| Page yield is the number of pages that you can print | | | | toner has been depleted. To reduce the error due to |
| with a printer cartridge. It is also known as cartridge | | | | individual printer variations, a total of 9 cartridges are |
| yield. Many cartridge manufacturers use the terms | | | | tested on 3 different printers (i.e. 3 cartridges per |
| "standard yield" or "high yield" to describe their printer | | | | printer) and the average yield is measured. The tests |
| cartridge but each cartridge should have a page yield | | | | are done under controlled environmental conditions with |
| value. It is the number of pages a cartridge can print | | | | temperature and humidity similar to ambient conditions |
| under normal condition. Page yield is one of the factors | | | | in homes and offices. |
| you should consider when purchasing a printer | | | | Although an ISO standard has not been established for |
| cartridge because it gives you an estimate of the cost | | | | photo printer cartridges and laser toner cartridges, |
| per page for a given cartridge. | | | | major printer manufacturers use robust methods |
| Page yield is affected by many factors and the result | | | | similar to ISO standard in their testing. Their goal is to |
| is highly variable depending on the testing methods. In | | | | provide reliable page yield / cartridge yield value for the |
| the past, different cartridge manufacturers used | | | | consumers so you can make an informed decision |
| different testing standards to measure page yield so | | | | when purchasing a printer or printer cartridge. |
| the consumers were comparing "apples to oranges" | | | | As you can see, page yield testing is conducted under |
| sometimes. A standardized method is thus necessary | | | | strict standard conditions. If you are shopping for |
| for a meaningful comparison. In recent years, ISO | | | | printers or discount printer supplies, don't just look at |
| (International Organization for Standardization) has | | | | the price of the printer or the printer cartridge, |
| established reliable and standard methods to test page | | | | compare the page yield as well and estimate the cost |
| yield / cartridge yield. These standards allow the | | | | per page of different types of cartridges. This should |
| consumers to compare "apples to apples" in an | | | | give you a better picture if you are getting a real |
| objective way. | | | | bargain. |
| ISO has established two standard testing methods, | | | | And finally, please note that the number of pages you |
| ISO/IEC 24711 and ISO/IEC 19752 for measuring the | | | | can print with a printer cartridge depends on the |
| page yield of inkjet cartridges and monochrome toner | | | | content or image you print, printer settings, paper size, |
| cartridges respectively. In both methods, the printer | | | | paper type, frequency of use, the interval between |
| cartridges are tested using default setting on plain | | | | printing jobs, and environmental conditions such as |
| paper. Standard test documents representing | | | | temperature and humidity. The page yield value should |
| approximately 5% coverage are printed almost | | | | be used as a reference only. If you are going to print a |
| continuously with normal breaks for adding paper. The | | | | lot of photos or graphic works, or you print in the |
| printing job stops when the cartridge reaches its end | | | | highest resolution each time, you may print fewer |
| of life, which is indicated by a signal that the ink or | | | | pages than expected. |
