| "First a little history..." | | | | cartridge with the same machines. The benefit |
| | | | you gain from these is obviously cost savings |
| In 1938, the first invention that would lead | | | | with at times massive savings up to around |
| to the laser printer and toner cartridgewas | | | | 50%. The downside is they are not as |
| patented. The process, knows as "electro | | | | environmentally friendly as remanufactured |
| photography", used a dryprinting method, not | | | | toners and there are the occasional failures |
| that different than today's laser printer. It | | | | and complaintsabout lower quality (though |
| was 1948, however, before the commercial | | | | failure rates for the top companies making |
| application of electro photography because | | | | these are within industry norms and not |
| available. | | | | significantly higher than those of the |
| | | | original manufacturers themselves) |
| In 1959, the first automatic reproduction | | | | |
| machine, the Xerox 914, which used a dry | | | | - Remanufactured toners however are a |
| printing process. In 1978, the fine-tuned | | | | little different as they take an empty |
| technology was applied to the computer | | | | original (it shouldhave only been used ONCE) |
| printing needs of business and private | | | | and fill it with toner. As long as you buy |
| citizens. Physically large and with a large | | | | from a reputable retailer it will have also |
| price tag as well, the Xerox 9700 laser | | | | been checked to determine if parts need to be |
| printer that used a toner cartridge wasn't | | | | replaced as well as toner refilled. You also |
| affordable by individuals except the wealthy. | | | | get good cost savings as you do with |
| | | | compatibles but the environment wins out big |
| Everything changed in 1984 when Hewlett | | | | time as you helping 'close the loop' by |
| Packard began to market the "LaserJet" | | | | reusing an empty original. Once again the |
| printer. This printer came with a replaceable | | | | same applies as above with quality and |
| toner cartridge that was not difficult to | | | | failures (both negligible in my experience as |
| change, although it could sometimes bit a | | | | a retailer in this industry) |
| little messy. The really problematic part was | | | | |
| that people who used the LaserJet had stacks | | | | NOTE: Its worth making a special note here |
| of expensive but empty tonersstacked in the | | | | that disposing of empty toners is a problem |
| storage room or wherever they could find to | | | | worldwide as the plastic they're made of |
| store the toner cartridges. | | | | takes so long to break down and the toxicity |
| | | | of the toner inside. In many countries today |
| This problem was quickly resolved by | | | | there are programs available where you can |
| environmentally aware designers by | | | | get rid of your empties without just throwing |
| re-manufacturing the laser toner cartridge. | | | | them in the bin. In fact if you hunt around |
| This significantly reduced the cost of using | | | | you'll probably find a company will pay you |
| laser printers. | | | | for them as they need a constant stream of |
| | | | empties coming through so they can |
| "What's happening today?..." | | | | remanufacture them. |
| | | | |
| Nowadays we have the luxury of having a laser | | | | Something to keep in mind.... |
| printer on our desk at home if we want that | | | | |
| type of printing. The as well as the initial | | | | When purchasing a re-manufactured laser toner |
| outlay for the printer has become quite | | | | cartridge, be sure to read the box carefully |
| affordable and provides a unique, very | | | | and ensure you are selecting the right toner |
| professional looking printout. | | | | cartridge. The first time you purchase a |
| | | | re-manufactured toner cartridge, the box may |
| Today, laser printers are manufactured by | | | | look entirely different or very plain because |
| many companies and the price tag is only | | | | these inexpensive toners are often not |
| slightly more than the common ink printer | | | | packaged in fancy, colourful boxes like the |
| (though colour laser printers are still quite | | | | namebrands. But then they don't cost what the |
| expensive the gap is getting smaller). The | | | | name brand toners do, either. |
| laser toner cartridge costs have been reduced | | | | |
| so that it is reasonable to use the laser | | | | "The bottom line..." |
| printer at home as well as at the office. In | | | | |
| fact the toners are usually much cheaper when | | | | If you use a reputable retailer for your home |
| you take into account the larger number of | | | | office supplies they should have a clear |
| pages you get for the amount you pay (the | | | | policy in place not only about faulty toners |
| industry uses the terminology 'cents per | | | | but what happens if a cartridge has somehow |
| page' or CPP) | | | | caused damage to your machine (this would be |
| | | | very unusual by the way). Under these |
| Basically there are 2 types of cartridges, | | | | circumstances this policy should give you a |
| originals and non-originals and there are 2 | | | | full warranty to havethe equipment repaired |
| types of non-originals being compatibles and | | | | ASAP at no cost to you. |
| remanufactured (this goes for inks also as | | | | |
| does the information below). Otherwise known | | | | With my clients when they ask what I suggest |
| as non-genuine, after market this is how they | | | | I always recommend they try a non-original to |
| work:- | | | | see for themselves the quality etc. In any |
| | | | case the trick is to be able to make an |
| - Compatibles are actually a brand new | | | | informed choice with someone you trust so at |
| cartridge manufactured to work in the same | | | | least if something goes wrong the people you |
| way (withoutbreaking the trademark, copy | | | | bought from haven't skipped the country. |
| protection laws) as the same original | | | | |