Printer ink cartridges come in three main types: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), compatible and remanufactured. Although OEM cartridges are available for every type of printer model, compatible and remanufactured are not.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) ink cartridges are made by the same companies that make printers (Canon, Dell, Epson, HP, Lexmark, etc). These are typically the most expensive cartridges you can purchase, but also the most popular. The OEM’s spend a lot of money to convince consuers that their products are the most reliable and the highest quality.

Compatible ink cartridges, like OEMs, are newly manufactured, but done so by companies other than the OEM. These cartridges are most easily described as ‘generic’. It is just as good as the OEM cartridge, even built to OEM specifications. Because they don’t carry the name brand they are not as expensive as OEM cartridges. When you think about buying a printer, be aware that compatible cartridges may not be available for all printer models. This is often due to patented cartridge designs.

Remanufactured ink cartridges have been presiously used. They are most easily described as reconditioned or recycled. Empty cartridges are taken to a processor. The Processor opens the ink cartridge, cleans it, tests it, refills it, and then tests it again. The ink used in a remanufactured cartridge meets OEM ink specifications.