Learn how to distinguish original printer cartridges from counterfeit ones

Counterfeit cartridges pose serious risks and threats to the printer. Unlike original cartridges, they can damage the printer hardware and cause unpleasant delays in work processes. Therefore, before using a new cartridge in your printer, always make sure that it is not a counterfeit. How to recognize it, we will reveal in our article.

Which printer cartridges are counterfeit

Counterfeits and refilled cartridges and toners are definitely not the same thing. Remanufactured cartridges are emptied and refilled cartridges and toners offered under a private label, whereas counterfeit printer cartridges are low-quality imitations offered in original boxes.

These low-quality cartridges are manufactured to look like genuine ones and, to confuse users, are illegally offered for sale under brand names. Fortunately, they can be identified based on certain signs, so you can avoid them by a wide margin.

Original toner cartridges vs. counterfeit cartridges

It may not seem so at first glance, but the advantages of buying original printer cartridges far outweigh the apparent savings resulting from purchasing counterfeit products. The original print cartridge stands out for its much higher quality and, in addition, ensures reliable performance throughout its entire service life.

The disadvantages of counterfeit printer cartridges lie mainly in the fact that, compared to the original, they definitely do not produce the same number of prints. In addition, their quality is significantly lower. But what is worst of all, with repeated printing attempts you waste not only time, but also paper.

Counterfeits closely resemble the originals

It is not always an easy task. Manufacturers of counterfeit printer cartridges make sure their products are made very similarly to the original, so identifying them is often very difficult. That is precisely why we consider it most important to purchase printer cartridges exclusively from verified sources.

The most noticeable difference can be seen in the quality, which in counterfeit cartridges definitely does not meet the high standards of the original manufacturing material. Manufacturers of original cartridges invest considerable sums in research and development of printing and image processing. This is because the original cartridge is manufactured under carefully controlled conditions, where no particles of dust whatsoever, not even the finest ones, may be present, similar to the production of a chip.

How to distinguish an original cartridge from a counterfeit

For example, original HP cartridges are marked with a seal bearing a unique code and equipped with several security features, just like banknotes.

The packaging and the cassette may therefore, for example, feature a security holographic label with a logo. This makes it easy to detect any counterfeits. You can also verify the cartridge online on the HP manufacturer's website using the serial number found on the label.

You can also verify the authenticity of purchased cartridges using a QR code reader on your smartphone. Simply scan the seal code and, once the confirmation page appears, you can be sure that everything is in order. Otherwise, you have come across a counterfeit cartridge.

Why it pays to choose an original cartridge

• Compared to the original containing HP printer ink, counterfeit cartridges have a much lower capacity. That means they print significantly less, and even damage the printer itself.
• If a counterfeit cartridge damages the printer, you may even lose the warranty. In this way, originally cheap counterfeit cartridges end up costing many times more in the long run.
• By choosing original ink, you will avoid significantly low print quality, repeated attempts to print due to faulty printouts, rapid wear of the printer, or even its complete damage.
• The lifespan of printed documents with original cartridges is much longer compared to counterfeit cartridges.
• Original cartridges offer less waste thanks to free and easy recycling. Unlike them, counterfeit cartridges can damage the environment.