If your business or hobby involves a lot of printing, you may have wondered about the differences between an ink and a toner cartridge. These items achieve the same goal—getting your words or design on paper or poster. However, each one has a different responsibility. If you’re unsure how toner contributes to the end product, consult the frequently asked questions and answers below.

Questions About Toner, Answered

What is toner?

Toner is a fine, plastic powder used in printers to create images and text. For this to happen, a laser imprints a rolling drum with the desired patterns or words, which the toner sticks to. It’s rolled out over the paper to transfer the design to it, and then the paper is heated so the particles melt in the precise image, adhering to the page. 

What kind of printers use toner?

Laser printers are the only ones that use toner cartridges; inkjet printers use liquid ink. Monochrome laser printers only take black toner and print in black and white. Color laser printers use multiple toner cartridges, including magenta, yellow, cyan, and black.

For colored prints, the process is done in layers, with each color being laid individually. The printer creates a full range of colors using overlapping and color proportion techniques.

How is it different from ink?

Toner varies from ink in many ways. Toner is a powder made of plastic, while ink is a liquid that is either dye- or pigment-based. Ink is sprayed from a row of tiny nozzles onto the page and then dries. Ink doesn’t require a laser or has melting plastic powder in place.

What advantages does toner have over ink?

Toner is more cost-effective if you’re printing a lot of text-heavy items, making laser printers ideal for offices, schools, and writers. It can also create more precise words and diagrams, as there is less of a chance of smudging or bleeding because it doesn’t use a liquid medium. On average, laser prints are completed faster than ink ones, so they’re perfect for large jobs.

If you need high-quality toner cartridges for your laser printer, stop by Alpha Laser Richmond Corp. in Staten Island, NY. With over 25 years in business, they have a wide range of compatible cartridges for laser and inkjet printers. Their skilled technicians also offer printer repairs for residents in New York City. Browse products by brand online to find compatible cartridges and call (718) 317-1263 to place an order.