What You Should Know About Printer Toner Cartridges
Your laser printer likely generates most of your business’s in-house hard copy, as well as many of the project deliverables your customers require. To ensure the equipment keeps operating smoothly, it helps to understand how the toner cartridge – one of the most important printer supplies – functions and how to replace it. Use the introduction below to make sure you’re getting the most out of your toner.
An Introduction to Printer Toner
What Is Printer Toner?
Many people mistakenly believe that printer toner and printer ink are identical printer supplies. In fact, toner is a powdery substance made up mostly of plastic resin and iron oxide. While many kinds of plastic polymers work, polyester is the most common choice. Just as a polyester shirt clings to your skin due to static electricity, the polyester in the toner holds an electrostatic charge and clings to anything with an opposite charge.
How Do Toner Cartridges Work?
A laser printer reads your original and then uses a laser to create an electrostatic reverse of the image – whether the image consists of words, designs, or photo images – onto a rotating drum. Next, the cartridge releases toner onto the drum. The toner sticks only to the areas where the laser has "drawn" the image by changing the drum's charge. Paper rolls across the drum, pulling toner onto itself. The paper then passes into a hot fuser that melts the polyester permanently onto the page.
Are All Toner Cartridges Made Equal?
As with most printer supplies, the size and shape of a toner cartridge varies based on the make, model, and manufacturing year of the equipment. Also, the cartridge contains multiple color sections, the size and location of which may vary. It’s therefore unwise to buy toner cartridges from other printer makers or from third-party toner manufacturers. Small differences between cartridges may lead to important errors in the final product.
For toner, paper, and other printer supplies, contact Laser Line in Jessup, MD. They've been serving businesses across Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia since 1989. They offer repair and maintenance for multifunction devices, printers, and other office equipment. They have managed print services to suit your needs and partner with many reputable manufacturers. Visit their website to connect with them online or call (410) 636-1700 to discuss your needs with a friendly representative.
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