black cartridges, including:
HP 61, 62, 60, 901, 63, 64, 65, 67
For select HP models, InkProducts even provides Continuous Ink Systems (CIS), which help dramatically extend cartridge life and eliminate the need to constantly monitor ink levels.
How Refilling Saves Money—and Your Cartridge
Refilling these disposable printhead cartridges is not only affordable but also extends the cartridge’s lifespan. Each refill prevents another expensive cartridge from going to waste.
Here are essential tips from InkProducts to help customers get the maximum life out of their Canon or HP tricolor cartridges:
1. Never let the cartridge go empty
This is the most important rule.
If the cartridge runs dry, the printhead can overheat and burn out. Even though the printhead is technically disposable, you can typically get multiple refills out of it—sometimes even more—if you keep the ink from running completely dry.
2. Refill before the ink level reaches zero
By topping off the ink before the sponge inside dries out, you protect the heating element in the printhead and maintain consistent print quality.
3. Use a CIS system when available
InkProducts offers CIS systems for select HP models. These systems ensure that:
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Your cartridges never run empty
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Ink is continuously supplied from large external tanks
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The printhead stays cool and healthy
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You can get 2–3 years of life out of the cartridge
All InkProducts CIS systems come pre-built using genuine HP cartridges, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance right from the start.
Why InkProducts Is the Smart Choice for Cost-Savvy Printer Owners
InkProducts makes it possible to avoid the cycle of expensive cartridge replacement. With refill kits and CIS systems, customers can:
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Cut printing costs by up to 80%
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Extend the life of their cartridges
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Dramatically reduce waste
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Maintain reliable, consistent print quality
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Follow clear instructions with step-by-step videos
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Enjoy high-quality, American-made inks formulated for each printer model
For customers tired of paying high prices for disposable cartridges, InkProducts offers an affordable and reliable alternative.
Final Thoughts
Tricolor cartridge printers may seem like a bargain at first glance, but their low price comes at a cost: expensive disposable cartridges with built-in printheads. This business model keeps the initial printer price low but leads to high long-term expenses.
With InkProducts refill kits for both Canon and HP models—and CIS options for select HP printers—customers can break free from the constant expense of buying new cartridges. By following simple maintenance tips like never letting the cartridge run empty, users can significantly extend cartridge life and enjoy consistent, high-quality printing without the high price tag.
InkProducts is committed to helping customers print smarter, spend less, and get the most life out of their Canon and HP tricolor printers.
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