Inkjet & Laser Cartridge Terminology

It's important to understand the terminology when shopping online for a new inkjet or toner cartridge for your printer, becuase you'll likely encounter these terms a lot, and they are very different.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

These are really the "brand name" products, usually made by the same company that made the printer that you bought. It's an inkjet printer or toner cartridge that carries the brand name of the manufacturer on it, usually the same as the printer manufacturer, for example, Epson, Canon, Hewlett Packard, etc.

New compatible, Off-Brand or Generic Products

A "new compatible", "off-brand" or "generic" inkjet or toner cartridge is manufactured by a company other than the original printer manufacturer. There are a large number of these "new compatible" manufacturers, and the quality of their product can vary. In the case of inkjet cartridges, "generic" cartridges are completely new. In the case of toner cartridges, to qualify as "new compatible" the toner drum must be replaced with a brand new drum, as well as all major parts serviced and replaced as needed.

Remanufactured products

A "remanufactured" inkjet or toner cartridge, by definition, is a cartridge which has been serviced, cleaned, refilled with toner or ink and possibly had a few component parts repaired or replaced. In many cases, remanufactured toner cartridges do not have new drums; they instead refurbish the original drum and send it out for another cycle.