Cross and delight of all those who need to print something urgent and the cartridge are finished. But how much do we know about the printer cartridge that makes our printer work? Let’s take a look at some basics.
Printer cartridge and home printers
Inkjet printers, the home printers, contain multiple cartridges that work together in issuing printouts for forms, letters, contracts, and other documents. When a printer cartridge runs out of ink, you must replace it with the correct cartridge to keep the printer running correctly for a long time. Each cartridge contains a number that allows it to be identified at office supply distributors, computer or electronics stores, or online retailers. Cartridges are also available at most retail supermarkets, but the price may be a little higher.
Knowing which cartridge printers work in your printer is very important. Order the wrong product, and you could be spending much more than the cost of the ink. Yes, because we are talking about ink and not toner.
Ink and toner are two utterly different printer cartridges, each with its advantages and disadvantages. If you’re looking to learn more about your printer cartridges or you’re looking for a new printer and are undecided about what to buy, let’s try to shed some more light.
Printer cartridge: what is the difference between ink and toner?
Simply put, ink cartridges contain liquid and are used by inkjet printers, while toner cartridges control powder and are used by laser printers. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.
The ink inside a printer can be dye-based or pigment-based, depending on the cartridge you purchased. Most inkjet printers on the market include dye-based inks. They are cheaper than pigment ink cartridges and are valued for producing vibrant, realistic color prints and photos. Dye-based inks are not waterproof and can be prone to smudging, with many prints tending to fade after 25 years. On the other hand, Pigment-based ink offers a sharper finish and faster drying time than dye-based ink. It is valued by professional photographers and graphic designers for its ability to print archival-quality images and text. Pigment ink also tends to resist water and UV light better than dye-based ink and can resist fading for up to 200 years. Of course, this is a much more expensive type of printer cartridge.
On the other hand, toner is a dry powdery substance that does not stain like printer ink cartridges but can become dirty if mishandled. Monochrome laser printers print with only one black toner cartridge. Color laser printers use four separate black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner cartridges to produce a print. The drum is another critical term ( and part) that you should also be familiar with because, without it, you won’t be able to print! The drum works with the toner cartridge to fuse the powder into the paper. A drum unit can be incorporated into the toner cartridge or sold separately as a single unit, depending on the printer’s consumption requirements. Printer toner cartridges with a built-in drum unit are generally more expensive than a single toner cartridge. Still, most consumers find them more convenient because they don’t have to worry about replacing the drum. Every time you purchase a new toner, you’re essentially substituting the drum. Generally, you can replace separate drum units after using 3-4 toners.
The printer’s cost greatly varies if we are choosing between a laser printer or an inkjet printer. If you were trying to figure out what kind of printer cartridge you need for your home printer, you’re probably looking for an inkjet one. Still, we’re sure that, after reading this article, you’ll know enough to make your evaluations regarding both the purchase of a new home printer and the type of printer cartridge you’ll want to deal with!