Original Toner
Toner is a very fine powder consisting of color pigments, magnetizable metal oxides, resin and some additives such as release agents. The exact formulation is known only to the equipment manufacturer. The toner in the compatible toner cartridges has a slightly different content compared to the original. These may be somewhat less finely grained and their mixing ratio or additives may deviate from the original. These small, subtle differences can have a massive effect on the printed image. The small differences can, for example, result from poorer color traces or poorer adhesion on the paper.
What is original toner?
The original toner is called OEM cartridges, which are developed or manufactured by the manufacturer of the respective printer, copier or also multifunction device.
Original toner (also known as OEM toner) is usually the best choice when it comes to obtaining excellent printer results. The original toner cartridges also promise the easiest handling. The device manufacturer knows exactly what is perfect for the printer.
Differences between original and compatible toners
Original toner cartridges are produced "new" by the equipment manufacturer. The toner powder used matches the particle size and composition to 100% to the printer type. This is reflected, in particular, in the color reproduction and adhesion of the toner on the paper.
Compatible toner cartridges are decomposed, cleaned, reworked and refilled by recycling companies. Over the past 20 years, companies throughout Europe and the rest of the world have overtaken empty original toners and then refilled them. Depending on the toner, various technical components, usually the image drum, were exchanged.
Further to the differences between original and compatible toners.
Why is original toner so expensive?
Printer manufacturers have invested tens of thousands of dollars in the development and improvement of printing technologies. In fact, many printer models would have to cost twice, triple or even quadruple. But then no one would buy a printer.
That is why the printer manufacturers subsidize the selling price of many printers and earn the money with the sale of the printer accessories.
Tonercartridges fit into many different printers, how come?
As in so many areas, printer companies are also working together to share the development costs. There are only a very small number of factories around the world who produce the print engines for the devices of many manufacturers.
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Often the same toner is used. The devices themselves differ in terms of their device functions (faxing, scanning, copying, duplex printing) and their connectivity (Ethernet, Wlan, Bluetooth etc), but the same printer works inside.
There is even a step further: There are toner cartridges from completely different manufacturers, which are unpacked for the sake of confusion, but do not fit into the other device due to small individual adjustments.
Original toner is too expensive for me
Many of our customers mainly print documents for short-term use, such as stock lists, memos, documents for meetings, etc. This can result in high costs, especially for large print jobs. With compatible toners you can save a lot of money. We have created a page with all the pro and contra arguments and other considerations for you: originals or compatible toners, pros and cons.
Save money when purchasing original toner
For many printers, there is high-volume toner or double pack and sparpacks. The cost savings are between 5% and 15%. With us you get a quantity discount for the purchase of 3 or more products. So if you buy a double pack and 3 pieces, you can benefit from both discounts. This is extremely worthwhile.
Lasers can also be stored almost indefinitely - at least as long as they are kept properly in their original packaging. Sooner or later, it would be desirable to have ordered one more cartouche.
Original Toner: Pros and Cons
Advantages of Originals:
- Highest quality printing
- Hardly any failures
- Easy to use
Disadvantages of Original Toner:
- High printing costs per page
- Little environmental friendly, only used once
How to dispose toner properly?
There are, on the one hand, return systems of the equipment manufacturers and, on the other hand, the possibility to sell the cartridges to recycling companies or even to donate them to organizations.
We have compiled a page for the correct disposal of printer accessories for you.
