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