What is Toner Printer?

Are you able to distinguish between a printer toner and ink?

Getting the right replacement cartridges for your printer can be a challenge, especially when you don’t know whether to look for toner or ink. Ink and toner are two completely different kinds of printer cartridges and each plays a very different role in the printing process. Toner cartridges are meant for laser printers, while ink cartridges are designed for inkjet printers. Here is all you need to know about printer toners and inks.

1. Toner printers

What is a toner printer? Toner printers are laser printers which use toner cartridges. Toner cartridges are cylinder containers filled with toner, which is a very fine powder made from a type of plastic known as polyester.

2. Use of toner in a printer

What is the use of toner in a printer? Toner is made up of powder that is electrically charged so that it adheres to a drum, plate, or piece of paper charged with the opposite polarity. For most laser printers, the toner comes in a cartridge which can be inserted into a printer. When the cartridge is empty, it can be replaced or refilled. Thousands of pages can be printed with a single cartridge. In some cases, toner can be sold separately as a unit and is less expensive than the toner cartridge that comes with a drum.

3. Printer ink

Ink cartridges contain liquid ink and they are used in inkjet printers. Depending on the type of cartridge you buy, ink can be either pigment-based or dye-based. However, most of the inkjet printers available use dye-based ink. These are more economical than pigment based ink cartridges. However, one drawback with dye-based inks is that they are not waterproof and are prone to smudging, with many prints tending to fade after 25 years. With pigment ink, the finish is much crisper, and the dry-time is quicker than dye-based ink.  It is valued by professional photographers and graphic designers because of its ability to print archive quality pictures and text, which can last up to 200 years, without fading.

4. Printer toner versus ink

What is printer vs ink? While toner reproduces an image comprised of charged ions, ink sprays out of a cartridge through microscopic jets in the printer head. Toner powder does not stain the way an ink cartridge does but can still get messy if not handled properly. Monochrome laser printers only use black toner, while colour laser printers use four colours of toner to print. These are black, magenta, cyan, and yellow. Ink cartridges are smaller than toner cartridges and are easier to replace or refill.

Are you looking for toner and ink cartridges?

Call Copysmart today for a wide range of high quality and cost-effective printer cartridges. We offer instant, tailor-made copying and printing solutions, maintenance printer repairs Sydney at unbeatable prices. With our highly experienced staff and electronic technicians, you are guaranteed of the most reliable office services and products.