OEM vs OEM-Compatible

OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer – all OEM inks are created by the same brand as your printer. In other words, large format digital printing brands like Mimaki or HP create a line of OEM inks meant to replace the ink in their printers. The advantage of OEM ink is that they maintain the same high quality as your original set of inks after purchasing the printer. However, they often include a significant mark-up that is restrictive to businesses that rely on printing.

OEM-Compatible inks can be any ink meant to replace name-brand ink in a certain type of printer. Purchasing low quality replacement inks from manufacturers that claim to be OEM-Compatible can be risky because you could actually damage your printer or hinder its function. However, there are many OEM-Compatible ink manufacturers with experience that design and manufacture inks of the same quality or better than the original brand. Available at a much lower price point, these inks can really improve your bottom-line.

So how do you know? Here are some tips for how to find the right OEM-Compatible ink manufacturer:

Choose OEM-Compatible ink designed for your exact printer make and model

Large format digital printers are both expensive and complicated machines. Generic inks designed for different types of print heads and printer brands may not be as high quality as an ink that takes your specific printer and print-head into account. Look for ink that is designed exactly for that particular use.

Vet the ink manufacturer before you buy

How long has the ink manufacturer been in business? What is their experience in the ink industry and the digital ink industry? Many OEM-Compatible ink manufacturers have been in business for decades and they are a trusted ink provider to many businesses across different industries. Name brands, like HP or Canon, often communicate trust and longevity, but there has been a demand for OEM-Compatible ink manufacturers since the beginning of digital printing!

Contact the ink manufacturer directly

Before you invest in OEM-Compatible ink, call the ink manufacturer directly and ask them what type of ink is best for your printer and medium. This is also a good way to find out if they have good customer service in case a problem arises with your ink! As the designer and manufacturer, these companies should have representatives that can help advise you and ensure that you get the OEM-Compatible ink that is perfect for your application.

About Independent Ink

Independent Ink was established in 1939 as a custom formulator of government and military specification inks and solvents. With over 2 million gallons sold to date, Independent Ink designs custom aftermarket ink products for both industrial applications and digital printing. Contact us today to learn more about our OEM-Compatible digital inks and how we can serve your business.

Used across a number of industries, including automotive, electronics, graphic printing and metal, glass and plastic marking, these inks are particularly popular because they are easier and brighter than other inks and adhere to both rigid and soft substrates.

If you are considering whether to switch over to UV inks, check out four ways UV printing differs from traditional printing inks:

1. UV Inks are more environmentally friendly

Solvent based inks release chemicals in the air as they dry which can be environmentally harmful and is subject to government regulations.  Because UV inks are flash-dried with a uv light, they are made with a minimal amount of harmful chemicals and release very low amounts of pollution into the air.

2. UV inks speed up your production line.

UV inks dry within seconds, so your production line will not be held up waiting on your inks to soak into substrate.  This is especially key for large industrial operations where each product moves through a lengthy production process.

3. UV inks are cost effective.

Using these specialty inks will save your business money in a number of ways.  First, UV inks do not require additional coatings that many solvent based inks do in order to promote drying times and prevent smudging.  The UV light sets the ink permanently, so there is no need for additional coating products. Your business will also use less ink with each application because UV inks do not need to permeate a substrate, which means your business can buy new ink less often. Finally, UV inks require less space in your printing facility and less direct labor to manage, which can generate cost-savings as well.

4. UV inks are brighter and more resilient.

Because they do not soak into your substrate, these inks are incredibly vibrant and more wear-and-tear resistant.  The UV light bonds the ink to the substrate, helping improve resistance to scratching and other solvents that your substrate is exposed to.

Contact us to learn more about our line of UV inks or view our UV inks.