Do Inkjet Printers Use Cartridges?

On this page (9 sections)

1. Do inkjet printers use cartridges or tanks?
2. What is inside an inkjet printer cartridge?
3. Do inkjet printer cartridges contain all the ink?
4. What is a refillable ink tank printer?
5. Which products use ink cartridges?
6. How do you know which cartridge an inkjet printer needs?
7. Are ink cartridges better than refillable tanks?
8. What else should you check before buying an inkjet printer?
9. Do inkjet printers use cartridges?

Most inkjet printers use replaceable ink cartridges, but some use refillable tanks filled with bottled ink. The right replacement depends on whether your printer stores ink in cartridges or built-in reservoirs.

Inkjet printers spray tiny drops of liquid ink onto paper. The printer may use separate black and color supplies, a combined color cartridge, or a tank system with refill bottles.

Do inkjet printers use cartridges or tanks?

Cartridge-based inkjet printers hold ink in removable cartridges. When a cartridge runs low, you replace it with a compatible black, color, or individual color supply.

Tank-based inkjet printers use built-in reservoirs instead. You add bottled ink to the matching tank, so you don't buy a traditional cartridge for each refill.

The system affects more than the shape of the supply. It also changes how you store ink, how you check levels, and what you need to keep on hand.

Before choosing a printer, use this home printer buying guide to compare ink systems with printing, scanning, and paper-handling needs.

What is inside an inkjet printer cartridge?

An inkjet cartridge contains liquid ink and connects to the printer's print system. Depending on the design, the cartridge may feed ink through a printhead or include part of the printhead itself.

Common arrangements include:

• One black cartridge and one combined color cartridge
• Separate black, cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges
• Additional color cartridges for photo printing
• Specialty cartridges for compact photo or sticker printers

A combined color cartridge may need replacement when one color runs low, even if the other colors still have ink. Separate cartridges can let you replace only the color that is empty.

Ink cartridges also differ by model and brand. The printer name alone may not be enough, so match the exact cartridge number and ink type before ordering.

Do inkjet printer cartridges contain all the ink?

Yes, a replaceable cartridge holds the ink used by that cartridge. The printer draws the liquid through its print system as it creates text, graphics, or photos.

Some printers use cartridges that contain the printhead. Others keep the printhead in the printer and use cartridges mainly as ink containers.

That design affects replacement steps and maintenance. Follow the printer's instructions, keep cartridges sealed until needed, and avoid touching electrical contacts or nozzles.

Ink can dry around exposed nozzles if a cartridge is stored poorly. Keep supplies closed and upright when the instructions call for it.

What is a refillable ink tank printer?

A refillable ink tank printer uses built-in reservoirs instead of standard removable cartridges. You add bottled black or color ink to the matching tank when the level becomes low.

Tank systems can suit people who print often and want a larger visible ink supply. They require careful filling, because the bottle color must match the correct tank and spills can stain nearby surfaces.

A tank printer still needs the correct ink formulation. Bottled ink made for another printer may not produce the intended color or work correctly with the print system.

If you print only occasionally, think about storage and maintenance as well as supply cost. Any inkjet system benefits from following its cleaning and use instructions.

Which products use ink cartridges?

These products show how different inkjet-style systems can meet different printing needs.

The Liene PixCut S1 is a compact option for people making stickers and labels from compatible devices. It uses thermal dye-sublimation rather than a conventional liquid inkjet process, and its included media lists a photo sticker cutter ink cartridge.

The PixCut S1 combines printing and cutting in one device. Its title describes thermal dye-sublimation printing, AI auto-cutting, and 300 dpi resolution, while the included media lists a pre-installed blade, 18 sheets of 4 x 6 inch photo paper, 36 sheets of photo sticker cutter ink cartridge media, and 18 sheets of 4 x 7 inch white sticker paper.

It works with laptops, smartphones, and tablets through Bluetooth. The device measures 11 x 7.7 x 4.1 inches and weighs 6.2 pounds, so it suits a reader who wants a dedicated sticker-making tool rather than a general document printer.

The Canon PIXMA TR8620a is a wireless all-in-one printer for home office tasks. Its stated functions include printing, copying, scanning, and faxing, and it includes a set of standard ink tanks.

The TR8620a has a 100-sheet cassette and a 100-sheet rear feed for a total stated capacity of 200 sheets. It supports automatic 2-sided printing and has listed print speeds of 15 pages per minute in black and white and 10 pages per minute in color.

Its black body measures 13.8 x 17.3 x 7.5 inches and weighs 17.4 pounds. The printer has a touchscreen, USB hardware interface, PC and smartphone compatibility, and a micro SD slot.

The Canon PIXMA TR7120 uses a 2-cartridge hybrid ink system. It suits home users and hybrid workers who want printing, copying, and scanning in a compact white printer.

The TR7120 has separate black and color ink roles within its 2-cartridge system, with cyan, magenta, yellow, and black listed as its ink colors. Its automatic 2-sided printing can reduce paper use, while the auto document feeder helps with multi-page scanning and copying.

It supports dual-band Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz and mobile printing through the Canon PRINT App, Apple AirPrint, and Mopria Print Service. The printer measures 14.8 x 14 x 8.2 inches, weighs 18.1 pounds, and has a 100-sheet capacity.

How do you know which cartridge an inkjet printer needs?

Find the exact printer model before buying inkjet printer cartridges. The model determines the cartridge number, color arrangement, ink type, and whether the printer uses cartridges at all.

Check these details:

• Printer brand and full model name
• Black, color, or individual color supply
• Cartridge number or bottle number
• Standard or high-yield option, if offered
• Whether the printer uses a combined color cartridge
• Whether the supply is intended for that exact model

A cartridge that physically fits may still be the wrong supply. Printer software can also identify a cartridge as incompatible, so matching the model matters more than matching the shape.

For current shopping options, compare best inkjet printer deals after confirming the supply system and your expected print volume.

Are ink cartridges better than refillable tanks?

Cartridges are usually simpler to replace, while tanks are designed around bottled refills. The better system depends on how often you print and how much convenience you want during routine maintenance.

Cartridges can suit light or occasional printing because you replace a supply when needed. A combined color cartridge may be less flexible if one color runs out before the others.

Tanks can suit frequent printing when you prefer to monitor reservoirs and refill them. Filling requires more care, and you need the correct bottle for each reservoir.

Neither system removes the need for basic care. Keep the printer level, follow its cleaning instructions, use suitable paper, and protect unused supplies from heat and drying.

What else should you check before buying an inkjet printer?

Check the printer's main task, connectivity, paper handling, and supply system together. A printer for occasional documents has different priorities from one for photos, labels, or multi-page office work.

A wireless model can help if you print from phones, tablets, or several computers. A scanner and auto document feeder matter more when you copy or scan multi-page documents.

For wireless models, compare best wireless inkjet printers. If scanning is central to your work, see best inkjet printers with scanners.

Office users should also check duplex printing, paper capacity, print speed, and document handling. Our guide to best inkjet printers for office use focuses on those needs.

For photos, labels, and travel use, match the printer to the media you plan to use. You can also compare best photo printers for digital cameras, best compact printers for laptops and travel, and best sticker paper for printers.

Do inkjet printers use cartridges?

Most inkjet printers do use cartridges, but refillable tank systems are another common design. Choose a cartridge printer when simple replacement matters, or choose a tank printer when bottled refills suit your print volume and maintenance habits.

The Liene PixCut S1 is aimed at sticker printing and cutting, while the Canon PIXMA TR8620a offers a broader home office feature set with standard ink tanks. The Canon PIXMA TR7120 uses a 2-cartridge hybrid ink system for home printing, scanning, copying, and wireless use.

Before buying inkjet printer cartridges, confirm the exact model and supply number. That one check prevents the most common replacement mistake.

Frequently asked questions

Do all inkjet printers use cartridges?

No. Many inkjet printers use replaceable cartridges, while some use refillable tanks that you fill from ink bottles.

Check the printer's stated ink system before buying supplies, because cartridge-based and tank-based systems require different replacements.

How many cartridges does an inkjet printer need?

The number depends on the printer. Some use one black cartridge and one combined color cartridge, while others separate black, cyan, magenta, and yellow supplies.

A printer's manual or supply guide will identify the correct arrangement.

Can you refill inkjet printer cartridges?

Some cartridges can be refilled, but the process varies by model and may cause leaks, poor print quality, or recognition problems. Use supplies designed for the printer and follow its instructions before attempting a refill.

Is printer ink the same as toner?

No. Ink is a liquid used by inkjet printers, while toner is a fine powder used by laser printers.

Inkjet cartridges or tanks must match the printer's system, and toner cartridges are not substitutes for them.