Obviously, everyone reading this is not blinded by ignorance as to the high cost of printing, be it ink jet or laser. Sure, the costs of the printers have gone down; in fact it is reported that some companies sell their printers at cost or even below because they know they will be making it up on the purchases of ink or toner for that printer. But the fact remains. Why is the cost of printer ink or toner so high? Why is it in comparison, higher than the cost per ounce of a fine bottle of wine, a gallon of milk or even automobile fuel?
Well, part of the reason was given to the high cost of R&D. Per HP in 2010,
"...HP spends $1 billion a year on ink research and development (The total revenue for the printing division was $24 billion last year). Inks must be formulated to withstand heating to 300 degrees, vaporization, and being squirted...