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A short TikTok clip at a Walmart checkout is stirring a wider conversation about how much we pay to keep printers running. The video shows a shopper discovering that the standalone ink she needed cost more than a brand-new printer that included identical cartridges — and then choosing to buy the whole machine instead.
Viral footage: shopper opts for a new printer to save on ink
Creator Julie Jensen, posting as @life.styled.withjulie, filmed herself comparing shelf prices for Canon ink and a Canon PIXMA printer. The cartridge pack she needed was priced at about $79 in store.
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Just steps away, Jensen found the Canon PIXMA TR4722 on the shelf. That machine included the same cartridges and carried a lower sticker price — roughly $64. She pointed out the mismatch on camera and later said the store’s website showed the ink for $39. An employee told her the in-store price didn’t match the online offer.
The result: she bought the printer to get the ink and walked out saving money. Her short clip struck a nerve online and quickly accumulated tens of thousands of views.
Why manufacturers charge so much for printer ink
Business model: low-cost hardware, high-margin consumables
Printer makers frequently sell the physical devices at slim margins. They recoup profits through replacement cartridges. This strategy, often called the razor-and-blades model, helps explain why a new printer can seem cheaper than a single ink refill.
Engineering and materials justify part of the cost
Ink for modern printers is not just colored liquid. It must dry fast, resist smearing, and eject in microscopic droplets through tiny nozzles. Developing formulas and manufacturing reliable cartridges requires investment in chemistry and precision engineering.
Closed ecosystems keep prices high
Many manufacturers add chips, firmware locks or design quirks that make it harder for third-party refills to work reliably. That limits competition and helps sustain higher retail prices. Some companies have also reduced cartridge volumes while keeping prices steady, increasing the cost per page.
Affordable alternatives to shelling out for brand-name cartridges
- Ink tank printers: These use refillable bottles and can be far cheaper per page than cartridge-based models.
- Third-party cartridges: Lower-cost compatibles or remanufactured cartridges can work well for many users.
- Refill kits: DIY refill kits let you add ink to empty cartridges, though results vary by printer model.
- High-yield cartridges: Buying XL or high-yield options reduces the cost per page.
- Print settings and habits: Print in draft mode, choose black-and-white when possible, and preview before printing.
- Use public or office printers: Libraries, workplaces and print shops can be cheaper for occasional printing.
Practical shopping tactics people recommended
Viewers of the viral clip offered a mix of sensible tips and tongue-in-cheek hacks. Here are suggestions that came up repeatedly:
- Check online prices and choose store pickup to lock in lower rates.
- Compare the cost of a new printer bundle versus separate cartridges.
- Look for refurbished or clearance printers that include ink.
- Consider long-term savings over short-term sticker shock by choosing an ink tank or EcoTank-style model.
Some comments leaned toward riskier tactics — like buying a printer for its ink and returning the device, or reselling the machine after harvesting the cartridges. Others urged restraint, noting that many households rarely need a personal printer and could use community resources instead.
What this says about consumer choices and pricing pressure
The Walmart episode highlights a broader tension. Consumers want affordable printing. Manufacturers design systems to protect margins. That dynamic prompts shoppers to hunt for workarounds.
Buying behavior is shifting: more people research cost-per-page and long-term ink expenses before choosing a printer. Price comparisons, alternative refill options, and new printer technologies are shaping those decisions.
The clip’s creator responded to comments on TikTok as viewers debated whether replacing a printer to save on ink is practical or simply a protest against high cartridge prices.
