Computers, World Wide Web, Instant Messenger, no matter what the new advancements are, there can never be a replacement for paper. The paper format also known as the hard copy still holds its place unshaken. The major breakthrough is the advent of printer. With the combination of a laptop computer and printer wonders are being achieved. Ink Jet printer consists of a major section in the world of printer. The quality of the print is quite good. Talking about the quality it mainly depends on the quality of the cartridge. The cartridge is the part of the printer that contains the ink. As the documents are given for print the ink that is filled in the cartridge is sprayed over the paper and thus the document gets created.

There are 2 main types of Ink Cartridges: Thermal Ink Cartridge and Piezoelectric Ink Cartridge. In case of a thermal Cartridge a thin metal plate is heated by an electric signal and this in turn causes a heated bubble of ink drop. It is then forced out on the paper. The quantity of the ink that gets sprayed is due to the electric signal that is controlled by the printer. Canon and HP use this to manufacture the cartridges. The second type is the piezoelectric cartridge. Here instead of the thermal effect, the piezoelectric phenomenon of a crystal is used. Similar to the Thermal cartridge, the printer sends current signals to the crystal and which due to the piezoelectric effect changes its shapes along with the spray of the ink. Thus as the shape changes the document is printed. Epson is a major producer of the piezoelectric cartridges.

Printers are of 2 types, black and white and color printers. For black and white printers, the cartridges contain only black cartridge . In case of a color printer, along with the blank ink, there is one more cartridge which contains the three primary colors. So when there is a colour print out the primary colors gets mixed and is sprayed on the paper.

Once the ink in the cartridge is over then the cartridge must be replaced. All of the printer manufactures also manufacture the cartridges so that they can be replaced and the printer can be put into use again. The cost of the printer cartridge is pretty competitive.

Recent improvement of technology has introduced other alternatives to the replacement of ink cartridges through the compatible cartridge that are manufactured by the third party manufactures. These companies make their product compatible with the leading printers available in the market which is made available at much lower rates.

Many key points have to be kept in mind while purchasing a ink cartridge. To discuss some of them:

1.) The most important is the product code. Ink cartridges are available in a vast number. The cartridge matching the printer must be purchased.

2.) Manufacturer is also an important factor. We need to decide upon if we are going for a native cartridge manufacture or a compatible cartridge.

3.) Type of ink ? whether black and white or color cartridge.

4.) Finally the amount of pages that the cartridge can print during its life time.

Printers are a very important part of today's life. With the advancement of the technology and with increase in product competition with the companies, consumers are getting better printer products for much affordable rates.