A Complete Guide to Toner Cartridges

A toner cartridge is a delivery device for toner. Toner is a printing powder made from granulated plastic and a variety of other materials, including carbon powder, iron oxide, polypropylene (a synthetic resin) and silica. Toner made from plant-based plastic is available as an alternative to conventional material.

Unless intended purely for black and white printing, toner will also contain colouring - typically cyan, magenta, and yellow. These colours are provided in cartridge sets, and the different colours are then blended during the printing process to create other shades.

Although not technically printer ink, toner has the same function. Toner cartridges are inserted into laser printers or photocopiers, supplying the raw material used to print text and graphics. Toner is rapidly heated by fusers or rollers within the equipment, and bonds to the paper as it melts.

Toner cartridges can be refilled and reused.

Is toner or printer ink better? Both offer advantages.

Toner cartridges typically cost more than ink cartridges, but they can be stored for longer, making them a potentially more cost-effective choice. In addition, laser printers are typically faster than their inkjet counterparts because the printing mechanism used is more precise, making these models a good choice for locations that print significant quantities of material.

By contrast, inkjet printing offers higher resolutions than laser printing, and so is often favoured for printing graphics and photography. However, toner cartridges can be a good choice for photo printing too because toner is less prone to smudging and does not require time to dry.

When purchasing toner cartridges, it is important to ensure they are fully compatible with your laser printer or photocopier model. Consult your manual or the original packaging for information on the type of toner cartridge you will need.

Let’s look at the three main types of toner cartridges.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) refers to the manufacturer of the printer or photocopier. So, if you have a laser printer from Brother, for example, an OEM toner cartridge would be one also manufactured by Brother. OEM cartridges are specifically designed for the device in which they are used and so offer full compatibility and a consistent, high-quality print. They are also more easily and widely available than alternative cartridges.

Compatible toner cartridges are produced by third-party manufacturers for use with specified brands and models of printers or photocopiers. To avoid damage to your equipment, look for compatible cartridges from high-quality, reputable manufacturers.

Remanufactured toner cartridges are previously spent cartridges that have been cleaned, refilled, and tested. These have become a popular choice in recent decades because they can combine the full compatibility of OEM cartridges with the cost savings of the compatible variety. Product recycling of this kind helps to minimise the environmental burden of waste materials. In addition to OEMs, remanufactured compatible cartridges are also available.

The precise procedure for replacing an empty toner cartridge will vary according to which model of laser printer or photocopier you have, but the procedure will include the following basic steps:

1. Switch off your device. If it has been used recently, allow it to cool
2. Find and open or pull out the toner cartridge compartment in your device. Do not pull or force the cover as this can cause breakages
3. Remove the empty toner cartridge or cartridges from the compartment
4. Prepare the replacement cartridge, removing all packaging and protective coverings
5. Insert the new cartridge into the correct slot, ensuring that it clicks firmly into place
6. Close or reinsert the toner cartridge compartment
7. Switch your device back on