Printer Ink

Printer ink is supplied in cartridges, commonly known as printer cartridges or inkjet cartridges, as well as in printer ribbon format. Released during the printing process, printer ink transfers text or graphics onto paper with precision. Printer ink cartridges are used in inkjet printers found in homes, workplaces, and schools across NZ. They deliver a great printing finish and are often more affordable than laser printing.

RS New Zealand stocks a broad range of printer ink for home and office use, with ink cartridges and inkjet cartridges available to suit every printer.

Types of Printer Ink

Printer ink comes in several formats depending on your printer type and intended use. Ink cartridges and ribbons deliver the full-colour, photo-quality output needed for everyday documents and images, a level of detail that dedicated label printer tape isn't designed to produce.

Printer Ink Cartridges

Printer ink cartridges are the most common ink format, found in inkjet printers across homes, schools, and offices. Their compact, sealed design keeps ink fresh and prevents leaks during storage or transit.

Each cartridge contains one or more sealed reservoirs holding either black ink or a full set of colours. This ready-to-install design keeps setup quick and straightforward.

Every cartridge carries an Approximate Page Yield rating, showing how many pages it can produce before running dry. Higher-yield cartridges suit frequent printing, while standard cartridges work well for lighter, everyday use.

Printer Ribbons

A printer ribbon is a cloth strip soaked in ink that produces printed text or images. Also known as ink ribbon, it comes in spool or cartridge format. During printing, the ribbon and paper move together beneath the print head as ink transfers from ribbon to paper. Ink ribbons are used in impact and thermal printers, offering a cost-effective option when speed and volume matter more than fine image detail. Common applications include fax machines, point-of-sale systems, and cash registers.

Ink Colours Available

Printer ink cartridges are available in a range of colours to suit different printing needs, from everyday documents to detailed photo prints.

• Black: The most commonly used colour for text-based documents and everyday office printing.
• Grey: Adds depth and shading, often used alongside black for detailed black-and-white images.
• Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow: These three colours combine with black to form the CMYK colour model, producing a full spectrum of printed colours.
• Light Cyan and Light Magenta: Used in photo printing to create smoother colour gradients and more accurate skin tones.

Mixing these colours in different quantities lets printers reproduce vivid, accurate colour for both office printing and high-quality photo output.

How to Choose the Right Printer Ink

Finding the right printer ink comes down to matching the cartridge model, connection type, and print volume to your setup.

• Cartridge model: Check your printer manual or the model number on your existing cartridge before you order ink for printer replacement.
• Compatibility: Confirm the cartridge is designed for your specific printer brand and model to avoid print quality issues.
• Ink type: Choose standard or high-yield cartridges depending on how much you print each month.
• Ordering online: Check stock availability and estimated delivery times when you buy printer ink online, so you don't run out unexpectedly.

Buy Printer Ink Online at RS New Zealand

RS New Zealand is a trusted supplier of computing peripherals, stocking a wide range of printer ink and inkjet cartridges for every setup. Products are sourced from reputable brands, includingEpson,Canon,Hewlett Packard, andBrother, ensuring reliable print quality across every cartridge. Additionally, complementary peripherals likenetwork switches andhard drives are available to support your entire computing setup.

Ordering through RS New Zealand is straightforward. Browse the range online, add your chosen ink cartridges to your basket, and check out securely using your preferred payment method.

With our flexible and swift delivery across NZ, we help you get the right supplies when you need them. Visit thedelivery information page for full details on delivery times and fees for your order.