In 30 seconds
What’s inside a toner cartridge?
It looks like a plastic box, but it has to hand out powder in exactly the right amount – evenly, page after page.
Toner hopper
The reservoir that holds the toner powder.
Agitator paddle
Keeps the powder loose and moving towards the roller.
Developer roller
Picks up toner and carries it to the drum.
Doctor blade
Scrapes the toner on the roller into a thin, even layer.
Seal & shutter
The seal strip you pull out before fitting, and a shutter that protects the roller when the cartridge is out of the printer.
Chip
Stores details such as the cartridge type and colour, and helps the printer estimate the toner level.
Drum (in some cartridges)
In many desktop printers the imaging drum is built into the cartridge. In others it’s a separate part – see what a drum unit is.
Standard or high-yield cartridge?
| Standard yield | High yield | |
|---|---|---|
| Toner inside | Less | More |
| Price per cartridge | Lower | Higher |
| Cost per page | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Best for | Occasional printing | Regular, everyday printing |
Some printers accept both sizes. Give us your printer model and we’ll tell you which cartridges fit.
Original or compatible?
Quality compatible toner works in the same way as the original, but costs considerably less. Ours comes with a 3-year guarantee on quality, function, storage life and page yield. Wondering why page yields on the box can mislead? Read the page yield myth.
Is something wrong? Common signs and what they mean
Faded or patchy prints
The toner is running low or is unevenly spread. Take the cartridge out and gently rock it side to side.
Lines running down the page
Can come from the toner cartridge, but also from a worn drum or a dirty charge wire.
Toner rubs off or smudges
Usually a fuser problem. The toner isn’t being melted in properly.
“Toner low” although prints look fine
The printer may be counting pages rather than measuring the toner actually left.
Handling toner: three quick tips
- Keep the cartridge in its packaging until you need it, in a cool, dry place.
- Pull out the whole seal strip before fitting, and don’t touch the roller or any exposed drum.
- If toner spills, wipe it up with a dry cloth and use cold water on skin or clothes – heat can fix it in place.
Not sure? Our Premium Tech Support solves most printer problems over the phone.
Frequently asked questions
Is toner the same as ink?
No. Toner is a fine, dry powder – tiny plastic particles carrying colour – that is melted onto the paper by heat. Ink is a liquid that is sprayed onto the page.
How long does a toner cartridge last?
That depends on the cartridge and on how much of each page you print. The page yield on the box assumes very light pages (around 5% of the page covered), so with everyday documents you’ll usually get fewer pages than stated.
Why do colour laser printers use four toners?
Cyan, magenta, yellow and black are layered on top of each other to create every other colour. Black is a separate toner because it’s used most, for text.
Does toner go off if I don’t use it?
Toner doesn’t dry out like ink, but it’s best kept sealed in its packaging in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and used before the date on the box.
Can I use alternative toner in my laser printer?
Yes. Quality compatible toner works in the same way as the original. Ours comes with a 3-year guarantee
on quality, function, storage life and page yield.
Find out what your printing really costs
Our free Print Cost Check shows you where you can save on toner – without compromising on quality.
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