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Apr 29, 2023 / By Copiac Team / in Articles
Printers with toner technology are particularly attractive for homes and offices with high printing volumes : they can print many documents in a short time.
Toners differ in the way they are manufactured, their structure and their capacity. This results in high price and quality differences. The most important thing when buying is compatibility. Toners and cartridges are abundant in Kenya
When making a purchase, consider the following aspects in particular:
The cartridge is an important part in the laser printer. You need to swap them out regularly.
For a better understanding we have summarized the printing process of a laser printer for you:
The cartridges used can usually be distinguished from one another by their manufacture and structure .
Shopping tip
Toners and cartridges can be purchased individually or in sets in Kenya. The advantage of larger sets is usually better value for money.
For laser printers, there are products of different types of manufacture or different suppliers.
There are 3 options for this:
Note!
An original toner, also known as an OEM product (Original Equipment Manufacturer), is a trademarked cartridge . The printer manufacturer produces them themselves, which means that they are optimally tailored to the respective printer. Such models are of very good quality .
Worth knowing
Original manufacturers often try to avoid replicas by installing chips in the cartridge. These prevent the use of alternative cartridges that the printer does not recognize due to the lack of such a chip.
The disadvantages include that the cost is very high. In addition, new cartridges always pollute the environment. This is where refilled cartridges have a distinct advantage.
A compatible toner was not made by the original manufacturer. This is only possible if the original variant is not trademarked.
The advantage is the significantly lower costs . Either the compatible models are cheaper than the original ones or they have a higher capacity.
Shopping tip
To ensure that the compatible models are of the right quality, you should look out for ISO 9001 certification. This ensures quality assurance during product manufacture.
Compatible designs vary in print quality . It can definitely be worse than the original versions.
Remanufactured toners refer to recycled models . For this, third-party manufacturers refill empty cartridges. You can then buy them in stores. Refilling is legal under the EU recycling regulation. However, due to the scarcity of original cartridges, the availability of refurbished models is limited.
There are 2 different types:
Prepared models have various advantages. They are cheaper and convenient from an ecological perspective, since the cartridges are not wasted.
However, their quality can vary. This has to do with the materials used.
Toners can differ in their construction. This has an impact on handling and the print image.
Note:
In this type, all components required for printing can be found in one cartridge. 1-component toners are the most common types. They are used in particular in cheaper laser printers .
The powder is already mixed with a developer, i.e. magnetizable particles. So it can be transferred from the magnetic roller to the drum.
The powder and developer of 1-component toners are more expensive than 2-component models. This is due to the increased demands on both. Otherwise there is a risk of color distortion due to the simultaneous application.
The advantage of 1-component toners is easy handling . All you have to do is replace an entire unit. The closed system also protects against dirt during maintenance. The disadvantage, however, is the increased costs that arise from the more expensive developer. In addition, with these models, the consumption is greater, which is why you will have to replace them more often.
Advantages
Disadvantages
In 2-component toners, powder and developer are housed in different modules. These models are used almost exclusively in printers and copiers in the upper price range .
Iron particles are used here as developers . These are not applied to the print medium and are therefore not used up. Instead, they are stripped off when the powder is transferred to the magnetic roller. The powder is kept simpler and therefore cheaper. The risk of color distortion is excluded by the separate application.
The advantages include the lower printing costs . Also, you don't have to replace toner and developer together. That saves costs. However, the change is more complex. In addition, the printers and copiers that work with 2-component toners are more expensive.
Advantages
Disadvantages
In liquid toners, the particles are in a transfer liquid. This system is mainly used in high-quality devices .
The image drum integrated in the printing device rotates in the liquid and absorbs the particles in the process. The liquid remains in the container.
The advantage is that the particles here are particularly small . Therefore, the print quality and resolution are particularly high. Furthermore, this printing process does not require any subsequent fixation. On top of that, these versions have a very good price-performance ratio. However, the high acquisition costs for devices that work with these toners are disadvantageous. In addition, this type is still a rarity on the market.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Manufacturers usually indicate print capacity in terms of the number of pages. This is the number of standardized pages that the cartridge is able to print. As a rule, the specification refers to a surface coverage of 5% . This means that 5% of an A4 page is printed with powder. This value also corresponds to the consumption of an average business letter.
However, there are also other standard specifications. Many manufacturers refer to the DIN 10561 standard . Here, 1 printed page corresponds to the so-called Dr. Grauert letter. This is a standard from the 1970s where the coverage is only 2.8%. Therefore, compare not only the print capacity in pages, but also the degree of area coverage.
Example
Printer A can print 10,000 pages at 5% coverage, printer B 20,000 pages at 2.5% coverage. With a dot area of 5%, printer B can only print 10,000 pages because the toner powder required per page doubles. Ultimately, both printers have the same capacity.
While monochrome laser printers only work with black powder, color laser printers require several additional toners in order to be able to produce colored printouts. Most devices work with a 4-color printing system . But there are also models that have 6, 8 or 12 color printing systems.
All other colors can be mixed from the following colours:
There are still 2 special colors on the market that can only be used in a few printers: white and colorless toner. The white version is attractive for printing on black paper. The colorless serves as a varnish for more shine.
Toner powder is a fine-grained mixture of particles . This consists mainly of resins, magnetizable metal oxides and color pigments. It differs in the underlying manufacturing process, so there is mechanically produced toner powder and chemically produced toner powder .
For mechanical production, all components are first melted . The mixture is then cooled and rolled out. This is followed by drying. The result is a solid mass that needs to be broken up and ground.
The problem is that the resulting particles are irregularly shaped and vary in size. Only the particles with the right size within a certain tolerance range can be further processed into powder. Nevertheless, the printed image is not ideal later.
On the other hand, the manufacturer creates chemical powder in a nutrient liquid , which allows him to precisely determine its size in advance. As a result, the toner particles are uniform in shape and size. The color application with chemical clay powder is therefore more economical and the printed image is significantly better.
Danger!
Both powders can be hazardous to humans and the environment. If it escapes, do not inhale it and dispose of it properly.
Which toner fits in my printer?
If you want to buy a new toner, you have to pay attention to the compatibility . For each model, the product data specifies which printers and multifunction devices you can use it with.
Shopping tip
When searching for appropriate toners and cartridges in Kenya, you can search through either the printer name, part number or OEM number
Can I use ink instead of toner?
These are different products that are not compatible with each other. Toner is used in laser printers and ink in inkjet printers .
Toner is a powder that is transferred to the print media using an electrostatically charged drum. Ink, on the other hand, puts fine droplets on the paper.
Danger!
Inserting toner or ink cartridges into the wrong device can seriously damage it.
How do I change a toner cartridge?
Replacing toner is easy. We have summarized the most important steps for you.
How to proceed when replacing a cartridge:
Also consider the environmentally friendly disposal of the old cartridge. We have summarized all the options for you under the following question: How do I dispose of a toner?
Research tip
Before replacing, also refer to the operating instructions for your laser printer. Here you will find individual instructions for your device.
What is the difference between a drum and a toner?
Toner or cartridge and drum are both wearing parts in a laser printer. They are exchanged independently of each other, but form a unit in the device because they create the print image together.
The toner is colloquially referred to both the container that contains the toner powder and the powder itself. The drum (or image drum/drum kit) transfers the toner powder to the print medium.
The exact interaction between toner and drum is as follows:
What is the difference between toner and printer ink?
Both are printing inks, i.e. printer supplies, but they differ in their consistency and application. Toner is a printing medium in powder form and is used in laser printers. Printer ink is liquid and is used in inkjet printers.
What does the statement "page yield at 5% coverage" mean for toners?
The number after this information tells you how many pages you can print on with the toner if 5% of the paper surface of each page is to be covered with toner powder . So it is a way of comparing the capacity of one cartridge to others. The value is also based on practice. An average business letter requires around 5% area coverage. With most cartridges, the page yield is in the 4-digit range at 5% coverage.
Find out more about print capacity and other area coverages in our buying guide.
How many pages can I print with one toner?
The number of pages you can print with your cartridge depends on the model and the coverage of each page. The manufacturer usually states the page yield for a standard page with 5% coverage in the product data. The specification is suitable for comparing the print capacities of different toner cartridges.
How can I save toner when printing?
In printers and multifunction devices, toner consumption can be reduced in a targeted manner using the so-called toner saving mode . With this setting, the device uses less toner powder when printing. However, the economy mode is also accompanied by a loss of quality. The printouts are significantly lighter and less sharp. But that doesn't matter, especially for everyday documents. With this function, powder can be saved by up to 30%.
How do I dispose of a toner?
Basically, you must not dispose of your cartridge with household waste. The toner cartridge and the fine dust it contains is harmful to health and the environment and should therefore not be released into the air. There are the following options for disposing of the cartridges:
Is toner dust dangerous?
There are many studies and investigations into whether the operation of laser printers is harmful to health or not. Assessments have ruled this out. However, toner dust has been shown to contain various harmful and toxic substances, which is why careful handling is important.
We have compiled the most important tips for minimizing possible risks for you:
How long do toners last?
Expiry dates are rarely given for new cartridges. Finally, there are no biological ingredients that can spoil. The shelf life is therefore primarily dependent on proper storage. The following factors must be taken into account:
How do I find out the manufacturing date of a toner?
Because toners don't expire when properly cared for , manufacturers don't always list the manufacturing date. Nevertheless, the date is printed on most cartridges. Sometimes also in the form of a code or a number.
What does the abbreviation CKMY mean for a toner?
Color laser printers work with a 4-color printing system . The abbreviation CMYK stands for the included printing colors. The breakdown is as follows:
Abbreviation Name Color C Cyan Teal M Magenta Red Blue Y Yellow Yellow K Key Plate Black
All other colors can be mixed from these colors.
How much does a toner cost?
The price fluctuates massively. Toners and Cartridges can be purchased from Kshs 1,000 to more than Kshs 25,000 each in Kenya. The costs are strongly dependent on the production and the construction. If you want to save on the purchase, it is advisable to use compatible or processed toners. These are usually cheaper than the original models.
Why are original toners usually more expensive than toners from third-party manufacturers?
Original toners are optimally matched to the printer and offer a clean print image. That's why they're expensive. Manufacturers often pursue the strategy of offering the printing devices as cheaply as possible and making the cartridges more expensive. They help finance the printers with the cartridges.
Is toner or ink cheaper?
Toner cartridges are usually a bit more expensive than printer cartridges, at least when you compare original products. However, the capacity of toners is usually larger. Therefore, these are particularly worthwhile if you print a lot.
Where can I buy cheap toner?
Toners vary greatly in price depending on manufacture, construction and set size. On our portal in particular , the various products can also be compared well in terms of their capacity. So you can choose the cheapest model for yourself. You will also not miss any special offers, for example through sales.
What is a compatible toner?
A compatible toner does not come from the manufacturer of the printer, but from third-party suppliers . The advantage of these models is the lower cost. These are noticeable either through a lower purchase price or through a higher print capacity.
How do I recognize original toner?
Genuine toners are cartridges manufactured by the manufacturer of the compatible printer. They can be recognized by the fact that they are protected by the respective trademark. The advantage is the optimal adjustment to the printing device.
Danger!
Rarely are fakes of different original toners in circulation. The difference to compatible toners is that the fakes come from third-party manufacturers, but are passed off as originals. That's why most original toner manufacturers have instructions on their websites on how to identify genuine products.
What is the difference between remanufactured and refill toners?
Both refill and rebuilt toners are processed variants . In refill products, the old cartridge is simply filled with new powder. In remanufactured toners, individual wear parts, such as the magnetic roller, are also replaced. In this way, the print quality is often preserved for longer.
What is the difference between 1-component, 2-component and liquid toners?
Toners can be differentiated in terms of their construction. This results in 3 different types:
You can find more information about toner after assembly in our purchasing advisor.
What is a waste toner box?
During the printing process, not all of the toner used is usually used. The rest collects in the waste toner container. If this is full, you have to replace it. However, this is comparatively inexpensive. How quickly the waste toner container is full depends on the print volume.
How do I know if the waste toner box is full?
If the waste toner container is full, the printer displays a corresponding error message . Then you must replace the tray before you can continue printing.
How do I remove toner stains from clothes?
If there is an accident and toner powder gets on your clothes, you can easily clean them.
Proceed as follows:
How environmentally friendly is toner?
The toner powder contains heavy metals, which are definitely a burden on the environment. Therefore, environmentally friendly disposal is necessary.
However, one advantage is the high capacity, especially when compared to ink. They last far longer.
As with all production, there is always a CO2 load on the environment during production. If you would like to actively do something about it, we recommend buying processed versions. Not all components have to be produced from scratch here, which saves energy and raw materials. There is also less waste.
Apr 29, 2023 by Copiac Team
Apr 29, 2023 by Copiac Team