Many customers have long been using affordable toner cartridges by third-party manufacturers to their satisfaction and enjoyed low printing costs. For most semi-professional and professional laser printers, laser-multifunctional devices, laser fax machines and photocopiers there is a range of affordable, compatible toners on the market.
Table of contentsWhen the toner cartridge is empty and there are no spares in the office and you find yourself having to re-order, you have the choice between original toners by the manufacturer of your device and the much more affordable compatible toner cartridges by alternative manufacturers.
In principal there are four different types of toner cartridges:
We find all this very confusing. That’s why we only offer original toners or compatible toners.
Have you ever wondered why printers that can also scan, fax and copy and have Wi-Fi only cost 79 or 99 Euros nowadays? How can that be?
The reason why original toners are so expensive:
Printer manufacturers have long realised that customers are unlikely to spend 500 Euros or more on a printer. A convenient solution was to subsidise the sale prices of printers and to realise the profits later, by selling accessories.
The reason why compatible toners are much cheaper:
What printer manufacturers however failed to consider is that toners can also be refilled or reconditioned or even recreated.
By now there are a large number of companies all over the world that specialise in reconditioning toners. These companies base their prices on actual material costs. Since they do not have to finance printer development, they can offer toners at extremely low prices.
As a customer you can save up to 70% of your printing costs by using alternative toners by third-party manufacturers. It is definitely worth shopping around!
Depending on the particular type, toner cartridges contain numerous components. Even the toner powder itself is composed of several different substances. Printer manufacturers keep the actual "recipe" for the toners contained in the original toner cartridges secret. The process of laser printing however is not "rocket science". That’s why there are numerous companies that produce high quality toner powder for alternative toner cartridges.
How good are original toners?
Original toners are developed and produced by printer manufacturers. Overall operation, fit and material quality are excellent. Original toner cartridges are the best choice if you are looking for comfortable, high quality printing.
Unfortunately original toners are very expensive. Compatible toners by third-party manufacturers are a perfectly good, affordable alternative for most everyday requirements!
How good are compatible toners?
Compatible toners have two principal weaknesses.
First of all, toner powder in alternative cartridges differs somewhat from the powder in original cartridges. This can for example manifest itself in poorer quality grayscale printing or in reduced adhesion of toner on paper. Secondly, the majority of toner cartridges nowadays come equipped with chips that communicate with the printer. The printer notices immediately when an alternative cartridge is inserted. The device will of course try to dissuade the user from using "non-original toners". You may also find that the ink level indicator display doesn’t work properly when using alternative toners.
The advantages are perfectly clear!
We are not aware of any manufacturers who forbid the use of compatible toners under the terms of their guarantee or void the guarantee because of it. But don’t forget: Printer manufacturers do not want their customers to use alternative cartridges. After all, they are missing out on millions of Euros worth of profits. That’s the reason why the devices come up with messages such as "No original toner inserted" or the printer driver complains one way or another.
Rebuilt toner cartridges are in fact empty original toners. There are companies all over the world that buy empty toners and remanufacture them. Depending on the cartridge model there are several components that can be re-used. That makes rebuilt toners more environmentally friendly because they are, at least in part, recycled.
