Toner FAQ

Toner is the coloring agent used in laser printing and comes in the form of powder in toner cartridges.

Which toner is the best?

In our view, the original toners from the device manufacturers are the best. This statement refers to the handling and printing properties, particularly regarding optimal color mixing and adhesion to the paper.

More info: Toner.

Which toner is the cheapest?

The cheapest toners are usually found in the refill, rebuilt, or "compatible" categories. Refill toners are refilled, rebuilt toners are refurbished, and "compatibles" are toners made by third-party manufacturers. Depending on the manufacturer, these cartridges can vary in quality, which, in our opinion, is often inferior to that of original cartridges.

How to remove toner from hands, skin, textiles, shirt, pants, clothes?

Toner is an extremely fine powder made from pigments, metal oxides, and resins. Because the resins can melt quickly, toner should only be washed off the skin and hands with cold water. Warm water would only fix the toner. If toner dust gets onto textiles or carpets, it’s advisable to shake out the toner first and, if necessary, knock it out. Cleaning should only be done with cold water, as warm water would fix the toner. If you want to vacuum the toner, bear in mind that most vacuum cleaners are unsuitable because the fine toner dust can pass through filters and potentially damage the vacuum cleaner.

How and where can you dispose of/sell empty toner cartridges?

At some point, every toner runs out. Toner cartridges, due to their complex composition (containing various plastics, metals, and toner residues), should not be disposed of in household waste. Fortunately, there are many recycling companies that accept your empty cartridges online. Additionally, many electronics stores have collection boxes. If your company has a large number of empty toner cartridges and printer cartridges, it might also make sense to order a collection box from a charity like Caritas and place it in your office. Employees can also bring their empty cartridges from home to be disposed of. Once the collection box is full, Caritas will pick it up free of charge.

More info: Properly disposing of toner.

Where can you sell full toner cartridges?

You can sell full toner cartridges on platforms like eBay or eBay Classifieds. We only buy full toner cartridges from our suppliers.

What do the codes C, M, Y, K on toner cartridges mean?

The colors come from the CMYK color model.

K = Black (from "Key plate" in English).
C = Cyan (blue).
M = Magenta (red).
Y = Yellow.

Is toner toxic? How toxic is toner?

The question of whether toner is toxic has long been a subject of investigation in various laboratories. Toner is extremely fine and can be inhaled quickly. Due to its small particle size, toner should not come into contact with the skin or textiles, as removing it can be extremely difficult. Please also refer to our above instructions on how to remove toner. Even if toner is toxic, it depends greatly on how and whether you come into contact with it, or what substances the printer emits. Regardless of whether toner is toxic, we recommend not placing printers directly on desks due to noise issues.

How long does toner last?

Toner that is still in its original packaging can last indefinitely. We have an extensive article on our site regarding the storage of toner cartridges that provides more detailed information.

More info: Storing toner.

How many pages does a toner cartridge last?

Depending on the manufacturer and cartridge type (standard or XL), toner cartridges have different yields.

Important considerations:

1. The yield is typically based on 5% page coverage.
2. Even if the toner runs out, you can usually print a few more pages.
3. If available for your device, XL or high-capacity toners allow for much cheaper printing.

How do you change a toner cartridge?

Specific instructions for changing the toner in your device can be found in the user manual. Generally, every printer has a cover that opens to reveal the toner cartridges. In some color laser printers with a carousel mechanism (where multiple toners are stored compactly), you can select the toner to be replaced via the printer menu, and the printer will rotate the carousel to make the correct cartridge accessible. However, it's usually much simpler: open the cover, remove the old toner, unpack the new toner, remove any safety seals, insert the new toner, and close the cover.

Is it worth buying toner in bulk?

We have a detailed article on this topic on our website. In general, it’s always a good idea to keep a spare cartridge of each type on hand. This ensures uninterrupted work. Older devices may also experience supply issues, which is another reason to keep spares. For those looking to save costs, buying double packs or multipacks also makes sense, which essentially serves the same purpose as bulk purchasing. Additionally, we offer tiered pricing for most products, allowing for further savings.

Should I buy toner locally or online?

As an online retailer, we naturally recommend buying toner online, and even better, directly from us! The thing with printer accessories is that there are more than 9,000 different items available. No local store can stock that many. Electronics stores usually sell only a limited range of printers and multifunction devices, and accessories for these devices are available on-site. Additionally, they stock best-selling cartridges, usually for current or widely-used devices. However, many electronics stores and virtually all specialized retailers can order most items quickly. But you can do that yourself, directly on our website.

How often should toner be replaced?

Toner needs to be replaced when it’s empty. Your laser printer will notify you when a new cartridge is needed. Most laser printers and multifunction devices display the cartridge levels in the driver. Some devices also allow you to print a report showing the toner level and other device parameters.

Where can I get toner with free shipping?

Depending on your order amount, you can get free shipping from us!

Can toner be refilled? Who refills toner?

There may be companies or refill stations that refill toner. We can’t comment on them specifically but question the effectiveness and resulting quality.

Can you refill toner yourself? In theory, yes, but in practice, it’s generally not worthwhile. The process for an inexperienced person is so involved that achieving reasonable results is unlikely.

More info: Refilling toner.

What's the difference between toner and drum?

It depends on the printer! Most smaller laser printers and multifunction devices use combination cartridges that include both the toner and the drum. For devices that use a separate drum, the toner provides the coloring agent, and the drum is a technical component that transfers the toner onto the paper.

More info: Difference between toner and drum.

Why does the toner print stripes?

Stripes or faint prints occur when the toner is empty or there’s an issue with transferring the toner onto the print medium. This transfer takes place in every laser printer via the drum. In most printers, the drum is integrated into the toner cartridge. However, if the device uses separate drums, it makes sense to check the drum. If you’re using refill toner, there’s a higher likelihood of stripes occurring than when using original toner. With refill toner, the drum is usually not replaced. We have a comprehensive article on this topic on our website.

Why are all page yield estimates based on 5% coverage?

Someone back in the 1970s determined that a standard business letter has about 5% page coverage. In other words, 95% of the page remains blank. Whether this applies to your printing habits is for you to decide. Real estate agents, for instance, who often print images, are likely to have page coverage exceeding 50%. There are also other measurement methods, hidden behind various ISO standards, that go as low as 3.8% coverage.

More info: 5% page coverage.

The toner is not properly installed

It’s likely that the toner was not properly seated when inserted, or the cartridge’s safety seal was not removed.

What does "Toner low" mean?

This message indicates that the toner is running low. It’s time to order a new cartridge – preferably from us, right now!

What is the plural of toner?

The plural of toner is the same as the singular: toner.

Which toner is empty?

Monochrome laser printers have one black toner. If you see the "Toner empty" message, it’s referring to this toner. For color laser printers, there are four different toners that could be empty. Normally, the printer or the driver will indicate which toner is empty. Remember: when one toner runs out, the others will likely follow soon. We recommend ordering all four colors at once to ensure you can keep working without interruptions.

Where is the toner in the printer?

The toner, or in color printers "the toners," are located behind a cover. More information on changing toner cartridges can usually be found in the device manual. If you don’t have a manual, searching for "Printer name + manual" should help. Most manufacturers offer PDF manuals for free download.

More info: Changing toner.

What does the chip on the toner cartridge do?

Most manufacturers now place chips on their toner cartridges. These chips serve various purposes, including identifying the cartridge to the printer. The printer, in return, writes information like the remaining yield onto the chip. When the toner is empty, the printer will stop working. Even if you refill the toner, it likely won’t print again with the same chip. However, this varies from printer to printer.

Can you vacuum toner with a vacuum cleaner?

It’s best not to. Toner is incredibly fine and can pass through the filters of most household vacuums. This can allow toner to enter the motor, where, due to its electrical conductivity, it could cause short circuits and, in the best case, only damage the vacuum cleaner.

Which toner fits in which printer / fits in my printer?

There are thousands of different toner cartridges. To find out which toner fits your device, simply select your device in the header section of our website. The matching accessories will then be displayed.

Why does the toner run out so quickly?

The yield on cartridges is based on 5% coverage. If the toner runs out after only 50 pages, there are likely specific reasons that need to be investigated. But if you’ve managed to print 1,800 pages instead of the estimated 2,000, that’s still quite good. Let’s be honest – who prints with only 5% coverage?

More info: 5% page coverage.

How does the toner get on the paper?

The toner is transferred from the toner cartridge to the drum via a roller and then applied to the paper through heat and pressure.

Is toner dangerous?

You could probably knock someone out with a toner cartridge for an A3 printer. Toner powder can also reportedly cause dust explosions. When handled correctly (toner installed in the printer), there should be no significant issues.