Understanding Page Yield: What It Means for Your Printing Costs

When buying printer ink or toner, you’ve likely seen the term "page yield" on the packaging. But what does it actually mean, and how does it impact your printing costs? In this blog, we'll break down what page yield is, how it’s calculated, and why it matters when choosing the right cartridges for your business.

 

What is Page Yield?

Page yield refers to the estimated number of pages a printer cartridge can produce before running out of ink or toner. This figure is determined under standardized testing conditions set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

For example, a black ink cartridge might have a page yield of 1,000 pages, while a colour toner cartridge could yield 3,000 pages. However, actual results vary based on factors like print coverage, paper type, and printer settings.

 

How is Page Yield Calculated?

Manufacturers follow ISO/IEC 24711 (for inkjet cartridges) and ISO/IEC 19752 & 19798 (for laser toner cartridges) to determine page yield. These tests assume:

✔ 5% page coverage (a standard business document)
✔ Continuous printing until the cartridge is empty
✔ No cleaning cycles or interruptions

 

This means that if you print graphics-heavy documents, your cartridge will deplete faster than its advertised page yield.

 

Why Does Page Yield Matter?

1️⃣ Cost Efficiency – A higher page yield often means a lower cost per page, saving your business money in the long run.
2️⃣ Reduced Downtime – Fewer cartridge replacements mean less printer downtime, keeping your office running smoothly.
3️⃣ Better Budgeting – Knowing your expected page yield helps you plan your printing expenses more accurately.

 

How Different Page Coverages Affect Page Yield

The ISO page yield is based on 5% page coverage, meaning only 5% of the page is covered in ink or toner (similar to a short email or memo). However, most real-world printing uses higher coverage. Here's how page coverage affects the output of a 1,500-page yield toner cartridge:

Page Coverage	Estimated Page Yield
5% (Standard text document)	1,500 pages
10% (Heavier text, some images)	750 pages
20% (Flyers, presentations, more images)	375 pages

As you can see, doubling the coverage halves the yield, so if you're printing brochures or detailed reports with images, your cartridges will run out faster than the stated page yield.

 

How to Maximise Your Cartridge Page Yield

✅ Print in Draft Mode – Use lower-quality settings for internal documents to save ink.
✅ Choose High-Yield Cartridges – Also called XL or high-capacity cartridges, they provide more pages per unit, reducing costs.
✅ Avoid Unnecessary Colour Printing – Printing in black-and-white extends the life of your colour cartridges.
✅ Keep Your Printer Maintained – Regular cleaning prevents ink waste due to clogged nozzles or toner build up.

 

Need Help Choosing the Right Cartridge?

At Cartridge World, we supply a full range of ink and toner cartridges with transparent page yield information to help you make the best choice. Whether you need standard or high-yield options, we provide cost-effective printing solutions tailored to your business needs.

? Get in touch today to place an order on 01423 701704!