Laser printing wouldn’t be possible without the toner. Your printer could be in its perfect condition, but it’s nothing without the toner.
Today’s post focuses on this magic printer dust. We highlight some of its importance to the world of printing. We also wrap up with frequently asked questions on this aspect of printing.
What is a Toner?
Toner is a powder that laser printers use to transfer digital images onto a sheet of paper. It comes in four primary colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. Printers offering colored prints will need the four-color toners. Those that print in one color only works with the black toner.
Toner makes it possible for you to have a full-color image, even with only four primary toner colors. It’s a magical color combination that can yield any other color you could think of.
And you might be wondering:
What is this magical dust made of?
Toner is made of plastic that is finely ground. It also has some chemicals to enhance its functionality. These are silica which prevents clumping, and control agents to keep electrical charges. Control agents are zinc, iron, and chromium. Toner is contained in a cartridge specially designed for the printer’s operation.
The Role of Toner in Printing
Most printers will either use toner or ink. Those that use toner are called laser printers. They rely on projecting an electrostatic charge to the photosensitive drum. This will inform the printer of the patterns in the print job, and the toner needed.
The toner will then be transferred to the paper and fused at high temperatures. It will melt the toner and stick it on the paper. The toner will form a permanent mark that cannot be erased. The laser printing process is precise and complex yet takes seconds.
Importance of Toner in Laser Printing
It’s courtesy of toner in Laser printing that we get the following benefits:
1. ;Faster Print Speed
Toner makes laser printing possible. Laser printing is by far faster compared with inkjet printing. Inkjet printing is the alternative mechanism that relies on ink.
Toner is the desired printing supply for high-volume printing. These laser printers can handle massive printing needs in a short time.
Entry point devices offer upwards of 20 pages every minute. In comparison, inkjet printers on this level only offer five pages in a minute. These are printers that cost almost the same price.
Let’s also compare high-end printers.
Commercial laser printers exceed 75 pages in a minute. At this level, inkjet printers can only offer 40 pages.
Then there is an aspect called a warm-up period. It is the period a printer takes from start to printing the first page. Inkjet can take upwards of 10 seconds. A laser printer can produce the first page in 6 seconds. You put in on, and you are on the go! This is all thanks to toner, which makes laser printing possible.
Most commercial laser printers also support duplex printing. This means that you can print both pages without having to flip manually. You only click to print, and your printer will handle the rest.
2. ;Higher Precision and Quality Prints
Inkjet only beats laser printing in the quality of photos. Laser printing is ahead in everything else printing.
A laser printer uses toner to print precise images and texts. You will find a difference if you print monochrome documents in laser and inkjet. Those printed in laser printers are evidently sharper.
Laser printers are also best suited for printing detailed prints. It uses precise laser printing technology. Inkjet printing could still print well, but laser printers are way ahead of the game.
You will also love laser for its promise of clean printing. It uses toner powder which can hardly result in smudging and bleeding. The two common problems are common in inkjet printing. Inkjet printing also tends to print uneven lines. Laser printing is best suited for detailed and straight lines.
3. Affordable for High-Volume Users
Another benefit of printer toner is its affordable cost. It also comes with minimal waste generation. You might spend more on the printer itself as the initial capital. The cost of printing gets manageable afterward.
It’s even cheaper when you buy printers with independent drum units. You will only be charged for the replacement toner. Those cartridges with inbuilt drums cost more, eating up your print budget. Whenever you deplete the toner, you will be throwing away the drum. Drums could last longer than just a round of a toner cartridge. If you use a separate drum, you will only need to replace it after about four cartridges.
4. ;No Laser Printing Without Toner
Toner is what prints the page in the end. Laser printing cannot exist without toner. It’s like the fuel for the car. You can have the car there but will never move without the fuel.
That’s the same as a toner in a printer. You can have the printer in good shape, but it cannot print a thing if it doesn’t have toner.
Veel Gestelde Vragen
Can I Refill the Cartridge with Locally Available Toner Powder?
Some cartridges come with openings making it possible to refill when the toner. Refilling others tend to be a complicated undertaking. Regardless of the possibility, refilling them is still not a wise idea.
The print quality from locally refilled cartridges will drastically drop. Your printer might start printing blank pages. Toner could spill and get airborne in the process of refilling. Toner might even mess up with your working environment.
The other issue with refilling the cartridges is getting the proper toner. Not all toners are the same. Laser printers work with specific melting points that the toner must meet. Your printer might not operate perfectly with any other toner.
You can work with compatible toners to cut your printing cost. Compatible toner manufacturers usually run quality checks. They ensure that their toner meets the printer’s specifications.
Is it Safe to Use Compatible Toner?
Consumers tend to worry about the safety of compatible toner cartridges. This is following frequent warnings from printer manufacturers. Manufacturers don’t have substantiated claims when they advise against third-party products. They want you to stick to their products so they can sell more. Manufacturers want to monopolize the printing industry.
In the real sense, compatible toner works perfectly well with your printers. You only need to buy from reputable manufacturers who promise quality. Quality compatible toners offer you an opportunity to print more while spending less. The cost of brand cartridges tends to be exaggerated.
Could You Be Looking for Toner Cartridges?
If you rely on brand cartridges, your printing budget could get off the roof. That is why the need for looking for cheaper suppliers keeps growing. The supplier you choose will mean the difference between making profits or losses. Your suppliers will even determine your printing experience.
We know it all at Ikalor.com. We know what consumers are looking for. That is what we have learned in the ten years we have been in the printing industry. Our mission has always been to meet your printing needs amicable. Je kan altijd praat tegen ons and let us supply your next order of toner cartridges. You can request a sample if you want to be sure of what we offer.