29th Oct 2026
SL-870-1 XL and XXL Cartridge Yield
SL-870-1 XL and XXL Postage Meter Ink:
Are You Really Getting More Impressions?
“XL,” “XXL,” even “XXXL”: these labels suggest you’ll get more postage out of an SL-870-1 compatible cartridge. But do they deliver more impressions? We tested them.
What We Found
ROAR purchased XL and XXL SL-870-1 compatible cartridges from two separate online sellers. The cartridges we purchased were labeled “Manufactured in China.”
The XL and XXL cartridges weighed more than a standard cartridge. Yet every one we tested produced approximately 800 impressions.
More weight on the scale did not translate into more postage impressions in our tests.
Why a Bigger Label Doesn’t Guarantee More Impressions
Pitney Bowes postage meters use electronic cartridge monitoring systems that can affect usable cartridge life. Simply adding more ink—or labeling a cartridge XL or XXL—does not establish that the meter will produce more impressions.
Our test results raise a straightforward question: if a seller advertises a higher yield, can it provide documented impression counts from testing on a functioning, compatible postage meter?
Fluorescence Matters Too
Postage meter imprints must meet applicable USPS standards, including requirements involving fluorescent ink or other authorized methods. One of the cartridges ROAR purchased was submitted for USPS fluorescence testing and was found to lack the required fluorescence.
A package labeled “postal ink” or “fluorescent” is not a substitute for documented test results. The specific finding applies to the sample tested—not to every cartridge sold under a similar description.
Three Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- How many impressions has this cartridge actually produced in a compatible postage meter?
- Does the seller have documentation supporting the ink’s applicable USPS fluorescence performance?
- Will the supplier stand behind the product if imprint quality or performance is a problem?
Why PMIC Is Different
PMIC is more than an ink reseller. Our team brings over 40 years of combined mailing-industry experience. We own mailing equipment used to evaluate products and have hands-on experience troubleshooting and repairing mechanical and electronic components of mailing machines, including Pitney Bowes and Quadient systems.
For more than 15 years, we have manufactured high-volume compatible postage meter cartridges in the United States using American-made ink. Samples of PMIC ink formulations passed applicable USPS Engineering fluorescence testing in 2019 and 2023.
We understand the machines, the cartridges, and the standards behind a dependable postage imprint. That combination of equipment knowledge, U.S. manufacturing, and documented testing makes ROAR a knowledgeable independent source for aftermarket postage meter supplies.
The Bottom Line
Don’t pay extra just for letters on a label. Look for documented yield, dependable print quality, and a supplier who understands both the ink and the equipment. ROAR focuses on American-made ink, meaningful testing, manufacturer-direct value, and knowledgeable support.
About These Findings
These findings describe the specific cartridges PMIC purchased and tested. They do not establish the performance of every third-party cartridge, seller, or product from any particular country. The approximately 800-impression result is a reported test observation; the number of cartridges, test conditions, and standard-cartridge control results should be documented before publication. USPS fluorescence results for ROAR ink apply to the formulations and samples tested and do not constitute individual USPS certification of every cartridge model ROAR sells.
Sources