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Toners and Cartridges Kenya

Apr 29, 2023 / By Copiac Team / in Articles

Toner is an alternative to the liquid ink in inkjet printers. The advantage of laser printers is the better print quality. Toner powder is also more durable because it cannot dry out.  

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  

 

 

Buy now
 

 

When making a purchase, consider the following aspects in particular:  

  • Decide on the right type.      
    Depending on the printing device, you need a 1-component, 2-component or liquid toner. In a liquid model, the powder is in a liquid. The types differ significantly in their application, print quality and print capacity. You'll also need to decide whether to invest in an original manufacturer model or save money by purchasing compatible or refurbished toners. Original toners offer the best match with the printer.   
  • Compare the print capacity.     
    The manufacturers indicate the print capacity in standard pages. This allows you to objectively compare how much you can print with each cartridge. At the same price, the model with the higher print capacity offers better value for money.   
  • Pay attention to how the toner powder was made.     
    There is mechanically and chemically produced powder. The latter offers a more even print image.  

Toner types  

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:   

  1. Inside the printer is a rotating, electrically charged imaging drum.  
  2. During the printing process, laser beams hit the drum.    
    ⇒ The drum discharges at the points where the laser beams hit.  
  3. At the same time, a magnetic roller applies toner powder to the drum.    
    ⇒ The powder only sticks to the areas on the drum that were discharged by the laser beams.  
  4. Now the paper to be printed is guided along the printer drum.    
    ⇒ The paper is also electrically charged so that it absorbs the powder.  
  5. The paper is then fed through a fusing unit.    
    ⇒ Here the powder is fixed to the paper using great pressure and heat.  

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.   

Toner after manufacture    

For laser printers, there are products of different types of manufacture or different suppliers.  

There are 3 options for this:   

Note!  

  • Original toners are supplied by the respective printer manufacturer. They produce an optimal print result, but are more expensive compared to other solutions.   
  • Compatible toners are produced by third-party manufacturers. They are cheaper or offer higher capacity for the same price.   
  • Recycled toners are original cartridges that are refilled by third-party suppliers. Your advantage is a significantly lower price. In addition, these models are more environmentally friendly.   
Original toner  

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.   

Compatible toners  

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.   

Recycled toners  

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:   

  • Refill toner    
    In refill models, the old cartridge is filled with new powder. Depending on the version, the chips are exchanged so that the printer recognizes the cartridges. The print quality can decrease with frequent filling.   
  • Rebuilt toner    
    In a rebuilt toner, in contrast to the refill model, individual parts of the cartridge are replaced. Various wearing parts such as the magnet roller are replaced with new parts. The recycling rate is around 80%. It is therefore a compromise between the ecologically sustainable and cheap refill and high-quality but expensive original toners. Some original manufacturers themselves sell remanufactured toners under other brand names.   

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.   

Toner after construction   

Toners can differ in their construction. This has an impact on handling and the print image.   

Note:  

  • 1-component toners consist of a single module. They are particularly easy to use.   
  • 2-component toners consist of 2 modules. They are more difficult to handle, but have a higher capacity.  
  • In liquid toners, the toner can move freely in a liquid. The models have a particularly high resolution and are very economical.   
1-component toner  

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  

  • Easy to use   
  • Cheap and compatible devices   
  • System protects against contamination by powder   

Disadvantages  

  • Comparatively more expensive   
2-component toner  

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  

  • Low printing costs   
  • Toner and developer can be replaced separately   

Disadvantages  

  • Complex change   
  • More expensive but compatible devices  
Liquid toner  

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  

  • High print quality and resolution   
  • No fixing of the toner necessary   

Disadvantages  

  • High acquisition costs for compatible devices   

Print capacity  

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.  

Inks   

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:   

  • Cyan (C)    
    Cyan is often referred to as blue. Strictly speaking, however, it is a light blue tending towards turquoise. The spelling cyan can also be found.   
  • Magenta (M)    
    Magenta is commonly referred to as red. However, it is more of a light purple. Another name is fuchsia.  
  • Yellow (Y)     
    Yellow means yellow in German. Yellow tones are one of the best reproduced with the CMYK printing system.   
  • Black (K)     
    Black is abbreviated to K for inks. The K comes from the English word Key Plate and means key plate. This is the plate that was responsible for applying the black ink on printing presses. The designation K instead of B for black was intended to ensure differentiation from blue/blue, which only plays a role in inkjet printers and their cartridges.  

 

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.   

Production method   

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 .   

Mechanically manufactured 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.   

Chemically manufactured toner powder  

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.   

Application   

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:   

  1. Disconnect the device from the mains.    
    ⇒ Allow the printer to rest as well. Do not replace the cartridge directly because it is still too hot after printing. There is a risk of burns.  
  2. Open the printer and pull out the old cartridge.     
    ⇒ There is often toner residue on the old cartridge. To avoid contamination, you should therefore ideally wear old clothes and disposable gloves.   
  3. Then unpack the new cartridge and shake it slightly.     
    ⇒ Be careful not to expose them to direct sunlight. Also, avoid touching the cartridge's electronic contacts as this may damage the toner.   
  4. Place the new cartridge in the pressure housing according to the instructions.   
  5. Close the printer cover and connect the device to the power supply.   

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.   

Definition  

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:  

  1. The drum becomes electrostatically charged during printing.   
  2. A laser discharges the drum at the point where no toner powder should stick.   
  3. The toner is applied to the drum.     
    ⇒ The powder sticks to the electrostatically charged areas.   
  4. The drum rolls the powder over the print medium.   
  5. The powder hardens when heat is applied and sticks to the print medium.     
       

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.   

Print capacity     

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%.   

Disposal  

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:   

  • Refill station    
    You can hand in your cartridge at a refill station. The advantage is that you even get money for it - but only if the cartridge is undamaged. Suppliers of refurbished toners can then service, refill and finally resell them.   
  • Donations     
    There are also ways to donate the cartridge. Various organizations accept submitted models, sell them on and use the money for charitable purposes.   
  • Manufacturer's take-back service    
    Most manufacturers also offer free take-back. They then either dispose of the cartridges in an environmentally friendly manner or use their own recycling programs.  
  • Specialist dealer    
    If there is a specialist dealer for printers in your area, you can also hand in your empty cartridge there. Many electronics stores also accept these.   
  • Recycling yard    
    If you don't want to leave your empty cartridges to a retailer or manufacturer, there is still the option of taking them to the recycling yard. Ask your municipality about the nearest recycling center and its opening hours.   

Health     

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:   

  • Placement of the printer     
    Set up the laser printer in such a way that its exhaust air is not directed towards the workplace. The room should also be well ventilated. After larger print jobs, open the windows.  
  • Handling the printer     
    To avoid skin contact with the toner powder, you should wear rubber gloves when replacing it. It is also important to remove paper jams carefully. It is possible that the powder is not yet fixed on the paper and can get on the skin.  
  • Handling the toner powder     
    If your skin comes into contact with the powder, you should immediately clean the area with cold water and soap. You should never blow away spilled powder, but wipe it up with a wet cloth and then dispose of it.  

Durability  

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:   

  • Temperature    
    The cartridge should be stored at temperatures between 10 °C and 35 °C. Temperature fluctuations should be avoided. If the temperature is too high, the powder can clump together.  
  • Humidity    
    The humidity should ideally be between 40% and 50%. Good ventilation prevents mold from forming.  
  • Light    
    toner should not be exposed to direct sunlight. The cartridge heats up quickly as a result. This allows the resin particles in the powder to clump together.  
  • Position    
    It is important to always store the cartridge horizontally so that the particles are evenly and loosely distributed.   

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.  

Colour  

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.  

Costs  

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.  

Models  

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:   

  • 1-component toner    
    1-component toners are the most common construction. The toner and developer are in this cartridge. Since it is one unit, it can be replaced in no time at all.  
  • 2-component toner    
    As the name suggests, this model consists of 2 components: These include a cartridge with toner powder and the module for the developer.  
  • Liquid toner    
    In liquid models, the toner particles are movably mounted in a liquid. When printing, the developer roller rotates through the liquid.  

You can find more information about toner after assembly in our purchasing advisor.   

   

Waste toner  

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.   

Cleaning   

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:   

  1. First suck up the powder carefully.   
  2. Wash the garment in cold water.     
    ⇒ Never use warm water. This ensures that the powder is fixed. Then it is much more difficult to remove.  
  3. If necessary, treat further stains with acetone.    
    ⇒ Simply dip a cloth in acetone and dab the stains with it.  

Environment     

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.