Ink Usage How fast does this printer go through ink? I purchased a Dell V715w (made by Lexmark) and returned it after a week because it ran out of black ink after printing only about 20 pages. The cartridges aren't outrageously expensive, but compared to my old HP, which uses about 2 cartridges a year, it's an ink hog. Do you have any thoughts? Ink Usage How fast does this printer go through ink? I purchased a Dell V715w (made by Lexmark) and returned it after a week because it ran out of black ink after printing only about 20 pages. The... » Read More Ink Usage How fast does this printer go through ink? I purchased a Dell V715w (made by Lexmark) and returned it after a week because it ran out of black ink after printing only about 20 pages. The cartridges aren't outrageously expensive, but compared to my old HP, which uses about 2 cartridges a year, it's an ink hog. Do you have any thoughts? « Show Less
1497069
I think it goes through ink pretty quickly, though I don't have hard numbers for you on that.
1415895
It uses a lot of ink for very few pages. Partly because if you don't print at least one page every day, the print head clogs up and you'll need to deep clean the print head, which wastefully pours ink out of the cartridges and onto the paper.
626249
It works very well, the ink does NOT clog or drip, it acts as if its a Factory Refill - Iam planning on Re-buy again from this seller.and it saves you a ton on money, just be sure to drill your access hole for new plug, on top of Cartg. so it cant seep into printer, and all will be well - good luck
1176705
No and no, the ink is ridiculously expensive and doesn't last as long as it should. Don't even get me started on the ink pads. Don't walk away from this printer..:run!
2130222
I don't know, sorry. I always have a set of inks for when one runs out.BTW When not in use, this printer doesn't drain ink anywhere near as much as all the other printers I've owned.
872007
I just got my printer a week ago. It sucks ink like a pig! I just printed a print ink report and only after 177 prints, mostly black and white copies, I am on my third set of all color cartridges. I weighed one of them, there was only one tenth of an ounce of ink in the yellow cart! That is $120 an ounce for each cartridge! HELP! I am looking for ways to save color ink. Can I turn off color for general internet web site printing? Does it take more ink to print borderless prints? Anyone else have this problem? I hate to take it back and get my old Epson back. bob
967106
I also had an older HP that did that, but it was from back in the day when all PCs and printers were beige. Eww. So that might be a bad comparison. This Epson does NOT seem to consume more ink than expected nor do the heads dry up from lack of use. That said, all inkjet printers will suffer these types of losses to some extent. Best thing to do is use the printer often. I know paper and ink can be expensive, and I've fallen into the trap of not using my home printer. But that doesn't do you any good if the heads dry up because you'll have to replace mostly full cartridges, and blow through sheets of paper trying to clean the heads, or in the case of my old HP, ruin the hoses inside the printer and consequently have to replace the entire unit. It's cheaper to print a test page every few weeks to keep the heads primed and clear.
1528615
I'm sorry, I had answered your question earlier and had responded on the wrong printer. I did not have a good experience with the Lexmark at all. I deleted my answer it was regarding the other, similarly priced laser color printer I bought just as I was having to return the Lexmark. I feel terrible and hope I didn't steer you wrong.
1319908
It absolutely does use a TON of ink. And half the time it won't recognize the cartridges- even when they're Epson ones. Epson replaced my first malfunctioning printer and now this second one is doing the SAME thing. I'm so done with Epson.
658313
they have *more* ink than regular cartridges. some ink is used for startup, and after startup the remaining ink is the same as what you'd buy at the store -- 3000 black pages, 2500 CMY.
356443
The starter color cartridges that come with it will last awhile if you only occasionally use color. I use it at my business, have had it for about 2 1/2 months, made a lot of copies, and haven't even approached the ink tanks having to be replaced. These are only the starter cartriges. I purchased an "XL" cartrige in black to replace the starter one when it ran out, looks like it will be about 6 months or so before I need to even think about it. The cartriges are not cheap but if they last well beyond what the starter ones do, they're well worth it. Print about 100 - 150 pages per day on average. The starter color cartridges that come with it will last awhile if you only occasionally use color. I use it at my business, have had it for about 2 1/2 months, made a lot of copies, and haven't even approached the ink tanks having to be replaced. These are only the starter cartriges. I purchased an "XL" cartrige in black to replace the starter one when it ran out, looks like it will be about 6 months or so before I need to even think about it. The cartriges are not cheap but if they last well beyond what the starter ones do, they're well worth it. Print about 100 - 150 pages per... » Read More The starter color cartridges that come with it will last awhile if you only occasionally use color. I use it at my business, have had it for about 2 1/2 months, made a lot of copies, and haven't even approached the ink tanks having to be replaced. These are only the starter cartriges. I purchased an "XL" cartrige in black to replace the starter one when it ran out, looks like it will be about 6 months or so before I need to even think about it. The cartriges are not cheap but if they last well beyond what the starter ones do, they're well worth it. Print about 100 - 150 pages per day on average. « Show Less
901194
Ken-One of the many reasons I bought this great printer was that it does not need ink.. it uses a thermal paper which imprints in response to heat. Why do you think you need ink? Are you using the correct paper? You can relax and forget about a backup ink supply for this baby!
2083176
My understanding is Lexmark is either now out of biz or soon will be. I finally just donated mine to GoodWill along with a boxed new printhead. Worst most time consuming printer to keep operational of my lifetime. Hope your experience gets better
2030753
I havent use the first original cartridge yet so far about 30 pages, it still show 1/3 left, but I have friend use then same printer with outside ink tank for 50$ he can print for ever, I may try that later.
114972
1st, this is the best printer I have ever had. If this person had that problem with their printer, it had to something they are doing something wrong. I am checking my number on the ink.............ok no, it is 61 not 60. I love this printer. It works everytime and I am glad I can just use black. Also I can run out of 1 color and the black still works. Some printers do not do this. Usually when you run out of 1 color you have to replace it before the black works. Annae'
32856
Yeah, I was buying ink every month just to print less than 20 pages per month. I finally junked it and bought a HP Office Jet Pro 8600 in June 2013. It's now 2015 and I have not yet replaced the original inks that came with printer. The good thing is you can print b/w when the color ink is out.
1394927
The first cartridge printed about a ream of paper--not bad, actually about what an inkjet would do. I then reset the print density down on the printer. My counter on the printer now reads 2665. That means that I just ran about 2000 copies--around 4 reams--on the second cartridge. That's WAY better than I ever did on any injet ever. Thanks for the question. I hadn't thought to check that until just now.
1912594
Here's a hint I use. When I am printing something that does not require color ink (such as a plain letter or music) I select black ink only on my printer (HP 8500) and that extends the life of the color ink greatly. Of course I use more black ink, but that's only one cartridge rather than all four. Also, I never use anything but original HP cartridges, no re-built ones - I've had bad luck with them - they're not worth it.