Epson has launched five new EcoTank printer models, which contain large "Supertank" ink reservoirs that are pre-loaded. This eliminates owners of both expensive and cheap printers dealing with ink cartridges' limited supply running out, and the cost sometimes being as high as the printers themselves. Such issues have discouraged many consumers from purchasing the computer accessory.
The company stated that the ink container is equal to around 20 ink cartridges, according to Slash Gear. That works out to 4,000 black ink pages or 6,500 color pages. Its ink supply could last for a maximum of two years before needing to be refilled.
The business models have even bigger ink reservoirs. They can print a maximum of 20,000 pages before a refill is required.
EcoTank printers provide a few key benefits for consumers. Ink is replaced less often, and overall costs and waste are reduced. In comparison, the ink cartridge of a cheap printer typically only prints about 150 black ink pages.
The price tag for an EcoTank bottle of ink will be $12.99, and $52 for a set that includes all four colors. Its price is cheaper than many ink cartridges, with a set costing about $40.
Epson's new printers will hit the United States market by September. The cheapest model will have a $379 price point, according to New York Post.
In fact, the innovative devices are already available in the United Kingdom and Asia. Epson reported that buyers of the CPU hardware are printing more than before.
Industry analyst Chrstine Dunne said that Epson's target market for EcoTank models will be consumers who do tons of printing. However, it is less cost-effective for other shoppers.
The Seiko Epson Corporation was founded in 1942. In 1961 the Japanese electronics company launched the world's first mini-printer, the EP-101 model, which was incorporated into several calculators.