system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5 Why is 3D filament cheaper than 2D ink?

In the UK, a roll of filament for 3D printing is on average about £20, but ink for regular printing is roughly £30 if you want to print on colour. Why is this?
gpt
You're not paying for the ink. You're paying for the cartridge.   It's the electronics on the cartridge that stop the printer from using other brands.   Filament has no cartridge, no electronics.  More over, 3d printers are not sold at a loss to try to recoup in supply sales.  They don't try to lock the consumer to their brand because there are other printers by other companies that use same supply.