Sign up for free colour printers here

Tektronix is handing out free colour printers with so many strings attached you could probably knit a scarf with them. The company has launched a website --live as of yesterday -- to handle applications at freecolorprinters.com But there really is no such thing as a free printer, since companies must agree to maintain a monthly printing volume and to buy ink from Tektronix. "The catch is we are asking people to buy their ink from us," said James Rise, director of FreeColorPrinters.com. He declined to specify the volume of ink customers would need to commit to buying to qualify for a printer. After signing up with Tektronix, customers will get a Phaser 840 colour printer, worth around $2,500, with free shipping, as much black ink as needed and three years of on-site service and support. Unhappy customers can return the printer for free. "One of our goals is to put them in touch with this technology," Rise said. "It is not to secure revenues from the ink. It is to introduce a lot of people to colour printing ... Once people try it (colour), they keep using it." Just like Dr. Pepper? ®