A toner cartridge is a case that holds print materials for a modern laser printer. It contains a dust-like powder contrasting to the wet ink that is normally used in printers. It forms clear texts and unclouded images on a page through a heated printing process. Around the toner cartridge, there are a lot of doubts and questions like, when do you need to replace toner, removing toner ink stains, recycling your cartridges, etc. Here is a handy guide that will answer all the questions.

Toner Substitution

You must replace the toner cartridge you’ve been using as soon as the toner is completely over. Laser printers often let out a warning before the toner runs completely dry and if you have drivers installed on the system, then it will send periodic notifications about toner levels, which you could use as a guide to know when it is the right time to replace your cartridge.

Effect on Human Health

Multiple studies have proven that it could be very harmful for people to inhale large volumes of toner dust. But with that being said, printers are essential items, so a few tips like keeping the printer at a distance and not on the desk and wearing disposable gloves while changing cartridges, act as preventive measures. However, one should pay heed to the pollutant emission rate of a printer before buying it.

Getting Rid of Toner from Skin and Clothes

We’ve all been in this place. Getting our clothes or carpets stained with fine dust particles emitting from a toner cartridge. The stains can get on our skin too, but it is easy to remove them in that case. All you need to do is wish the stained area on your body with cold water and it will go away. However, if you get it on your clothes, then it is better to bid them adieu. Pro tip: Avoid using a vacuum cleaner for this purpose as it may spoil the cleaner as well.

Smudging

This is one of the most frequently encountered problems with cartridges. It occurs when the printer begins to leave dirt stains on the printouts, which could be a direct consequence of unclean drums, or when waste toner limits are reached.

Recycling

A printer cartridge needs to be recycled as soon as it gets totally empty. Why? Because empty cartridges usually end up in landfills and may take decades and centuries to decompose. But on the other hand, recycled cartridges can be turned new again. And it’s also not difficult to do. Every major printer manufacturer has a special cartridge recycling program that enables you to ship back empty cartridges without paying any shipping costs.

Conclusion

Toner cartridges are almost used in all the modern printers and the photocopy machines price vary from brand to brand starting from AED 2000 to AED 8000.