Getting Maximum Page Yield From Your Toner Cartridge
Toner cartridges are one of the most expensive aspects of running and owning a laser printer. There are a few simple things a user can do to get the most out of their toner and thus reduce the costs of printing. The biggest impact upon the toner cartridge yield is the print quality setting. The higher the quality setting the more toner is going to be used and lower the maximum number of pages able to be printed by a single cartridge. Run a few test pages of just text to calibrate the resolution setting to provide the lightest possible print without being faded.
Mark or write down this setting to return to it later this will limit the amount of used toner lengthening the life of the cartridge. Use higher resolutions and quality settings only when needed. Graphics like full color banners or images need to be set at a higher resolution, but the laser printer can be reset to the optimum level previously marked on the printer after the high quality printing is finished. Using higher resolutions for only the documents that need it will greatly reduce the amount of toner used on a daily basis generating a longer usage life for the toner.
Even after the toner cartridge indicates it is low a user can continue printing for about 100 pages or sheets. The printed pages will be a bit lighter, but you can make the prints darker using the tried and true shake method. Remove the toner cartridge and rotate it 90° so the loose toner will be attracted to the roller that still has a static charge. This will increase the amount of toner available to be used in printing and will lengthen the printer’s toner life slightly until a new cartridge can be installed.
Another way to reduce the cost of toner cartridges is to buy less expensive “compatible” or “remanufactured” cartridges. A “compatible cartridge is a duplicate of the brand name cartridge, using brand new toner cartridge components. These cartridges typically have the same quality level as brand cartridges at about half the price. A “remanufactured” toner cartridge typically “recycles” the original brand name toner cartridge “shell”, and new or refurbished components, like wiper blades, seals, etc., are added to the cartridge. Remanufactured cartridge are not only the “green” way to go, but they can cost as little as 1/3 the price of a brand name cartridge. The only pitfall is that remanufactured toner cartridges have about twice the defect rate of brand name products – typically 2% vs. 1% for brand name.
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