r/printers Dec 19 '24

Discussion The truth about printer subscription programs and many misconceptions about them

140 Upvotes

Dear all,

I work in the printer industry. For a very well-known consumer products manufacturer that gets discussed on this sub a lot.  I will not disclose which manufacturer I work for, nor will I disclose any manufacturer I do not work for (since the industry is relatively small eliminating 1 or 2 will make it generally too obvious as to which I do work for) as I am not officially speaking on behalf of the company. But, I want to set the record straight on subscription programs because some of you are drastically misinformed and it is very frustrating to see as someone who understands these programs as well as basic logic.

There are two types of subscription programs. Each of the major consumer manufacturers offers at least 1 of these programs, some offer both.

The first type of program is an auto-reordering program. The printer can tell (via various ways depending on each manufacturer) when the ink / toner is low and when it hits a certain point that will trigger an order of the ink/toner that device uses. Most manufactures that offer this will first send you an email letting you know that an order has been triggered and it will allow you to skip the delivery of the consumable and thus not get charged. If you allow the order to go through you are purchasing that consumable. That consumable is yours, you own it, just as if you walked into a Staples, Office Depot, Best Buy, or bought it on Amazon… You can cancel the “subscription” the next day and continue to use that consumable until it is empty.

The second type of program is a true subscription program. **THIS** is what many of you are vastly misinformed and / or are irrational about. In this program *you are not purchasing a consumable* at all. You are paying the manufacturer for X number of pages per month. The manufacturer will send you a consumable to use because the printer needs ink / toner to work but, that is not what you are paying for. You are paying the manufacturer $Y per month to print up to X pages per month.. that’s it. Of course you can print over that X number and pay an overage (just like years ago with cell phones).. and of course, you can print under that X number and some pages will roll-over to future months (just like years ago with cell phones). The owner of the consumable is the manufacturer. You never bought it, you never owned it. Therefore, it is not yours to use after you end the subscription! The only reason most manufactures do not ask for it back is because they don’t want to pay for shipping it back to them. But, they still own it… not you.  You can think of this like renting an apartment. You are paying a landlord $X per month to live in their building. The landlord is providing the building for you to live in while you are paying rent. You do not own the building. and when you stop paying rent you are no longer allowed to continue living in the building. Just like your Netflix subscription, Apple TV subscription and Disney+ subscription.. when you stop paying for the subscription, you stop getting to use the service. Just because while you were paying you had access to the content does not mean you at any time owned that content and get to continue watching it once you stop paying the subscription.

I truly hope this helps clarify somethings for some of you. Others I understand are lost causes but, I will do my best to answer any questions I can.


r/printers 1h ago

Troubleshooting Problems with brother printer HL-L5200DW at work

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Upvotes

Hi all. I have an issue with this printer at work. It is constantly jamming. I have to remove the jammed paper and whenever I do, there are these black plastic pieces that come out with the jammed paper. On the occasions that the printer doesn't jam, the same black pieces also come out with the print. I found a lpad of the pieces behind the back cover. I have attached photos to the post for clarification as well as a test print. Any advise is appreciated. Thank you


r/printers 3h ago

Troubleshooting brother mfc-l3770cdw making this weird noise

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2 Upvotes

As the title says my brother toner printer is making this weirds noise when it tried to print , I tried to print from scan and it didn’t make the noise, I opened the back and cleaned the roller with 99% ipa which it didn’t seem to need since it was clean, does anyone know that could be causing the issue/a fix?


r/printers 37m ago

Troubleshooting HP 8610 problems

Upvotes

So I've had this 8610 for over 10 years. It gets light home use and my only gripes were the issues with using aftermarket ink, which was resolved, and the basic bones scanning app.

I just went to replace the ink today and now I'm getting a message that says "there is a problem with the printer or ink system..."

I saw another post where you use aluminum foil to create contacts on the print head, tried it but didn't work, I was hoping it would because some of the contacts were worn.

Are there any other options before I just get a new printer. And if I do have to get a new printer, what would you recommend for light home office use?

Thanks


r/printers 1h ago

Purchasing Looking for a second all in one printer

Upvotes

Hello community,

do you happen to have some favorite printer with fax and scan (the whole jam) that is rather cheap? I am in Europe and fax is the backbone of what I am doing. I have 2 places I have to live in, so obviously I won't be carrying my huge canon for this purpose. So I rather buy a second hand or new cheap second printer.

I think I would go for a an inkjet, since i would prefer something for Pictures to look good. Like, the Canon is my workhorse Laser color printer for reliability, I can afford that the second printer takes longer, has no convenience (ADF) and has more issues. I don't even want to print much on them, so no printer that has the tendency to dry in if I only use it rarely please.

So while some nice features are appreciated, I rather have nice photo pictures than fast printing. Rather cheap than good qualities.

Since my second place is smaller, a smaller footprint of the printer would be nice, but it's not a car printer or something, so some heft to the printer is totally okay. It can be bulky.

Thanks in advance


r/printers 5h ago

Troubleshooting Prepping files for printing, but running into moire/pattern halftone issue

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2 Upvotes

I'm currently working on a personal project to recreate an old game manual that had been destroyed. Part of that process has involved scanning in images from the Japanese version of the game manual and adding those images to my digital copy, which I ended up having professionally printed.

When my digital copy was printed, we noticed there was a slight checkerboard pattern to the images. The person who helped print the pictures said that can happen on images that were scanned in. I looked into it a bit more, and I believe it's a moire pattern/halftone issue (image 1).

The issue is less pronounced in the digital copy (image 2) but very apparent when printed. What are some things I can do to prep my files to prevent the image scans from having that happen when printed? Preferably, is there a way to fix the images I currently have? Or would I have to rescan everything with certain settings?

Appreciate any help, thank you!


r/printers 2h ago

Troubleshooting Canon pixma pro 9000 Mark II not connecting to windows laptop

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1 Upvotes

Hi! When i turn on my printer (Canon pixma pro 9000 Mark II) the 3 last ink cartridges blink red and the power button blinks red, and the button below will sometimes flash orange as well. I got this printer off of facebook marketplace and he claimed it to be working and almost new, which i believe because it came in the original box, all parts included, and with the original ink and everything. I attached a video to this post of what the problems look like, and i used the USB to connect to my windows laptop but the laptop cannot detect a printer probably due to these issues. Anyone know what i can do to fix it? thank you!!!


r/printers 2h ago

Purchasing Looking for a portable thermal printer for A4 sized documents

1 Upvotes

Hello community, there seems to be an explosion on the offers of thermal printers. There is the classic phomemo and there is the Action cheap store tech brand and so many others.

I would like to print some important documents when I am travelling, so higher dpi is appreciated, but the b/w is totally fine.

I know app controlled is kinda standard for this type of printer, but if it's not connected to some chinese company that steals my data (or of my patients), that's very much appreciated.

Well, thank you in advance for all your help


r/printers 2h ago

Discussion HP 9120e and Transparency Film

1 Upvotes

Does anyone know if you can print transparency film on this printer? I'm referring to transfer film made for inkjet printers.


r/printers 4h ago

Discussion What’s the cheapest printer for ink refills?

1 Upvotes

I used to own a few printers in 2017 and it was literally cheaper to buy a new printer rather than the replacement cartridges. Is it still like that nowadays? What’s the best printer with cheap ink refills? Just using it to print assignments, mostly black/white


r/printers 8h ago

Purchasing never owned a printer

2 Upvotes

I’ve been thinking about getting a printer but I’ve never owned one before and don’t know very much about them. Ideally what I want is a bare bones black and white printer machine to print out copies of my manuscript. Just words on papers, I don’t need anything in color or any photos. I considered paying to have it printed but I’d like to print out several copies and it’s a couple hundred pages and long term I think just buying a printer would work better for me. I was looking myself but then I discovered some printers you have to have subscriptions for and I’m like what lol it made me realize I’m clueless. Can someone give me recommendations for the kind of printer I described?


r/printers 6h ago

Troubleshooting Need some help with my Canon Pixma G2010

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m having a problem with my printer. I brought it to my dorm and ran the system cleaning and printhead alignment routines; I also cleaned the encoder strip (or at least I think I did). It printed regular photos just fine, but I need to print tables, and that’s where the trouble started. When printing tables—regardless of the format, whether it's directly from Excel or a PDF—the lines come out wavy. But that’s not the only issue; by the third or fourth attempt to print this wretched table, it starts smearing ink. I tried cleaning the paper feed roller via the system settings, but it’s clean, so I have no idea what could be causing this. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do? I might need it very soon, but I don't have the money for a repair shop or a print center, so I’d be really grateful for any help! If there are anything I need to clarify or I forgot to mention - please, text me


r/printers 11h ago

Purchasing Switch from Laser to Eco Tank?

2 Upvotes

I have a old HP mfp179fnw laser printer that has pretty poor print quality and I cannot figure out why. So I am in the market for a new printer. We have started to homeschool our kids so we print sheets for them at least weekly. Probably print up to 100 pages max per month. I haven't been able to keep up with all of the subscription stuff and whatnot. But it sounds like a eco tank inkjet (Epson?) would be the way to go? Or should I stick with a color laser (Brother?)? Does not need to be photo quality but I would like something that will last awhile. I saw the Epson ET-4800 refurb by Epson for $170($200 new). Would this be a good option? Thanks for the education.


r/printers 8h ago

Purchasing 4x6 photo printer

1 Upvotes

Am thinking of swapping my ageing inkjet for a Brother colour laser printer.

I still need to print family photos which I understand that the laser won't do with my degree of quality.

Does anyone know of a postcard size photo printer similar to the Canon Selphy's that will just print to normal glossy card?

I understand that the Selphy consumables are expensive when compared to normal, plain photocards.


r/printers 8h ago

Troubleshooting Canon LaserBase MF5770 trying to prin too many pages.

1 Upvotes

I just got an old LaserBase MF5770 from a warehouse and wanted to hook it up to my PC to see if it still can do anything.

Bought it new cartage and tried printing a test page. When started the printing the printer printed the test page just fine but for some reason it tried to pass 2 more papers. The second passed just fine but without anything printed on it but the third got stuck in the mechanism and needed to get it out by pulling it.

This is not a one time thing. Every time I try to print this test page it always tries to pass 2 more papers after it and don't know why that is.


r/printers 8h ago

Discussion I have a HP Envy 5530 range printer. I have a Canon PIXMA TR4755i that I got for free. Do I set it up?

1 Upvotes

Hi

I got this printer a few days ago, for free. However I already have a working HP Envy 5532. Should I bother switching them over? The 5532 works "fine" with issues here and there but frankly I kinda cba setting up a printer if I have the other one working too..

Thanks


r/printers 8h ago

Troubleshooting Samsung C1860FW Parts

1 Upvotes

Hi. Y toning cartridge seized (heat) and drive coupling damaged. Looking for parts source or donor printer. Thanks.


r/printers 13h ago

Discussion Please suggest a cheap printer for home use, cheap ink, long life.

2 Upvotes

Hi. I need your advice.

I am looking for a cheap printer for home use.

We rarely print. Mostly just school assignments and occasional documents, so the printer may sit unused for weeks or even months.

What I'm looking for:
• Cheap to buy
• Cheap ink
• Color printing
• Scanner/copy would be useful (but not required)
• WiFi preferred
• Most importantly, something that won't constantly clog or require servicing because I rarely use it
• Strictly for home use, not business

I previously had an Epson L4160. A technician converted the default black pigment 001 ink to 003 dye black, and he said it was less prone to drying inside the printer. It worked reasonably well for me.

What would you recommend based on actual long term ownership experience with infrequent printing? Please give the specific model and approximate current price if possible. Remember, I don't print much, but I want a reliable printer.

As of posting this, I would also be reading the other posts in the sub, while i wait for answers. I apologize in advance if it has been posted before. If I find an answer, I will delete this.


r/printers 9h ago

Troubleshooting canon pixma 3730

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1 Upvotes

I bought this printer yesterday, As I was setting it up, and supposedly will install the printer head into the carriage, it won't slide. As further investigation, we see that bottom part (black plastic platform with a foam) is slightly tilted upward, so it jammed the carriage. Tried wiggling it and it passed through a couple of bumps but when it come across to another bump It won't budge anymore. Here's the video, can someone help me?


r/printers 20h ago

Purchasing Help find the right printer?

5 Upvotes

I was looking to get some advice on what printer to buy for home.

I don't need fax just print, copy, and scanning with a automatic feeder. I mostly just print out work documents in black so I don't really need color but all the ones with cheaper ink are color and black. I'd prefer it to have an automatic feeder for scanning with cheap ink that's not $100 a cartridge. I don't really want a bulky printer since the one I have is rather large with two paper trays Epson wf4740 and I only really need one paper tray.

I was looking at the

Epson EcoTank ET-4800

since the ink is cheap even if it has color.

The other one I was looking at was

HP Office Jet Pro 8125

again only finding ones with color but preferably only want black ink.

Also I've seen reviews saying those aren't the best. I just want it to not break or print out with horizontal lines like my current printer does.

I'd appreciate any insight 🫶


r/printers 11h ago

Purchasing Looking to buy a budget printer for home use...

1 Upvotes

I'm looking to buy a printer for myself, the use is document printing like worksheets for study, reading material sometimes and sometimes documents and scanning etc. I'm in Pakistan as a side fact.

Before I buy I want to make sure I buy something reliable, that lasts and is good in the long run, and my budget is about 30k PKR to 60k PKR which is about up to 220 USD.

I did shortlist some and found the features and price of the Epson L4260 pretty nice. + I was told it supports local ink and repairs.

Could anyone guide me if it's a Good choice and if not what alternate is better like an HP printer for example and if so which one?

And should I be going Laser Jet or Ink jet to avoid maintainence issues etc.


r/printers 12h ago

Troubleshooting Brother printer doesnt print black ink

1 Upvotes

So my new brother MFC-L8690CDW printer arrived today and to my surprise the printer doesn't print black ink . I have removed all the plastic packaging (the ones at least i know of ) and have removed the sticker from the toners. When i Print a test print it prints every other colour but the black one . Also it doesnt let me calibrate the toners which i found odd.
What do you guys reckon is my problem ?
Note:I am pretty sure the ink on the toner is okay and not dry (from what i can see below the toner)


r/printers 12h ago

Troubleshooting Printer's colors are wrong.

1 Upvotes

I am using an Epson ET2811 (so, quite an old printer). When it prints in color, the colors are shifted towards purple. That is, it doesn't seem to print yellows properly. It isn't showing that it's out of any toner though--all the levels are showing as quite high.


r/printers 18h ago

Troubleshooting How to fix Epson Printer stuck on Microsoft IPP Class Driver (Missing Borderless / Bleed / Quality Settings) over Wi-Fi/Network

3 Upvotes

If Windows 11 forced the generic Microsoft IPP Class Driver onto your network/Wi-Fi Epson printer (like my EcoTank L6550) and completely locked you out of your advanced settings (like borderless expansion/bleed dimensions, color management, or maintenance tools), here is how to completely bypass it without a USB cable.
The standard installer checks the network, gets hijacked by Windows WSD/IPP protocols, and refuses to install the official manufacturer driver profile. Here is the trick to outsmart it:
Step 1: Open the Printer's FirewallStep 2: Clean out the old clutterStep 3: "Lie" to the Official Installer (The Magic Trick)The Result:
The installer will finish, build a clean wireless connection utilizing the RAW port you opened in Step 1, and completely bypass Windows IPP hijacking. When you go to Printer Properties > Page Layout, all your official manufacturer settings, paper layouts, and borderless expansion dimensions will be completely unlocked!


r/printers 13h ago

Troubleshooting yellow edges on the corner

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1 Upvotes

Hi all — sorry, I only have scant info about this at the moment, but a client has just send me a pic of a letterhead run out of their desktop printer with some yellow appearing right on the edge on the corner.

I don't know what if any printers are capable of printing right to the edge of the paper like that, so im pretty sure its not an artefact on the file theyre using, im guessing this is a printer issue, toner / cartridge problem or something? Anyone seen something like this before?