When to Use Inkjet Ink Manufacturers?

11 Aug.,2025

 

Original Ink VS. Third Party Ink: What's the Difference? - G&G Image

The mind boggling game of choosing original ink and third party ink can be troublesome. Some users stick to the default choice-original ink. However, third party inks have emerged as reliable, cost-effective alternatives. But the question remains: do they really have differences? Are original ink still as reliable as they claim to be? Are third party inks becoming the winning underdog in the print industry?

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In this blog, let’s explore the differences between the two to help you answer these questions and help you choose the best ink for you.

What is Original Ink and Third Party Ink?

Original ink, also known as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) ink, is produced by the same company that manufactures printers like HP, Canon, and Epson. These inks are specifically designed to work seamlessly with their respective printers, ensuring optimal performance.

On the other hand, third party ink is produced by companies like G&G that specialize in creating high-quality, affordable alternatives to original ink. Whether you are looking for G&G ink cartridges or replacement printer ink. Third party options like G&G provide a reliable solution.

Original Ink VS. Third Party Ink: What’s the Difference?

Quality Comparison

Original inks are engineered inks to have consistent and high-quality prints. But what about third party inks?

One common misconception about third party inks is that it can’t match the quality of original inks. However, this is far from the truth. For example, G&G has advanced formulations and rigorous testing that meet industry standards to deliver vibrant colors, sharp texts, and long lasting prints that make it indistinguishable from original inks. With third party inks from trusted brands like G&G, you can achieve professional quality results without the premium price.

Cost Analysis

Printers are used daily in many household and across various business sectors, and the cost of original ink can be high in the long run. This has led to the rise of third party inks as an alternative to the originals and one of its obvious advantage would be the affordability. Original ink cartridges can cost two to three times more than the third party inks, making it a significant expense over time.

For instance, G&G offer printer ink compatibles with the same high-quality performance as original inks but at a fraction of the cost. By choosing third party inks, you can enjoy excellent print quality without breaking the bank! Whether you need HP ink or Epson ink cartridges, G&G provides the best third party ink with cost-effective solutions.

Compatibility and Reliability

Another main concern for users is the compatibility of third party inks with their printers that is why some users still prefer to use original inks. However, reputable third party brand like G&G design their cartridges to be fully compatible with a wide range of printer models. 

With 24 years of expertise in the printing industry, G&G has its own research and development (R&D) team to ensure the products meet OEM standards. This means you can rely on G&G printer ink cartridges to work seamlessly with your printer, just like original cartridges.

Warranty Concerns

Another printing myth is that third party ink will void your printer’s warranty. Let’s try to clear up this confusion. Using third party ink does not automatically void your printer’s warranty. In fact, many manufacturer of third party ink, like G&G, design products to meet or exceed OEM standards, ensuring they work seamlessly with your printer without causing any damage.

OEM brands may discourage the use of third party inks but they cannot legally void your warranty simply because you choose a more affordable alternative. European Consumer Rights Directive states that manufacturers cannot deny warranty coverage within a reasonable time without valid reasons. This is highly rare for reputable brands like G&G. The key is choosing a trusted third party ink provider so you can rest assured that your printer can perform flawlessly.

Environmental Concerns

Sustainability is a growing concern for many consumers, and third party ink manufacturers are leading the way in eco-friendly practices. G&G focuses on remanufacturing cartridges, reducing waste and minimizing the carbon footprint. By choosing G&G ink cartridges, you are not only saving money but also contributing to a more sustainable future.

The Final Choice

The ultimate choice between original ink and third party inks ultimately comes down to the value. While original ink may have been the go-to option in the past, third party ink has evolved to offer a smarter, sustainable, more affordable alternative. With high-quality formulations, seamless compatibility, and significant cost-savings, third party ink is the clear winner for budget-conscious users who refuse to compromise quality.

The Basics of Inkjet Ink Formulation

For decades, continuous inkjet (CIJ) and thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers have dominated the industrial product printing field. Used across numerous industries, CIJ and TIJ printers are versatile machines that can create everything from simple alphanumeric markings to machine-scannable codes and brand logos. 

Continuous inkjet printers are larger than thermal inkjet models and are designed for high-speed product coding on conveyor-powered production lines. CIJ printers offer printing speeds over  ~300 m/min and are built to withstand harsh environmental factors such as high heat and moisture. While higher-end TIJ printers like the Anser X1 also offer high-speed printing and substantial environmental fortifications, most TIJ models specialize in higher-quality printing and do not offer printing speeds beyond ~120 m/min. However, they have a lower upfront price and are easier to maintain than CIJ printers, making them a great choice for companies that do not require the industrial speed and resilience of a CIJ system.  

CIJ and TIJ printers are also compatible with a wide variety of materials, including glass bottles, flexible plastic packaging, cardboard cartons, and more. These capabilities make CIJ and TIJ printers ideal for:

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  • Food packaging
  • Beverage bottling and canning
  • Chemical packaging
  • Personal care product packaging
  • Cannabis and CBD packaging
  • Pet food manufacturing
  • Metal pipe marking and coding
  • Wire and cable extrusion
  • Plastic and metal extrusion
  • Electrical component coding
  • Pharmaceutical applications

To meet the coding requirements of these different industries, ink developers create diverse formulas for CIJ and TIJ printers. During the inkjet ink formulation process, developers utilize different substances to account for factors such as substrate compatibility, drying times, temperature resistance, and more. 

Below, we explore the inkjet ink formulation process and explain which types of ink will work best in specific situations.

Diverse Coding Needs Require Specific Formulas

Coding applications vary greatly from company to company for a variety of reasons. For one, products and product packaging can be made from a wide range of materials and take on many different shapes. Common examples include:

  • Glass bottles
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Metal sheet and foil
  • Plastic bags
  • Rigid plastic containers
  • Flexible packaging 
  • Shrinkwrap/flexible film

These substrates all have unique surface properties that influence the success of different ink formulas. For example, an ink designed to sink into a porous material such as cardboard will create messy, unreadable codes on a non-porous material such as rigid plastic or glass. 

Product coding needs are also influenced by internal processes and environmental factors. Many food, beverage, and pharmaceutical production lines, for instance, are equipped with automated packaging machines such as vertical form fill machines. In these cases, companies often need to use quick-drying inks so that codes won’t smear further down the line. 

Potentially disruptive environmental factors must be accounted for as well, including:

  • Freezing temperatures
  • High heat
  • Water and high moisture 
  • Dust and other airborne particles

Given all of these considerations, companies must utilize ink formulas that are designed to meet their unique coding needs. Fortunately, today’s ink market is filled with diverse solutions that are up to the task.

Inkjet Ink Formulation: How Ink Developers Accommodate Diverse Product Marking Needs

Ink developers create formulas with distinct properties and application specialties to fit a variety of coding requirements. Our next section will detail the major categories of inkjet ink; however, let’s first review the basic inkjet ink formulation process. 

Inkjet ink is primarily composed of seven elements:

  1. Dyes or pigments to color the ink
  2. Dispersing agents (for pigmented inks) to aid ink drop stratification 
  3. Wetting agents to help control surface tension
  4. Humectants to prevent dryness and improve viscosity
  5. Penetration enhancers to improve application properties
  6. Polymer binders to enhance substrate adherence
  7. Solvent to improve viscosity 

To create formulas, developers more or less follow this six-step process:

  1. Introduce resin as the base of the formula: All subsequent materials will bind to the resin to form a proper mixture. 
  2. Add dye or pigment: The dye or pigment will give the formula its color and enable visibility on the substrate.
  3. Introduce solvent: Solvent is used to dissolve the resin and dye to form a viscous mixture.
  4. Mix fluid: All other ingredients are added together and mixed to create a homogenous solution.
  5. Filter the solution: The ink solution is placed through a filtration system to remove all insoluble elements.
  6. Test: The filtered ink solution is tested to ensure that it can complete the intended application.  

Different resins, pigments, solvents, and additives will change the properties of the formula. Of all these materials, solvents have perhaps the largest effect. As a result, ink formulas are often categorized based on what solvents they contain. Next, we will explore the effects of these solvents. 

The Most Popular Types of Inkjet Ink

Ink producers like InkJet, Inc. maintain robust portfolios to meet the coding needs of diverse companies and industries. Based on their formulation, these inks all carry different:

  • Substrate compatibilities
  • Drying times
  • Color-producing qualities
  • Chemical-resistance
  • Environmentally-friendly qualities

Broadly speaking, we can categorize inks based on what solvents are used to create them. Although many formulas contain more than one solvent, it’s helpful to know what qualities are associated with which materials. 

Below are some of today’s most popular inkjet ink formulations:

While this general knowledge can help guide you toward the right ink selection, it’s important to work with an expert to find the perfect ink to meet your needs. If you are looking for a new ink formula, the InkJet, Inc. team is happy to discuss your application requirements and help you find the ideal formula for your operation. 

Looking for the Perfect Ink for Your Applications? InkJet, Inc. Can Help You Find It

Coding applications are diverse and change from one operation to the next. To ensure coding success, it’s essential to accommodate key elements such as:

  • Substrate material
  • Additional internal processes
  • Harsh environmental factors 

In many cases, these variables and others require the use of specialty inks. At InkJet, Inc., we can help you find the perfect formula for your applications. 

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