Quick verdict
On a branded printer that is still under warranty, use genuine ink. Compatible ink is cheaper per litre, but repairs for damage it causes are not covered, film warranties such as 3M's MCS are tied to matched inks, and one printhead replacement can wipe out months, sometimes years, of ink savings. Compatible ink can make sense on an out-of-warranty, high-volume eco-solvent printer, switched over properly, for jobs that do not need a film warranty.
"OEM ink" in Malaysia usually means third-party ink made to fit a branded printer, also called compatible ink. It can cost much less per litre than genuine Roland or HP ink, which is why the question comes up in almost every printer sale. DPI Technology supplies both genuine inks and compatible inks, so this guide sets out the full cost, not only the price on the bottle.
Ink price is only one line of the total cost
The fair comparison is cost per square metre of finished, saleable print over the life of the printer:
Total cost per m² = ink cost per m² + printhead and parts cost per m² + reprints and wasted media + downtime + the cost of any warranty you lose
Compatible ink only wins if its saving on the first term is larger than any increase in the others.
Genuine vs compatible ink: what changes
| Cost factor | Genuine ink (Roland, HP) | Compatible (OEM) ink |
|---|---|---|
| Price per litre | Higher | Lower, which is the main attraction |
| Printer warranty | Fully covered | HP: using non-HP ink does not void the warranty, but repairs for damage it causes are billed. Roland DGA's warranty for the Americas excludes defects related to non-Roland ink. |
| Printhead warranty | HP Latex 300 series heads: covered until the warranty-end date or 1,000 ml of HP ink | Damage traced to the ink is not covered |
| Film warranty (3M MCS) | Available for the printer, ink and film combinations 3M approves | Outside the matrix: in the US, MCS covers only matched combinations |
| Colour profiles | Ready-made ICC profiles for each media | New profiles needed; colour can drift between batches |
| Switching over | Not needed | Full ink-path flush and new profiles; dampers often replaced |
| Risk to printheads | Formulated and tested for the head | Depends on the supplier's quality control |
| Outdoor durability claims | Published by the maker | Depends on the supplier's testing |
Warranty terms: HP Latex 300 Printer Series Limited Warranty, Roland DGA's inkjet warranty (Americas) and 3M's MCS warranty bulletin (United States). Ask DPI for the terms that apply to your printer and film in Malaysia.
When genuine ink is the right choice
- The printer is still under warranty, or on a service contract.
- You print vehicle wraps, fleet graphics or long-life outdoor jobs that need a film manufacturer's warranty.
- Your printheads are expensive and slow to source.
- Brand colours must match job after job.
- You print HP Latex: on the HP Latex 300 series, the printhead warranty is measured in millilitres of HP ink.
When compatible ink can make sense
- The printer is an eco-solvent model that is already out of warranty.
- Volume is high enough that the ink saving is large every month.
- Most jobs are short-life: event banners, promotions and indoor posters.
- The supplier provides ICC profiles, a proper flush procedure and local support.
If you switch, do it once and properly: flush the whole ink path, replace the dampers if your engineer advises it, and build new ICC profiles. Mixing genuine and compatible ink in the same line causes most of the problems we see.
What about OEM printers?
For OEM printers such as LDP, Liyu, SmartJet and KingT, the ink supplied with the printer is the genuine ink. Their ICC profiles, head settings and DPI's support are built around it. Changing ink brand on these printers carries the same flush, profile and head risks described above. For the inks DPI supplies for these printers, see JetBest eco-solvent and UV inks.
Want the numbers for your shop? Tell us your printer model, monthly square metres and the jobs you print on WhatsApp +60 16-360 3588. We will compare genuine and compatible ink for your volume, including printhead and warranty costs.
Frequently asked questions
Does using OEM ink void my printer warranty?
It depends on the brand. HP says using non-HP ink does not affect its warranty, but it bills repairs for damage caused by non-HP or refilled ink. Roland DGA's warranty for the Americas excludes defects related to the use of non-Roland inks. Ask DPI for the terms that apply in Malaysia.
Is compatible ink cheaper overall?
It is cheaper per litre. It is only cheaper overall if the saving is larger than any extra printhead wear, reprints, downtime and the cost of a lost warranty. For printers under warranty, it usually is not.
Can I use OEM ink on HP Latex printers?
We do not recommend it. On the HP Latex 300 series, the printhead warranty runs until its warranty-end date or 1,000 ml of HP ink, and HP bills repairs for damage caused by non-HP ink.
Does compatible ink affect a 3M film warranty?
It can. In the United States, 3M's MCS warranty covers only the combinations of film, printer, ink and overlaminate in 3M's warranty matrix, so ink outside the matrix is not covered. Ask DPI which 3M warranty terms apply to your job in Malaysia.
What do I need to do to switch to compatible ink?
Flush the complete ink path, replace the dampers if advised, and create new ICC profiles for every media you use. Never mix genuine and compatible ink in the same line.
Can I use ink after its expiry date?
We do not recommend it. Roland warns that expired ink can thicken, cause discharge problems and lower print quality, and recommends replacing expired cartridges.
Sources: HP Latex 300 Printer Series Limited Warranty · Roland DGA inkjet warranty · 3M MCS Warranty bulletin · Roland DG: ink shelf life