The Truth About Inkjet Printers in India: Costly Mistake or Right Choice?
Inkjet printers are everywhere from homes in small towns to student hostels in metros. You’ll find them in government offices, coaching centres, and even internet cafés.
But, the question isn’t simply “Should I get an inkjet?” It’s “Am I the kind of user who’ll benefit from one?” Inkjet printers are typically ideal for those who require high-quality color prints for photos and graphics, often at a more affordable initial cost compared to laser printers.
This post breaks down how inkjet printers actually work, what kind of printing they do best, and what users need to watch out for especially when cheaper models seem tempting.
1. Why Inkjet Printers Still Exist And Where They Work Well
Inkjet printers spray microscopic ink droplets directly onto the paper. This makes them great for color-rich prints photos, charts, certificates, and illustrations.
They’re also compact, light, and budget-friendly to buy. For someone who needs occasional color prints like a student submitting assignments or a freelancer printing samples a basic inkjet can still be the simplest way to get the job done.
And yes, they’re still the most commonly available printer type across offline Indian stores under ₹5,000.
2. What You Can Realistically Expect from a Basic Inkjet Printer
Here’s how most Indian buyers use them:
- A few school charts or reports per month
- Printouts of ID cards, forms, or travel tickets
- Scanning and copying with basic multifunction models
But it’s important to manage expectations. The low price comes with limitations:
- You’ll run out of ink quickly (100-200 pages per cartridge)
- Refills are expensive, sometimes half the cost of the printer
- If left unused for too long, the ink dries and clogs the nozzle
3. Common Frustrations You’ll Hear from Indian Inkjet Owners
“Ink dries if I don’t use it.”
Yes, this is true especially in hot and dry areas. Running a test print every week can help, but most users forget.
“The cartridge costs more than the printer.”
That cheap ₹3,000 printer often needs a ₹1,200 cartridge and you’ll need two (black + color). Repeat this twice and you could’ve bought an ink tank instead.
“Why is it so slow?”
Inkjet printers are not built for bulk printing. They’re meant for occasional use. Printing more than 10-15 pages at once? Be ready to wait.
4. When Inkjet is the Right Choice
Despite the issues, inkjets are still worth buying but only if your needs are simple and infrequent:
- You want low initial cost over long-term savings
- Your print volume is under 30-50 pages a month
- You care about color, but not at photo studio levels
- You’ll use it regularly enough to avoid ink drying
For example:
- A parent printing school material once a week
- A student who needs reports with color graphs
- A home user occasionally scanning or copying ID proofs
5. How to Spot the Wrong Buy – Salespeople often push Inkjets
Because they’re cheap and in stock but they don’t ask about your usage.
Walk away if:
- You’re told the printer has low-cost cartridges but not the actual per-page cost
- The box says 5,000+ pages per month but it’s a cartridge model
- It doesn’t support mobile printing or Wi-Fi (a big drawback in today’s homes)
6. Should You Get Inkjet or Jump to Ink Tank Printer Instead?
Here’s a quick comparison to help:
| Criteria | Inkjet | Ink Tank |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | ₹3,000-₹5,000 | ₹7,000-₹12,000 |
| Cost Per Page | ₹5-₹7 (color) | ₹0.30-₹0.50 |
| Refill Type | Cartridge | Bottle |
| Maintenance Need | Moderate | Low (if used weekly) |
| Photo Print Quality | Good | Good to Excellent |
| Value Over Time | Low | High (for regular users) |
If you’re printing less than 50 pages a month, an inkjet still makes sense. More than that go with ink tank.
7. Real World Inkjet Printer Use Case
- Occasional schoolwork: A single assignment or project every couple of weeks.
- Household tasks: ID proof printouts, boarding passes, online form copies.
- Casual color use: Charts, posters, or festival invites that don’t need perfect accuracy.
8. Inkjet – Still a Popular Option But Only for the Right Kind of Use
Inkjet printers are easy to find and easy to afford, making them an attractive choice for many households and small offices. However, they’re not for everyone, especially when considering specific printing needs and volume.
If your usage is light and you know what you’re getting into, they’re a great fit, as they typically provide high-quality color prints at a reasonable cost. These printers also excel in producing vibrant graphics and photos, which can be invaluable for projects or personal use.
It’s important to keep in mind that while inkjet printers can be budget-friendly initially, the cost of ink cartridges over time can add up, so users should assess their printing habits to ensure that an inkjet is truly the best option for them. Additionally, it’s worth noting that maintenance and occasional cleaning may be required to keep the printer functioning effectively, especially if it’s not used frequently.
