Copier Toner

Your guide to toner

When it comes to the actual photocopying process, copier toner, along with the photoreceptor drum, corona wire lamps, lenses and fuser, is one of the most important components of a photocopier. Toner, sometimes referred to as dry ink, isn't actually ink at all. It’s a pigmented powdery substance which sticks to large, positively charged beads and gets stored in toner cartridges inside a photocopier.

From Copiers to Printers

The process used in laser printing is similar to that of photocopying. Once the drum deposits the toner onto a piece of copier paper, the fuser uses heat and pressure to melt the powder to the paper to reproduce sharp, crisp, high-quality text. Unlike the liquid ink in inkjet cartridges, the dry powder doesn’t dry up if unused for long periods of time.

Although laser printers generally cost more than inkjet printers, laser toner cartridges provide you with higher quality output and tend to last much longer. In other words, the initial cost of a laser toner cartridge may seem significantly higher than an inkjet toner, but you’ll be able to print thousands of pages with a single toner cartridge.

Before You Buy Toner

It’s important to find out about the expiration date and the warranty period of a toner refill cartridge before you make a purchase. If, for whatever reason, you’re not satisfied with the quality of your cartridge, a longer warranty period will allow you to return the product at a later date.

You can look out for trusted printer toner brand names such as HP toner, or consider purchasing remanufactured ink toner from a separate company. By reusing components, remanufactured cartridges can help save valuable resources and decrease user waste. Several companies also offer recycling programs for their used cartridges, an initiative that is helping reduce the environmental impact of discarded cartridges.

Don’t forget that some of the best deals on toner for copiers and printers can be found online. For low prices on high-quality toner, check out toner suppliers, discount stores and superstores that carry top brands and offer substantial savings. However, when shopping online, make sure the retailer offers an acceptable return or refund policy in the event you’re not happy with your purchase.