The price may be nice, but the reality is not. See four reasons to avoid imitation cartridges — and how Staples supports secure, reliable printing.Learn about the costly damage caused by imitations — and how Staples supports secure, reliable printing.

1. Imitations can permanently damage your printer
Because both the cartridge and toner are made with lower quality materials, they can require more service and repairs and even break down inside your printer.
1. Imitations can permanently damage your printer. Because both the cartridge and toner are made with lower quality materials, they can require more service and repairs and even break down inside your printer.
2. Imitations can lead to costly reprints. 50% of pages printed with an imitation cartridge had to be reprinted, per an HP study, and nearly 75% of pages had quality defects.
2. Imitations can lead to costly reprints
50% of pages printed with an imitation cartridge had to be reprinted, per an HP study, and nearly 75% of pages had quality defects.
3. Imitations may have a microchip that can leave you vulnerable to spyware
Manufacturers recommend turning off automatic firmware updates on your printer in order to make their microchip compatible, which can decrease security.
3. Imitations may have a microchip that can leave you vulnerable to spyware. Manufacturers recommend turning off automatic firmware updates on your printer in order to make their microchip compatible, which can decrease security.
4. Imitations are made with single-use plastic. They can't be reused, and the complex plastic can lead to slow decomposition and crowded landfills.
4. Imitations are made with single-use plastic
They can't be reused, and the complex plastic can lead to slow decomposition and crowded landfills.
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