Printers Are Cheap, but Replacement Cartridges Are Costly.

Byline: Kevin Purdy

Aug. 19--Whether you're looking to give your digital photos a more permanent form or hunting down savings for your small office, walking into an office supply store can make you feel like you've hit the jackpot.

Most regular-use inkjet printers are going for under $100, and a few of them can be had for $20, or even $10, after rebates. Printers are also a common freebie from manufacturers like Dell and Gateway when you buy a new computer.

But before you queue up copies of your latest backyard fiesta for every co-worker, be warned: replacement ink cartridges are costly, and finding a low-cost solution can be tricky -- and sometimes messy.

A brand-new Lexmark 15J0070 printer could be had for $10 recently at Best Buy. Sound too good to be true? Well, the black ink cartridge not included will run you $32, and once you run out of color, the replacement is $35. Add $18 to the price of an HP DeskJet 3320, $40 at OfficeMax, when you buy the missing black cartridge, and another $22 down the road for a replacement color cartridge.

Various academic studies and publications have priced printer ink as one of …