For those who love to watch graphically pleasing copy make its way off a printer, the thrill of finding a great machine to handle almost any job is a big one. When a printer can create photo-perfect pages and still be affordable, the rush is amazing. The problem for many, however, is the fact that the printer itself can be found, but replacement ink cannot. Whether a person buys a photo quality Canon printer, or another model, there needs to be some care in the choosing the right machine. A lot of department stores will have printers for sale on their shelves that do fantastic jobs, but they won't stock the replacements.



Those with Canon printers tend to buy them for a number of reasons. They include:

* Quality. Canon tends to make a solid printer in a number of different price ranges. Typically a good Canon on the low end of the price spectrum will perform very well under a number of different circumstances. The best in the Canon line tend to be phenomenal with quality.

* Price. Since Canon tends to equate to quality no matter the sticker price, those in the market for a reasonable buy will find these machines generally fit the bill.

* Reliability. The Canon name is a good one. People trust it and for good reason. Canon does a very good job creating and backing its products.

* Options. Even the lower end printers come with some serious options that make them a good choice for someone who needs to be able to do more than print a black and white document.

And while Canon is generally a top choice for those in the printer market, there needs to be some attention paid to the makes and models purchased. It's a simple fact that getting ink for these machines - and many others as well - can be a difficult and costly undertaking. Before settling on a model - Canon or otherwise - check into the following:

* What kind of ink does the printer take? Color? Black? Photo quality?

* Does the store where you're getting the printer stock the ink? If it's not on the shelves, ask if they order it on a regular basis.

* Can the ink be found on the Internet? Does the company that makes the printer stock it in its online store?

* Can the cartridges be refilled with a kit? Sometimes printer cartridges allow for this, which makes it very easy to ensure ink is always available. Generally, this is less expensive, too.

* Are there aftermarket cartridges out? Sometimes "knock off" companies take over the making of the cartridges. This is okay as long as they fit and work.

A great printer is a good accessory to have for any computer. But if the printer purchased can't have its ink cartridges refilled or replaced, a good buy quickly becomes a bad one. A little research before a purchase can go a long way to ensuring what is bought will work for some time to come.