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The EXACT Cost Of An Inkjet Photo Revealed

The number one question surrounding Inkjet printing is how much does it cost per print.

Now we have a better idea thanks to Canon who released a new software allowing you to see the EXACT cost breakdown per print.

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I printed one 13×19 Black and White and one 13×19 Full Bleed Color print. Below I will post a screen shot of the final cost per print. You can download this zip file which contains two CSV files of ink cost data including the sample prints I used.

Please keep in mind the cost of the print does not account for wasted ink due to head cleaning or take into account the actual cost of the printer itself. On top of that different papers will consume more or less ink. I tested this with the paper I personally enjoy using.

Ben Folds Black and White 13×19 Print. Printed on Red River Arctic Polar Luster which costs $1.30 per sheet when a box of 50 is purchased. ****Quick Correction**** I priced the Satin Paper not the Luster. They both use the same amount of ink but the paper I personally like is the Arctic Polar Luster which would cost $1.97 per sheet. ****

FRO_3244-2

 

Screen Shot 2016-05-26 at 8.07.42 AM

As you can see this print used $1.66 in ink. You can see the deeper breakdown per ink in the CSV file above. Think about it $2.96 cents for a 13×19 print is very cost economical. Yes ink is expensive but when the exact costs are broken down you can see it’s very economical.

Full Bleed Color 13×19 Ink Jet Print. Printed on Red River Arctic Polar Luster which costs $1.30 per sheet when a box of 50 is purchased. ****Quick Correction**** I priced the Satin Paper not the Luster. They both use the same amount of ink but the paper I personally like is the Arctic Polar Luster which would cost $1.97 per sheet. ****

From the looks of it the cost of printing color goes up. You’re clearly consuming more ink as the cost for the photo below is $4.32 cents plus the $1.30 for the paper. For $5.62 cents you can not go wrong making prints. You can download the CSV file above with the exact breakdown of ink consumption.

FRO_3504

Screen Shot 2016-05-26 at 8.07.25 AM
As you can see the cost of making an inkjet print is not that bad. I was surprised and I think many of you will be to see the breakdown of the exact costs for the first time. Keep in mind the overall cost does not include the purchase of a $1,299 printer or wasted ink but now we have a better idea.